Contemporary Communication

Overview
Curriculum
Course Descriptions

The Master of Arts in Contemporary Communication is a broad-based program for students seeking graduate education across a spectrum of communication approaches. The program allows students options to explore their needs, interests and goals ranging from development of communication skills to entrepreneurial communication.

Through their coursework, students learn to bring critical analysis, creative insights, rhetorical sophistication and technological competence to their endeavors in communication and self-expression. The curriculum prepares students for careers as effective, strategically-oriented communications professionals by providing them with a set of essential management 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 and website 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 now 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 with art, communication, English and philosophy
2. Write clear, purposeful, audience-oriented communications
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 advancing 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 areas of communication or in fields of 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.

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Curriculum for the M.A. in Contemporary Communication (33-36 Credits)

Option 1

The Colloquium Project requires 18 additional credits, for a total of 33 credits in the program. Students in this track complete a master's project or thesis in conjunction with taking IDS-600 (Colloquium in Contemporary Communication). In addition to IDS-600, five more courses from following the list should be chosen in consultation with the student's graduate advisor. Two of these courses may be taken from other graduate programs with approval of the graduate advisor.

After completing 27 credits, a student may apply for participation in IDS-600. To take IDS-600, students must have received no grade lower than B throughout the program, and must submit a formal project proposal by the required deadline (October 15 is the deadline for a spring project; March 15 is the deadline for a fall project). The graduate project should reflect the student's particular interest in one of the contemporary communication fields.

Option 2

Contemporary Communication Courses

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

Art
ART-509 Graduate Photography Workshop (3)
ART-511 Explorations in Western Art (3)
ART-512 Explorations in American Art (3)

Communication Arts
COM-505 Business Communication (3)
COM-507 Film Themes (3)
COM-509 Media Criticism (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-550 Communication Theory (3)
COM-556 Human Communication Research (3)
COM-565 Communication Campaigns (3)
COM-620 Public Relations Management (3)

Computer Studies
CST-511 Topics in Information Systems (3)
CST-5xx Data Driven Business Decisions (3)
CST-554 Principles and Issues in Info Systems (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 Literature (3)
ENG-514 Rhetoric, Style and Contemporary Communication (3)
ENG-532 Comedy in Literature and Culture (3)
ENG-535 Postmodern Fiction (3)

Philosophy
PHL-521 Ethical Issues in Leadership (3)
PHL-524 Critical Theories of Race (3)
PHL-532 Culture and Its Philosophical Context (3)

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

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Course Descriptions

ART-509 GRADUATE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Promotes the visual literacy and technical skills to allow students to effectively use photography as a visual means of communication. Students will develop a critical and contextual understanding of photography within the framework of contemporary art and visual communication while exploring the theoretical perspectives, artistic and practical applications of digital photography. [3 credits]

ART-511 EXPLORATIONS IN WESTERN ART
Investigates and analyzes selected topics in Western art from diverse periods in a seminar format that emphasizes class presentations and discussions. Students may examine propaganda in art, innovations in modern painting, criticism and art, art patronage, modern arts and iconography, and communicating the revolutionary fervor of the 19th century. May be taken for credit more than once as the topics vary. [3 credits]

ART-512 EXPLORATIONS IN AMERICAN ART
Investigates and analyzes selected topics in American art and architecture from Colonial America and the United States in a seminar format that emphasizes class presentations and discussions. Particular attention is given to nearby monuments that reflect American interpretations of earlier styles, and to local collections of American art, including the Baltimore Museum of American Art and the Maryland Historical Society. Students may examine the American spirit in art and American political messages in art and architecture. May be taken for credit more than once as topics vary. [3 credits]

COM-505 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Analyzes verbal and written communication patterns and messages in organizations. Learners evaluate the effectiveness of a range of methodologies and tools to persuade and inform different stakeholder groups. Learners will critique and create oral and written presentations ranging from communicating statistical information and offering a persuasive call to action, to creating executive summaries and editing the work of others. [3 credits]

COM-507 FILM THEMES
Provides students with a grasp of the communicative art of this global medium through analyzing selected films based in theories of film making, particular genre, specific director, culture phenomena or historical location. Discussion focuses on theoretical understanding of the art through an analysis of the selected topic. Students are allowed to take this course more than once if the focus topic is different. [3 credits]

COM-509 MEDIA CRITICISM
Presents traditional and contemporary critical frameworks for evaluation of the rhetoric of diverse mediated messages. Students explore how to apply these critical theories to a number of media messages. The course examines the connection between the medium and message in successful communication. [3 credits]

