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Communication (B.A.) and Media Design (B.A.)

The Department of Communication and Media Design offers a cross-disciplinary course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in either communication or media design. The curriculum is grounded in design and communication theory and supports the development of research, writing, critical thinking, and creative practice skills. Students develop the conceptual and practical skills that enable them to create design and communication solutions for the contemporary media environment.

Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in a range of communication media and design organizations. In addition, the major in communication provides excellent preparation for graduate study in communication, public relations, corporate communication, law, and journalism. Within the major in media design, students choose either an emphasis in graphic design or media communication design and participate in a professional portfolio review during the senior year.

Upon successful completion of the communication major, students will be able to

  • demonstrate the effective use of research skills and the ability to gather data from diverse sources;
  • demonstrate an understanding of concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;
  • write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they serve;
  • demonstrate oral communication skills and an ability to articulate ideas, feelings, and attitudes to a target audience; and
  • apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.

Upon successful completion of the media design major, students will be able to

  • develop the ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences, verbally, in writing, and electronically;
  • utilize knowledge of typography, graphics, photography, and video to communicate ideas and information visually in print, web, mobile, and social media;
  • apply critical thinking and aesthetic judgments in creating print and digital media;
  • demonstrate proficient level of skills in design software necessary to gain entry-level employment; and
  • create a portfolio of material showing proficiency in print and digital media techniques.

Minimum Grade Requirements: There is a minimum grade requirement of C in CMD 100 and CMD 102. A minimum grade of C is required in CMD 101, CMD 206, and CMD 209 for all communication majors. A minimum grade of C is required in all CMD courses for all media design majors.

Program Requirement: It is recommended that majors purchase a personal computer. Each student entering the sophomore-level media design curriculum will be required to have a personal computer, a color printer, and the software supported by the media design major. Recommended computer specifications are available from an advisor or the communication and media design website.

Transfer Courses: Transfer courses for the communication major should have direct equivalences to Marymount's communication courses. If they do not, a maximum of two courses will be counted toward satisfying Marymount's communication curriculum.

Degree Requirements — Communication

This degree requires a total of 120 credits.

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Communication majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement by choosing among CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism, CMD 304 Media Criticism, CMD 315 Writing for Digital Media, and other WI courses in the Liberal Arts Core or university electives.

Major Requirements

Students will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

Theory

CMD 100Introduction to Media Communication

3

CMD 102Visual Communications and Design

3

Writing and Presentation

Choose two (2) courses from the following:

CMD 300Report Writing *

3

CMD 302Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

3

CMD 307Broadcast Writing and Delivery

3

CMD 315Writing for Digital Media *

3

Senior Requirement

CMD 400Internship *

3

Major Elective Courses

Majors in communication will take an additional 30 credits, choosing from the following categories:

Communication

Take all four (4) courses for a total of twelve (12) credits:

CMD 101Public Speaking

3

CMD 206Introduction to Public Relations

3

CMD 209Contemporary Journalism *

3

CMD 425Senior Seminar in Communication *

3

Digital Media

Choose at least two (2) courses for a total of six (6) credits:

CMD 200Electronic Publishing

3

CMD 203Digital Photography

3

CMD 204Video Production: Multimedia Communication

3

CMD 205Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication

3

CMD 308Web and Social Media Design

3

Other Electives in the Major

Choose at least four (4) courses for a total of twelve (12) credits:

CMD 220Intercultural Communication

3

CMD 304Media Criticism *

3

CMD 310Career and Professional Communication

3

CMD 360Communication and Design Studio *

3

CMD 401Public Relations Case Studies

3

CMD 402Organizational Communication *

3

CMD 403Principles of Communication Law

3

CMD 405Portfolio

1

Sample Degree Plan — Communication

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students should consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

CMD 100Introduction to Media Communication

3

CMD 101Public Speaking

3

EN 101Composition I *

3

MA
Mathematics (MT) core course *

3-4

DSC 101DISCOVER First-Year Seminar *

3

EN 101: WR core course

Year One — Spring

CMD 102Visual Communications and Design

3

EN 102Composition II *

3

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

Natural Science (NS) core course with lab *

EN 102: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

CMD 206Introduction to Public Relations

3

One (1) communication digital media course

EN
Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

HI
Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

Communication digital media course: See Major Requirements for course selections

Year Two — Spring

CMD 209Contemporary Journalism *

3

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

One (1) communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective course

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

3

Communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Three — Fall

Two (2) communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses

PH
Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

One (1) elective

3

Communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.

Year Three — Spring

Two (2) communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses

Three (3) electives

Communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.

Year Four — Fall

CMD 400Internship *

3

Two (2) communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course *

Communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.

