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Communication and Media Design

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

Degree Requirements — Communication

Degree Requirements — Media Design

Communication (Minor)

Media Design (Minor)

Web Design (Minor)

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 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

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 300 Report Writing (a major elective) and two 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 100 Introduction to Media Communication

CMD 102 Visual Communication and Design

Writing and Presentation (choose 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

Majors in communication will take an additional 30 credits chosen from the categories below:

Communication (Required: 4 courses-12 credits)

CMD 101 Public Speaking

CMD 206 Introduction to Public Relations

CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism

CMD 425 Senior Seminar in Communication

Digital Media (choose at least 2 courses: 6 credits)

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 in the Major (choose at least 4 courses: 12 credits)

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 with lab*

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

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 300 Report Writing (a major elective), CMD 301 History of Graphic Design (graphic design emphasis requirement), 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 100 Introduction to Media Communication

CMD 102 Visual Communication and Design

Writing and Presentation (choose 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

Majors in media design will take 18 additional credits chosen from the categories below:

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

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

Graphic Design Emphasis

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

CMD 104 Adobe Illustrator I

CMD 202 Illustration I

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 with lab*

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 with lab*

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-1) 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.