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SOCA video overview

School of Communication and the Arts

Communication and Social Influence Emphasis
Communication and Social Influence Emphasis		 Public Relations and Journalism Emphasis
Public Relations and Journalism Emphasis		 Electronic Media Emphasis
Electronic Media Emphasis

Communication Studies Major

The Communication Studies major at Lynchburg College examines economic, social and political relations while providing essential skills for information delivery and digital age communication. Students in this major explore a broad range of oral, written, and technology-based methods to prepare them for careers in today's changing communication industry.

Hands-on, active training is a fundamental component of this major with experiential learning in public speaking, community relations, reporting and film production. Students actively participate by

  • Reporting, editing, and publishing the campus newspaper
  • Creating and presenting scholarly work at academic conferences
  • Producing community service documentaries, video shorts, and other presentations
  • Engaging in study abroad and internship opportunities
  • Writing, directing, and producing campus television shows

Communication Studies Majors follow a common core curriculum which includes classes in interpersonal communication, media and culture, writing for the media, research methods, and persuasion and communication theory. As students determine their own specific interests, they select their track by choosing one of three emphases:

The Communication Studies Program is housed in Elliot & Rosel Schewel Hall, the newest building on campus. The facilities, which are all part of the Donovan Media Development Center, include:

  • State-of-the-art television studio with professional-grade cameras
  • Fully digital television control room
  • Four video edit bays
  • One large client production studio
  • Media graphics lab
  • Convergent media newsroom
  • Desktop and Macintosh editing and publishing labs
  • Focus rooms for community client meetings

What some of our graduates are doing now:

  • Director of Local Programming for Microsoft, Inc. Cyrus Krohn, '94
  • NASA's Public Affairs Outreach and Education Manager for the Exploration Technology Development Program. Kimberly Land, '96
  • Founder/CEO of Point7west, Inc. Steven Richardson, '97
  • Special Projects Producer for WCNC TV in Charlotte, N.C. Rachel Clapp, '99
  • Reporter/Anchor for WSLS TV in Roanoke, Va. Angela Hatcher, '00
  • Public Relations Account Executive at O'Brien et al Advertising. Mia Wingfield, '01
  • Producer of "Living in the Heart of Virginia" for WSET TV in Lynchburg, Va. Emily Robinson '03
  • Professional actor, and publicity manager at Rocky Hock Playhouse in Washington, N.C. Dyanna Sorvillo, '08
  • Print newspaper reporter for The Gazette, a weekly community newspaper owned by the Washington Post. Elizabeth Skalski, '08
  • Assistant Director of Alumni Programs at Lynchburg College. Ally Datz, '09