Bachelor of Science Communication with a Major in Cinema & TV Production (BS)
David Mallin, Program Director
Carolina Conte, Chief Departmental Advisor of Cinema & TV Production
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
COMMÂ 101RÂ or THEAÂ 152R is required to fulfill the Oral Communication requirement.
STATÂ 130M is required to fulfill the Mathematics requirement (BS only).
COMMÂ 270A/THEAÂ 270A may not be used to satisfy the Human Creativity requirement.
The Information Literacy and Research requirement may be met in the major with COMMÂ 272G.
The Impact of Technology requirement may be met in the major with COMMÂ 280T or COMMÂ 372T.
For the Language and Culture requirement, BA students must have competence through the 202 level (competence is not met by completion of the associate degree); BS students must have competence at the 102 level.
Upper-Division General Education
- Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 hours; also second degree or second major
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 hours specified by the department, 3 of which may be in the major area of study
- Option C. An approved certification program such as teaching licensure
- Option D. Six Hours of Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Arts and Humanities Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major (6 hours).
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGLÂ 110C, ENGLÂ 211C or ENGLÂ 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Communication Core
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BS Core Courses | ||
| COMMÂ 200S | Introduction to Human Communication | 3 |
| COMMÂ 260 | Understanding Media | 3 |
| COMMÂ 301 | Critical Methodologies | 3 |
| COMMÂ 302 | Communication Research Methods I | 3 |
| COMM writing intensive (W) course (see the major areas for appropriate selection) | 3 | |
| BS Additional Core Requirements | ||
| Six hours of approved 300/400-level social science courses | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
Cinema & TV Production Major
David Mallin, Program Director
Carolina Conte, Chief Departmental Advisor of Cinema & TV Production
Choose nine courses (27 credit hours): Â three courses (9 credit hours) from Foundations and six courses (18 credit hours) from Applied Theories. Note that all Foundations courses can apply towards degree completion. The Senior Experience can be fulfilled by writing a screenplay for a feature film (COMMÂ 482), studying abroad, participating in an internship (COMMÂ 368), collaborating with a broadcast station (COMMÂ 439), or by participation in one of the Film Program's Departmental Productions (COMMÂ 486 or COMMÂ 493). Students may also enroll in a research practicum or capstone course. Students should consult with their advisors about approved courses that can fulfill the Identity and Inclusion requirement.
Cinema & TV Production students need to complete COMMÂ 271 Introduction to Filmmaking prior to enrollment in any Foundations course, and should not enroll in COMMÂ 269.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 35-47 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Communication Core | ||
| Complete communication core requirements | 21 | |
| Foundations | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Post-Production 1 | ||
| Screenwriting I | ||
| Directing the Actor | ||
| Cinematography | ||
| Applied Theories | ||
| COMMÂ 471W | International Film History * | 3 |
| or COMM 479W | American Film History | |
| Select five from the following for a total of 15 credits: | 15 | |
| The Short Script | ||
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Animation | ||
| 3D Animation 1 | ||
| Color for Digital Cinema & TV | ||
| Editing Aesthetics | ||
| Internship | ||
| Television Production | ||
| Documentary Production I | ||
| Post-Production 2 | ||
| TV News Production | ||
| Motion Picture Aesthetics | ||
| Sound Recording and Mixing for Film | ||
| TV Screenwriting | ||
| Capstone | ||
| WHRO Production | ||
| Documentary Filmmaking Study Abroad | ||
| Directing for the Camera | ||
| International Film History (whichever course was not already taken) * | ||
or COMM 479W | American Film History | |
| Documentary Production II | ||
| Screenwriting II | ||
| Advanced Cinema Projects | ||
| Film and Television Genres | ||
| Advanced Filmmaking | ||
| Advanced TV News Production | ||
| Cinematography 2 | ||
| Feature Film Production | ||
| COMM Elective | ||
| Complete COMM elective | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 92-104 | |
- *
Grade of C or better required if used to meet University Writing Requirement
Electives
Elective credit will be needed to meet the minimum requirement of 120 credit hours.
