Mass Communication
Mary Jean Land, Chair and Professor
Associate Professors: Kristin English
Assistant Professors: Angela Criscoe, Jennifer Green, Jack Karlis, Jim Schiffman, Christina Smith
Senior Lecturer: Pate McMichael
Lecturer: Kortni Alston, Amanda Respess
Department Contact Information:
Georgia College
Mass Communication
Campus Box 32
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-8260
Chair, Mary Jean Land, maryjean.land@gcsu.edu
Administrative Assistant, Tommie Benton, tommie.benton@gcsu.edu
Mission
The mission of the Department of Mass Communication encompasses the vision and goals of the university as a public liberal arts institution while providing students with a balance of theory and practical applications in mass communication. The Mass Communication major offers instruction in researching, writing, critical thinking, producing, and disseminating information through mass media. Our curriculum is designed to prepare graduates who are independent professional communicators with strong professional, research, theoretical, and critical thinking skills. It is the desire of the faculty and department to produce graduates who are capable of meeting the high standards of a constantly evolving world of media.
Student Success
Earning a college degree is a significant milestone in one's life and requires tremendous effort. To enable students to achieve this goal, the faculty has developed a comprehensive program to help further each student's success. Freshman students are required to enroll in MSCM 0001 Mass Communication Freshman Seminar. This course provides students an overview about their chosen major in mass communication. It strives to expose freshman students to many of the university's resources, university and departmental policies and procedures, opportunities for advancement, and extra-curricular opportunities.
Mass Communication majors are required to complete two university practicums in order to be eligible for graduation. The practicum experience is designed to provide students with practical application of their skills within an area of Mass Communication. Students receive one hour of academic credit resulting in a letter grade assigned by their practicum supervisor. Practicums are completed on-campus; requirements, hours, and duties vary.
MSCM students are all required to complete one off-campus internship within the field of Mass Communication after they have completed all four of their MSCM skills courses and production courses. The internship experience is designed to provide MSCM students with practical application of their knowledge and skills in a professional setting. Students receive three hours of academic credit resulting in a letter grade assigned by the internship coordinator. Students are responsible for arranging their own internship with assistance from faculty and the Career Center.
Paths in Mass Communication
Mass Communication has three optional paths: Strategic Communication, Digital Media Production, and Journalism. These paths serve solely as guides for students in selecting classes and careers.
The Strategic Communication path includes opportunities in public relations and advertising including strategic planning, account management, social media and media planning and buying. Students who are interested in creative or management careers in the persuasive communication areas of public relations and advertising are encouraged to pursue this path. Students in this path have interned at BBDO, Home Depot, 22Squared, Ketchum, Jackson Spalding, Georgia Aquarium and a variety of corporate communication departments, creative agencies and nonprofit organizations nationally and internationally.
The Digital Media Production path includes opportunities in graphic design and video production for persuasive, informational and entertainment purposes. Students who are interested in creating graphics, logos, posters, and/or producing, directing, shooting video, recording audio, and editing for commercial, corporate, documentary, or narrative fiction, should pursue this path. Students in this path have interned at Adult Swim, Crazy Leg Productions, and various production studios and broadcast stations around the world.
The Journalism path includes cutting-edge platforms to report, write, record, shoot, edit, and produce ethical, inspiring journalism for diverse audiences. Classes focus on breaking news, public affairs, investigative, narrative, documentary, interactive, community, and sports journalism. Students pursuing careers in print, online, broadcast, or emerging media should pursue this path. Students in this path have interned at National Geographic, CNN, AJC, and various media outlets around the world.
Career Information
The major in Mass Communication provides a varied background suitable for employment in any field of communication. Graduates are inclined to pursue employment opportunities with newspapers, radio or television stations, production companies and Internet design firms. Many Mass Communication graduates also become leaders in the fields of advertising, public relations and marketing. In particular, the Mass Communication major prepares students to work with the mass media.
Extracurricular Activities in Mass Communication
The Colonnade, WGUR 95.3 FM Radio, GC360 News, Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Bobcat Media Productions, Society of Professional Journalists, Lambda Pi Eta