Dec 01, 2024  
2003-2004 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2003-2004 Springfield College Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communications/Sports Journalism


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Undergraduate Curricula

(130 semester hours) Requirements are subject to change.

The communications/sports journalism major is designed to educate students in the fields of print and electronic journalism so that they may work in the media profession and/or pursue graduate studies in communications. The major seeks not only to provide preprofessional training, but also to educate the student in the traditional liberal arts and humanities. The major is interdisciplinary, allowing the student to pursue individual interests and providing a broad cultural context for the specialized field of communications/sports journalism. Communications/sports journalism majors, in consultation with their academic advisors, will be expected to work on campus publications and/or contribute writing to these publications.

For more information about the communications/sports journalism major, contact Professor Dennis Gildea of the Humanities Department at (413) 748-3245 or the Admissions Office at (800) 343-1257.

General Education Program - 44 s.h. in addition to courses taken for the major.

I. General Education Program


To integrate the humanics philosophy into their lives, Springfield College students engage in the search for knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of values through a variety of courses in the sciences and humanities. In addition to those General Education courses, students must complete 6 s.h. of Writing-Across-the-Curriculum (WAC) courses. For more information see the General Education Program and WAC courses. In the major requirements listed below, selected courses which fulfill General Education categories are marked with an asterisk; selected WAC courses are marked with a “W”.

III. Journalism Internship


All students in the communications/sports journalism major must complete COMM 386, Journalism Internship for a minimum of 3 s.h. and a maximum of 12 s.h. Prior to the internship, students must successfully complete COMM 120 and COMM 219 or COMM 288 (Radio Journalism). All internships are coordinated by the COMM 386 supervisor. Students seeking an internship need the permission of the COMM 386 supervisor and must consult with the supervisor the semester before registering for COMM 386.

IV. Electives (29–38 s.h., to complete 130 s.h.)


Students can choose from a wide variety of elective courses to complete their program, including such courses as Psychology of Sport, Sociology of Sport, Creative Writing, Film as Narrative Art, Public Relations, Principles and Problems of Coaching, Athletic Administration, and/or Introduction to Sports Laws.

V. Program Standards


In order to continue in the communications/sports journalism major, students must: 

  1. Earn a grade of C or better in COMM 120, Introduction to Journalism.
  2. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.500.

VI. Sample Program by Year


The program listed below is a sample—courses are not guaranteed to be offered during the semester or year listed. It is the student’s responsibility to insure that all requirements are met on a timely basis and that needed prerequisite courses are completed before taking upper-level requirements; therefore, they should consult carefully with an advisor when planning their program. Students must average a minimum of 16.25 s.h. a semester to complete this program in four years.

In addition to the courses identified below, the following General Education categories need to be fulfilled for this major: Natural Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, Health, Physical Education, Second Language/Culture, Visual and Performing Arts, History, Social Science, Social Justice, Philosophy, and Religion. 29–38 s.h. of electives will be required to complete 130 s.h.

Courses marked with an * fulfill or partially fulfill a General Education category. Courses marked with a w may fulfill a WAC requirement, depending on the year taken.

A. First Year - Fall Semester


First Year - Fall or Spring Semester


  • 17-20 s.h. of General Education courses or electives.

First Year - Spring Semester


B. Second Year - Fall Semester


Second Year - Fall or Spring Semester


  • 6 s.h. of COMM/ENGL selectives
  • 12-15 s.h. of General Education courses or electives

Second Year - Spring Semester


Third Year - Fall or Spring Semester


  • COMM/ENGL selective Credits: 3 s.h.
  • 25-27 s.h. of General Education courses or electives

Third Year - Spring Semester


D. Fourth Year - Fall or Spring Semester


  • Any uncompleted General Education courses, program requirements, or electives to complete 130 s.h.

Fourth Year - Spring Semester


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Undergraduate Curricula