Year Four — Spring

CMD 425Senior Seminar in Communication *

3

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

Three (3) electives

Degree Requirements — Media Design

This degree requires a total of 120 credits.

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Media design majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement by choosing among CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism, CMD 301 History of Graphic Design (graphic design emphasis requirement), CMD 315 Writing for Digital Media, and other WI courses in the Liberal Arts Core or university electives.

Major Requirements

Students will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

Theory

CMD 100Introduction to Media Communication

3

CMD 102Visual Communications and Design

3

Writing and Presentation

Choose two (2) courses from the following:

CMD 209Contemporary Journalism *

3

CMD 302Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

3

CMD 307Broadcast Writing and Delivery

3

CMD 315Writing for Digital Media *

3

Design Requirements

Four (4) courses required

CMD 200Electronic Publishing

3

CMD 360Communication and Design Studio *

3

MKT 301Principles of Marketing

3

MKT 412Marketing Research

3

Digital Media

Two (2) courses required

CMD 203Digital Photography

3

CMD 308Web and Social Media Design

3

Senior Requirements

CMD 400Internship *

3

CMD 405Portfolio

1

Emphasis Courses

All majors also must complete 13 credits in either the graphic design or media communication design emphasis.

Graphic Design
FA 105Drawing I *

3

CMD 104Adobe Illustrator

1

CMD 202Illustration I *

3

CMD 255Typography

3

CMD 301History of Graphic Design *

3

CMD 305Publication Design

3

FA 105: as the required Liberal Arts Core FNA course

Media Communication Design


CMD 106Motion Graphics

1

CMD 204Video Production: Multimedia Communication

3

CMD 205Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication

3

CMD 360Communication and Design Studio *

3

CMD 404Performance Media Lab *

3

Three (3) additional credits for a total of six (6) credits of CMD 360

Sample Degree Plan — Media Design (Graphic Design Emphasis)

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students should consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

CMD 102Visual Communications and Design

3

FA 105Drawing I *

3

EN 101Composition I *

3

MA
Mathematics (MT) core course *

3-4

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

DSC 101DISCOVER First-Year Seminar *

3

EN 101: WR core course

Year One — Spring

CMD 100Introduction to Media Communication

3

CMD 104Adobe Illustrator

1

CMD 200Electronic Publishing

3

EN 102Composition II *

3

Natural Science (NS) core course with lab *

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

EN 102: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

CMD 202Illustration I *

3

One (1) communication writing and presentation course

EN
Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

HI
Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

Year Two — Spring

CMD 203Digital Photography

3

CMD 255Typography

3

One (1) communication writing and presentation course

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course *

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Three — Fall

CMD 305Publication Design

3

CMD 308Web and Social Media Design

3

MKT 301Principles of Marketing

3

PH
Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

Year Three — Spring

CMD 301History of Graphic Design *

3

CMD 360Communication and Design Studio *

3

MKT 412Marketing Research

3

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

Year Four — Fall

CMD 405Portfolio

1

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

Three (3) electives

Year Four — Spring

CMD 400Internship *

3

Three (3) electives

Sample Degree Plan - Media Design (Media Communication Design Emphasis)

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students should consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

CMD 102Visual Communications and Design

3

CMD 106Motion Graphics

1

EN 101Composition I *

3

MA
Mathematics (MT) core course *

3-4

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

DSC 101DISCOVER First-Year Seminar *

3

EN 101: WR core course

Year One — Spring

CMD 100Introduction to Media Communication

3

CMD 200Electronic Publishing

3

EN 102Composition II *

3

Natural Science (NS) core course with lab *

TRS 100Theological Inquiry *

3

EN 102: WR core course

TRS 100: TRS-1 core course

Year Two — Fall

CMD 204Video Production: Multimedia Communication

3

One (1) communication writing and presentation course

EN
Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course *

3

HI
Introductory History (HI-1) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

Year Two — Spring

CMD 203Digital Photography

3

CMD 205Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication

3

One (1) communication writing and presentation course

PH 100Introduction to Philosophy *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course *

3

PH 100: PH-1 core course

Year Three — Fall

CMD 308Web and Social Media Design

3

MKT 301Principles of Marketing

3

PH
Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course *

3

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course *

One (1) elective

3

Year Three — Spring

CMD 404Performance Media Lab *

3

MKT 412Marketing Research

3

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course *

3

One (1) elective

3

Year Four — Fall

CMD 360Communication and Design Studio *

3

CMD 405Portfolio

1

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course *

3

Two (2) electives

Year Four — Spring

CMD 400Internship *

3

CMD 360Communication and Design Studio *

3

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course *

Two (2) electives

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.