Study in the field of communication involves learning how humans employ widely varied media to produce understanding between people (or not). Learning in the field focuses on balancing general, theoretical studies of communication functions with the critical capacity to evaluate real world practice, and adding to this the enhanced ability to perform varied communication skills.
The core of the major emphasizes courses that introduce students to key concepts for communicating in the 21st century. The core courses provide vital foundations for work in the three areas of study (Communication, Journalism, and Public Relations), while the major-specific courses enable students to engage in integration, critical reflection, and application of all they have learned.
As the modes of communication are diverse, so too are the careers in the field, and three majors allow students to choose more specialized arenas of study to better prepare them for their chosen careers.
Journalism: This major puts communication in the context of the news media. Courses focus on the skills and background knowledge needed for a writing or editing career in a news medium, such as newspapers, magazines or internet news sites. Students who major in journalism can become beat reporters, specialty reporters, media critics, copy editors, corporate writers or succeed in any number of other professional writing settings. In addition to classroom study and lab work, students gain hands-on experience through the Mount Mercy Times and the internship program.
Students in this major develop skills and knowledge that enable them, for example, to: create a multimedia portfolio that demonstrates several competencies; execute key journalism skills, such as writing a complete story package; and translate the essential defining elements of journalism.
One strength of the communication program majors is that they prepare the individual for a wide variety of careers.The Journalism major prepares students for a career in the news media or related professional writing fields such as corporate communications. It can open the door to working in newspapers, magazines, newsletters and/or specialized media-oriented careers in politics, government or the corporate realm. The Journalism major can also be used in new media, such as writing for Web-based e-publications. Journalism is also the degree of choice for students who are interested in a freelance writing career.
See a full list of course descriptions on the Courses of Instruction page.
See the Graduate section of this Catalog for more information on Graduate programs offered at Mount Mercy.
Journalism Major
| AR 106 | Photography I | 3 |
| AR 220 | Typography & Design | 3 |
| CO 111 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| CO 120 | Introduction to Journalism | 3 |
| CO 130 | Basic Media Grammar for Professional Writing | 2 |
| CO 140 | Introduction to Mass Media in the United States | 3 |
| CO 242 | Media Theory | 3 |
| CO 360 | Law and Ethics of Mass Media | 3 |
| CO 281 | Newspaper Reporting | 3 |
| CO 290 | News Processing for Journalism and Public Relations | 4 |
| CO 340 | Newspaper/Magazine Copy Editing and Design | 3 |
| CO 372 | Communication Practicum | 1 |
| CO 380 | Internship in Communication | 3 |
| CO 480 | Seminar in Communication | 3 |
| Professional Writing | |
| Creative Writing | |
| Writing And Analysis Of Literature | |
| Topics In Creative Writing | |
| |
| Total Hours | 43-44 |
NOTE: Students majoring in the Communication Program can pursue an additional major or minor in the Communication Program ONLY if they also earn, at minimum, some other non-communication department minor.
Academic Requirements for the Journalism Major
A grade of C or above (C- does not count) is required in each of the communication department (CO) course requirements.
Journalism Minor
| CO 111 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| CO 120 | Introduction to Journalism | 3 |
| CO 130 | Basic Media Grammar for Professional Writing | 2 |
| CO 242 | Media Theory | 3 |
| CO 360 | Law and Ethics of Mass Media | 3 |
| CO 281 | Newspaper Reporting | 3 |
| CO 372 | Communication Practicum | 1 |
| Total Hours | 18 |
Academic Requirements for the Journalism Major
A grade of C or above (C- does not count) is required in each of the communication department (CO) course requirements.
