Information Sciences and Technology for Communication Arts and Sciences, Minor

Program Description

The Internet and other technologies are emerging as important communication channels. People establish personal relationships, develop language skills, conduct business, and make arguments online. Websites have become important sites of public discourse and are playing an encompassing role in political campaigns. Students who pursue careers as communication consultants, in management or human resources, as political speech writers, and as independent business operators need information management skills. As a result, it is essential for Communication Arts and Sciences students to be fully versed in information sciences and technology for both personal and professional advancement.

What is Information Sciences and Technology for Communication Arts and Sciences?

The ability to put technology to work and to communicate effectively are two of the most critical basic skills a professional can have. Penn State believes that students in all fields should be able to build an academic program that enables them to become knowledge workers, and for that reason, the School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is working closely with the College of Liberal Art's Department of Communication Arts & Sciences. Students interested in pursuing a career as communications consultants, in management or human 
resources, as political speechwriters, or as independent businesspersons, all need information 
management skills. Others may be interested in the management of technology-oriented businesses. The IST/CAS minor provides you with a solid base in the information sciences and technology through the same courses in IST's core curriculum that are taken by all students majoring in IST. You may then select from a group of speech communication courses in which you will study the application of information technology-how organizations communicate effectively through the new technologies.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
IST 110	Information, People and Technology	3
IST 210	Organization of Data	3
IST 220	Networking and Telecommunications	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 9 credits of CAS courses from a department-approved list with at least 6 credits at the 400 level		9

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Majors and Minors web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

Career Paths

CAS students are change makers: analysts, strategists, persuaders, facilitators, collaborators, connectors, and scholars. The CAS minor serves as a valuable supplement to a wide array of majors, and helps to equip students for success in the work force, graduate school, and civic life. CAS courses provide students with the theories, methods, practical tools, and experiences to understand the roots of social conflict and the sources of well-being.

Careers

A CAS minor helps to prepare students for careers in academics, law, sales, corporate communication, health and human services, community activism, and digital technology. Students graduating from CAS studies may work as analysts, strategists, facilitators, collaborators, or negotiators.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS AND SCIENCES

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

The CAS minors supplement a wide variety of major fields in its preparation of students for graduate study in communication science or rhetoric, as well as in law, public policy, behavioral science, health and human services, human development, business, social work, and other related fields.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION ARTS AND SCIENCES
234 Sparks Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-3461
sas519@psu.edu

http://cas.la.psu.edu/