Historical Communications Major
Do you love history and communications and seek a career that will draw from both of these strengths? This innovative major may be for you.
Historical communications (H-COM) is a pioneering, interdisciplinary program that provides the opportunity for students to engage in a comprehensive study of both history and communications and their interconnections over time. Lebanon Valley College is one of the few four-year colleges to offer such a program, which is designed to prepare students for professional research, writing, and editorial positions in emerging fields in digital & social media, as well as more established media & fields such as radio, television, motion pictures, cable, popular history magazines, theatrical history, public history, museums, local historical organizations, and oral history. It is especially geared toward students interested in working in the field of communications but want to have history rather than English as their "intellectual core." Students are expected to master various kinds of writing styles, including analytical historical essays, journalism, and public relations. These majors have often been stronger than many traditional majors.
Graduates of this program have gone on to work for museums (the Nixon Presidential Library), in politics (Democracy For America), in insurance, and teaching English at a community college, among other interesting careers.
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts with a major in historical communications
Required courses:
ENG 140 Intro to Media in Digital Age| Introduction to theory and practice in the rapidly-evolving realm of digital media and its social, cultural, political, economic, and other implications. Offered every semester. 3 credits. |
| Introduction to the basic skills of journalistic writing such as interviewing, gathering and reporting news and writing feature stories according to standard formats and styles. The course also covers ethical and legal considerations related to news reporting. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisite: ENG 112, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
| An introduction to the basics of historical research and writing. The most important goal of the course is to help students produce a clearly written research paper, with footnotes and a bibliography. A primary source paper and other writing assignments will prepare the students for the achievement of this goal. Class discussion will revolve around analysis of various types of primary sources, secondary sources, journal articles, issues of interpretation, and research methods. The course will also include several research trips to libraries, archives, historical societies, or local history collections. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisites: at least one of the following: HIS 103, 104, 105, 125, 126 or 127; or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
| Field experience related to student's work, research interests, or graduate school plans. A journal and paper in addition to field work are required. Students may take up to 6 credits per semester and up to 12 credits during the summer. Prerequisites: Junior or senior status; overall GPA of at least 2.5; completion of registration forms; approval of internship side by student's advisor prior to registration; approval of department chair. 1-12 credits. |
One of:
HIS 460 Undergraduate Research| This course is designed to provide students in political science, history, and international studies opportunities to obtain credit for engaging in undergraduate research projects under the faculty supervision. Students engage in research projects with faculty on a range of topics, subject to approval of the individual faculty member. Course may be repeated up to a limit of 12 credits; but only up to 6 credits can be applied to the major. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing, 2.5 GPA, and permission of the instructor/chair. 1-3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with PSC/INT 460) |
| Focus on a theme in history such as World War I, the industrial revolution, or the Enlightenment. These topics will be approached from a variety of perspectives (economic, political, or social for example) and from the viewpoint of many national histories. Class meetings will include discussion of course readings, research methods, and the historiography related to the theme of the course. Students will write a research paper on some aspect of the course topic utilizing a variety of primary and secondary sources and present their research to the class. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisites: Senior history majors or permission of instructor. 3 credits. |
Also required:
- Three 3 credit 100-level history courses.
- Three history electives, including one at the 300 level and two non-U.S.
Three additional electives (9 credits) drawn from these courses or approved special topics courses:
BUS 285 Organizational Communications| The development of writing, speaking, and listening skills for business management. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisite: ENG 111 and 112. Majors in accounting, business administration, and health care management need a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or greater in all foundation courses completed to date. 3 credits. |
| This class surveys the principles and practices of information design, information architecture, and interaction design. Students will learn and practice human-centered design methods (research/observation, design, prototyping, and usability testing) in designing meaningful and effective interfaces in which users interact with information. 3 credits. |
DCOM 290
DCOM 390
ENG 217 Multimedia Narratives| Hands-on introduction to a genre of storytelling that weaves together audio, video, voiceover, music, photographs, and other elements. The course will focus on writing and creative expression, and help a student move from academic discourse toward discovery of a more natural voice. Offered fall semester. Prerequisite: ENG 112, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
| Investigation of the purposes and methods of contemporary public relations as practiced by corporations, non-profit organizations, trades and professions as well as celebrities, sports stars, and political figures. The course requires planning of promotional campaigns using state-of-the-art digital technology. Usually offered alterante fall semesters. Prerequisite: ENG 213, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
| Introduction to the theory and practice of editing, with an emphasis on reading closely, revising, creating headlines, and other aspects of refining and preparing copy for publication or online distribution. Usually offered alternate spring semesters. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisite: ENG 213, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
| Exploration of the ways that digital technology is transforming journalistic standards and practices. The course requires students to create news and feature stories for multimedia platforms. Offered spring semester. Prerequisite: ENG 213 or DCOM 285, or permission of the instructor 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with DCOM 381) |
| Introduction to the fundamentals of feature writing, with an emphasis on specific kinds of research, interviewing, storytelling, and editing text for diverse media. The course is run as a writing workshop. Offered spring semester. Prerequisite: ENG 213 or 217, or permission of instructor. 3 credits. |
| Investigation of the theory and practice of advanced composition and rhetoric in multiple communications contexts. This course introduces the student to classical and contemporary rhetoric, and contributes to the enhancement of persuasive writing skills. Usually offered alternate fall semesters. Prerequisite: ENG 112 and ENG 140, or permission of instructor. 3 credits. |
| Investigation of the impact of the media on the political process and vice versa. Exploration of the history of the interaction between politics and media, and the impact of evolving digital technologies on the face of political communication in the United States. Usually offered alternate fall semesters. Prerequisites: ENG 140 or 213, or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |