Curriculum revision – COM Core Curriculum
What you need to know
How do our new curriculum revisions impact our COM core curriculum? Scroll through our FAQ section below for answers to your questions.
What is the communications core curriculum?
The communications core curriculum is comprised of the required courses for all students majoring in Communication Design (CDE), Cinema and Television Arts (CTA), Journalism (JOU), Media Analytics (MEA), and Strategic Communications (STC).
What changes have been made to the communications core curriculum?
The number of hours in the communications core curriculum have been reduced from 25 to 17 semester hours as follows:
| Old Communications Core Curriculum | New Communications Core Curriculum (Fall 2023) |
| IDS 1150 Public Speaking (2 sh) | IDS 1150 Public Speaking (2 sh) |
| COM 1000 Communications in a Global Age (4 sh) | COM 1000 Communications in a Global Age (4 sh) |
| COM 1100 Media Writing (4 sh) | COM 2000 Inclusive Communications Leadership (2 sh) |
| COM 2200 Creating Multimedia Content (4 sh) | COM 2200 Creating Multimedia Content (4 sh) |
| COM 2100 Web & Mobile Communications (2 sh) | COM 3985 Communications Internship (1 sh) |
| COM 3985 Communications Internship (1 sh) | COM 4000 Media Law & Ethics (4 sh) |
| COM 4000 Media Law & Ethics (4 sh) | N/A |
| COM 4970 Great Ideas: Issues and Research (4 sh) | N/A |
| Total Semester Hours: 25 | Total Semester Hours: 17 |
When does the new communications core curriculum go into effect?
The new communications core curriculum goes into effect beginning with the 2023-24 academic year as part of the revised catalog requirements for the five affected majors (CDE, CTA, JOU, MEA, and STC).
What impact will the new communications core have on first-year students and transfer students entering Elon in 2023-24?
First-year and transfer students majoring in the five affected majors (CDE, CTA, JOU, MEA, and STC) will be required to complete the new requirements for the communications core and respective major(s).
Are returning students currently majoring in CDE, CTA, JOU, MEA, or STC required to transition to the new curriculum?
No, returning students can choose to remain on the old curriculum associated with their catalog year or transition to the new curriculum. Returning juniors and seniors will, in most cases, be best served by remaining on the old curriculum. Second-year students are better positioned to transition to the new curriculum with minimal disruption to their 4-year plan but are strongly encouraged to consult with their academic advisor for guidance.
When will the new curriculum be visible to me in my degree audit and OnTrack Self-Service?
OnTrack Self-Service and the university academic catalog will be updated prior to the start of the fall 2023 semester.
As a returning student on the old curriculum who hasn’t yet completed COM 2100 Web and Mobile Communications, how do I satisfy this requirement?
The school has approved COM 2000 Inclusive Communications as a course substitution for COM 2100.
Do I need to take COM 2200 and COM 2000 at the same time?
No, beginning in fall 2023, COM 2200 Creating Multimedia Content can be taken as a standalone course as long as you have satisfied the prerequisite of a C or better in COM 1000.
As a returning student who hasn’t yet completed COM 1100 Media Writing, how do I satisfy this requirement?
Beginning in fall 2023, COM 1100 Media Writing will no longer be offered. It has been replaced by JOU 1100 Newswriting and Reporting. The school has approved JOU 1100 as a course substitution for COM 1100 for students remaining on the old curriculum.
I signed up for COM 1100 Media Writing during registration for fall 2023. Why does my schedule now list this course under a new number and title?
JOU 1100 Newswriting and Reporting was approved as a course substitute for COM 1100 after completion of the fall 2023 registration period. Once approved, the course number and title were updated in OnTrack to reflect this change. The course section you signed up for remains the same.
As a new or returning Strategic Communications major on the new curriculum, why am I still required to take JOU 1100 Newswriting and Reporting (formally COM 1100 Media Writing) and COM 4970 Great Ideas: Issues and Research when these courses have been removed from the new communications core curriculum?
The Strategic Communications faculty have chosen to retain these courses as a program-level requirement for the revised STC major. They are no longer core curricular requirements, but rather, revised degree requirements for the STC major.
As a new or returning Media Analytics major on the new curriculum, why am I still required to take JOU 1100 Newswriting and Reporting (formally COM 1100 Media Writing) and COM 4970 Great Ideas: Issues and Research when these courses have been removed from the new communications core curriculum?
The Media Analytics faculty have chosen to retain these courses as a program-level requirement for the revised MEA major. They are no longer core curricular requirements, but rather, revised degree requirements for the MEA major.
Why has COM 2000 Inclusive Communications been approved as a substitution for COM 2100 Web & Mobile Communications when these courses are so different?
In the process of creating the new communications core curriculum, the faculty sought to determine which skills sets are essential for all students majoring in the five affected majors (CDE, CTA, JOU, MEA, and STC). While the skill sets and content covered in COM 2100 are still valuable, they are no longer considered essential for all majors. The faculty also sought to address important gaps in the communications core curriculum that were not addressed in the old version of the curriculum. The foundational skills and knowledge covered in COM 2000 Inclusive Communications are viewed as essential for all of majors and support the university and school goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
What is the focus of the new course COM 2000 Inclusive Communications?
This course is an introduction to foundational social and theoretical communication concepts related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Students practice interpersonal, small group, and written communication skills essential for advocating, participating, and leading in today’s global workplaces. Students will explore how mass media and social media helps construct notions of social reality, with a focus on media representations of marginalized groups in the United States and globally.
Can I still declare a double-major within CDE, CTA, JOU, MEA, and STC?
Yes, you may still double major within the five majors above, however, it will likely require adjustments to your four-year plan and may take additional time to complete due to revisions and additional course requirements in the majors. Returning students remaining on the old curriculum can complete a double-major under the old requirements of their academic catalog year.
What effect does the new communications core curriculum have on the communications minor?
No effect. The requirements for the minor have not changed.
What effect does the revised communications core curriculum have on the sport management major or minor?
No effect. The communications core curriculum is not a requirement for SPT majors or minors.
Can I count IDS 1150 Public Speaking as part of the electives in the communications minor?
No, only courses with a COM, CDE, CTA, JOU, MEA, and STC can be counted towards the total credit hour requirements in the communications minor.