Communication and Media Studies

Program Objectives

The Communication and Media Studies department offers an online and on-campus major and minor leading to a BA or BS in Communication and Media Studies, with options for more specific focus through a Film Studies minor or a concentration in Public Relations. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills across the specializations within the discipline, preparing graduates for careers in fields such as public relations and strategic communication, digital and cinematic media production, and communication roles in business, healthcare, education, nonprofits, and the public sector. This flexible structure allows students to tailor their coursework to their interests and career goals while preparing for a wide range of communication careers or graduate study.
Students majoring in Communication and Media Studies build a broad foundation in communication studies and deepen their knowledge in specific professional, relational, and media-centered areas, including:

Mass Communication and Media Literacy

Investigate the influence of mass media on society and the significance of media literacy in the digital age. Analyze the role of journalism, broadcasting, and digital media in shaping public opinion and culture.

Public Relations and Strategic Communication
Learn to craft strategic communication plans, manage organizational identities, and develop media to engage with diverse audiences.

Cinematic and Digital Media Arts
Tell stories that matter. Build practical skills in filmmaking, digital audio and podcasting, interactive media, and visual communication to produce compelling content across screen, digital, and emerging media platforms.

Organizational Communication
Develop advanced communication skills for building and sustaining effective relationships with attention to conflict management, collaboration, and leadership in professional, non-profit, and academic organizations.

Interpersonal Communication
Understand the intricacies of human interaction, focusing on the development of effective communication skills in personal and professional relationships.

Health Communication
Explore the role of communication in health promotion, patient advocacy, and the dissemination of health information.

Intercultural Communication
Understand the impact of cultural diversity on communication practices and develop skills to bridge cultural differences and promote effective intercultural interactions.

Learning Outcomes

Content Knowledge: Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of communication theories, media, society, and culture across interpersonal, organizational, mass media, and cinematic contexts, including the history, development, and criticism of mediated and visual communication forms. Students are assessed through activities such as analytical and research-based writing, written and visual analyses of media texts and films, applied projects in public relations and strategic communication, and reflective work connecting communication theory to interpersonal, organizational, mass media, and cinematic practice.
Communication: Apply theories and methods of communication to craft effective oral, written, and visual messages across print, electronic, and digital media, including professional and rhetorical writing, public speaking, multimedia presentation, and visual communication design. Communicate ethically and strategically with diverse audiences in interpersonal, intercultural, organizational, public relations, and cinematic/media contexts, using technology and new media platforms to inform, persuade, and build relationships.
Critical Thinking: Employ critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion to analyze media, society, and culture; evaluate rhetorical traditions and criticism across communication contexts; and apply quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry to communication problems in interpersonal, organizational, public, and mediated settings. Students are evaluated on coursework involving argumentative and analytical essays, critical media analyses, research projects employing quantitative or qualitative methods, and presentations that evaluate communication strategies and their impacts in real-world contexts

Programs

Major(s)

Minor(s)