Communication Arts

Overview

The communication arts major offers the ability to specialize in one or more of the following options: journalism, broadcasting or public relations. Within these concentrations, students complete a mix of practical and theoretical coursework.

Communication arts majors should be interested in writing, and in careers that require extensive writing skills. Successful students are people with a broad range of interests who display a curiosity about their world, and who aren't afraid to ask questions. Ideally, students should regard themselves as "people-oriented" to succeed in this field.

The Communication arts major provides excellent preparation for students interested in law school. It is also a good major for students who enter Hood College as "undeclared" majors.

Many students complete double majors, combining Communication Arts with majors such as French, management, psychology and a variety of other programs. Students who have an interest in communications but whose primary interest is in another academic area may complete minors in public relations or journalism. In addition, the writing minor includes a number of communications classes.

The faculty have extensive professional and practical experience in their fields, in addition to academic qualifications. Faculty members are accessible and interested in the needs and goals of individual students. In addition, their professional backgrounds enable them to provide students with outstanding guidance and advising.

Internships

Internships or practicum experiences are required for all students in the communication arts program. Students complete internships in the Frederick , Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas as well as in other countries. Journalism internships can be in the print or broadcast fields, and public relations students can arrange internships with a variety of organizations.

Hood students have completed internships in the following locations and organizations:

Apco Worldwide
Arthritis Foundation
WYPR-FM (NPR), Baltimore, Md.
WHAG-TV, Hagerstown, Md.
WAFY-AM, Frederick, Md.
WBAL-TV, Baltimore, Md.
ABC News (20/20), Washington, D.C.
Baltimore Sun
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Frederick News-Post
Gazette Newspapers
Habitat for Humanity
Hagerstown Herald-Mail
Lisboa & Associates, Washington, D.C
Maryland Life Magazine
Office of the Governor (Maryland)
Potomac Event Productions
The Kennedy Center
The Maryland State Police
The Shakespeare Project
The White House
3 Roads Communications
Voice of America

Some students complete more than one internship in order to gain experience or explore different areas of interest. A maximum of 15 credits from internships can be applied toward the degree. Transfer students usually complete internships during the summer term, but internships are available throughout the academic year.

Extracurricular Opportunities

All students have the opportunity to join the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), a national pre-professional organization in this field. In addition to the practical and professional contacts and experiences available, there are many opportunities for leadership within this organization.

All students at Hood—not just upper-class students—have the ability to gain experience on the student newspaper, Blue & Grey Today, and to pursue leadership positions on the paper. This helps students develop writing and publication experience, which is useful in pursuing career opportunities and/or graduate school admission.

Blazer Radio, a student-run Internet radio station, offers students from all disciplines the opportunity to produce their own radio programs ranging across multiple musical genres and broadcast formats.

Alumnae and Alumni Success Stories

Hood communication arts graduates can be found everywhere. Some students will continue their education in graduate school, while others go directly into employment in their fields. Examples of recent placements include:

Bechtel Corporation
DAP Corporation
Discovery Channel
Maryland Special Olympics
Jackson Medical Foundation
Kansas City Star
Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University
National Public Radio
Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University
U.S. Peace Corps
University of Maryland Law School
University of Missouri Graduate School
University of Montana Law School
WFMD-AM, Frederick, Md.
WRNO-FM, New Orleans, La.
WTOP-AM, Washington, D.C.

Faculty

Aldan Weinberg

Professor of Journalism and Director of the Communication Arts Program
Phone: (301) 696-3745
E-mail: weinberg@hood.edu
Professor Weinberg is a graduate of Hood College and earned a master of arts degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He has more than 20 years of experience as a print journalist, having worked as a reporter, editor, columnist, consultant and publisher.

Donna Bertazzoni

Professor of Journalism
Phone: (301) 696-3743
E-mail: bertazzoni@hood.edu
Professor Bertazzoni spent 14 years working at newspapers in Massachusetts and Maryland before joining the faculty at Hood College. She holds a master of science degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master of business administration degree from Frostburg State University. She is the co-author of the book "Law, Media and Culture: The Landscape of Hate."

Katherine Orloff

Visiting Professor of Communication Arts
Phone: (301) 696-3746
E-mail: orloffk@hood.edu
Katherine Orloff has more than 20 years of entertainment industry experience in public relations, promotion, marketing, film and television production and print journalism. She has written for Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Sun-Times and for NBC News and the Today Show. Most recently, she has worked as the unit publicist for major film productions. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in journalism from UCLA.

For complete information in our online catalog, click here.

Academics.