Communication and Media Studies, BA
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies equips graduates with a solid theoretical and historical understanding of human communication, combined with practical skills in professional writing and speaking.
Student organizations that are designed to support, augment, and supplement the educational and professional development of students in the CMS program include the Bent Tree (student newspaper).
Communication and Media Studies Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Communicate effectively using multiple channels of communication.
- Conduct primary and secondary research on media products and communicative practices.
- Critically analyze the aesthetic dimensions and layered meanings of past and present communication and media products.
- Understand theoretical perspectives on communication, media and global culture.
- Apply media aesthetics to the production of communication vehicles using appropriate technologies.
- Demonstrate an understanding of ethical theories, professional standards and legal constraints in communication and media environments.
Communication and Media Studies Writing Assessment Requirement
CMS majors and minors are required to pass the CMS Writing Assessment in order to complete the degree. Students are strongly encouraged to take this assessment soon after passing ENGL 1102 English Composition II. A passing score is a prerequisite for several required CMS courses, so failure to pass the test in a timely manner may result in a delay in graduation. The test is administered at the campus Testing Center and may be repeated, but it is offered only one time per semester.
Students may also fulfill the CMS Writing Assessment Requirement by enrolling in ENGL 3900 Professional & Tech. Writing, passing the course with a C or better, and notifying the Visual and Performing Arts department chair or the CMS Coordinator in writing that they have passed the course and need to have their academic records updated.
Program Requirements
Communication and Media Studies students must earn a grade of C or higher for all courses applied toward upper-division requirements. Upper-division courses are all courses other than those of Areas A through F. 1000- or 2000-level courses used in the upper division are included in this restriction.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core IMPACTS | 42 | |
| All core curriculum recommendations are shown under the Core IMPACTS section of the Undergraduate Graduation Requirements. | ||
| Lower Division Field of Study Requirements | 18 | |
| CMS 2010 | Introduction to Media Studies | 3 |
| CMS 2015 | Visual Communication | 3 |
| Spoken Communication and International Language | 3-9 | |
| Select from the following: 1 | ||
| Public Speaking 2 | ||
| Intermediate French I | ||
| Intermediate French II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Media Production or Aesthetics | 3-9 | |
| Choose from the following: | ||
| 2-D Design/Color Theory | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Digital Photography | ||
| Intro to Field Production | ||
| Introduction to Aesthetics | ||
| Introduction to Acting | ||
| Major Area Core Requirements | 18 | |
| CMS 3020 | Research Methods | 3 |
| or CMS 3101 | Media and Culture | |
| CMS 3400 | Comm. Law, Ethics & Diversity | 3 |
| CMS 3710 | Writing for Digital Media: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CMS 3901 | Internship/Practicum in Communication and Media Studies I | 3 |
| CMS 4999 | CMS Capstone | 3 |
| COMM 3300 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Concentration Requirements | 27 | |
| Choose one option/concentration from the following: | ||
| Minor/Free Electives | 15 | |
| Choose 15 hours of guided electives toward completion of a minor (encouraged): 3 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Option/Concentration Requirements (Choose the CMS Electives option or one of the three concentrations below)
Communication and Media Studies Electives Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose 27 hours from the following: | ||
Any 3000-4000 level class with a CMS or COMM or JOUR prefix (not designated to be used elsewhere in the upper division requirements), | ||
| Intro to Creative Writing | ||
| Professional & Tech. Writing | ||
| Critical Theory | ||
| Playwriting | ||
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 27 | |
Media Design and Production Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose seven courses from the following: | ||
| Media Industries | ||
| Comm. Law, Ethics & Diversity | ||
| Lighting for Motion Pictures | ||
| Audio Recording & Sound Design | ||
| Writing and Editing for Mass Media | ||
| Introduction to Public Relatio | ||
| Introduction to Broadcasting | ||
| Corporate Communication Design | ||
| New Media Design | ||
| Advanced Media Production | ||
| Digital Video Production | ||
| Digital Video Post-Production | ||
| Modes of Video Production I | ||
| Modes of Video Production II | ||
| Modes of Video Production III | ||
| Public Relations Principles and Practices | ||
| Audio Podcasting | ||
| Selected Topics in CMS I (or FILM 4800 - both upon approval) | ||
| Selected Topics in CMS II (or FILM 4801 - both upon approval) | ||
| Selected Topics in CMS III (or FILM 4802 - both upon approval) | ||
| Directed Research in Communication and Media Studies | ||
| Communication in Context I (upon approval) | ||
| Communication in Context II (upon approval) | ||
| Communication in Context III (upon approval) | ||
| Principles of Project Management | ||
| Voiceover | ||
| Acting for the Camera | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 27 | |
Organizational and Corporate Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose seven courses from the following: | ||
| Media Industries | ||
| Writing and Editing for Mass Media | ||
| Introduction to Advertising | ||
| Introduction to Public Relatio | ||
| Introduction to Broadcasting | ||
| Corporate Communication Design | ||
| New Media Design | ||
| Global Contexts in Communication and Media Studies | ||
| Public Relations Principles and Practices | ||
| Crisis and Change Communication | ||
| Social Media | ||
| Selected Topics in CMS I (or FILM 4800 - both upon approval) | ||
| Selected Topics in CMS II (or FILM 4801 - both upon approval) | ||
| Selected Topics in CMS III (or FILM 4802 - both upon approval) | ||
| Directed Research in Communication and Media Studies (or FILM 4900) | ||
| Professional Speaking | ||
| Communication in Context I (upon approval) | ||
| Communication in Context II (upon approval) | ||
| Communication in Context III (upon approval) | ||
| Rhetorical Criticism | ||
| Persuasion | ||
| Communication Technologies | ||
| Principles of Project Management | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Nonverbal Communication | ||
| Interracial Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Professional & Tech. Writing | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 27 | |
- 1
Foreign Language through the 2002 level is required for the BA in CMS. FREN 1001 Elementary French I/SPAN 1001 Elementary Spanish I may be used in Guided Electives, and it is possible to use 1002/2001/2002-level language courses in the Core Curriculum and Lower Division Major Requirements.
- 2
COMM 1110 Public Speaking is a required course for the CMS major. Students receiving credit for COMM 1110 Public Speaking may not receive credit for COMM 1001 Presentational Speaking and COMM 1002 Presentation Applications.
- 3
Up to 9 guided electives may be used for courses with COMM, CMS, and/or JOUR prefixes. No more than 9 hours applied to this area can be 1000-/2000-level courses.