The Communication Arts graduate plays a vital role in gathering and disseminating information through the mass media.

There are four areas of specialization within the Communication Arts program:

• Advertising / Public Relations
• Broadcast Journalism
• TV Production
• Print Journalism

Each option prepares students for entry level jobs in the media.

• IMPORTANT DATES
• ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• PROGRAM FEES
• PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT
• GRADUATION
• EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
• TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
• CURRICULUM
• COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

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• BACK TO THE ON-LINE CALENDAR

IMPORTANT DATES

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ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

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New students are accepted into the Communication Arts programs for the Fall term only.

Academic Requirements
Applicants are required to have an Alberta High School Diploma or equivalent with a minimum 60% in English 30 or English 33 or equivalent. Applicants are also required to achieve a minimum 60th percentile in Reading and Sentence Skills sections of Computerized Placement Test or equivalent.

Alternate Admission applicants are assessed on past education and work experience. Communication Arts places high emphasis on history, government and current affairs.

• All program assignments must be typed. Lack of keyboarding skills could inhibit achievement.

Professional Suitability
Applicants are interviewed by the department to assess personal motivation and work attitudes. During the interview, all Applicants must write a 500-word composition demonstrating knowledge of the media area they intend to study. The paper is assessed by the department on research content, organizational and grammar skills, word usage, sentence construction and transitions.

PROGRAM FEES

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All fees are approximate and are based on a full credit load for each program (the number of credits may depend upon the elective courses selected) and is subject to change. Costs of books and supplies are estimated. Supply costs include only the specialized materials and equipment needed for the program and not basic stationery supplies. The LCC Students¹ Association fees are subject to change. For more detailed information on tuition fee calculation and other fees, students are advised to consult the FEES section of this Calendar.

* YEAR II fees are based on the Advertising/Public Relations specialization, fees for other specializations will vary.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

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Students accepted into this program have the opportunity to apply related employment, volunteer, educational or training experiences toward the completion of the program. For information on Prior Learning Assessment, students should contact the Registrar¹s Office.

GRADUATION

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Students are awarded a Communication Arts Diploma upon successful completion of 90 credits.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

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University of Calgary
Graduates of the Communication Arts diploma will receive block transfer credit for four half junior courses and six half senior courses in Communications Studies. The program is currently negotiating a 2+2 transfer arrangement with the University of Calgary which may be in effect by the time of printing.

Athabasca University
Graduates of Communication Arts can earn a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communications from Athabasca University by receiving credit for their two years at LCC and completing an additional 60 credits of a 120 credit program through AU.

University of Great Falls
Graduates of the Communication Arts two-year diploma (Broadcast Journalism option) may receive up to two years credit toward a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Broadcast Communication at the University of Great Falls, Montana. Students may complete degree requirements through distance education telecom or by attending the University of Great Falls campus. Details regarding admission requirements and course selection can be obtained from the LCC Communications and Multimedia Team Leader.

University of Lethbridge
LCC graduates may also apply their Communication Arts diploma to two courses or six unspecified credits in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Lethbridge.

CURRICULUM

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PRINT JOURNALISM
This two-year diploma program option trains students as reporters or editors in weekly or daily newspapers. Students also receive training that could help them in a career in the expanding field of magazine writing, editing and layout. Part of the training applies traditional media skills to the Internet. Students receive practical training on campus and off campus through the College newspaper, Endeavor. As well, students are required to complete a practicum with a media company off-campus. Students start writing in the classroom, advance to reporting about campus events and people, and finish by covering the city. They also learn to write the simple story, then the more complex. Graduates are prepared for entry level positions in writing, reporting, editing and photography.

Year I Fall Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 150 Black and White Photography (1-3) 4
CAP 152 Mass Communication (3-0) 3
CAP 155 Reporting (5-0) 5
CAP 156 Introduction to Advertising (3-0) 3
CAP 157 Media Writing (3-0) 3
CAP 174 Computer Skills for the Media (1-2) 3
PSC 150 Local Government and the Judiciary (3-0) 3
Total 24 credits

Year I Winter Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 153 Print Copy (3-0) 3
CAP 158 Communication Process (3-0) 3
CAP 160 Print Journalism I (3-2) 5
CAP 170 Communications Law (3-0) 3
CAP 254 Public Relations I (3-0) 3
HIS 165 Canadian History (4-0) 4
Total 21 credits

Year II Fall Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 258 Photo Journalism I (1-2) 3
CAP 260 Print Journalism II (3-2) 5
CAP 262 Editing I (2-2) 4
CAP 266 Campus Newspaper I (2-4) 6
CAP 274 Public Relations II (3-0) 3
Total 21 credits

Year II Winter Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 210 Practicum (off-campus) (0-4) 4
CAP 263 Editing II (2-2) 4
CAP 267 Campus Newspaper II (2-4) 6
CAP 270 Print Journalism III (2-3) 5
PSC 160 Canadian Political Systems (5-0) 5
Total 22 credits

BROADCAST JOURNALISM
The Broadcast Journalism two-year diploma helps students become skilled in reporting and writing for radio. They produce news and sports, music programs, features and lifestyles. Hands-on experience is gained on-air through CLCC Radio. Students learn digital techniques, audio control, voice control, announcing and reporting techniques. There are four terms of writing and producing newscasts, updates, documentaries and other electronic material. Students are in constant contact with professional broadcasters from radio and television stations in the Lethbridge area and are required to complete a practicum off-campus.

