The Communications Department at LSU Shreveport offers a degree in Mass Communication. Students may choose to specialize in print journalism, electronic journalism, public relations, speech, theatre, or film plus there is a generalist option for those wishing a broad exposure to the field. The curriculum includes a wide range of classes that provide a thorough grounding in the basics of each specialty at the freshman and sophomore levels plus challenging upper-level courses reflecting the current professional job market. All Mass Communication majors complete a one-semester off-campus internship and a portfolio class during the final semester.
The Mass Communications major is available in both face-to-face (traditional on-campus) and online formats. Students interested in completing the major via distance education should make arrangements with the chair, Dr. Linda Webster.
For those interested in print or convergence journalism, the department sponsors a weekly student newspaper, The Almagest, which is published online during the fall and spring semesters. All work is done by LSUS student editors, writers, and photographers under the direction of Rose-Marie Lillian. Students interested in the field of electronic journalism will contribute video reporting to The Almagest website beginning in the fall 2012 semester with faculty guidance from Mary Jarzabek. Any student pursuing concentrations in public relations, speech, theatre, film or as a generalist will also participate in one or both of these student news production formats. The faculty has real world experience in newspapers, television, and public relations as well as the scholarly credentials to guarantee students a competitive academic experience.
An additional co-curricular activity sponsored by the Department is the LSUS Debate Program which offers competition and travel from September through March. Under the direction of Coach Trey Gibson, the team hosts home tournaments on campus at least twice yearly and travels to tournaments in the surrounding region.
The department provides recognition for outstanding student scholarship with a chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the national communication honorary, and the Department of Communications Scholars Awards which are funded with royalties from the sale of the public speaking textbook. Scholars and new members of Lambda Pi Eta are named during the fall and spring semesters. Contact Dr. Webster for further information.