COM-511 COMMUNICATION ISSUES
Engages students in a critical examination of an emerging issue or problem of interest to communication practitioners. Possible topics: crisis communication, non-profit public relations, the computer/human interaction and impact of social media on human communication. [3 credits]

COM-515 CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Explores, in our diverse and global world, how an understanding of communication between persons, or groups, of different cultures or sub-cultures is essential. This course looks at the dimensions that differentiate cultures, the diversity of perceptual and behavioral habits and the role of language and rituals within cultures. Study is applicable to building awareness of communication problems and solving them in multicultural and international settings. [3 credits]

COM-517 COMMUNICATION AND GENDER
Explores how communication creates, perpetuates and recreates gender roles. The course considers the perception and theoretical foundations that explain these situations. The rhetorical movements that provide the foundation for gender and communication in diverse settings are analyzed. This includes the role of the media and the personal environment be it workplace, social or educational setting. [3 credits]

COM-520 MEDIA TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
Closely examines the nature and uses of media technology in organizations and aids students in developing skills in this technology. The course explores strategies for using multimedia as effective communication devices. These include uses of print, broadcast and/or Internet with a focus on the World Wide Web. Students also learn to develop skills in video conferencing, multimedia presentations and interactive computer instruction. [3 credits]

COM-530 INDEPENDENT STUDY
Allows the graduate student an opportunity to explore independently under faculty supervision a specialized topic in contemporary communication that is not part of the regular curriculum. The nature, scope and design of this area of study or writing, as well as a schedule of prearranged meetings will be individually contracted between the instructor and student with the approval of the contemporary communication chair. Required forms must be completed through the Graduate Studies office. This course may not be repeated. [3 credits]

COM-550 COMMUNICATION THEORY
Provides students with a solid foundation in scholarly literature of the communication field. Application of theory to contemporary research questions is stressed. Systems theory, situational theory, theories of social influence and mass communication will be surveyed. The primary work of the course is preparation of a literature review regarding a topic of interest. [3 credits]

COM-556 HUMAN COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
Develops the skills and knowledge central in engaging in human communication research. Students gain an understanding in how to formulate communication questions, review pertinent research literature, collect and analyze information/data from answers in research question and report research findings in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Ethical and social/cultural implications of research findings are stressed. [3 credits]

COM-565 COMMUNICATIONS CAMPAIGNS
Guides students through developing successful advertising, public relations and marketing campaigns. Through analysis of objectives, strategies, tactics and messages, students explore what is necessary and essential to reflect an organization's mission and strategic plans in order to devise a coherent campaign. Students will examine what succeeds, what fails, and why. [3 credits]

COM-620 PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGEMENT
Analyzes the practices of public relations in the corporate and nonprofit sectors as a function of management. Effective ways of preparing public relations messages are explored in depth. Strategies for communicating with an organization's internal and external constituencies including employees, clients, stockholders, media representatives, consumer advocates and regulatory agencies are evaluated. Emphasis in the course is placed on trends in public relations since the 1970s. [3 credits]

CST-511 TOPICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Includes a variety of topics which focus on applications and issues related to current technology. Students develop technology-related projects to enhance business. [3 credits]

CST-515 TECHNOLOGY IN CONTEMPORARY COMMUNICATION
Explores the use of technology in expression and culture, including legal, social and ethical issues. Introduces the development of Web pages and multimedia as forms of expression. Students demonstrate an understanding of the power of technology through a series of computer projects. CST-515 should be taken within first 12 credits of program. [3 credits]

CST-5XX DATA DRIVEN BUSINESS DECISIONS
Introduces the role that data play in understanding business outcomes, including uncertainty, the relationship between inputs and outputs, and complex decisions with tradeoffs. Students work with real-life examples to interpret statistical distributions, understand hypothesis testing and evaluate reliability. [3 credits]

CST-554 PRINCIPLES AND ISSUES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Introduces the fundamental principles of information systems and subsystems and how they work together to facilitate decision making. Students will evaluate cases in database organization, data communication, systems analysis and design, and computer security in terms of their impact on the data/information/decision process. [3 credits]

CST-580 MANAGING INFORMATION IN A WEB-BASED WORLD
Examines the Internet as an organizational tool for data gathering, marketing, learning and communication. Students will study the advantages and disadvantages of using the Web as a major organizational decision support tool, including its social, legal and ethical impact. [3 credits]

CST-593 WEB DEVELOPMENT
Focuses on a user-centered approach to designing websites, including requirements gathering, conceptual design, physical design, coding, testing and implementation. Students will complete a number of practical projects as well as a website for a nonprofit organization. [3 credits]

