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Communication and Media Design

The program in 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. Within the major in media design, students choose either the graphic design emphasis or the media communication design emphasis.

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. Students majoring in media design will 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 theoretical knowledge in the communications field based on established theoretical traditions of schools of thought;
  • demonstrate oral and written communication skills, an understanding of diverse audiences, and an ability to articulate ideas, feelings, and attitudes to a target audience; and
  • demonstrate competency in using computer technologies and various software programs.

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

  • exhibit competent design abilities with emphasis on typography;
  • demonstrate the ability to conduct design research and audience analysis and apply them to design; and
  • demonstrate the ability to conduct competent and effective design research and apply it to service-learning project(s).

Minimum Grade Requirements: There is a minimum grade requirement of C in CMD 100 and 102. A minimum grade of C is required in CMD 101, 206, and 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 (B.A.) and Media Design (B.A.)

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See

University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core

for details. Communication majors may satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement by choosing among CMD 300 Report Writing (a major elective) and two other WI courses in the Liberal Arts Core or university electives. Media design majors may satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement by choosing among CMD 300 Report Writing (a major elective), CMD 301 History of Graphic Design (GD emphasis requirement), and other WI courses in the Liberal Arts Core or university electives.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the majors in both communication and media design, all students in this program 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 100 Introduction to Media Communication

CMD 102 Visual Communication and Design

Writing and Presentation (choice of two)

CMD 300 Report Writing

CMD 302 Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques

CMD 307 Broadcast Writing and Delivery

CMD 315 Writing for Digital Media

Senior Requirements

CMD 400 Internship

CMD 405 Portfolio

Degree Requirements - Communication (B.A.)

Communication Courses

In addition to the required program courses, majors in communication will take an additional 30 credits chosen from the categories below.

Communication

CMD 101 Public Speaking

CMD 206 Introduction to Public Relations

CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism

CMD 425 Senior Seminar in Communication

Digital Media

CMD 200 Electronic Publishing

CMD 203 Digital Photography

CMD 204 Video Production: Multimedia Communication

CMD 205 Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication

CMD 308 Web and Social Media Design

Electives

CMD 220 Intercultural Communication

CMD 310 Career and Professional Communication

CMD 360 Communication and Design Studio

CMD 401 Public Relations Case Studies

CMD 402 Organizational Communication

CMD 403 Principles of Communication Law

MKT 301 Principles of Marketing

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 100 Introduction to Media Communication

§

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

Mathematics (MT) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

CMD 101 Public Speaking

§

CMD 102 Visual Communication and Design (3)

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

Natural Science (NS) core course*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Two — Fall

CMD 206 Introduction to Public Relations

§

One (1) communication digital media course

§

**

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two — Spring

CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism

§

*

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

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

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

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

Year Three — Fall

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

§

**

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

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

One (1) elective

Year Three — Spring

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

§

**

Three (3) electives

Year Four — Fall

CMD 400 Internship

§

*

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

§

**

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

Year Four — Spring

CMD 425 Senior Seminar in Communication

§

*

CMD 405 Portfolio

§

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

Three (3) electives

§

Requirement for the major

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See

University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core

for further information.

** See Major Requirements for course selections

Degree Requirements - Media Design (B.A.)

In addition to the required program courses, all majors in media design will take an additional 18 credits chosen from the categories below, plus an additional 13 credits for the emphasis in either graphic design or media communication design.

Design

CMD 200 Electronic Publishing

CMD 360 Communication and Design Studio

CMD 421 Project

CMD 433 Research

MKT 301 Principles of Marketing

MKT 412 Marketing Research

Digital Media

CMD 203 Photography: Digital Imaging

CMD 308 Web and Social Media Design

Graphic Design Emphasis

FA 105 Drawing I (as the required Liberal Arts Core FNA course)

CMD 104 Adobe Illustrator

CMD 202 Illustration

CMD 255 Typography

CMD 301 History of Graphic Design

CMD 305 Publication Design

Media Communication Design Emphasis

CMD 106 Motion Graphics

CMD 204 Video Production: Multimedia Communication

CMD 205 Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication

CMD 360 Communication and Design Studio

CMD 404 Performance Media Lab

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 102 Visual Communication and Design

§

FA 105 Drawing I

§

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

Mathematics (MT) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

CMD 100 Introduction to Media Communication

§

CMD 104 Adobe Illustrator §

CMD 200 Electronic Publishing

§

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

Natural Science (NS) core course*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Two — Fall

CMD 202 Illustration

§

*

One (1) communication writing and presentation course

§

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two — Spring

CMD 203 Digital Photography

§

CMD 255 Typography

§

One (1) communication writing and presentation course §

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

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

Year Three — Fall

CMD 305 Publication Design

§

CMD 308 Web and Social Media Design

§

MKT 301 Principles of Marketing

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

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

Year Three — Spring

CMD 301 History of Graphic Design

CMD 360 Communication and Design Studio

MKT 412 Marketing Research

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

One (1) elective

Year Four — Fall

CMD 405 Portfolio

§

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

Three (3) electives

Year Four — Spring

CMD 400 Internship

§

*

Three (3) electives

§

Requirement for the major

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

** See Major Requirements for course selections

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 102 Visual Communication and Design

