Foreign Language and Communication Media, BA

Foreign Language and Communication Media (BA) [CAS/WLC] Offered jointly by the Department of World Languages and Cultures, College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Communication. Students are admitted either to the School of Communication or to the Department of World Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences. Formal admission to the Foreign Language and Communication Media (FLCM) major requires a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50. Students who are unable to achieve a 2.50 GPA and declare a major in FLCM are not allowed to take courses in the School of Communication after they have completed 60 credit hours of undergraduate credit. University Requirements 120 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better Completion of college writing requirement Completion of university mathematics requirement General Education Requirements A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline Major Requirements 57 credit hours with grades of C or better. With approval of the student's advisor, up to 6 credit hours taken abroad may be applied toward the communication requirements. Program tracks: French, German, Russian, or Spanish combined with Broadcast Journalism, Film and Media Arts, Print Journalism, or Public Relations & Strategic Communication. Prerequisite competency in the major language at the intermediate level. Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA. Course Requirements Foundation (6 credit hours) COMM-100 Understanding Media FA4 (3) COMM-200 Writing for Communication (3) Foreign Language (18 credit hours) 18 credit hours of courses in the major language (French, German, Russian, or Spanish) at the 300-level or above taken in the Department of World Languages and Cultures Contemporary Culture (6 credit hours) Two courses related to any contemporary culture as approved by advisor Linguistics (3 credit hours) Complete one of the following: ANTH-225 Language and Human Experience FA1 (3) ANTH-254 Language and Culture (3) TESL-4XX linguistics course as approved by advisor Communication Program Tracks (24 credit hours) Complete one of the four communication program tracks, including three media studies courses from the School of Communication (with at least one at the 300-level or above), and five professional courses: broadcast journalism, film and media arts, print journalism, or public relations & strategic communication. Broadcast Journalism Media Studies Courses Three media studies courses with at least one at the 300-level or above, as approved by advisor Professional Courses COMM-305 Digital Skills (3) COMM-320 Reporting (3) COMM-385 Digital Audio Production (3) COMM-428 Advanced Television and Video Production (3) COMM-432 Backpack Video Journalism (3) Film and Media Arts Media Studies Courses COMM-105 Visual Literacy FA1 (3) Two additional media studies courses with at least one at the 300-level or above, as approved by advisor Professional Courses COMM-250 Digital Imaging (3) COMM-330 Principles of Photography (3) COMM-331 Film and Video Production I (3) COMM-382 Writing for Visual Media (3) One additional course approved by advisor Print Journalism Media Studies Courses Three media studies courses with at least one at the 300-level or above, as approved by advisor Professional Courses Required COMM-305 Digital Skills (3) COMM-320 Reporting (3) COMM-425 Advanced Reporting (3) Two courses from the following: COMM-325 Feature Article Writing (3) COMM-326 Sports Journalism (3) COMM-330 Principles of Photography (3) COMM-419 In-Depth Journalism (3) COMM-521 Opinion Writing (3) COMM-545 Business and Economic Journalism (3) Public Relations & Strategic Communication Media Studies Courses COMM-209 Communication and Society FA4 (3) Two additional media studies courses with at least one at the 300-level or above, as approved by advisor Professional Courses COMM-301 Public Relations (3) COMM-337 Public Relations Writing (3) COMM-346 Public Relations Case Studies (3) COMM-380 Public Communication Research (3) COMM-437 Public Relations Portfolio (3) Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor's/master's programs. See Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees for more information.