Foreign Language and Communication Media (BA) [SOC]

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Offered jointly by the School of Communication and the Department of World Languages and Cultures , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program

Students are admitted either to the School of Communication or to the Department of World Languages and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences. Formal admission to the Foreign Language and Communication Media (FLCM) major requires a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50. Students who are unable to achieve a 2.50 GPA and declare a major in FLCM are not allowed to take courses in the School of Communication after they have completed 60 credit hours of undergraduate credit.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better
Completion of college writing requirement
Completion of university mathematics requirement

General Education Requirements

A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas
At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component
No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline

Major Requirements

57 credit hours with grades of C or better.
- With approval of the student’s advisor, up to 6 credit hours taken abroad may be applied toward the communication requirements.
Program tracks: French, German, Russian, or Spanish combined with Broadcast Journalism, Film and Media Arts, Print Journalism, or Public Relations & Strategic Communication.
Prerequisite competency in the major language at the intermediate level.
Minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA.

Course Requirements

Foundation (6 credit hours)

Foreign Language (18 credit hours)

18 credit hours of courses in the major language (French, German, Russian, or Spanish) at the 300-level or above taken in the Department of World Languages and Cultures

Contemporary Culture (6 credit hours)

Two courses related to any contemporary culture as approved by advisor

Linguistics (3 credit hours)

Complete one of the following:

ANTH-225 Language and Human Experience FA1 (3)
ANTH-254 Language and Culture (3)
TESL-4XX linguistics course as approved by advisor

Communication Program Tracks (24 credit hours)

Complete one of the four communication program tracks, including three media studies courses from the School of Communication (with at least one at the 300-level or above), and five professional courses: broadcast journalism, film and media arts, print journalism, or public relations & strategic communication.

Broadcast Journalism

Media Studies Courses

Three media studies courses with at least one at the 300-level or above, as approved by advisor

Professional Courses

Film and Media Arts

Media Studies Courses

COMM-105 Visual Literacy FA1 (3)
Two additional media studies courses with at least one at the 300-level or above, as approved by advisor

Professional Courses

COMM-250 Digital Imaging (3)
COMM-330 Principles of Photography (3)
COMM-331 Film and Video Production I (3)
COMM-382 Writing for Visual Media (3)
One additional course approved by advisor

Print Journalism

Media Studies Courses

Three media studies courses with at least one at the 300-level or above, as approved by advisor

Professional Courses

Required

Two courses from the following:

Public Relations & Strategic Communication

Media Studies Courses

COMM-209 Communication and Society FA4 (3)
Two additional media studies courses with at least one at the 300-level or above, as approved by advisor

Professional Courses

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.