Communication Arts BA

The Communication Arts major is an interdisciplinary program rooted in the four pillars of Ramapo College’s mission. The major prepares students to perform in the innovative and rapidly evolving field that exists at the intersection of communication and culture. Our mission is to prepare our students to investigate the relationship between culture and media in our globally diverse society. Our curriculum is both grounded in the liberal arts and committed to teaching students how to apply their writing, research and problem-solving skills to public advocacy and building community across cultures. Students learn to cultivate a strong sense of civic responsibility and social justice, that prepares them to navigate with digital technologies in an ever-changing world.

Faculty

The Communication Arts faculty includes nationally and internationally recognized scholars, authors, journalists, and writers whose work has been featured in digital spaces and 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.

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.

The program currently offers a Communication Arts major with two concentrations.

• Global Communication and Media

• Digital Journalism and Writing

Overview of the Concentrations

The GLOBAL COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA (GCM) CONCENTRATION offers a combination of courses in critical media studies along with research and analysis skills for communication careers in the global workplace. Graduates leave with proficiency in critical and strategic thinking, research, writing, oral communication, and visual as well as rhetorical analysis that prepare them for graduate study or professional careers in the media industry, publishing industry, global and local non-profit sectors. Students also regularly choose to pursue graduate study in related fields including development communication, health communication, public policy and education. Alumni work in all levels of communication professions in television and film programming and development, strategic campaign management, traditional and digital marketing, publishing, public relations, among other careers.

The DIGITAL JOURNALISM AND WRITING (DJW) CONCENTRATION prepares students to be effective multimedia storytellers who are grounded in accurate information gathering, sound writing practices and ethical decision-making, using the latest emerging technology. Students will have opportunities to practice journalism in local communities, and apply a variety of writing styles for websites, blogs, digital news sites, magazines and other media outlets. They can pursue journalistic stories or develop long-form narrative writing projects. As they progress, students will learn multimedia techniques, including broadcast (audio/video) and immersive storytelling as well as digital production across multiple media platforms.

Co-curricular and Extracurricular Opportunities

Co-op/Internship

Communication Arts majors are required to take at least one co-op/internship course. The internship experience is designed to provide students with experience related to their degree and career interests; requirements and evaluations are defined by supervising faculty members, and students work closely with faculty members throughout the internship experience to ensure they are meeting the requirements. The program allows the flexibility for students to take either 2 credits over two semesters or 4 credits in one semester to fulfill this criterion.

The Cahill Career Development Center assists faculty in overseeing these experiences and helps students with the process of preparing a resume, cover letter, and the search for an internship from their database of employers and available internships. Additionally, internship opportunities are often generated by established relationships between the employer organization and the Communication Arts program, as well as relationships with our faculty. Some students locate their internships independently. Internships opportunities are researched, evaluated, and approved on the basis of the employer organization, opportunities for relevant and meaningful experiential learning experiences and skill set development, professional contacts, and the working environment.  

Communication Honor Society

The Communication Arts Honor Society is the Rho Phi chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the official honor society of the National Communication Association. In order to be considered for membership, a student must maintain a 3.5 or higher average in his or her overall GPA.

Ramapo News

The Ramapo News is the student-run newspaper, presenting news, features, and items of interest to the community. Students involved in the club gain experience and insight into all phases of print journalism: reporting, editing, photography, editorial writing, management, marketing and graphic design. 

Schomburg Program Speakers

Faculty in the program regularly host scholars, authors, journalists, and activists to present lectures and offer workshops to students in the major and to the college at large. 

In 2017-2019, Professor Sen brought internationally renowned scholar Dr. Arvind Singhal, international development studies scholar and social activist Dr. Saumya Pant, and Bollywood and gender studies scholar Dr. Anjali Ram. In 2016, Professor Pat Keeton brought Pakistani Professor Shafiuddin Khan, who trained with the United Nation High Commission for Refugees. Professor Negron brought Dr. Theresa Williamson, founder of the non-profit organization Catalytic Communities based in Brazil.

Facilities

The Communication Arts major maintains a wide range of facilities. Mac and PC computer labs are configured for use in the areas of interactive multimedia production, new media journalism and global communication and media research.

Goal 1: Demonstrate proficiency in critical media analysis and media/ cultural literacy.

Outcome 1: Students will demonstrate understanding of how different media industries, institutions, and regulatory environments shape content and access, and learn how to challenge structural inequalities.

Outcome 2: Students will design and conduct media research (qualitative and/or quantitative), analyze results, and incorporate findings into reporting and storytelling.

Goal 2: Communicate oral, visual and written ideas effectively.

Outcome 3: Be able to write appropriately to their discipline using proper tools for research and documentation.

Outcome 4: Demonstrate effective oral communication.