Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Strategic Communication and Media, Bachelor of Science (BS) - Concentration in Digital Media Production

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Strategic COMMUNICATION and Media - DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTION, BS

  • Writing: Develop written skills in visual, audio, and digital platforms to design effective messages. 
  • Production Skills: Develop production skills in the visual, audio, and digital platforms to design effective messages. 
  • Project Management: Incorporate the design skills of needs assessment, message design, and evaluation when developing, producing, and evaluating a media project. 

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA DEPARTMENT, OVERALL

  • Writing competency: Students will demonstrate the ability to write and present messages clearly and effectively.
  • Ethics and legal issues: Students will understand ethical and legal issues facing communicators in the 21st century.
  • Research and analysis: Students will demonstrate the ability to design and implement research studies and critically analyze research data. 

RELATED LINKS

Strategic Communication and Media - Digital Media Production, BS Program Page

Strategic Communication and Media Department Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Computer Competency0-3
Major/Concentration Requirements51
Electives27

* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits.  Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.

ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

Computer Competency

Demonstrate "computer competency" by one of the following:0-3
Pass Computer Competency Exam OR
Select one of the following at SRU or another post-secondary institution:
Introduction to Computing for Liberal Arts
Computer Concepts
Introduction to Computing and Programming
Technology for Wellness
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

MAJOR/CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS 

  • 26 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 26 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Core Requirements
COMM 110Communication Concepts 1,23
COMM 263Mass Media and Society 13
COMM 310Communication Research Methods 1,23
COMM 410Communication Law 1,23
COMM 497Senior Capstone Seminar 13
Subtotal15
Digital Media Fundamentals
COMM 235Introduction to Digital Design 13
COMM 248Interactive Multimedia 1 13
COMM 254Video Production 13
COMM 256Message Preparation 13
Subtotal12
Emphasis
Select Emphasis from the following:15
Digital Media Electives
Select 2 of the following (at least one course must be 300 level or higher):6
Audio Production 1
Principles of Integrated Marketing Communication & Public Relations 1
Photojournalism 1
Recording and Producing in the Audio Industry 1
Interactive Multimedia 2 1
Social Media 1
Publication Production 1
Digital Animation 1
New-Media Journalism 1
Editing for Video 1
Digital Radio Production 1
Multi-Camera Studio Production 1
Video Field Production 0
Sports and Esports Production
Digital Imaging 1
Advertising Production 1
Issues in Communication Technologies 1
The Communication Age 1
Subtotal21
Internship
COMM 450Internship (3-12 credits) 13
Total Hours51
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

2

A grade of 'C' or higher must be earned in these courses

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Audio Production Emphasis

COMM 205Audio Production 13
COMM 257Recording and Producing in the Audio Industry 13
COMM 350Editing for Video 13
COMM 352Digital Radio Production 13
COMM 453Media Project Management 13
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Multimedia Emphasis

COMM 258Interactive Multimedia 2 13
COMM 307Social Media 13
or COMM 347 New-Media Journalism
COMM 359Interactive Multimedia 3 13
COMM 401Digital Imaging 13
COMM 453Media Project Management 13
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Television and Video Production Emphasis

COMM 205Audio Production 13
COMM 350Editing for Video 13
COMM 354Multi-Camera Studio Production 13
COMM 355Video Field Production 13
COMM 454Live Broadcast Production 13
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION & MEDIA - BS (2119)
Concentration in Digital Media Production (DIGM)
This program is effective as of Summer 2022
Revised 12.05.2022
UCC 03.01.2022

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
COMM 110 Communication Concepts 3
COMM 263 Mass Media and Society 3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
 Hours16
Spring
COMM 235 Introduction to Digital Design 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Humanities Inquiry 3
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
COMM 248 Interactive Multimedia 1 3
COMM 254 Video Production 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
Elective 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 256 Message Preparation 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Digital Media Emphasis Course 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Electives 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
COMM 310 Communication Research Methods 3
Digital Media Emphasis Course 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Spring
Digital Media Emphasis Course 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Digital Media Elective 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
COMM 410 Communication Law 3
Digital Media Emphasis Course 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Electives 6
 Hours15
Spring
COMM 497 Senior Capstone Seminar 3
COMM 450 Internship 3
COMM 453
Media Project Management
or Live Broadcast Production
3
Digital Media Elective 3
Electives 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

Major Code: 2119
Concentration Code: DIGM
Revised: 10-2019

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year.