Mass Communications, B.A.J.M.C.
The challenge of 21st-century communications is to combine the information-gathering function-research and data bases-with the disciplines of disseminating information-journalism, advertising, public relations, visual communications, and mass communications.
The college’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications is professionally oriented and grounded strongly in the liberal arts. It offers instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Course work is offered in electronic and print journalism, advertising, public relations, visual communications, and mass communications to train students in both the processes and effects of mass communication.
Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Mass Commnications, B.A.J.M.C. program will be able to…
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct research, gather information, write clearly and correctly and present relevant news or persuasive information at a professional level.
- Think critically, creatively and independently; evaluate their own work and the work of others for accuracy, fairness, clarity, style and correctness.
- Understand the history of journalism and mass communications, the diversity of groups in a global society in relationship to communications and the role of journalism and mass communications in society.
- Understand the ethical concepts, legal implications, considerations and practices that guide the mass media professions.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply tools and technologies appropriate for the production, editing and presentation of visual, aural, textual or other media content.
- Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts and methods appropriate for the communications professions.
Admissions
Entrance Requirements
Freshman Students
In order to be admitted to a program of study in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, freshmen must meet all University admission requirements. In order to continue in the program, each student must attain a minimum USC GPA of 2.50 upon completion of 30 degree-applicable hours. Credit received for remedial work is not counted toward the 30 hours.
Transfer Students
A student desiring to transfer to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, from either another college of the University or another institution, must have a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.50 on all work attempted. Transfer students from other institutions must take at least half the journalism and mass communications course work in residence at the University of South Carolina Columbia. Required journalism and mass communications courses from non-ACEJMC-accredited institutions, in order to be applied to the journalism and mass communications degree, must be validated by proficiency tests. Other journalism and mass communications courses from those institutions may be used as journalism and mass communications electives at the discretion of the SJMC administration. No more than 12 semester hours of journalism and mass communications related courses from non-ACEJMC-accredited institutions will be applied toward the journalism and mass communications degree.
Completion of ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 with grades of C or higher are prerequisites for JOUR 291.
Degree Requirements (120 hours)
See School of Journalism and Mass Communications for progression requirements and other regulations.
Program of Study
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| 1. Carolina Core | 31-44 |
| 2. College Requirements | 18-21 |
| 3. Program Requirements | 12-23 |
| 4. Major Requirements | 48 |
Founding Documents Requirement
All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers. This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective. Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.
1. Carolina Core Requirements (31-44 hours)
CMW – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)
must be passed with a grade of C or higher
ARP – Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6-7 hours)
- STAT 201 or STAT 205
- any other approved CC-ARP course
SCI – Scientific Literacy (7 hours)
Two approved Carolina Core Scientific Literacy courses from the natural sciences, including one laboratory course
GFL – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-6 hours)
Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language (except Latin or Ancient Greek) equivalent to the minimal passing grade on the exit examination in 122. Students can demonstrate this proficiency by successfully completing Phase II of the Proficiency Test or by successfully completing the 122 course, including the exit exam administered as part of that course.
GHS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 hours)
One US History course selected from the following:
GSS – Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 hours)
- any CC-GSS course
AIU – Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 hours)
- any CC-AIU course
CMS – Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component1 (0-3 hours)
Select one from the following:
INF – Information Literacy1 (0-3 hours)
- any overlay or stand-alone CC-INF course
VSR – Values, Ethics, and Social Responsibility1 (0-3 hours)
- any overlay or stand-alone CC-VSR course
| 1 | Carolina Core Stand Alone or Overlay Eligible Requirements — Overlay-approved courses offer students the option of meeting two Carolina Core components in a single course. A maximum of two overlays is allowed. The total Carolina Core credit hours must add up to a minimum of 31 hours. Some programs may have a higher number of minimum Carolina Core hours due to specified requirements. |
2. College Requirements (18-21 hours)
Foreign Language (0-3 hours)
- only if needed to meet 122-level proficiency
History (3 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| European Civilization from Ancient Times to the Mid-17th Century | ||
| European Civilization from the Mid-17th Century | ||
| Introduction to the Civilization of the Islamic Middle East | ||
| Introduction to East Asian Civilization | ||
| Introduction to African History | ||
| Introduction to Ancient Near Eastern Civilization | ||
| Science and Technology in World History | ||
| Introduction to Latin American Civilization | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |
Literature (3 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Special Topics in Fiction | ||
| Special Topics in British Literature | ||
| Drama | ||
| Special Topics in American Literature | ||
| Poetry | ||
| American Literature | ||
| English Literature | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |
Social Science (3 hours)
- any CC-GSS course
Social or Behavioral Science (3 hours)
A 300-level or higher course from HIST or POLI or three hours of Social or Behavioral Sciences at the 300 level or higher from: AFAM- African-American Studies; ANTH- Anthropology; COLA- College of Liberal Arts; GEOG-Geography (except GEOG 545 and GEOG 546); LASP-Latin American Studies; POLI- Political Science; PSYC- Psychology; SOCY- Sociology; SOST- Southern Studies; WGST- Women and Gender Studies.
