Communication Arts Majors

All communication arts majors have to take the same core courses. However, as students progress into their upperclassmen years, they declare a concentration in one of four communication arts specializations:

Audio / Video / Cinema Production

The audio/video/cinema production concentration provides education and experience for students in all areas of audio, video, and cinema. From as early as freshman year, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on professional experience in all production classes and through WQME and Covenant Productions®.

Areas of study include the basics of microphone types and placement, digital recording, audio and video/cinema editing, lighting, gripping, dolly work, as well as above-the-line roles in producing and directing. Other courses address the business of radio/TV/film, scriptwriting, media performance, and voice acting as well as the extensive Communication Arts core.

“There was not a single class that did not have a direct influence on my current success,” said 2009 AU grad, Thom Newell. AU’s audio/video/cinema production major helps skilled students become practicing professionals.

After graduation, students are able to find employment in a broad range of areas. Recent graduates are working in Los Angeles in the film/video industry, with TV and radio stations, and with production companies, recording studios, and other organizations. Some have opted to go to graduate school, seminary, or serve in the ministry.

“The small class sizes and individual attention from professors has helped me gain the skills I need for being an AVC major. Getting to spend time working on real video shoots and learning in the classroom is an experience you can’t get anywhere else but AU.”

        –Junior audio/video/cinema production student Kaylee McDougall

Public Relations

Ever wanted to work for a non-profit organization? Or maybe become a part of media relations or event planning? The public relations concentration at Anderson University gives opportunities in each of these areas and more. Students get to work with Fifth Street Communications, the department’s public relations agency, which serves the needs of local nonprofit organizations while providing students with opportunities for hands-on, portfolio-quality work. Under the guidance of knowledgeable faculty, student account executives lead teams that assist nonprofits with strategic planning, copywriting, media relations, and event planning.

Graduates of the public relations concentration have gone on to work at PR agencies, nonprofit organizations, in-house marketing teams, social media teams – and even as professors at Anderson University!

“Anderson University’s public relations concentration has given me the opportunity to work with real world clients, helping me advance my skills as a writer and future PR professional. I will be forever grateful for the guidance and personal attention I have received from all my professors.”

            – Senior public relations student Hannah Schumacher

 

Journalism 

Journalism is a field of rapid change. It is everywhere and in all forms of media including radio, television, Internet, and mobile devices.  Anderson University strives to equip students with the tools they will need in the working world. That is why we offer such a wide variety of classes that teach our students professional skills and prepare them for future careers in all forms of media. Students are also provided with many opportunities to get hands on experience through WQME  98.7, the Andersonian school newspaper, and video productions.

“Being an editor at the Andersonian has given me hours of invaluable experience. Classes are important to learning the fundamentals, but I believe having hands-on experience writing, editing and designing the student newspaper will give me an edge when looking for a future job,” said senior journalism major, Michael Haynes. Having hands-on experience allows AU students to be put in real life situations and make significant decisions.

“Through the journalism classes and opportunities at AU, I have learned and honed writing and interviewing skills that I can apply in the journalism field in the future. I am able to understand journalism from a professional view as well as a media consumer. With my summer internship, I have developed and adapted to soft news (magazine writing) using the skills acquired through classes,”

                – Senior journalism major Ashika Wong.

Speech Communication 

Considering being an actor? How about a speechwriter, a professional presenter, or a job in politics and law? Anderson University’s newly debuted major can help students achieve just that.  New to current AU students, is the speech communication concentration. Speech communication is designed for students studying a background in communications arts.

As part of the communications major, students can now choose a focus in speech communication, from a list including, public relations, journalism, and AVC. Over two decades ago, the speech communication major was available; however AU recently re-launched the major due to increased student interest. AU alum, Mark Sipka, recently graduated with the speech communication concentration and is now using his major as he pursues a career in acting, while living in Los Angeles.