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Bucks County Community College

Catalog

  Catalog  —  Majors and Certificate Programs  —  Arts and Communication  —  Communication Studies

Communication Studies

Associate of Arts

Transfer Major

Decisions on the transferability of courses are made by the four-year colleges and differ from school to school. Students enrolled in this major should contact the Transfer Services Office early in their academic program to determine which courses will transfer to the college of their choice.

School of Arts & Communication: Communications Office
Hicks 125 • Phone (215) 968-8425
Curriculum Code: 1120

Embark on a fulfilling career path with our Communication Studies program, designed to equip you with a robust understanding of communication, media, and technology. This program lays the groundwork for advanced study and careers in public relations, advertising, journalism, broadcasting, and beyond. You will sharpen your oral and written communication skills, explore intercultural communication and conflict resolution, and analyze the evolving relationship between technology and media. Our dedicated advisors and career coaches are committed to assisting you explore other areas like social media, marketing, event planning, and public affairs, ensuring you are well-prepared for the professional world or further academic pursuits.

Graduates of this program can:

  • create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context;
  • describe basic theories and principles of human communication;
  • apply communication theories for developing and maintaining a variety of relationships;
  • communicate effectively within a culturally diverse society;
  • describe the role that media plays in developing world views in our global environment.

Degree Course Requirements

Course Credits
COLL101
Orientation to College
1
COMM101
Communication Theory
3
COMM105
Interpersonal Communication 2,3,8
3
COMM110
Effective Speaking A,4,5
3
COMM111
Media and Society 2,3,8
3
COMM215
Intercultural Communication 2,3
3
COMP110
English Composition I A,2,10
3
COMP111
English Composition II D,2,4,10
3
SOCI110
Introduction to Sociology 2.3,8
3
VAMM100
Digital Imaging
3
OR
VAGD101
Layout and Basic Typography
3
Art and Humanities H 3
Mathematics A,D,F,6 3/4
Social Science B 3
Electives G 6
Foreign Language and/or Literature B 3
College Level Science A,E,7 4
Program Electives C (choose from list) 12
Total Credit Hours 62/63

Program Electives (Select at least 12 credits):

Course Credits
COMT101
Introduction to Theater 1
3
COMT103
Introduction to Acting 1
3
COMT106
Introduction to Improvisational Performance
3
COMT203
Acting II
3
COMT206
Improvisational Performance II
3
JOUR155
Advertising Copywriting
3
JOUR175
News Reporting and Writing D
3
MGMT145
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution 2,8
3
MKTG200
Advertising
3
MKTG220
Digital Marketing
3
MKTG230
Social Media Marketing
3
PSYC105
Introduction to Group Dynamics
3
VACV130
Media Scriptwriting D
3
VACV135
Video Studio Production I
3
VACV137
Sound Design for Film and Video
3
VACV140
Digital Video Editing
3
VACV141
The Art of Independent Cinema
3
VACV142
The Art of Theatrical Cinema 1
3
VACV145
Videography
3
VAGD101
Layout and Basic Typography
3
VAPH110
Digital Photography Fundamentals
3
VAMM100
Digital Imaging
3
VAMM110
Web Design
3
WMST110
Introduction to Gender Studies
3

Recommended Semester Sequence

The recommended course sequence is designed for full-time students who average 15 credit hours per semester. Students may need more time to complete major requirements based on placement testing. This additional time will entail some adjustments to the sequence recommended.

First Semester

Course Credits
COLL101
Orientation to College
1
COMM105
Interpersonal Communication 2,3,8
3
COMP110
English Composition I A,2,10
3
COMM111
Media and Society 2,3,8
3
Mathematics A,D,F,6 3/4
Program Elective C (choose from list) 3
Total Credit Hours 16/17

Second Semester

Course Credits
COMM101
Communication Theory
3
COMM110
Effective Speaking A,4,5
3
COMP111
English Composition II D,2,4,10
3
VAMM100
Digital Imaging
3
OR
VAGD101
Layout and Basic Typography
3
Program Elective C (choose from list) 3
Total Credit Hours 15

Third Semester

Course Credits
COMM215
Intercultural Communication 2,3
3
SOCI110
Introduction to Sociology 2.3,8
3
Art and Humanities H 3
College Level Science A,E,7      4
Program Elective C (choose from list) 3
Total Credit Hours 16

Fourth Semester

Course Credits
Foreign Language and/or Literature B 3
Social Science B 3
Program Elective C (choose from list) 3
General Electives G 6
Total Credit Hours 15

A Placement testing required.
B Consult the list of courses approved for this subcategory. Any course may be chosen.
C Choose from COMT101, COMT103, COMT106, COMT203, COMT206, JOUR155, JOUR175, MGMT145, MKTG200, MKTG230, PSYC105, VACV130, VACV135, VACV137, VACV140, VACV141, VACV142, VACV145, VAGD110, VAMM100, VAMM110, WMST110.
D Course requires pre-requisites.
E Choose from BIOL101, BIOL181, CHEM101, CHEM121, PHYS106, SCIE103, SCIE104, SCIE105.
F Choose from MATH101, MATH115, MATH120, MATH122, MATH125, MATH140.
G Pre-college level courses do not meet this requirement.
H Choose from COMT101, HIST114, VAGD190, VAFA 194, VAPH196.

1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities
2 Satisfies Critical Thinking
3 Satisfies Cultural Competency
4 Satisfies Information Literacy
5 Satisfies Oral Communication
6 Satisfies Quantitative Literacy
7 Satisfies Scientific Literacy
8 Satisfies Social Sciences
9 Satisfies Technological Competence
10 Satisfies Writing

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Arts & Communication

215-968-8425 arts.comm@bucks.edu 125 Hicks Art Center

Arts & Communication

215-968-8425 arts.comm@bucks.edu 125 Hicks Art Center
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