Communication
Studies
Orientation
Peter Urquhart
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What is Communication Studies?
• an interdisciplinary program that bridges the humanities
and social sciences
• draws from and combines an array of disciplinary
backgrounds such as English, Film Studies,
Anthropology, Visual Culture, Political Science,
Psychology, and Sociology
• analyzes communication in relation to social, economic,
political and cultural conditions
• an academic program – deals with the history and theory
of media and communication technologies and practices
– not a ‘how-to’ program, i.e. not practice-based
– not a professional program, i.e. no credentials
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Dr. Adam F. Falk
President, Williams College
“But the transmission of information is
merely the starting point…
What really matters is the set of deeper
abilities—to write effectively, argue
persuasively, solve problems creatively,
adapt and learn independently—that
students develop while in college and use
for the rest of their lives.”
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What to expect in your first year:
• two required courses in first year:
– CS100 Introduction to Media History
– CS101 Mass Communication in Canada
• large lecture-classes (350+) but with smaller tutorials (25
students)
• reading and writing intensive
• assignments may include an analysis of a journal article,
film, gallery exhibit, newspaper story, radio program
• usually a mid-term, term paper and final exam
• ability to research and write on a topic of interest from
music, visual art, television and radio, new media
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Progression requirements:
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two required first-year courses: CS100 and CS101
an overall GPA of 5.0 (C)
minimum GPA of 5.0 (C) in CS100 and CS101
1st YR CS GPA of 6.0 (C+) (over both CS100 and
CS101)
• Going forwards (ie, progression from year 2 to 3, 3 to 4)
CS GPA = average of CS100 and CS101 plus any CS
core course plus any CS elective course (including those
you may have taken in first year: LL200, LL201, MI200,
& MI201, for example)
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Classes begin Thursday, September 4:
• be sure to attend the first lecture of your classes (and
keep going!)
• Consult your course outline to check the date that your
tutorials begin.
• tutorial attendance is not only beneficial, it is mandatory
• exchange email address with class/tutorial members in
case you must miss a lecture
• form a study/lecture notes sharing group
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@mylaurier:
• set up your mylaurier email account
• all official Laurier email correspondence can only be
addressed to this account
• you will receive important updates from the department
only via this email
• the CS Department and your instructors will only use this
account to correspond with you
• this is for your protection as well as the university’s
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Co-op Program:
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must have an overall GPA of 7.0 or better
apply at the end of 1st or beginning of 2nd year
work term is in the summer
submit final report at the end of the summer
examples of co-op placements filled by CS students:
– Art Galleries, Museums, Heritage Centres, Non-profit
organizations,
– Sporting clubs
• administered by the university, not the CS Department
• there are no CS-exclusive Co-op positions
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Communication Studies careers:
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Brand Manager, Procter and Gamble
Communications Director, Suited Media
Communications Specialist, Bell Canada
Marketing Co-ordinator, Mattel Canada
Public Relations, United Nations Development Plan
Administrative Assistant, Provincial government
Communications Assistant, City government
MA and PhD programs in the humanities and social sciences
MBA
Law School
Numerous post-graduate college programs from film production to
marketing and PR
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FYI and questions:
http://www.wlu.ca/cs
– Important postings, current events, answers to almost all of your
questions!
Administrative Assistants: Sylvia Hoang and Susan Mück
– “The front line”
– will address non-academic departmental matters (scheduling,
registration errors, general questions)
Undergraduate Advisor: Dr. Peter Urquhart
– for all questions relating to curriculum and other academic matters
(courses, GPA, registration advising, progression requirements)
Chair: Dr. J. Finn
– questions that cannot be answered by, or which are not intended for,
Admin Assistants or Undergraduate Advisor. Any substantive
complaints about the department, program and its faculty members
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Final piece of advice:
Be engaged....
• every year is challenging but the first year is often the
most difficult: Do well in CS 100 and CS 101 (and in your
other courses) and don’t worry about anything else until
registration next year.
• take advantage of the learning resources that are offered
to you
• no one is going to make you learn
• you are in control of your own learning outcomes
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Questions?
Anybody…?
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Program Requirements
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