Communication and Media Studies Major
Interdisciplinary Major
The Communication and Media Studies (CMS) program prepares students to become discerning media consumers, producers, critical thinkers, confident speakers, skilled writers, and creative storytellers. CMS is an interdisciplinary field that draws from programs and departments on campus to enable students to study a wide range of topics and develop critical academic and professional skills including media and information literacy; persuasive writing; public speaking; strategic communication; critical analysis; project management; and research design and execution.
CMS is a versatile and flexible major that pushes students to expand their understanding of human communication, culture, and social institutions. The knowledge, understanding, and skills students acquire in CMS prepares them for a wide range of opportunities after graduation--in grassroots organizations, non-profits, global media companies, political offices, legal professions, journalism, education, and everything in-between. CMS students critically assess information sources, address issues of representation and equity in media and communication systems, and learn to communicate effectively in a variety of media channels to a range of different audiences. These skills make our graduates not only exceptionally qualified for a wide variety of careers, but prepared to engage in the world thoughtfully and ethically, with a broad understanding of what it means to be a responsible global citizen.
Distribution Credit in CMS
Student can complete their Humanities Distribution credit with CMS courses. Students taking one Humanities course can take CMS 101 Intro to Communication & Media Studies or CMS 201 Contemporary Popular Film & TV. Students who choose to take two Humanities courses must take both CMS 101 Intro to Communication & Media Studiesand CMS 201 Contemporary Popular Film & TV.
Communication & Media Studies Major Requirements
The requirements for majors in Communication and Media Studies include four core courses, seven elective courses, and the Senior Capstone Experience (SCE).
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Courses | 20 | |
Intro to Communication & Media Studies | ||
Intermediate Comm & Media Theory | ||
Research Methods in CMS | ||
CMS Senior Seminar | ||
Elective Requirement | 28 | |
Two Foundation Courses | ||
Two Applied Courses | ||
Two Structure Courses | ||
One Additional Elective Course, Selected from the List of Foundation, Applied, and Structure Courses | ||
Senior Capstone Experience (CMS SCE) | 2-4 | |
Total Credits | 50-52 |
Foundation, Applied, and Structured Courses
Students complete a minimum of two courses in each category to fulfill their elective requirements. The seventh and final elective course can come from any of the courses listed. Additional courses may be approved by the Program Director.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Foundation Courses | ||
These courses focus on broadening a student’s familiarity with contemporary and historical understandings of media industries, ability to identify meaning in various kinds of texts, and/or ability to understand systems of power and meaning making. | ||
Introduction to American Culture II | ||
Introduction to American Culture I | ||
Introduction to Anthropology | ||
World Cinema I | ||
Contemporary Popular Film & TV | ||
Persuasion: The User Experience | ||
Global Media & Technology | ||
The Art of Rhetoric | ||
Introduction to American Culture I | ||
Introduction to American Culture II | ||
African Am Literature & Culture I | ||
African Am Lit & Culture II | ||
Intro to World Music & Ethnomusicology | ||
Rock, Pop, and American Culture | ||
Intro to Sociology | ||
Sociology of Gender | ||
Social Inequalities | ||
Self and Society | ||
Drama, Stage, and Society I | ||
Drama, Stage, and Society II | ||
Applied Courses | ||
These courses focus on developing a student’s ability to effectively communicate across a variety of communication channels and/or expanding the available tools a student has to address key problems in the field. | ||
Culture, Power & the Human Experience | ||
Visual Anthropology | ||
Creative Process | ||
Photography | ||
ART 251 | ||
Introductory Video & New Media Studio | ||
New Media Intensive | ||
Photography Intensive | ||
Arts Administration | ||
Principles of Marketing | ||
Creativity&Innovation for Products&Serv | ||
Consumer Behavior | ||
Intro to Nonprofit Management | ||
Digital Marketing | ||
Marketing Research Methods | ||
Advertising | ||
Arts Administration | ||
Public Speaking | ||
Introductory Podcasting Practicum | ||
Intermediate Podcasting Practicum | ||
Video Editing | ||
Video Production | ||
Introduction to Journalism | ||
Intermediate Podcasting Practicum | ||
Comm & Media Studies Internship | ||
Introduction to Game Design | ||
Data Ethics and Practicum | ||
Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
Introduction to Journalism | ||
Literary Editing & Publishing | ||
Music Technology | ||
Arts Administration | ||
Research Methods in Sociology | ||
Introduction to Theatrical Design | ||
Arts Administration | ||
Structure Courses | ||
These courses focus on deepening a student’s understanding of theory, history, and/or genre in national and global contexts. | ||
20th Century Art | ||
Photography's First Century | ||
Women Artists & Feminist Art History | ||
Language and Culture | ||
Visual Anthropology | ||
Organizational Behavior | ||
Creative and Information Economies | ||
Media and Politics | ||
Film Theory | ||
The Harlem Renaissance | ||
Book History & American Print Culture | ||
Black Men & Women: Images | ||
German Cinema (English) | ||
German Cinema (German) | ||
Cltures&communities Spanish-Speakng Wrld | ||
Cuba Music and Culture | ||
Business Ethics |
Optional Program Concentrations
Students who select a CMS concentration, listed below, complete the elective courses required for the major in their concentration.
