Media and Communication - Bachelor of Arts
Students in the Media and Communication program examine how media products, practices, industries, and technologies allow us to communicate and connect with others and shape how we experience the world. MAC majors will develop expertise in up to three areas:
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Researching and analyzing media representations, technologies, industries, and practices to assess their impacts on individuals, cultures, and society.
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Gaining the skills and experiences necessary for success in a wide range of media and related industries.
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Producing high-quality audio, video, and film content in our professional grade studios.
Program Requirements
(minimum 36 semester hours plus 12 related hours)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation courses | ||
| MJF 105 | Media, Culture and You | 3 |
| MJF 146 | Foundations of Production | 3 |
| MJF 205 | Introduction to Comm & Tech | 3 |
| Core courses | ||
| MAC 202 | The Smartphone and Society | 3 |
| MAC 212 | Media, Representation, and Society | 3 |
| Specializations | 12-13 | |
Select TWO Areas of Specialization. Take TWO courses in EACH of those two areas for a total of 4 courses 1 | ||
| Major electives | 6 | |
Take TWO additional courses with MAC or MJF designators; and other courses as approved by the Chief Departmental Advisor. | ||
| Senior Experience courses | 3-4 | |
Select ONE of the following | ||
| Capstone Pictures: Project in Digital Narrative Film Production | ||
| Electronic Media Policy and Regulation | ||
| Senior Seminar in Applied Media Analysis | ||
| Related hours | 12 | |
Take 12 hours at the 200 level or higher. Can include any additional courses in MAC, MJF, FST, STC, or JRN; any courses from the following programs: AMS, ART, CRE, ENG, HST, IMS, LAS, MUS, WGS; and other courses as approved by the Chief Departmental Advisor. | ||
OR complete a minor, co-major, or 2nd major. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 48-50 | |
- 1
Courses that appear under more than one area of specialization can only count ONCE toward the completion of the curriculum requirement.
Specialization: Technology + Everyday Life
Analyze how media and communication technologies impact how we live and work
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAC 310 | Topics in Media History (Topics in Media History) | 3 |
| MAC 325 | Social Media Cultures | 3 |
| MAC 344 | Sound and Music in Media Cultures (Sound and Music in Media Cultures) | 3 |
| MAC 351 | Media Ethnography (Media Ethnography) | 3 |
| MAC 353 | Audience Studies | 3 |
| MAC 355 | Media Technology & Culture | 3 |
Specialization: Culture, Diversity, + Social Change
Understand the power of media and communication to create social change
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FST 282 | Sexualities and Film | 3 |
| MAC 310 | Topics in Media History (May count with permission of advisor) | 3 |
| MAC 325 | Social Media Cultures | 3 |
| MAC 446 | Media Globalization | 3 |
| MAC/WGS 461 | Gender, Sexuality and Media | 3 |
| STC 236 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| STC 437 | Media, Advocacy & Social Change | 3 |
Specialization: Advertising + Consumer Culture
Analyze how organizations construct and persuade audiences
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAC 258 | Copywriting for Digital Media | 3 |
| MAC 309 | Advertising in Consumer Culture | 3 |
| MAC 310 | Topics in Media History (May count with permission of advisor) | 3 |
| MAC 353 | Audience Studies | 3 |
| MAC 362 | Advertising and the Attention Economy (Media and the Data Society ) | 3 |
| STC 422 | Trendsetters & Coolchasers (Trendsetters and Coolchasers) | 3 |
| STC 431 | Persuading Audiences | 3 |
Specialization: Media Industries
Analyze and experience the business of media
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MAC 310 | Topics in Media History (Topics in Media History) | 3 |
| MAC 358 | Working in Media (Working in Media) | 3 |
| MAC 362 | Advertising and the Attention Economy (Media and the Data Society ) | 3 |
| MAC 425 | Inside Hollywood | 3 |
| MAC 426 | Inside Washington | 8 |
| MAC 443 | Media Industries and Economics | 3 |
| MAC 446 | Media Globalization | 3 |
| MJF 301 | Media Law and Ethics | 3 |
| STC 478 | Inside New York City- Study Away | 3 |
| Only ONE travel away program (MAC 425, MAC 426, STC 478, NYC Media, Inside Chicago) can count as one of the TWO courses required for this specialization. | ||
Specialization: Digital Film/Video Production
Create content for film, television, and streaming
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students who select digital film/video production as one of their TWO areas of specialization must take MAC 211 as one of their courses. For the other, they can select either MAC 213 or JRN 202 | ||
| JRN 202 | Reporting and News Writing II | 3 |
| MAC 211 | Intermediate Video Production | 4 |
| MAC/ENG 213 | Writing for Film and TV | 3 |
Students interested in further video production courses should consider taking MAC 311, MAC 312 or other advanced production courses for their general MAC electives.
Specialization: Digital Audio Production + Theory
Study and create soundtracks, podcasts, and music
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JRN 313 | True Stories in Sound: Digital Audio Journalism | 3 |
| MAC 344 | Sound and Music in Media Cultures (Sound and Music in Media Cultures) | 3 |
| MUS 304 | Electronic Music | 3 |
Notes on Curriculum
MAC Internships (MAC 340) do not fulfill any specific Media and Communication curriculum requirement.
MAC Independent Studies (MAC 177, MAC 277, MAC 377, MAC 477) may only count toward the major with permission of advisor.
No more than nine credit hours may be counted toward both the completion of the MAC major and the completion of a co-major or 2nd major. No more than six credit hours may be counted toward both the completion of the MAC major and the completion of a minor.
Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication meet the CAS writing requirement by taking the following courses: MAC 212.