Communication
The Department of Communication prepares students for careers in mass media, including radio, television, newspapers, magazines and new media, as well as public relations, advertising, promotions, film or sales.
The Communication major consists of the prerequisites (6 hours), the communication core (23 hours) and one track, either broadcasting or public relations (13 hours), or journalism (14 hours). In addition, students are required to take 12 hours of required electives or a complete major or minor in another department. Depending on the choice of electives, the major requires 48 or more hours to complete.
The department offers numerous internships covering all areas of communication, from magazines to television to public relations.
Contact the Communication Department:
Email: communicationdept@flagler.edu
Telephone: (904) 819-6247
Majors/Minors
The Communication major consists of the prerequisites, the communication core and one track, either broadcasting, journalism, public relations, or cinema and media studies . In addition, students are required to take 12 hours of required electives or a complete major or minor in another department. Depending on the choice of electives, the major requires 48 or more hours to complete.
The order of courses may be changed as long as prerequisites are met. Additional hours in workshops or internships are strongly encouraged. Students must have permission from the Department Chair to enter any class without the prerequisites.
The communication minor consists of the prerequisites and the communication core requirements -- except COM 215, COM 470 -- and the electives.
A Journalism Minor is available only to non-Communication Majors.
Internships
While the Communication Major does not require students to intern, internships are highly recommended. They offer opportunities for gaining work experience, networking and building resume credentials. Many employers waive the one-year minimum experience requirement if the graduating student has a relevant major and internship experience.
Students may take 9 hours of internship, but only three hours of credit are given at each site. The department encourages students to do as many internships as possible at home and here at the many area sites available. Juniors are eligible to enter the summer nationally-competitive internship, for which the department may nominate two students for each site.
Internships are rarely paid, and many sites require students to receive credit hours for their work. The department does not offer paid internships.
A student is required to have a minimum 2.5 GPA before he or she may intern.
Tracy Halcomb , Ph.D., department chair, former sports and radio broadcaster and online expert.
Rob Armstrong, retired professional in residence: former CBS radio anchor; author of four golfing books and an upcoming textbook about civics and journalism.
Tracey Eaton, Former Metro section editor for the Houston Chronicle with extensive international reporting experience in Cuba, Afghanistan and Latin America. Teaches in the print journalism area.
Mark Huelsbeck, The newest member of the Flagler College Communication faculty. Mark earned his M.F.A. in video and film production from the University of Iowa. With 20 years professional experience with feature films, documentaries and commercials, he brings a great wealth of knowledge to his digital video production classes.
John Lynch, Director of the Flagler College soccer program: teaches public speaking and interpersonal communication courses.
Victor Ostrowidzki, Director of Forum on Government and Public Policy: former Hearst correspondent to the White House; also teaches political sciences courses.
James Pickett, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Coordinator of speech communication, teaches public relations and mass communication courses. Research interests: communication ethics, corporate communication, and public argument.
Helena Särkiö, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Former television videographer, video editor, producer and assignment editor. Teaches journalism and broadcasting courses.
Rosemary Tutt, Assistant Professor, APR-certified public relations specialist and freelance writer who teaches public relations. 2008 recipient of the Florida Public Relations Association (Jacksonville Chapter) Bob Myers Lifetime Achievement Award.
Matthew Wysocki, Ph.D., new media and media studies expert with research interests in video gaming and cyber culture. Teaches web publishing, video gaming and media studies classes.
Full-Time Staff
Dan McCook, Station Manager, WFCF Radio 88.5 FM: former professional disc jockey, stuntman and audio consultant to the Florida Attorneys General and the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.
Josh Wallace, FCTV station manager — coordinates and supervises FCTV student staff for the creation of programming aired on SEA-TV, Comcast cable channel 24.
Part-Time Faculty
Barry Sand, Former comedy writer, creator and original producer of the "David Letterman Show" and SCTV.
Rob Armstrong, Retired professional in residence. Former CBS journalist and author.
To contact anyone in the Communication Department, please send an e-mail to communicationdept@flagler.edu
Resources
Facilities: Students take classes, gain experiences and work into leadership positions in computer labs in the library, at the campus radio station WFCF-88.5FM, the student newspaper The Gargoyle, and high definition field production and editing workstations, and with FCTV, providing student produced programming aired three times weekly on SEA-TV, Comcast cable channel 24.
Scholarships: There are also scholarships available specifically to Communication students. Scholarships are listed on the Financial Aid pages in the Costs section of this Web site and in the catalog. Notices about communication-related opportunities, including scholarships, internships and competitions, is posted on the large bulletin board in the Communication Building, located at 31 Cordova St.
Organizations/Media
The Gargoyle - The college newspaper is open to all students interested in journalism, feature writing, photography, desktop publishing and advertising sales. It operates under the supervision of the Director of Public Information.
Public Relations Society -The Flagler College PRSSA chapter is one of 248 other chapters in colleges and universities across the country whose mission is to advance the profession and the preprofessional. The chapter serves as a networking ground between students and professionals, as well as a way for members to build professional portfolios. As a member, students get a hands-on approach to public relations. The Flagler College PRSSA chapter also writes and executes strategic plans for local organizations.Students interested in any aspect of public relations, including writing, design and media, are welcome to join the Public Relations Society. The purpose of the club is to establish contacts and develop skills for future employment opportunities. To find out about joining this club, attend the Club Night held at the beginning of each semester or contact the department chair.
WFCF - 88.5 FM - The College radio station, run by communication majors, WFCF broadcasts an eclectic and entertaining mix of music on 88.5 FM. Listeners also can access the signal online.
FCTV - The college television station. Offering an on campus internship program for students, we shoot and edit events around the college and St. Augustine.
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First Coast Crossroads - Local history and cultural affairs is profiled on First Coast Crossroads, FCTV's original half-hour magazine program produced by students in COM 417 (Advanced Electronic Production). Each week First Coast Crossroads takes viewers on a journey of discovery through some of the cultural highlights and community treasures found right here in greater Saint Augustine. First Coast Crossroads airs Saturdays on SEA-TV Channel 24 (on Comcast Cable) at 9 pm or you can watch each episode online.
Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) - Flagler’s SPJ chapter is a member of the national Society of Professional Journalists, which is dedicated to the freedom of the press. The chapter aims to stimulate conversations about the role of the press in a free society and to provide professional growth opportunities for journalism students.