Communication and Media Studies

What is CMS?

In a media saturated, diverse, and complex global environment, the Communication and Media Studies (CMS) prepares students to become discerning media consumers and producers, critical thinkers, confident speakers, skilled writers, and creative storytellers.

An interdisciplinary program, CMS builds upon a foundation of communication and media theory and draws from eleven programs and departments on campus to enable students to study a wide range of topics and develop critical academic and professional skills including:

persuasive writing	public speaking
successful and strategic interpersonal communication	information vetting
milti-modal problem solving	media literacy and analysis
project manamgement	research design and execution

Why CMS?

CMS is an interdisciplinary, versatile, and flexible major that pushes students to expand their understanding of human communication, culture, and social institutions.

The knowledge, understanding, and skills that students acquire in the CMS major transform them into a highly valued asset for a wide variety of industries: from grassroots organizations, to global media companies, to politics, law, and everything in-between.

Communication and media are the relational, collaborative forces that construct our world, and a CMS degree gives students a unique edge to impact that world.

Learning Goals:

CMS students question knowledge, analyze the world around them, and create solutions. At the end of their course of study CMS majors will be able to:

engage in critical inquiry of historical and contemporary issues in communication and media studies in a global landscape
communicate key concepts in the field and demonstrate their practical application through clear writing and oral presentation
develop independent research in the field
advocate for ethical communication principles and media literacy in professional settings and in civic life

CMS 101 Introduction to Communication and Media Studies

CMS 250 Intermediate Communication and Media Theory

CMS 301 Research Methods in Communication and Media Studies

CMS 450 Senior Seminar

Seven (7) additional courses in the chosen concentration, at least four (4) at the 300-400 level

Senior Capstone Experience

CMS 101 Introduction to Communication and Media Studies

CMS 250 Intermediate Communication and Media Theory

Four (4) Elective Courses

Concentrations

Concentrations allow students mold their cirriculum to their interests, providing in-depth preparation for professional careers and graduate school.

Business and Organizational Communication

The Business and Organizational Communication concentration focuses on applied skills and communicative structures in corporations, nonprofits, or small businesses.

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Arts and Production

The Arts and Production concentration combines medium-specific courses, applied skills, creativity, and critical thought.

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Identity and Culture

The Identity and Culture concentration considers how we understand the world we live in, the people we share it with, and the ways in which identity and culture inform that understanding.

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Film Studies

The Film Studies concentration examines how cinema contributes to our understanding of the world, offers critical analysis of film history and theory, and provides opportunity to develop hands-on skills.

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