- Arts and Production
-
Business and Organizational Communication
-
Identity and Culture
-
Film Studies
Arts and Production Concentration Requirements
The Arts and Production Concentration can be achieved by completing CMS 101, CMS 250, CMS 301, CMS 450, and CMS SCE, and 7 additional courses from the list below.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select 7 Courses From Below | 28 | |
Sex, Gender, and Culture | ||
Cuba Music and Culture | ||
Visual Anthropology | ||
Museum Studies | ||
Media and Power | ||
Creative Process | ||
Photography | ||
ART 251 | ||
Introductory Video & New Media Studio | ||
20th Century Art | ||
Photography's First Century | ||
New Media Intensive | ||
Photography Intensive | ||
Arts Administration | ||
Women Artists & Feminist Art History | ||
Public Speaking | ||
Introductory Podcasting Practicum | ||
Intermediate Podcasting Practicum | ||
World Cinema I | ||
Contemporary Popular Film & TV | ||
Persuasion: The User Experience | ||
Global Media & Technology | ||
Introduction to Journalism | ||
Video Editing | ||
Video Production | ||
Creative and Information Economies | ||
Film Theory | ||
Introduction to Game Design | ||
Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
The Art of Rhetoric | ||
Introduction to Journalism | ||
Literary Editing & Publishing | ||
Book History & American Print Culture | ||
German Cinema (English) | ||
German Cinema (German) | ||
Introduction to Music | ||
Intro to World Music & Ethnomusicology | ||
Rock, Pop, and American Culture | ||
Music Theory I | ||
Music Theory II | ||
Creative Process | ||
Music Technology | ||
Arts Administration | ||
Drama, Stage, and Society I | ||
Drama, Stage, and Society II | ||
Introduction to Acting | ||
Introduction to Directing | ||
Stagecraft | ||
Introduction to Theatrical Design | ||
Arts Administration | ||
Total Credits | 28 |
Business and Organizational Communication Concentration Requirements
The Business and Organizational Communications Concentration can be achieved by completing CMS 101, CMS 250, CMS 301, CMS 450, and CMS SCE, and 7 additional courses from the list below.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select 7 Courses From Below | 28 | |
Arts Administration | ||
Principles of Marketing | ||
Digital Marketing | ||
Intro to Nonprofit Management | ||
Organizational Behavior | ||
Consumer Behavior | ||
Advertising | ||
Arts Administration | ||
Public Speaking | ||
Introductory Podcasting Practicum | ||
Intermediate Podcasting Practicum | ||
Persuasion: The User Experience | ||
Global Media & Technology | ||
Video Editing | ||
Video Production | ||
Creative and Information Economies | ||
Media and Politics | ||
Comm & Media Studies Internship | ||
The Art of Rhetoric | ||
Introduction to Journalism | ||
Business Ethics | ||
German Cinema (English) | ||
German Cinema (German) | ||
Intro to Sociology | ||
Social Inequalities | ||
Self and Society | ||
Global Health Disparities | ||
Total Credits | 28 |
Film Studies Concentration Requirements
The Film Studies Concentration can be achieved by completing CMS 101, CMS 250 , CMS 301, CMS 450, and CMS SCE, and 7 additional courses from the list below.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select 7 Courses From Below | 28 | |
Visual Anthropology | ||
Creative Process | ||
ART 251 | ||
Photography Intensive | ||
World Cinema I | ||
Introductory Podcasting Practicum | ||
Contemporary Popular Film & TV | ||
Video Editing | ||
Video Production | ||
Intermediate Podcasting Practicum | ||
Creative and Information Economies | ||
Film Theory | ||
Comm & Media Studies Internship | ||
Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
The Art of Rhetoric | ||
Introduction to Playwriting | ||
Black Men & Women: Images | ||
German Cinema (English) | ||
German Cinema (German) | ||
Drama, Stage, and Society I | ||
Drama, Stage, and Society II | ||
Introduction to Acting | ||
Introduction to Directing | ||
Introduction to Theatrical Design | ||
Introduction to Playwriting | ||
Total Credits | 28 |
Identity and Culture Concentration Requirements
The Identity and Culture Concentration can be achieved by completing CMS 101, CMS 250, CMS 301, CMS 450, and CMS SCE, and 7 additional courses from the list below.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Select 7 Courses From Below | 28 | |
Introduction to American Culture I | ||
Introduction to American Culture II | ||
African Am Literature & Culture I | ||
African Am Lit & Cuture II | ||
The American Studies Seminar | ||
Sex, Gender, and Culture | ||
Language and Culture | ||
Culture, Power & the Human Experience | ||
Cuba Music and Culture | ||
Visual Anthropology | ||
Museum Studies | ||
Introductory Podcasting Practicum | ||
World Cinema I | ||
Contemporary Popular Film & TV | ||
Video Editing | ||
Video Production | ||
Intermediate Podcasting Practicum | ||
Comm & Media Studies Internship | ||
The Art of Rhetoric | ||
Introduction to American Culture I | ||
Introduction to American Culture II | ||
African Am Literature & Culture I | ||
African Am Lit & Culture II | ||
The Harlem Renaissance | ||
Book History & American Print Culture | ||
Black Men & Women: Images | ||
German Cinema (English) | ||
German Cinema (German) | ||
Intro to World Music & Ethnomusicology | ||
Music of Latin America | ||
Music of Asia | ||
Intro to Sociology | ||
Social Inequalities | ||
Self and Society | ||
Research Methods in Sociology | ||
Total Credits | 28 |