Year I Fall Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 121 Basic TV Operations I (2-0) 2
CAP 125 Basic Radio Operations I (1-1) 2
CAP 152 Mass Communication (3-0) 3
CAP 155 Reporting (5-0) 5
CAP 156 Advertising (3-0) 3
CAP 157 Media Writing (3-0) 3
CAP 174 Computer Fundamentals (1-2) 3
CAP 191 Radio Announcing I (3-0) 3
Total 24 credits

Winter Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 126 Basic Radio Operations II (1-1) 2
CAP 158 Communication Process (3-0) 3
CAP 168 Broadcast Journalism I (5-0) 5
CAP 170 Communication Law (3-0) 3
CAP 188 Commercial Writing (3-0) 3
CAP 196 Television Announcing (3-0) 3
CAP 255 Sales Practice (3-0) 3
Total 22 credits

Year II Fall Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 108 Broadcast Management (2-0) 2
CAP 202 Broadcast Production I (2-4) 6
CAP 252 Broadcast Journalism II (3-2) 5
CAP 273 Program Production I (1-1) 2
CAP 288 Commercial Writing I (3-0) 3
HIS 165 Canadian History (4-0) 4
Total 21 credits

Year II Winter Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 203 Broadcast Production II (2-4) 6
CAP 210 Practicum (off-campus) (0-4) 4
CAP 253 Broadcast Journalism III (3-2) 5
CAP 254 Public Relations I (3-0) 3
CAP 283 Program Production II (1-1) 2
PSC 165 Canadian Government (4-0) 4
Total 24 credits

ADVERTISING / PUBLIC RELATIONS
In this two-year diploma program, students are prepared for work in a variety of entry level positions in the communications industry. Their training includes writing, sales, marketing, advertising production and newspaper production. The emphasis is on the practical. All students gain experience in computer layout. Students work on the Endeavor both in editorial and advertising. Each student is required to complete a practicum with a company or institution involved in public relations.

Year I Fall Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 150 Black and White Photography (1-3) 4
CAP 152 Mass Communication (3-0) 3
CAP 155 Reporting (5-0) 5
CAP 156 Introduction to Advertising (3-0) 3
CAP 157 Media Writing (3-0) 3
CAP 174 Computer Skills for Media (1-2) 3
PRS 155 Speech (3-0) 3
Total 24 credits

Year I Winter Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 153 Print Copy (3-0) 3
CAP 158 Communication Process (3-0) 3
CAP 160 Print Journalism I (3-2) 5
CAP 170 Communication Law (3-0) 3
CAP 254 Public Relations I (3-0) 3
CAP 255 Sales Practice (3-0) 3
Total 20 credits

Year II Fall Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 191 Campus Media I (2-4) 6
MKT 188 Marketing (5-0) 5
CAP 262 Editing I (2-2) 4
CAP 274 Public Relations II (3-0) 3
CAP 281 Visual Communications (1-2) 3
ENG 257 Public Relations Writing (1-2) 3
Total 24 credits

Year II Winter Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 188 Commercial Writing (3-0) 3
CAP 210 Practicum (off-campus) (0-4) 4
CAP 291 Campus Media II (2-4) 6
HIS 165 History (4-0) 4
MGT 269 Management Issues in Ad/PR (2-2) 4
Total 20 credits

TV PRODUCTION
This two-year diploma is built upon core communication arts skills, listed as employment requirements by most employers in the video production and Community Television field. This program option gives students an opportunity to apply business skills in sales, marketing, public relations and organization to community television. Hands-on experience in television production and equipment operation take place via a partnership with local industry. Students enrolled in the option get extensive “on-the-job” training. They are required to work on campus, on remote and at CATV, Channel 12 (Lethbridge’s community cable television station). Evening and weekend work is necessary.

Year I Fall Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 121 Basic Television Operation I (2-0) 2
CAP 125 Basic Radio Operations I (1-1) 2
CAP 152 Mass Communications (3-0) 3
CAP 155 Reporting (5-0) 5
CAP 156 Introduction to Advertising (3-0) 3
CAP 157 Media Writing (3-0) 3
CAP 174 Computer Fundamentals (1-2) 3
CAP 191 Radio Announcing I (3-0) 3
Total 24 credits

Year I Winter Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 122 Basic Television Operation II (2-0) 2
CAP 131 Community Television Programming I (5-0) 5
CAP 158 Communication Process (3-0) 3
CAP 161 Producing and Script Writing (3-0) 3
CAP 196 Television Announcing (3-0) 3
CAP 254 Public Relations I (3-0) 3
CMM 170 Web Development / HTML Programming (1-2) 3
Total 22 credits

Year II Fall Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 166 Community Television Management I (2-0) 2
CAP 185 Electronic Field Production (2-3) 5
CAP 241 Community Television Programming II (4-4) 8
CAP 245 Community Television Production Skills I (2-0) 2
MKT 188 Marketing (5-0) 5
Total 22 credits

Year I Winter Term Hours/Week Credits
CAP 170 Communication Law (3-0) 3
CAP 232 Community Television Management II (2-0) 2
CAP 243 Community Television Programming III (4-4) 8
CAP 246 Community Television Production II (2-0) 2
CMM 265 Digital Video Editing (1-3) 4
PSC 150 Local Government and the Judiciary (3-0) 3
Total 22 credits

THE ENDEAVOR AND CLCC RADIO
Communication Arts students in Print Journalism, Broadcast Journalism and Advertising/Public Relations are required to work for either The Endeavor or CLCC Radio, or both. The Endeavor is a tabloid newspaper published for nine weeks each term and distributed on campus and throughout the community as well as on the Internet. The approach is to provide as realistic a setting as possible. Students start work on The Endeavor during the second term by reporting and writing College and off campus news. Students who choose the Broadcasting specialization are required to fill various shifts and fulfil assignments for the College radio station. CLCC Radio broadcasts on closed circuit throughout LCC eight hours each weekday. Students are trained in various formats of rock, country and FM. Students are expected to keep accurate logs of their programs and must follow Canadian Radio/Television and Telecommunication Commission regulations.