“WTSR helped me learn audio production skills, which have helped me get two jobs during my college career – as an event operative and a sound technician. The skills I learned in TV Production and Screenwriting have been extremely relevant when it comes to applying for jobs. I have gotten internships because of the skills I have learned in class, such as video editing and writing. Screenwriting improved my writing by giving me a place to create and grow my ideas; it was a great space to discuss your work and critique the work of others.” – Alec Plasker, Class of 2013, Radio/TV/Film
“I love my major because I have learned so much about myself as well as honing in on certain skills that will eventually make me more marketable to future employers. The classes that are offered at TCNJ are taught by excellent and respected professors & many are published. We are being taught by the best!” – Brianna Rojas, Class of 2014, Public/Mass.
“The professors and the students help foster a great learning environment” – Joshua Fidler, Class of 2014, Radio/TV/Film
“I would recommend being a Communication Studies major to anyone and everyone because it’s so broad; you can do anything from production and editing to public relations to interpersonal communication, and these things are relevant and necessary to other industries as well. Plus, it’s fascinating and the people are nice. My favorite thing about being a Comm Studies major are the experiences I have had–I have done everything from editing a montage to creating a public relations plan, and I have written papers about my favorite movies and written some screenplays of my own. My favorite part of our Communication Studies department would have to be the professors–they make themselves available to you and are helpful in so many ways. I’m happy to be a Comm major because I am really learning how to be a better communicator, and the things I am learning here are things I know I am going to use, whatever I choose to do.” – Rachel Chlebowski, Class of 2014, Radio/TV/Film
“Comm Studies offers such a wide array of experiences as a major. You will learn a little bit about TV and media, advertising, and communications at all levels from mass to interpersonal. The major gives you the opportunity to learn a lot about a number of subjects that can be applied to so many different potential careers.” – William Wyckoff
Majors are expected to contribute to the intellectual and creative work of each course, and to be available to faculty and other students for work beyond class time. Most extend their academic interests by working in communication-related organizations or engaging in public-spirited advocacy.
Book of Friends
Find out what students and professors like about their experiences in the TCNJ Communication Studies Department.
Department Goals:
- Appreciate the generative force of audiences in the design of interpersonal, public, computer, and mass mediated communication, as well as health communication efforts to promote health and reduce risk.
- Respect and understand cultural differences within and outside of the United States.
- Respect and understand the role of freedom of expression in an open society.
- Be capable of creating messages or productions that are more original than derivative (moving from modeling to invention).
- Understand the assumptions and organizing principles governing key subdivisions of the communication discipline.
- Articulate basic conceptual frameworks for the assessment of film and video content, and interpersonal and public messages.
- Understand the forms and causes of communication problems in both small groups and public settings.
- Craft productions and messages with socially significant content.
- Recognize how advances in communication technology have altered patterns of social interaction.
- Assess a range of communication “texts” and productions from a variety of critical perspectives.
- Write and speak with fluency.