When you major or minor in the Department of Communication, Journalism, and Film, you are prepared to understand communication as a social, intellectual, ethical, and artistic process. You will learn to engage in communication, journalism, and film as a responsible human behavior.
Find out more about this program’s mission, vision, and learning outcomes.
Communication Studies
The Communication Studies track of this major provides you opportunities to develop communication skills, explore values, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning. Emphasis is placed on person-to-person contact in both private and public settings.
Journalism
The Journalism track of this major educates, trains, and prepares you to engage in a career in journalism. This track provides many opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom, to develop written and oral communication skills, explore values, and acquire techniques of insight and critical reasoning. Emphasis is placed on mediated communication in public settings.
- A minimum 60–63 credits are required for the Communication major, including 25–28 upper-division credits.
- You will choose one of two tracks — Communications Studies or Journalism Track — when you major in Communication.
- The General Core in this major is 35 credits, including “Public Speaking” and “Communication Ethics.” This major also includes 10 elective credits.
- During your senior year, you will choose one Senior Seminar such as “Persuasive Campaigns,” “Gender Communication,” or “Rhetoric of Dissent.”
The Film Studies major prepares you to become a creative and informed writer, audience member, and practitioner of film, through a deeper understanding of film art, history, aesthetics, criticism, and production.
You will develop skills that are at the heart of a liberal arts education, including writing, critical thinking, and problem solving. The major provides an array of course offerings informed by a Christian perspective, with the aim of graduating students of competence and character who are prepared for professional careers, advanced study, and service. Primary goals include:
Cinema literacy: You will practice critical media literacy within the contexts of American and international cinemas.
Historical literacy: You will understand the formation of the American film industry and the pivotal roles movies have played in shaping American and international cultures.
Creative practice: This major prepares a generation of film critics, audiences, and professionals.
- A minimum 65 credits are required for this major, including 30 upper-division credits.
- This program partners with the L.A. Film Studies Center, a BestSemester program of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. A semester at the LAFSC can serve as credits toward the Film Studies major.
A Film Studies minor unites Seattle Pacific’s liberal arts tradition with a focus on film history and art. Much like those who pursue the major, students who minor in Film Studies will possess a range of skills that prepares them for success in many professions, especially ones that involve critical thinking, writing, and visual literacy. The minor complements any number of majors and is also solid preparation for graduate study.
- A minimum 30 credits are required for this minor, including 15 upper-division credits.
- The 20 credits of core requirements include FLM 2001 Film History I: Beginnings–1960 and FLM 3000 Directors & Genres.
- This minor’s electives will be chosen from a list of film, English, and communication courses.
Apply to the major or minor
Apply for a major or minor using the online Major or Minor form. You must complete the major or minor requirements in effect when you are admitted to the major or minor.
- To apply for a minor or major in Communication, you must have completed two courses in Communication or Journalism, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in all college work applicable to the degree or 3.0 in the 45 credits immediately preceding application for the major.
- To apply for a major in Film Studies, you must take FLM 1000, either FLM 2001 or FLM 2002, Art 1107, and submit writing samples and a short film. You must have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher in all college work applicable to the degree or 3.0 in the 45 credits immediately preceding application for the major.
- To apply for a minor in Film Studies, you must have completed at least two courses required for the minor with a grade of C or higher, be admitted to a major, and have completed at least 45 college-level courses with a minimum 2.50 GPA.