Additional SJMC Requirements (6 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 224 | Introduction to Economics | 3 |
| MKTG 350 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| or MGMT 371 | Principles of Management | |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
3. Program Requirements (12-23 hours)
Minor or Cognate (12-18 hours)
Students must complete either a minor or a cognate from courses outside the SJMC.
A minimum grade of C is required in all cognate or minor courses
Minor (18 hours)
A student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications may choose to complete a minor consisting of 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. The minor is intended to develop a coherent basic preparation in a second area of study. Courses applied toward general education requirements cannot be counted toward the minor. No course may satisfy both major and minor requirements. All minor courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. A minor form must be completed and approved by the school after the student has completed 30 hours of course work.
Cognate (12 hours)
A student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications may choose to complete a cognate. A cognate requires a minimum of 12 hours of courses in other departments related to the student’s major and/or career goals. Cognate courses may be taken in one or more departments depending on the interest and requirements of the student, but must have approval of the student’s adviser. Journalism courses may not be used in the cognate. At least 6 of the 12 hours must be at the 300-level or higher. No 100 level courses may be used in the cognate.
Electives (0-11 hours)
The Carolina Core, additional SJMC General Eduation Requirements, Minor/Cognate and Electives outside of the SJMC must include at least 72 semester hours in academic subjects. Students with fewer than 72 hours in general education courses must take enough electives to fulfill the 72-hour minimum.
No elective courses of a remedial, developmental nature may apply as credit toward the 72-hour minimum.
4. Major Requirements (48 hours)
A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses
Major Courses (30 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 101 | Media and Society | 3 |
| JOUR 291 | Writing for Mass Communications | 3 |
| JOUR 303 | Law and Ethics of Mass Communications | 3 |
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Principles of Public Relations | ||
| Principles of Advertising and Brand Communications | ||
| Principles of Visual Communications | ||
| Principles of Journalism | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| History and Philosophy of the Mass Media | ||
| Theories of Mass Communications | ||
| Freedom, Responsibility, and Ethics of the Mass Media | ||
| Mass Media Criticism | ||
| Public Opinion and Persuasion | ||
| Capstone Portfolio Course | ||
| JOUR 515 | Mass Communications Capstone Portfolio | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Leadership with Distinction Pathway (6 hours)
Choose one of the University’s Leadership with Distinction Pathways: Global Learning, Research, Civic Engagement, or Community Service. Courses listed under each pathway are examples that address the pathway’s learning outcomes. Except for the required courses identified, otehr relevant courses that address the pathway outcomes may be substituted per approval of advisor.
Global Learning (6 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 504 | International Mass Communications | 3 |
| Select one approved SJMC international elective | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Research (6 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 332 | Mass Communications Research | 3 |
| Select one approved SJMC research elective | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Professionals & Civic Engagement (6 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two of the following approved Professional & Civic Engagement electives: | 6 | |
| Law and Ethics of Mass Communications | ||
| Public Relations Writing | ||
| Freedom, Responsibility, and Ethics of the Mass Media | ||
| Crisis Communications | ||
| The Carolina Agency | ||
| Ethics in Public Relations and Public Policy | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Community Service (6 hours)
- Two approved SJMC service learning or community engagement electives
Diversity and Social Advocacy (6 hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 311 | Minorities, Women, and the Mass Media | 3 |
| Select one of the following approved SJMC Diversity and Social Advocacy electives: | 3 | |
| Freedom, Responsibility, and Ethics of the Mass Media | ||
| Faith, Values, and the Mass Media | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Note: The major in Mass Communications aligns with Graduation with Leadership Distinction. Further information on Graduation with Leadership Distinction can be obtained through the Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning.
Major Electives (12 hours)
Four JOUR electives of the students’ choice: at least 3 hours and no more than 6 hours must be from skills courses.
Concentration in Sports Media (12 hours) Optional
Students may choose to complete a concentration in sports media. The sports media concentration may be used to fulfill 12 hours of the major elective requirements.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 391 | Sports Media and Society | 3 |
| Select three elective courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Super Bowl Commercials | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Public Relations Campaigns | ||
| The Carolina Agency | ||
| Internship in Mass Communications | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
Major Map
A major map is a layout of required courses in a given program of study, including critical courses and suggested course sequences to ensure a clear path to graduation.
Major maps are only a suggested or recommended sequence of courses required in a program of study. Please contact your academic advisor for assistance in the application of specific coursework to a program of study and course selection and planning for upcoming semesters.