2015-2016

MA in Contemporary Communication

Overview
Curriculum
Course Descriptions

The Master of Arts in Contemporary Communication is an interdisciplinary program for students seeking graduate education in new communication approaches. The program allows students options to explore their interests and goals ranging from development of communication skills in new media to entrepreneurial communication.

Through their coursework, students learn to bring critical analysis, creative insights, technological competence, and new media skills to their endeavors in communication. The curriculum prepares students for careers as effective, strategically-oriented communications professionals by providing them with a set of essential communication skills enhanced by knowledge of new communication technologies.

The M.A. in Contemporary Communication produces graduates who can write clear, purposeful, audience-oriented communications and apply creative approaches to communications planning and problem solving. Job opportunities for students who complete the program include positions in public relations, organizational communication, website and social media development—some of the most rapidly-growing segments of the professional communication field.

In addition to the face-to-face course offerings at Notre Dame’s main campus, the Contemporary Communication program has a fully online option for students interested in exploring this mode of course delivery. The online program provides learners with flexible degree completion options that allow them to further their educations while continuing to pursue their careers and lives. Students may complete the degree totally through face-to-face courses, totally through online courses or through a combination of both. Consultation with an advisor will help the student determine which mode is best.

Program Objectives:

  1. Integrate computer skills and creativity in media through visual images and written communication
  2. Write clear, purposeful, audience-oriented communications across a variety of media
  3. Apply creative approaches to communications planning and problem solving
  4. Coordinate the production of visually effective and informative print, graphic and electronic communications
  5. Exhibit a solid grounding in communication theories
  6. Employ research techniques, applications and organizational methods and skills in new and emerging technologies
  7. Demonstrate a comprehension of the language and complexities of communication modes: visual, written and oral
  8. Develop skills to pursue professional careers in new opportunities for communication or creative expression

Students must maintain a 3.0 (B) cumulative grade point average to remain in good academic standing. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on probationary status. More than 2 grades of C or C+ will result in dismissal from the program.

Back to top

Curriculum for the M.A. in Contemporary Communication (36 Credits)

Required Courses (6 Credits)
IDS-510 Approaches to Contemporary Communication (3)
CST-515 Technology in Contemporary Communication (3)
Discipline Requirements (30 Credits)

In addition to the required courses, students take 30 credits, including at least 18 credits in any combination of CST and COM courses. The remaining credits may be taken in any combination of ENG, PHL, ART, COM, CST, and IDS from the list below.

Contemporary Communication Courses

Required Courses
IDS-510 Approaches to Contemporary Communication (3)
CST-515 Technology in Contemporary Communication (3)

Art
ART-509 Graduate Photography Workshop (3)
ART-520 Visual Culture (3)

Communication Arts
COM-505 Business Communication (3)
COM-507 Film Themes (3)
COM-509 Media Criticism and Theory (3)
COM-511 Communication Issues (3)
COM-515 Cross-Cultural Communication (3)
COM-517 Communication and Gender (3)
COM-520 Media Technology Management (3)
COM-530 Independent Study (3)
COM-556 Research Methods for Professionals (3)
COM-565 Campaign Design and Execution(3)
COM-620 Public Relations Management (3)
COM-610 Social Media for Professionals

Computer Studies
CST-511 Topics in Information Systems (3)
CST-530 Fundamentals of Knowledge Management (3)
CST-531 Data Design and Management (3)
CST-534 Data Driven Business Decisions (3)
CST-580 Managing Info in Web-Based World (3)
CST-593 Web Development (3)
CST-595 Multimedia Applications (3)

English
ENG-503 Graduate Writing (3)
ENG-512 Topics in Contemporary Interpretation (3)

Philosophy
PHL-511 Topics in Philosophy (3)
PHL-521 Ethical Issues in Leadership (3)

Interdisciplinary
IDS-512 Writing Workshop (3)
IDS-600 Colloquium in Contemporary Communication (6)

Back to top

Course Descriptions

ART-509 Graduate Photography Workshop

ART-520 Visual Culture

COM-505 Business Communication

COM-507 Film Themes

COM-509 Media Criticism And Theory

COM-511 Communication Issues

COM-515 Cross-Cultural Communication

COM-517 Communication And Gender

COM-520 Media Technology Management

COM-530 Independent Study

COM-556 Research Methods For Professionals

COM-565 Campaign Design And Execution

COM-620 Public Relations Management

COM-610 Social Media For Professionals

CST-511 Topics In Information Systems

CST-515 Technology In Contemporary Communication

CST-534 Data Driven Business Decisions

CST-580 Managing Information In A Web-Based World

CST-593 Web Development

CST-595 Multimedia Applications

ENG-503 Graduate Writing

ENG-512 Topics In Contemporary Interpretation

IDS-510 Approaches To Contemporary Communication

IDS-512 Writing Workshop

IDS-600 Colloquium In Contemporary Communication

PHL-521 Ethical Issues In Leadership

PHL-511 Topics In Philosophy