§

CMD 106 Motion Graphics

§

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

Mathematics (MT) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

CMD 100 Introduction to Media Communication

§

CMD 200 Electronic Publishing

§

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

Natural Science (NS) core course*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Two — Fall

CMD 204 Video Production: Multimedia Communication

One (1) communication writing and presentation course

§

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

One (1) elective

Year Two — Spring

CMD 203 Digital Photography

§

CMD 205 Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication

One (1) communication writing and presentation course §

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Three — Fall

CMD 308 Web and Social Media Design

§

MKT 301 Principles of Marketing

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

Introductory Social Science (SS-2) or Natural Science (NS) core course*

One (1) elective

Year Three — Spring

CMD 404 Performance Media Lab

§

MKT 412 Marketing Research

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

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

One (1) elective

Year Four — Fall

CMD 360 Communication and Design Studio

CMD 405 Portfolio

§

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

Two (2) electives

Year Four — Spring

CMD 400 Internship

§

*

CMD 360 Communication and Design Studio

Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course*

Two (2) electives

§

Requirement for the major

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

** See Major Requirements for course selections

Communication (Minor)

Minor Requirements

CMD 100 Introduction to Media Communication

CMD 101 Public Speaking

CMD 206 Introduction to Public Relations

CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism

Nine (9) additional credits in CMD courses. Of the 9 remaining credits in the minor, at least two courses (6 credits) should at the 300 or 400 level.

Media Design (Minor)

Minor Requirements

CMD 102 Visual Communication & Design

CMD 200 Electronic Publishing

CMD 203 Digital Photography

CMD 302 Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques or CMD 315 Writing for Digital Media
Nine (9) additional credits in CMD courses. Of the 9 remaining credits in the minor, at least two of the courses (6 credits) should be at the 300 or 400 level.

Web Design (Minor)

Minor Requirements

CMD 308 Web and Social Media Design

CMD 404 Performance Media Lab

IT 125 Web Development

IT 225 Advanced Web Design

IT 310 Database Technology

Three (3) more credits in IT or CMD courses

*Students can place out of these courses and substitute other IT and CMD courses. The following courses are also relevant to web design and can be used as electives: CMD 102 Software Lab II: Illustrator, CMD 202 Illustration I, CMD 203 Digital Imaging, CMD 205 Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication, CMD 310 Electronic Media, CMD 421 Project, IT 130 Java Programming, IT 210 Software Engineering, IT 230 Advanced Java Programming, IT 305 Computer Networking, IT 340 Data Structures and Algorithms.

Catalog Contents

General Information

Admission

Financial Information

Academic Support Services

Academic Information and Policies

University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core

Academic Opportunities

Undergraduate Programs

Course Descriptions

Accounting Courses

Applied Arts Courses

Astronomy Courses

Biology Courses

Business Law Courses

Center for Career Services

Chemistry Courses

Communication and Media Design Courses

Criminal Justice Courses

Economics Courses

Education Courses

English Courses

EN 090 Introduction to College Reading

EN 100 Introduction to College Writing

EN 101 Composition I

EN 102 Composition II

EN 150 Introduction to American Sign Language

EN 200 Elements of Literary Study

EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World

EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages

EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment

EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism

EN 205 American Literature I

EN 206 American Literature II

EN 207 Theater History

EN 211 Principles of Language

EN 212 Topics in Acting

EN 220 The Movie or the Book? Narrative Adaptation in the Cinema

EN 225 Literary Superheroes

EN 227 Short Fiction

EN 230 American Multicultural Literature

EN 240 Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies

EN 250 Introduction to Shakespeare and Elizabethan Literature in London

EN 270 Approaches to Creative Writing

EN 280 Perspectives on Language Acquisition

EN 290 Literary Theory and Practice

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 303 Literary Nonfiction

EN 305 Topics in Creative Writing

EN 308 Style and Revision

EN 321 Modern Drama

EN 322 19th-Century British Poets

EN 323 Modern Poetry

EN 330 Chaucer and the Courtly Love Tradition

EN 340 Major Women Writers

EN 350 The American Dream

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence

EN 355 Shakespeare

EN 357 Topics in Literature Before 1800

EN 385 Approaches to Teaching Secondary English

EN 400 Internship

EN 421 Project

EN 424 Senior Seminar

EN 426 Studies in the Novel

EN 428 Studies in Contemporary Literature

EN 429 Topics in Performance

EN 433 Research

EN 490 Major Author(s)

Finance Courses

Fine Arts Courses

First-Year Seminar Courses

French Courses

Geography Courses

Geology Courses

German Courses

Global Scholars Courses

Health And Human Performance Courses

Health Care Management Courses

Health Information Management Courses

History Courses

Honors Courses

Human Resource Management Courses

Humanities Courses

Information Technology Courses

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses

Interior Design Courses

Legal Administration Courses

Liberal Studies Courses

Literature Courses

Management Courses

Management Science Courses

Marketing Courses

Mathematics Courses

Multidisciplinary Studies Courses

Nursing Courses

Philosophy Courses

Physical Science Courses

Physics Courses

Politics Courses

Psychology Courses

Sociology Courses

Spanish Courses

Theology and Religious Studies Courses

University Leadership

Notices to Students

Index