CST-595 MULTIMEDIA APPLICATIONS AND PROGRAMMING
Explores the world of animation as an enhancement and alternative to traditional information delivery. Studies the elements of animation including graphics, sound, interactivity, feedback and special effects, as well as techniques for planning and developing appropriate and effective applications in Adobe Flash. Students will complete a number of practical projects as well as a team-developed real-world application. [3 credits]

ENG-503 GRADUATE WRITING
Develops the writing skills that are essential in every workplace. Emphasis is on the relationship between thinking and writing, being able to present with clarity and coherence the message in written form. What distinguishes the manager or managerial candidate is the ability to present written matter with precision, economy, accuracy and grace. While the course presents business-related writing, the focus is on simply being able to write well. Learners enhance their skills through a series of writing experiences. [3 credits]

ENG-512 CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN LITERATURE
Offers students an opportunity to explore in depth a specific significant contemporary author, a particular literary genre, works developed in postcolonial cultures or an overriding theme in contemporary literature. Exact nature of the course will be dictated by the area of expertise of the instructor. [3 credits]

ENG-514 RHETORIC, STYLE AND CONTEMPORARY COMMUNICATION
Explores briefly the historical nature of rhetoric and then focuses on contemporary style, examining the nature of rhetoric as a tool in the media of popular culture. In such diverse areas of pop culture as song lyrics, advertising copy, plays, poetry, TV sitcoms, political discourse and polemics, scientific writing and discussion, and sports news, the course explores how rhetoric is employed to shape the message. [3 credits]

ENG-532 COMEDY IN LITERATURE AND CULTURE
Examines the varieties, uses and implications of comedy, viewing it simultaneously as a social skill, an art of communication and a form of literature. Illustrates and analyzes the role of humor in social rituals, in persuasion, in interpersonal behavior, in community building, in ethics and decision making, and in the pursuit of happiness, exploring the dynamic relationship in art and life between rejection and acceptance, judgment and celebration, and repression and liberation. [3 credits]

ENG-535 POSTMODERN FICTION
Introduces the student to the literature of our contemporary world and explores the nature of language in a world constructed in words. In examining whether language can reflect a coherent, meaningful, objective world, the novelists explored in the course allow us to travel with them in searching for meaning in the imaginative life. Writers may include A.S. Byatt, Kate Atkinson, Patricia Duncker, John Fowles and Thomas Pynchon. [3 credits]

IDS-510 APPROACHES TO COMMUNICATING IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
Assumes that language is the basis for all communication and examines the nature of language and semiotics through the exploration of recent philosophical thinking. This required course explores communication theory, postmodern art and postmodern fiction through four of the five disciplines in the contemporary communication program: communication arts, philosophy, art and English. The fifth discipline computer science is explored in the required CST-515 course. IDS-510 should be taken within the first 9 credits in the program. [3 credits]

IDS-512 WRITING WORKSHOP
Focuses on one or more areas of writing for a contemporary audience. In the workshop environment writing of students is critiqued and evaluated by the other writers in the course as well as the instructor. Course could focus on journalism, feature writing, writing for popular media, creative nonfiction, the essay, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting, fiction or a combination of genres dependent on the choice and expertise of the instructor. Course may be repeated to explore a different genre. Permission of the instructor will be required to enroll. [3 credits]

IDS-600 COLLOQUIUM IN CONTEMPORARY COMMUNICATION
Develops the master's project to integrate and build upon previous work in contemporary communication. Under the direction of a faculty advisor, the student produces a scholarly research manuscript, an original work of creative writing or art, or an original technical/software product. The format and length of the project will be determined with the guidance of the Contemporary Communication Council and the project advisor. Prerequisite: at least 27 credits completed in the program. [3 credits]

PHL-521 ETHICAL ISSUES IN LEADERSHIP
Analyzes a range of ethical issues and dilemmas inherent to corporations and leadership in relation to both the external environment and the internal processes of the organizations. Learners explore these issues through a series of cases analyses. [3 credits]

PHL-524 CRITICAL THEORIES OF RACE
Examines the concept of race and the phenomenon of racism in the United States. Through an in-depth reading of several historical and contemporary works, this seminar addresses issues such as: the concept of race as both constructed and real, the politics of racialized identity, theorizing multiple oppressions, white privilege and epistemologies of ignorance. [3 credits]

PHL-532 CULTURE AND PHILOSOPHICAL CONTEXT
Introduces students to the influential philosophical accounts of race, gender, technology, culture and language generated in the 20th and 21st centuries. Emphasizes the ethical implications of the ways meaning, identity, culture and power function in contemporary culture. [3 credits]

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