BAMA BOUND 2014
Your Story Begins Here…
WELCOME
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C&IS is now 41 years old!
We house 5 majors and 1 school
We have more than 80 full-time faculty and 55 instructors
Faculty have won Pulitzers, been leaders in industry, are among the top
publishers in their field, and they are outstanding teachers and mentors!
You are part of an incoming class of 500+
You come from all over the U.S. and the world
More than 400 students complete internships in media or professional
organizations each year
More than 20 student clubs and organizations in C&IS
You will have the opportunity to
– take incredible classes here and around the world,
– and get hands-on experience in many of our campus facilities, including the
new Digital Media Center (DMC) that houses Alabama Public Radio and
Television, Crimson Tide Productions and WVUA.
Your Story Begins Here!
Chapter 1. Your Major.
C&IS Video
Still Undecided?
• Each major offers wonderful opportunities
• Many of the courses overlap or count as Core
Curriculum courses
• So, listen to your intuition and jump in!
• You can always switch. But diving in helps you
evaluate your options.
Chapter 2. Choosing Your Courses
• Each major has required foundational courses
• Core Curriculum are required, but flexible
• You don’t have to take every category in your first semester
– Should take major’s foundational class
• There are many transitions, so set yourself up for success!
• Consider 12-15 hours.
– Remember 12 hours is full-time (financial aid, insurance)
– With 15 hours, you can always drop one course, if needed
– We have Fall 2 courses that begin mid-semester if you need to
add a course
Chapter 2. Major Courses.
• Advertising
– MC 101 (3 cr.) & JN 150 (online 1 cr.)
• Communication Studies
– Com 100 (3 cr. Fall) &/or Com 101 (3 cr. Spring)
• Journalism
– JN 101 (1 cr.), JN 150 (online 1 cr.) & MC 101 (3 cr.)
• Public Relations
– MC 101 (3 cr.) & JN 150 (online 1 cr.)
• Telecommunication and Film
– TCF 100 (3cr.) & MC 101 (3cr.)
Chapter 2. Core Courses. SB*
Social and Behavioral Sciences
These courses allow you to explore how human
beings think, act, interact, produce artifacts, and
live within the natural world.
Examples: Anthropology, Psychology, Political Science,
Human Communication, Mass Communication, and
Archaeology, and Human Development.
*check the requirements for your major
Chapter 2. Core Courses. Hu*
The humanities are studies about human culture
and the products of that culture.
Examples: Philosophy, Religion, Rhetorical
Studies, Introduction to Journalism.
*check the requirements for your major
Chapter 2. Core Courses. FA*
The Fine Arts are studies of creativity and
performance. (note: performance courses do not meet the requirement)
Examples: Visual Art, Art History, Music, Theater,
Dance.
*check the requirements for your major
Chapter 2. Core Courses. HI*
History courses allow you to explore the past,
while learning lessons that may have an impact on
your future.
Examples: Western Civilization, American
Civilization, and History of Social Welfare.
* Check your departmental requirements with your
adviser.
Chapter 2. Core Courses. NS
Natural Sciences allow you to investigate how the
physical world operates.
Examples: Biology, Astronomy, Geology,
Geography, Physics.
Chapter 2. Core Courses. EN
Core English classes are designed to help students
improve their writing and critical thinking skills, as
well as expose them to literature in varying genres.
Most incoming students take EN 101
-Advisers will help you if you have AP, Dual
Enrollment, CLEP, or IB credit, etc.
- ACT/SAT scores also affect placement. (30+
ACT or 720+ SAT are placed in 103).
Chapter 2. Core Courses. MA
UA expects all students to leave with basic proficiency in Math.
To receive credit, students must take MA 110, MA 112 or higher.
These are CORE classes.
* MA 100 is a preparatory class. If needed, you will receive elective credit, but it does not count
as your MA requirement.
* MA 005 is for students who do not have a strong math background. If it is required, you will
not receive credit, nor does it count as your MA requirements.
If DegreeWorks shows MA 100/110, you can take MA 100 then 112 or
higher (2 semesters). OR, 110 and you are finished (1 semesters).
How do you know what to take? Advisers will help you look at your
DegreeWorks to see your placement on the exam, as well as look at any
other factors (AP, IB, ACT scores, etc.)
Chapter 2. Core Courses. FL or CS
Students can choose Computer Science or a Foreign
Language to meet the language requirement.
– The foreign language placement test in online through
mybama. (AP, IB, etc. may be a factor, as well.)
– 101, 102, and 103 (an intensive review of 101 and 102 in SP,
GN, or FR) are the most common placements. If you have
had at least 2 units of SP, GN, or FR, you must take 103.
– Computer Science CS 102 is required. Students will need
two additional core CS courses.
Chapter 2. Study Skills Courses*
As you adjust to college life, taking a course that helps
you understand the transitions, as well as how to
prepare and study for college courses, and balance
your multiple obligations, a study skills course may
help. They will count as electives.
New 222 (2 cr.)
BCE 101 (2 cr.)
BEP 110 (3 cr.)
*Crimson Edge students must take one.
Chapter 3. Get Involved
Part of your UA experience is outside the classroom!
Balance is important .
- List of student groups in your packet
- Something for everyone!
Also consider
- WVUA-TV, Crimson White, Corolla, WVUA-FM,
Alabama Public Radio and Alabama Public Television,
Crimson Tide Productions, Student Affairs, etc.
- Look around campus, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham!
- Start thinking about your dream internships!
Chapter 3. Get Involved. Career
Services.
Vanity Fair, Fox News, Blue Cross Blue Shield, ESPN, Guy Harvey, GQ , Disney,
Sen. Shelby’s offices, HP, American Idol, The Walking Dead, WSJ, Universal
Music, the Miami Dolphins, MTV, MSNBC, Talladega Speedway, and Yahoo
Sports!
• Career Center professionals can help you:
– assess your interests, preferences, values and skills and to help you in
career planning
– identify and prepare you for internships
– write, edit and polish your resume and cover letter
– prepare for interviews
– search databases of internships and job opportunities
– Communication Career Fair.
To get started, make an appointment with Tasha Smith in the center
or email her at tashasmith@sa.ua.edu.
Chapter 3.
As Natasha Beddingfield sang….
THE REST IS STILL UNWRITTEN!
And, please remember
tischstudentservices@ua.edu if you need anything!