Media & Communication Studies - B.A.
Media & Communication Studies bachelor's degree program majors are curious about the production and meaning of media — news, photographs, film, music, television, video games and social networking sites — and about how audiences respond to what they read, see and hear. Our principles menu includes courses on specific media forms, while our practices menu emphasizes advertising, production, writing and management. Students select courses that complement their intellectual and professional interests, usually by designing focus areas in consultation with faculty advisors.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of how the major media industries work in local-global contexts.
- Analyze, interpret and evaluate the aesthetic impressions and expressions of media texts.
- Compare and contrast theories that scholars use to explain the beliefs, attitudes, values, opinions and behaviors of media audiences.
- Assess the political-economic and social-cultural influences among media industries, texts and audiences.
- Apply production or writing skills to the creation of an original project.
The program offers a strong liberal arts education and opportunities to study abroad. Media internships serve as springboards for career opportunities in a variety of industries. Additionally, students are well-positioned to pursue graduate degrees in a variety of fields.
Media & Communication Studies
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of arts degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| MCST1005 | Introduction to Media & Communication Studies | 3 |
| MCST1150 | Introduction to Media Production | 3 |
| or MCST2450 | Writing in Digital Media | |
| MCST2010 | Media Industries | 3 |
| MCST2030 | Media Texts | 3 |
| MCST2050 | Media Audiences | 3 |
| MCST3090 | Critical Perspectives on New Media | 3 |
| MCST4010 | Global Media | 3 |
| MCST4190 | Media Research Methods | 3 |
| MCST4200 | Senior Seminar in Media & Communication Studies | 3 |
| Major Electives - Principles | ||
| Choose five of the following: * | 15 | |
| Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Art History | ||
| World Cinemas | ||
| History of Globalization | ||
| The Legal Environment of Business I | ||
| Cyberlaw | ||
| Sports, Entertainment and Event Management Law | ||
| The Graphic Novel | ||
| Children, Youth and Media | ||
| Television Studies | ||
| American Film | ||
| Media Identities | ||
| Radio, Records and Popular Music | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Hip-Hop Culture | ||
| Media & Popular Culture | ||
| Media Theory | ||
| Special Topics in Media Studies | ||
| Political Communications | ||
| Race, Politics and Power in America | ||
| Women in American Political Life | ||
| Political Parties, Social Movements and Interest Groups | ||
| Sociology I | ||
| Sociology of Digital Environments | ||
| Sociology of Race and Ethnicity | ||
| Gender in Global Perspective | ||
| Producing Culture, Societies and Selves: The Sociology of Culture in Global Perspective | ||
| Major Electives - Practices | ||
| Choose five of the following: * | 15 | |
Marketing & Advertising | ||
| Marketing Communications | ||
| Media Strategy | ||
| Public Relations and Corporate Communications | ||
| Creative Concepts and Strategy | ||
| Advertising Campaigns | ||
| Digital Media Planning | ||
| Advanced Business Communication | ||
| Brand Marketing & Consumer Value | ||
| Social Media Marketing | ||
Media Design & Production | ||
| Vector-Based Design | ||
| Screen Design & Coding I | ||
| Image Editing and Design | ||
| User Experience and Content Design I | ||
| Typography | ||
| Motion Graphics I | ||
| Basics of Screen Design & Coding | ||
| Content Management Systems | ||
| Basics of Print Design | ||
| Motion Graphics II | ||
| Design for Motion | ||
| Digital Video II | ||
| Foundations of Digital Photography | ||
| Digital Journalism | ||
| Motion Picture Editing | ||
| Sound Production | ||
| Narrative Filmmaking | ||
| Introduction to Digital/Social/Mobile Media | ||
Media Writing | ||
| Introduction to Newswriting | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
| Introduction to Food Writing | ||
| Introduction to Travel Writing | ||
| Introduction to Sports Writing | ||
| Introduction to Fashion Writing | ||
| Literary Editing and Publishing | ||
| Intermediate Creative Writing | ||
| Intermediate Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Advanced Creative Writing Workshop | ||
| Advanced Nonfiction Writing Workshop | ||
| Writing for Radio, Television and Film | ||
| Writing for Publication | ||
Media Management | ||
| The Business of the Entertainment Industry | ||
| Introduction to the Music Industry | ||
| New Media Literacy in Sports, Entertainment and Event Management | ||
| Concert and Event Production | ||
| Television and Movie Production Management | ||
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| ASCI4799 | College of Arts & Sciences Internship Ir,Ic | 6 |
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 9 | |
| English Composition | ||
| Advanced Composition and Communication | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 6 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ART, HIST, HUM‡, LIT, PHIL, or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 6 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
One MATH-designated course | ||
| Science | 3 | |
One course from BIO^, CHM±, PHY° or SCI | ||
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ANTH°°, ECON, LEAD, PSCI, PSYC, or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
Two courses with an EASC attribute | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 15 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0 | |
| * | Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites. |
IrWith department or college chair approval, Experiential Learning credits can be applied to a number of options in lieu of the required internship. Options include, but are not limited to, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses, or courses in a minor as relevant. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling experiential learning credits.
IcTypically, internships require a minimum of six credits. Students interested in a 9 or 12-credit internship can apply additional experiential learning and free elective credits, if available. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling internship and free elective credits.
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, Directed Experiential Education courses and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty adviser before scheduling free elective credits.
Visit Courses by Subject Code for a listing of all campus courses.
‡HUM courses are not offered in North Miami or Online.
^BIO courses are not offered in North Miami.
¶CAD courses are only offered in Providence.
±CHM courses are not offered in North Miami or Online.
°PHY courses are not offered in Charlotte.
°°ANTH courses are not offered in North Miami or Charlotte.
NOTE: Students must pass MATH0010 Basic Mathematics or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math course(s).
Students who graduate with a bachelor's degree must leave Johnson & Wales University with effective writing skills to fulfill the graduation writing requirement. These writing skills are assessed in ENG1021 Advanced Composition and Communication. Students who have met the requirement of ENG1021 Advanced Composition and Communication or ENG1027 Honors Advanced Composition and Communications: Civic Discourse outside of Johnson & Wales University must fulfill the graduation writing requirement through successful completion of ENG0001 Writing Workshop.
In collaboration with academic colleges across all four JWU campuses, JWU Global — Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, arts and sciences, and elective credit at many affordable price points for students during the academic year, break periods, and summer. Faculty-led, exchange, affiliate, and direct-enroll programs range in duration from one week to a full semester. Financial aid is applicable and scholarships are available. Visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications. Where will you go?