Media & Communication Studies - B.A.
Effective Fall 2020, Johnson & Wales University will complete its transition from a term calendar to a semester calendar. Starting with the 2020–21 catalog, all programs will represent course requirements in semester credit hours rather than quarter credit hours. Students who started on terms and will finish their degree requirements on semesters should consult with their assigned academic counselor in Student Academic Services or faculty advisor on semester transition academic planning.
Media & Communication Studies bachelor's degree program majors are curious about the production and meaning of media — 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.
- Integrate primary and secondary sources into well-reasoned arguments.
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 | ||
| ASCI4799 | College of Arts & Sciences Internship * | 4.5 |
| MCST1010 | Media, Culture and Society | 4.5 |
| MCST1030 | History of Media | 4.5 |
| MCST2010 | Media Industries | 4.5 |
| MCST2030 | Media Texts | 4.5 |
| MCST2050 | Media Audiences | 4.5 |
| MCST3090 | Critical Perspectives on New Media | 4.5 |
| MCST4010 | Global Media | 4.5 |
| MCST4190 | Media Research Methods | 4.5 |
| MCST4200 | Senior Seminar in Media & Communication Studies | 4.5 |
| Major Electives - Principles | ||
| Choose six of the following: ** | 27 | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 six of the following: ** | 27 | |
Marketing & Advertising | ||
| Marketing Communications | ||
| Media Strategy | ||
| Public Relations and Corporate Communications | ||
| Creative Concepts and Strategy | ||
| Advertising Campaigns | ||
| Digital Media Planning | ||
| Advanced Business Communication | ||
| Principles of Marketing | ||
| Social Media Marketing | ||
Media Design & Production | ||
| Principles of Composition & Design | ||
| Screen Design & Coding I | ||
| Imaging for Digital Media | ||
| 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 | ||
| Digital Video I | ||
| Digital Video II | ||
| Introduction to Media Production | ||
| Foundations of Digital Photography | ||
| Digital Journalism | ||
| Narrative Filmmaking | ||
| Sound Production | ||
| 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 | ||
| Writing in Digital Media | ||
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 | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| CAR0010 | Career Management | 1 |
| A&S Core Experience | ||
| Communications Foundation Courses | 13.5 | |
| English Composition | ||
| Advanced Composition and Communication | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Integrative Learning | 9 | |
Two ILS courses, one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 9 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ART, HIST, HUM‡, LIT, PHIL, or REL | ||
| Mathematics | 9 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
One MATH-designated course | ||
| Science | 4.5 | |
One course from BIO^, CHM±, PHY° or SCI | ||
| Social Sciences | 9 | |
Two courses from different disciplines: ANTH°°, ECON, LEAD, PSCI, PSYC, or SOC | ||
| A&S Electives | 9 | |
Two courses with an EASC attribute, at least one at 3000 level or higher. | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 18 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 181.0 | |
| * | Students may use up to 9.0 free elective credits as additional internship credits. |
| ** | Students are responsible for meeting prerequisites. |
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, Charlotte or Online.
¶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.
# In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options such as Directed Experiential Education (DEE), Internship, Minor or Study Abroad. For Accelerated Master's program students, up to three graduate-level courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact an adviser before scheduling free elective credits.
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 will be assessed at the completion of 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 JWU campuses, JWU Study Abroad programs offer a variety of international options for major, minor, Arts & Sciences, and elective credit at many price points for students during the academic year 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.