Rome
20°Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Students have the opportunity to gain expertise in a variety of media and communication areas by completing specific core courses and then selecting a specific concentration of courses to focus on, either i) Intercultural Communication Studies or ii) Writing for the Media. Students have the option of not choosing a specific concentration and to follow a general Communication curriculum designed in consultation with their advisor.
The aim of the curriculum is to prepare students, through a progression of both theoretical and practical courses, for international careers in any of the above specializations. Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication may go on to graduate studies, or pursue careers in both the public and private sectors of employment: private industries, multinational corporations; nongovernmental, federal and international agencies; the news media or film and television industries.
Program Objectives
The curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication instills in its students:
- Excellent writing skills, whether expository, analytical, creative, or journalistic.
- Highly developed conceptual analysis and critical thinking skills.
- The training and practice required to use the appropriate tools and technology of media production, as well as develop their information literacy skills.
- Full awareness of the laws and ethical guidelines that govern the media and its practitioners.
- The preparation to work and operate successfully in a global environment characterized by diversity and intercultural understanding and respect.
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication requires successful completion of 120 credits made up of a 37-credit General Education requirement, a 39-credit major and 44 credits of free electives. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of no less than 2.00 on a 4.00 scale and earn at least a C grade (2.00) in every core course (21 credits).
Requirements for the Degree
A. Proficiency in English, Mathematics and Italian Language
A note on our Proficiency Requirements and Placement Examinations: All new first-year students are required to take placement examinations in mathematics and English. New transfer students are exempt from taking the examinations only if transfer credits in mathematics and/or English have been accepted by AUR. Italian language tests are given for students wishing to register for a course above ITL 101 (optional). The tests are given during orientation week preceding the start of each semester. The scores obtained will be used for English, mathematics and Italian placement.
B. The General Education Requirements
- Foundational Skills: First Year Seminar; Writing Skills; Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning; Italian language; IT skills; Information Literacy; Oral Presentation Skills
- The Individual in a Multicultural Society; Three courses from a list in the Catalog
- United States Government and Society; One course from a list in the Catalog
- Roma Caput Mundi; One course from a list in the Catalog
C. Core Courses
- COM 100 Introduction to Mass Media
- COM 101 Mass Communication and Society
- COM 103 Introduction to Journalism
- CIN 200 Survey of Film History
- COM 305 Media Ethics and Cultural Citizenship
- COM 498 Capstone Senior Project
- COM 499 Capstone Senior Project
Communication Electives
Students may take a broad program of study which draws upon a selection of the courses from a list in the catalog or they may focus their Communication electives by taking a Concentration of 18 credits. A minimum of three upper-level courses must be taken.
Intercultural Communication Studies Concentration
Required course COM 219 Intercultural communication plus 5 from a list in the Catalog.
Writing for the Media Concentration
Required course COM 213 Writing Across the Media plus five from a list in the Catalog.
Free Electives
Free electives can be used towards satisfying a minor, to supplement a major or to explore other academic areas.
