B.A. in Communication

Program Overview

The B.A. in Communication at Saint Mary's College is designed to foster a deep understanding of how communication shapes individuals, cultures, and societies. The program encourages students to become effective communicators who can talk, listen, analyze, and persuade across various contexts. Students will explore diverse areas such as rhetoric, new media and digital culture, visual studies, and ethics. They can choose to specialize in one of two concentrations: "Media Maker," which focuses on creating engaging media content across print, visual, advertising, video, audio, digital, and social media; or "Strategist," which emphasizes the exploration and mastery of effective communication, whether interpersonal, professional, or intercultural, rooting arguments in qualitative and quantitative data. The program culminates in a capstone project where students make a scholarly contribution to the field.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the B.A. in Communication at Saint Mary's is robust, blending theoretical study with practical application. Core courses typically include "Introduction to Media & Cultural Studies," "Intro to Human Communication," "Rhetoric and Public Discourse," and "Communication Theory." Depending on their chosen concentration, students will then delve into specialized coursework. The "Media Maker" concentration might include courses like "Media Production Tools & Techniques," "Video Production," "Audio Production," and "Multimedia Writing." The "Strategist" concentration would involve courses such as "Qualitative Methods," "Quantitative Methods," "Intercultural Communication," "Public Relations," "Advertising and Civic Engagement," and "Political Communication." Both concentrations share common threads in ethical communication principles and the critical analysis of messages. All students complete a "Senior Research Capstone," which requires them to employ research methods to contribute scholarly work.

Research Focus: The B.A. in Communication at Saint Mary's College places a significant emphasis on communication inquiry and research. Students are trained to "engage in communication inquiry" and to "root their arguments in qualitative and quantitative data." The curriculum includes dedicated courses like "Qualitative Methods," "Quantitative Methods," and "Media Research Methods," which provide students with the foundational skills to design research, collect, analyze, and interpret data. The culmination of the program, the Senior Research Capstone, requires students to apply these research methods to make a scholarly contribution to the field of Communication, demonstrating their ability to critically analyze information and conduct original inquiry. Opportunities for independent study further allow students to pursue specific research interests under faculty guidance.

Industry Engagement: Saint Mary's College actively promotes industry engagement within its Communication program. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to "create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context" and to "demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals," which are direct indicators of professional readiness. The program explicitly mentions "an array of internship possibilities" and provides opportunities for students to get involved with on-campus student media, such as KSMC-FM (the student-run radio station) and The Collegian newspaper. Faculty members often have interdisciplinary backgrounds, potentially bringing diverse professional experiences and networks into the classroom. The strategic location in the San Francisco Bay Area also provides students with access to a wide range of media, technology, and communication industries for potential networking and career opportunities.

Global Perspective: The B.A. in Communication at Saint Mary's College integrates a strong global perspective by emphasizing "intercultural communication" and encouraging students to "utilize communication to embrace difference." Courses like "Intercultural Communication" and "International Communication" specifically address global dynamics and the complexities of communicating across diverse cultural contexts. The curriculum aims for students to understand how communication shapes and reflects cultural identities and global issues. The broader liberal arts mission of Saint Mary's, combined with opportunities for study abroad, further enriches students' global awareness. This comprehensive approach prepares graduates to engage effectively in a globalized world, whether working with international organizations, diverse communities, or addressing global communication challenges.