Media & Communication Studies (BA)

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.