Communication (B.A.)

In this gateway course to the Media & Journalism track, students will learn the language of mediated storytelling by describing and analyzing the ways in which stories are creatively and artistically crafted for various formats and purposes, including television, film, online video, documentary, and news. Students will be exposed to various types of contemporary visual media and discuss the ways in which production techniques play a role in creative expression and telling effective stories. 

This course trains students to produce live sports broadcasts and sports studio shows. Students work behind and in front of the camera, in production and on-air roles, which include: play-by-play announcer, color analyst, sideline reporter, and studio show host and analyst. Students do background research and conduct interviews to identify storylines. They prepare depth charts and memorize key information and statistics for on-air roles. They write scripts and create rundowns and graphics. They research, report, shoot and edit video profiles and enterprise stories. 

Public relations practitioners face a daunting range of choices when trying to manage key relationships. This course is designed to help students approach public relations strategically and to apply public relations techniques and theories to communication programs and campaigns. The course will also explore current trends in PR practice and how they influence planning. 

The Media and Journalism concentration provides the knowledge and skills for students to pursue a variety of careers in the media industry, from creating and producing entertainment programs to reporting news and sports for a variety of print, broadcast, and online outlets to directing award-winning documentaries. 

Our curriculum focuses both on process and production to help students become well-rounded professionals who can adapt to the constantly changing mass media field.  Options within the concentration allow students to focus on reporting and writing or production.  The concentration’s mission is to develop skilled, resourceful, ethical reporters and storytellers. 

La Salle’s media and journalism alumni are working at the top of their industries, and their roles include senior vice president production and programming for Turner Sports, director of video production for the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Network reporter, sports columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, producer for WHYY, producer for Fox News New York, and anchors, reporters, and producers for 6ABC Philadelphia.  Our faculty and alumni network in media and journalism is wired throughout Philadelphia and national media organizations. 

The Advertising Concentration prepares students to take on the creative challenges in all forms of advertising (print, broadcast, digital, social media), as well as the business principles behind those creative decisions. Students take a blend of Communication, Digital Arts, and Marketing courses in this concentration. 

Alumni have careers in advertising, social media, and integrated marketing across many sectors, including media, entertainment, travel, and education, working for companies such as Comcast, Disney, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and Thomas Edison State University. 

This concentration’s coursework emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the creative, persuasive, and strategic approaches to promoting and selling products and services.  

The Public Relations concentration focuses on teaching students how to build relationships with stakeholders and to ensure messages of all types are distributed to the public clearly and efficiently. 

The Public Relations concentration at La Salle pairs expert faculty with innovative courses to provide students with the tools needed to succeed in the public relations profession and beyond. Relationships with local and national organizations grant students access to outstanding internship opportunities at places like the American Cancer Society, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Phillies, and a number of agencies with specialties ranging from crisis communication to online reputation development to policy and politics. 

Alumni have quickly risen to roles as senior account executives, account managers, associate vice presidents, and vice presidents within leading public relations firms in Philadelphia and have also established their own consulting firms, working with clients to coordinate global events, including the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia in 2015 and the launch of World Cup 2026. 

The Interpersonal Communication concentration provides students with the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed for success in corporate and team communication. 

Many La Salle alumni who have studied Interpersonal Communication have embarked on successful careers in human resources – including training & development and recruiting. Students in this concentration pursue careers in event planning and fundraising and many alumni go on to law school or graduate school in Communication. 

This concentration’s coursework emphasizes how communication competence is achieved through analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, and conflict management. 

La Salle’s Communication curriculum also includes a curricular focus in Sports Communication. The four courses in the curricular focus are: Communication and Sport, Sports Journalism, Sports Broadcasting, and Communication and Coaching. These courses offer students hands-on experience in sports reporting, writing, social media, broadcasting, and play-by-play analysis, as well as more in-depth knowledge of current issues in sports and strategies of coaching. Students can add these courses to any of the four Communication concentrations offered in the department.