Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication Studies, Media Arts Track

Overview

The media arts track prepares students to produce and deliver content that passes through some medium such as television, radio, or the Internet. For example, on this track, students may study how content created for the Internet and social media (e.g., YouTube) impacts traditional forms of broadcast media such as radio and television. Students learn about early stages of the field as well as contemporary combinations of telecasting through various media outlets. A major in the telecommunication studies-media arts track curriculum provides students with an in-depth knowledge and intellectual challenge in electronic communication. Students receive practical orientation to the skills and techniques of broadcasting. Further, students explore contemporary theories and problems central to mass media, as well as examine new communication media.

From a liberal arts perspective, the telecommunication studies-media arts track curriculum is designed to aid the student in pursuit of careers not only in broadcasting but also in recently expanding avenues of communication such as non-commercial broadcasting, corporate communication, industrial communication, cablecasting, and independent production. Internships are available are regionally based, national and international media organizations.

Possible Careers

• Audio producer, director, editor
• Camera operator
• Content producer
• Digital media producer, director, editor
• On-air host
• Media sales
• Media management
• Multimedia producer
• Radio DJ
• Social media manager
• Video blogger (vlogger)
• Video producer, director, editor

Complementary Minors

• Advertising and Public Relations
• Business
• Computer Databases
• Computer Networking
• Computer Science
• Creative Writing
• Digital Media
• Electronic Commerce Tech
• Entrepreneurship
• Graphic Design
• Interactive Design
• Journalism
• Magazine and Specialty Reporting
• Management
• Marketing
• Multimedia and Web Design
• Multimedia Reporting
• Photography
• Professional Writing and Editing
• Social Media Campaigns
• Web Communications

Admission Policy

Students who declare an intent to major in telecommunication studies, whether on the media arts track or sports broadcasting track, will be assigned to the "Pre-Telecommunication" (Pre-TCOM) category. Upon completion of 15 semester hours while in the Pre-TCOM category, and completion of ENGL 1550, TCOM 1570 OR 1580, and TCOM 1581 (with grades of "A" or "B" in all three), students will be reassigned to the "Telecommunication Studies" (TCOM) category and track of choice (media arts OR sports broadcasting).

Students may transfer to the Pre-TCOM, but not TCOM, category from another program at YSU or from another institution. Students who have completed associate- or bachelor-level degrees also may enter the Pre-TCOM, but not TCOM, category. Upon completion of 15 semester hours while in the Pre-TCOM category, and completion of ENGL 1550, TCOM 1570 OR 1580, and TCOM 1581 (with grades of "A" or "B" in all three), students will be reassigned to the TCOM category.

Students who have interrupted their attendance at YSU for three consecutive semesters or more will be assigned to the Pre-TCOM category upon return (even if the student was a TCOM major). After completion of 15 semester hours while in the Pre-TCOM category, and completion of ENGL 1550, TCOM 1570 OR 1580, and TCOM 1581 (with grades of "A" or "B" in all three), students will be reassigned to the TCOM category.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student learning outcomes for the B.A. degree program in telecommunication studies are as follows:

• The student will construct arguments using basic reasoning skills and avoiding fallacies;
• The student will compose messages using multi-media technology;
• The student will design written, oral, and visual messages to communicate ideas to a specific audience;
• The student will appraise the values, attitudes, and goals of a potential audience using demographic and psychographic variables;
• The student will describe the prevailing theories of electronic media and appraise the relative value of each.