Communication, Media and Culture (BA)
Major Credit Hours - 42 credit hours
Two Minors - 24-30 credit hours
GE Core + Religious Education - 24 credit hours
General Electives - 24-30 credit hours
Total Credit Hours to Graduate - 120 credit hours
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Effective January 2026
Last Revision 1/14/2026
Faculty Unit Assignment: Faculty of Arts & Letters
Sponsoring Program: Communication, Media and Culture
Holokai Category: Arts & Humanities
Program Requirements
Core Requirements — 18 Credits
| Course Number | Title | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 110 | Intercultural Communication | F, W, S | 3.0 | |
| COMM 200 | Media and Culture | F, W, S | 3.0 | |
| COMM 251 | Introduction to Cultural Theory | F, W, S | 3.0 | ENGL 101 |
| COMM 360 | Communication Theory and Method | F, W | 3.0 | COMM 200, COMM 251 |
| COMM 363 | Strategic Communication | F, W | 3.0 | COMM 200 |
| COMM 490 | Senior Seminar | F, W | 3.0 | COMM 360; Must be taken during last year of study |
Major Electives: Choose Seven — 21 Credits
| Course Number | Title | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 211 | Media Writing | F | 3.0 | ENGL 101 |
| COMM 301 | Digital Culture | S | 3.0 | COMM 200 or 211 |
| COMM 305 | Communication and Popular Culture | W, S | 3.0 | COMM 200 |
| COMM 323 | Multimedia Production | W | 3.0 | COMM 211 |
| COMM 355 | Religion, Media, and Culture | S | 3.0 | COMM 110 |
| COMM 370 | Race, Ethnicity and Culture | Variable | 3.0 | COMM 110 |
| COMM 380 | Gender and Culture | Variable | 3.0 | COMM 110 |
| COMM 399R | Internship in Communication | F, W, S | 3.0 | Junior or senior status |
| COMM 410 | Political Communication | F | 3.0 | COMM 200, COMM 251 |
| COMM 430 | Media Law and Ethics | W | 3.0 | COMM 200 |
Other Electives: Choose One — 3 Credits
| Course Number | Title | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANTH | 105, 391, 445, 460 | Variable | 3.0 | Variable |
| FILM | 102, 300, 365R | Variable | 3.0 | Variable |
| HIST 470 | History and Ethics of Computing | F, W | 3.0 | |
| HUM | 151, 251, 3XX | Variable | 3.0 | Variable |
| FILM 218 | Basic Video Production | F, W, S | 3.0 | |
| HHS 400 | Health Marketing and Communications | F, W | 3.0 | |
| ENGL | 330, 331, 321, 351 | Variable | 3.0 | ENGL 101 |
Additional Program Requirements
- All major course grades must be C- or better.
- Only one retake per course is allowed across all major required coursework.
- No more than 3 total retakes are allowed across all major required coursework.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completing a major in communication, media, and culture, students will:
- Know the field and apply the theories of communication, media, and culture.
- Communicate effectively through various media formats.
- Conduct responsible research by critically evaluating information and analyzing cultural texts.
- Apply communication concepts to recognize various perspectives and appreciate differences.
Program Description
Media of communication play a crucial role in shaping the world we live in: from the press, to social media, to film and to other entertainment media. The communication studies curriculum teaches students the foundation of ethical and effective communication. The curriculum includes a wide range of topics, addressing important issues such as media criticism, message design, media processes and effects. Students are expected to develop analytical, leadership, teamwork skills, and the ability to articulate, in verbal and written forms, ideas in the contemporary media landscape.