College Catalog: 2015-2016

Areas of study within the Communication Arts major: Digital Filmmaking, Global Communication and Media, Journalism, Visual Communication Design (graphic design), and Writing.

The Communication Arts Major prepares students for a richly interdisciplinary field that functions at the intersection of media, design, film and society. Emerging in the mid-1900s to become one of the most influential disciplines of the 21st Century, the field of communication is the study and practice of contemporary tools, languages, technologies, media and discourses of and about culture.

Faculty

The Communication Arts faculty includes nationally and internationally recognized scholars, authors, journalists, professional designers  filmmakers and writers whose work has been featured in publications, festivals, exhibitions, as well as in books and academic journals.

Curriculum

Students in the Communication Arts major begin their study with foundational knowledge in new technologies and practices in the communication disciplines. They then choose one of five concentrations for further study: Digital Filmmaking, Global Communication and Media, Journalism, Visual Communication Design and Writing. Courses in theory, history, criticism, research, writing and hands on production engage students analytically and creatively with the social, cultural, and aesthetic issues of media

The curriculum culminates in a senior portfolio capstone project that demonstrates each student’s ability to conceptualize and execute meaningful work using the relevant technologies of his or her concentration.

Internships

As part of the curriculum, Communication Arts students are required to complete an internship in their area of interest.  Students leave Ramapo College with professional experience in disciplines that include promotions, public relations, advertising, writing, broadcast, print and web design  interactive media, film, television, journalism publishing and non-profit.

Clubs, Events and Exhibitions

Other experiential and extracurricular activities include regular Cinematheque film screenings, the Rho Phi chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Arts Honor Society; a student Creative Media Club; regular presentations by artists, professionals, and alumni, and Media Collision, the annual spring showcase of outstanding student work.

Facilities

The Communication Arts Major maintains a wide range of facilities. Mac and PC computer labs are configured for use in the areas of print and web design, interactive multimedia production, animation, film and audio postproduction, new media journalism and global communication and media research. Other facilities include a field production classroom, private editing suites, audio recording studio, student access clusters, print lab, and studio facilities for television/digital film/new media production. Students completing this program will receive a B.A. degree.

Outcome 1: Demonstrate understanding of media as an economic, cultural, political and ideological force in society that changes over time. 

Outcome 2: Demonstrate understanding of media in a global and intercultural perspective that changes over time. 

Outcome 3: Demonstrate understanding of the ways in which media language (image, text, sound) constructs social reality and creates meaning in different periods. 

Outcome 4: Understand and be able to apply the principles of media ethics to their work. 

Outcome 5: Students will apply creative thinking in the work they produce. 

Outcome 6: Be able to write appropriately to their discipline, using proper documentation. 

Outcome 7: Demonstrate effective oral communication. 

Outcome 8: Produce advanced work making appropriate choices about tools and techniques.

1. Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below.  Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
2. Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible.  Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
3. Writing Intensive Requirement (six courses):  three writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: First Year Seminar, Critical Reading and Writing, and Readings in the Humanities; the other three courses are taken in the major.
4. Not all courses are offered each semester.  Please check the current Schedule of Classes for semester course offerings.

COMMUNICATION ARTS MAJOR

Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.

General Education Requirements
Four Year Plan
Graduation Requirements
School of Contemporary Arts Website
Faculty Profiles