Research track

The Research Track, through courses on media criticism and methods, media ethics, media law and regulation, media history, political economy of mass media, international and development communication, film studies, and cultural studies, provides a critical overview of the political, economic, historic, social, and cultural contexts of the mass media. In each course, students are encouraged to interrogate the relationship among media, culture, and power, and think critically about the correspondence between processes of media production and consumption. The Research Track prepares students for further graduate studies or for careers in media research; the wealth of theoretical courses in this track is an asset to any student interested in Communication theory or practice.

Prerequisite

One of the following prerequisite classes will be necessary for declaring a Communication Major. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for the prerequisite course.

TCOM 201 Media and Society
TCOM 230 Media Globalization and Citizenship

Student learning outcomes

Through a critical and cultural studies framework that addresses power differentials in society and through a rigorous schedule of courses in media theory and skills, you, as a Communication major, are expected to:

• Be able to conduct thorough and critical research for both media theory and skills assignments, which is consistent with the LEAP learning outcomes of "Intellectual and Practical Skills" and "Integrative Learning."
• Understand and analyze the power of the visual image and the written word and their ability to convey and sustain ideologies of gender, class, ethnicity, and orientation, which is consistent with the LEAP learning outcome of "Personal and Society Responsibility."
• Understand and analyze the ethical, legal, political, and economic contexts of the mass media, which is consistent with the LEAP learning outcome of "Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World."
• Understand and analyze the interdependency of global media systems and develop a critical and historical approach to media production and consumption, which is consistent with the LEAP learning outcome of "Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World."
• Develop skills to write, edit, and produce across varied media platforms, which is consistent with the LEAP learning outcomes of "Intellectual and Practical Skills."
• Be prepared for a variety of jobs in mass media such as newspaper and magazine writing, reporting and editing, television and video production and web design.

*** Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP)