Communication Studies

Introduction

We communicate through speech, writing, art, technology, popular culture, and media. The Communication Studies program provides an exciting, career-oriented approach to communication and media studies. Courses concentrate on history, theory, analysis, and practice. Extracurricular opportunities include departmental projects, on-campus internships, off campus internships, and student-run campus media.

Our students have recently interned or have been hired by ABC News, ABC News Radio, CNN America, CNBC, Rolling Stone Magazine, Nickelodeon, The Colbert Report, Sirius XM Radio, The Creative Group, The Creators Project, Seventeen Magazine, Music Choice, and Viacom.

Degree

Bachelor of Arts Communication Studies

Optional Minors

Students can also choose to minor in Communication Studies

Career Ideas

Advertising Executive, Public Relations Practitioner, Journalist, Social Media Manager, TV or Radio Broadcaster, Media Writer, Communication or Media Consultant, Press Secretary, Sports Information Director, Lobbyist, Marketing Research Analyst, Speech Writer, Theatre & Media Director, and Writer/Author.

Program Administrators

Jim Frank, Program Chair, (914) 323-5410, Jim.Frank@mville.edu

Overview

The Communication Studies major and minor introduce students to the full range of the discipline, including interpersonal, intercultural, small group, public, and mass communication. Our curriculum emphasizes media studies, including media history, theory, criticism, law, ethics, and digital production.

Students who major or minor in Communication Studies are prepared not only to evolve as informed and engaged citizens in our increasingly mass-mediated society, but also to succeed in exciting professional fields such as advertising, public relations, journalism, marketing, film, television, radio, and online media production.

Faculty and Staff

Program Chair

Jim Frank (Chair) – Digital photography, studio photography, graphic design, computer graphics

Faculty

Nikhil Ghodke – motion graphics, video production

Christine Dehne – Video production, computer graphics, animation, and alternative media

Dara Murray – advertising, gender and communication, media criticism, social media

Brian Snee – Media history, theory, and analysis; rhetoric; documentary film studies

Affiliated Faculty

Jeff Bens – Screenwriting and narrative writing

Gillian Greenhill Hannum – History of photography

Geoffrey Kidde – Music technology and audio recording

David Lugowski – Film history, theory and analysis

Adjunct Faculty

Holly Avella – media studies, interpersonal communication

Mark Beech – sport communication and media

Cynthia Brosnan – public speaking, business communication

Michael Castaldo – Technician, video production

Jeanne Christie – Public speaking, small group and visual communication

Tony Ely – TV, video and digital media production

Laura Katen – public speaking, business communication

Susan Morelock – Technician, Digital Photography, 3D printing, computer graphics

John Proctor – Media convergence and “new” journalism, blogging and media writing, communication theory