Additional Requirements and Information
ALL students majoring in programs in Communication, Dance, and Theatre are required to complete a Senior Experience as part of their degree. Senior Experiences are designed as stepping stones for students to apply knowledge and skills accrued throughout their coursework toward preparing for future careers. Senior Experience course options will vary by major but include options for an internship, a study abroad/away experience, a service-learning course, a senior capstone, or more specialized experiences within students' chosen majors. Please see descriptions included under each major for more options. Students become eligible for Senior Experience options once they reach 90 credits or with permission of the Senior Experience Coordinator. Students will be directed by their advisor to opportunities that are suited for their area of study and as other opportunities become available. For more information please reach out to the Senior Experience Coordinator, Alison Lietzenmayer.
Cinema & TV Production students need to complete COMMÂ 271 Introduction to Filmmaking prior to enrollment in any Foundations course, and should not enroll in COMMÂ 269.
Departmental Requirements
Majors must maintain a 2.0 GPA or better in the major in order to graduate.
Additional Communication Major Courses
Students pursuing either the BA or the BS degree are required to take 10 Communication classes beyond the core course requirements listed above (these courses include the Senior Experience requirement listed above).  Nine of those 10 courses (27 credit hours) must be in the student's selected major (see major details below). One course (3 credit hours) may be 100-200 level and/or from any major area.
The Senior Experience requirement in the Communication program (which includes the Cinema & TV Production major, Communication Studies major, Media Studies major, Professional Communication major, and Strategic Communication and Journalism major) can be achieved by completing opportunities such as the following:Â
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Internship | ||
| COMMÂ 368 | Internship | 3,6 |
| Study Abroad | ||
| COMMÂ 300 | International Sojourning | 3 |
| COMMÂ 440 | Documentary Filmmaking Study Abroad | 3 |
| Other study abroad/study away offerings offered within the Department | ||
| Service Learning | ||
| Approved Service Learning Courses (varies by semester) | ||
| Capstone | ||
| COMMÂ 433 | Capstone | 3 |
| Research Practicum | ||
| COMMÂ 369 | Research Practicum | 3 |
| or COMM 469 | Communication Education Practicum | |
| ROAR | ||
| COMMÂ 490 | ROAR Communications Agency (available only for Strategic Communication and Journalism majors) | 3 |
| COMM Cinema & TV Production Majors may also choose from: | ||
| WHRO Production | ||
| Screenwriting II | ||
| Advanced Cinema Projects | ||
| Advanced Filmmaking | ||
| Feature Film Production | ||
Communication Electives
Select one COMM elective (3 credit hours), which may be any COMM class that is not in the student's major in addition to the following.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMMÂ 103R | Voice and Diction | 3 |
| COMMÂ 112R | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMMÂ 195 | Topics in Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMÂ 225 | Introduction to Production Technology | 3 |
| COMMÂ 269 | Visual Storytelling | 3 |
| COMMÂ 270A | Film Appreciation | 3 |
| COMMÂ 271 | Introduction to Filmmaking | 3 |
| COMMÂ 272G | Digital Literacy | 3 |
| COMMÂ 280T | Entertainment Technologies | 3 |
| COMMÂ 295 | Topics in Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMÂ 304 | Advanced Public Speaking | 3 |
| COMMÂ 307 | Understanding European Film | 3 |
| COMMÂ 321 | Production Management for Television and Stage | 3 |
| COMMÂ 325 | Sound Design for Stage and Camera | 3 |
| COMMÂ 341 | Lighting Design for Stage and Film | 3 |
| COMMÂ 349 | Costume Design for Stage and Camera | 3 |
| COMMÂ 354 | Drafting and Rendering for Stage and Screen | 3 |
| COMMÂ 356 | 3D Animation 1 | 3 |
| COMMÂ 357 | 3D Animation 2 | 3 |
| COMMÂ 359 | Costume Crafts | 3 |
| COMMÂ 367 | Cooperative Education | 1-3 |
| COMMÂ 369 | Research Practicum | 3 |
| COMMÂ 382 | Reporting News for Television and Digital Media | 3 |
| COMMÂ 453 | Voice Over | 3 |
| COMMÂ 469 | Communication Education Practicum | 3 |
Writing Intensive Requirement
Communication majors must complete at least one writing intensive course in the major from the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMMÂ 308W | Effective Media Writing | 3 |
| COMMÂ 315W | Sex, Gender, and Communication | 3 |
| COMMÂ 335W | Rhetorical Criticism | 3 |
| COMMÂ 400W | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMMÂ 412W | Interpersonal Communication Theory and Research | 3 |
| COMMÂ 447W | Electronic Media Law and Policy | 3 |
| COMMÂ 471W | International Film History | 3 |
| COMMÂ 479W | American Film History | 3 |
