Communication is one of the most important things we do. It is an integral part of our daily lives - at home, school, and on our jobs. Yet, very few have mastered the basics. Yes, most of us can talk at will, but communication is much more than conversation.
According to the National Communication Association, "the field of communication focuses on how people use verbal and nonverbal messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels, and media." The foundation of communication is the sending and receiving of messages in verbal, nonverbal, written, or pictorial form, and our interpretation - or misinterpretation - of these messages. How well do we really understand messages being conveyed? Are we really and truly listening and not merely hearing?
Sinclair's Communication Arts program provides a comprehensive study of communication and exposes students to the basics as well as to advanced techniques, tools, and philosophies that will equip them with the necessary skills they need to transmit information more effectively in various environments.
The Communication Arts Department impacts all students at Sinclair in one way or another. Although a select group pursues an Associate of Arts degree in Communication Arts, many more students are required to take Interpersonal Communication and/or Effective Public Speaking as part of the General Education curriculum.
The Communication Arts program includes courses in mass media, public speaking, interpersonal and small group communication, to name a few. Additionally, after obtaining an Associate degree in Communication Arts, students can further their studies by transferring to a four-year institution and pursuing a Bachelor's degree in various Communication disciplines.
Sinclair’s Journalism Program
Sinclair Community College offers three journalism courses, JOU 101, JOU 102 and JOU 203 and an internship, JOU 270. Journalism 101 provides an introduction to the newspaper business and instruction in the basic concepts and practices of news reporting and writing. In Journalism 102, students apply the skills and techniques they learned in 101 and learn additional journalistic writing styles, such as feature writing. Students also are given the opportunity to submit their work for possible publication in the Clarion, Sinclair’s student newspaper, and professional publications. Journalism 203 teaches students how to report for the Internet. This includes creating a blog and a storyboard for a multimedia story.
Students who have completed two journalism courses can apply for JOU 270, an internship at the Dayton Daily News or other journalistic experience. This internship provides valuable, real-life experience for students who plan to pursue a career in journalism.
These courses, along with the Communication Arts core courses, give students a solid foundation for transferring to a four-year university. An additional benefit is Sinclair’s articulation agreement with Wright State University and the University of Dayton, which allows students to transfer seamlessly from Sinclair’s Communication Arts program to Wright State’s or UD’s Communication Arts program.
