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:
- Integrate computer skills and creativity in media through visual images and written communication
- Write clear, purposeful, audience-oriented communications across a variety of media
- Apply creative approaches to communications planning and problem solving
- Coordinate the production of visually effective and informative print, graphic and electronic communications
- Exhibit a solid grounding in communication theories
- Employ research techniques, applications and organizational methods and skills in new and emerging technologies
- Demonstrate a comprehension of the language and complexities of communication modes: visual, written and oral
- 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.
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)
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