Internships and Practicum coursesÂ
Students may apply three credit hours of COMM 368 Internship toward their major credit hours. Three additional credit hours may count as elective credits toward the overall total credit hour count for the degree. In addition, students may apply only six credits total from the following classes toward the major:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMMÂ 368 | Internship | 3-6 |
| COMMÂ 369 | Research Practicum | 3 |
| COMMÂ 469 | Communication Education Practicum | 3 |
Special Topics in Communication Courses and Communication Tutorials
Special Topics in Communication courses and Communication Tutorials courses may be included in a given major when and where appropriate and as approved by the student's communication advisor:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMMÂ 395 | Topics in Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMÂ 396 | Topics in Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMÂ 495 | Topics in Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMÂ 496 | Topics in Communication | 1-3 |
| COMMÂ 497 | Tutorial Work in Special Topics in Communication | 1-3 |
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.Â
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGLÂ 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Human Creativity (May not use COMMÂ 270A / THEAÂ 270A) | 3 | |
| Human Behavior (COMMÂ 200S may not be used) | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture I (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| COMMÂ 101R or THEAÂ 152R |
Public Speaking or Acting One |
3 |
| Â | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring | ||
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Mathematical Skills: STATÂ 130M Required | 3 | |
| Information Literacy and Research (can be met by COMMÂ 272G) | 3 | |
| Elective or Language and Culture II (May be waived; See requirement details) | 3 | |
| COMMÂ 260 | Understanding Media | 3 |
| Â | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGLÂ 211C or ENGLÂ 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| COMM Elective | 3 | |
| COMMÂ 200S | Introduction to Human Communication | 3 |
| Â | Credit Hours | 16 |
| Spring | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Impact of Technology (Can be met with COMMÂ 280T or Comm 372T) | 3 | |
| COMMÂ 271 | Introduction to Filmmaking | 3 |
| COMMÂ 302 | Communication Research Methods I | 3 |
| Â | Credit Hours | 16 |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Foundation course in Major Area | 3 | |
| Applied Theories or Foundations course in Major Area (depending on major selected) | 3 | |
| 300/400-level Social Science course | 3 | |
| COMMÂ 301 | Critical Methodologies | 3 |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Â | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring | ||
| Applied Theories course in Major Area | 3 | |
| Applied Theories course in Major Area | 3 | |
| Applied Theories course in Major Area | 3 | |
| 300/400-level Social Science course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education Course or Minor | 3 | |
| Â | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Applied Theories course in Major Area | 3 | |
| COMMÂ 471W or COMMÂ 479W |
International Film History 2 or American Film History |
3 |
| Senior Experience Course 1 | 3 | |
| Foundation course in Major Area | 3 | |
| Elective course (or Professional Communication elective course if choose Professional Communication major) | 3 | |
| Â | Credit Hours | 15 |
| Spring | ||
| Elective courses (or Professional Communication elective courses if choose Professional Communication major) | 9 | |
| Applied Theories course in Major Area | 3 | |
| Elective course | 1 | |
| Â | Credit Hours | 13 |
| Â | Total Credit Hours | 120 |
- 1
Please consult list of Senior Experience options relevant to each major.
- 2
Grade of C or better required if used to meet University Writing Requirement
Linked BA/BS in Communication and MA in Lifespan and Digital Communication
The linked bachelor's/master's degree in communication/lifespan and digital communication is administered by the Communication and Theatre Arts Department. The purpose of this option is to allow exceptional majors in communication to count up to 12 hours of 500-level graduate coursework towards both the BA or BS in communication and, if accepted, the MA in lifespan and digital communication. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credits for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credits for the graduate degree). For more information, please contact Dr. Gary Beck.
Linked BA/BS in Communication and MA in Humanities
Please refer to the Humanities section of this Catalog for information on the linked program leading to a BA or BS in communication and an MA in humanities.
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study.  Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.