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 and Genres.
- This minor’s electives will be chosen from a list of film, English, and communication courses.
entering and completing the major or minor
In order to earn a degree, you must complete an academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, and students are not required to enter a major immediately upon admission to the University. However, you should enter a major by the end of your sophomore year to help ensure your timely completion of a degree. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should identify and enter their major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you wish to enter a major or minor in this department, you may select a program by using the online Major or Minor Application form. You will receive an email notification of acceptance.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, use the online Major or Minor Application form to select your major or minor. You will receive an email notification of acceptance. Students on academic probation (with an SPU cumulative GPA below 2.0) will not be permitted to enter a new major or minor until they regain good academic standing.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major or minor; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major or minor.
- You must complete the major or minor requirements in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year of admittance to the major or minor.