The specialization focuses on media convergence and how digital technologies shape how media content is produced, distributed, and accessed.
The specialization consists of the following coursework:
Core Course Selection for Mass Media and Social Media Communication (5 course units)
- COM 103: Introduction to Communication Theory
- COM 117: Introduction to Film Studies, OR COM 118: Introduction to Television Studies, OR COM 242: Interpersonal Communication OR COM 265: Emerging Communication Technologies OR COM 292: Health Communication
- COM 172: Introduction to Media Communication OR COM 201: Social Media: History, Theory, Practice
- COM 372: Theories and Effects of Media Communication
- COM 390: Methods of Communication Research and Analysis
Specialization Electives (4 course units)
- COM 117: Introduction to Film Studies (if not taken as a core course)
- COM 118: Introduction to Television Studies (if not taken as a core course)
- COM 172: Introduction to Media Communication (if not taken as a core course)
- COM 201: Social Media: History, Theory, Practice (formerly COM370 Disruptive Force of Social Media) (if not taken as a core course)
- COM 209: Broadcast Journalism
- COM 220: Editing for Social Media (Formerly COM 370)
- COM 240: Public Speaking in Business and Government
- COM 241: Argumentation and Debate
- COM 242: Interpersonal Communication (if not taken as a core course)
- COM 261: Introduction to Public Relations
- COM 265: Emerging Communication Technology (if not taken as a core course)
- COM 269: Introduction to Audio Production
- COM 271: Film and Society
- COM 280: American Political Communication
- COM 292: Health Communication (if not taken as a core course)
- COM 310: Theories of Persuasion
- COM 325: Writing for Film and Television
- COM 345: New Media and Health Communication
- COM 369: Advanced Radio and Audio Production
- COM 370: Special Topics in Communication: Advocacy Communication in the Digital Age
- COM 371: Strategies of Public Relations
- COM 380: News in Our Lives Today
- COM 385: Intercultural Communication (formerly COM 411)
- COM 415: International Communication
- COM 441: Organizations and Leadership
- COM 487: Student-Faculty Advanced Research
- JPW 320: Social Media Strategy
Communication Studies Electives (3 course units)
Select three communication courses:
- Topics in Communication Studies (COM 270 or 370), Internship (COM 399), and Independent Study (COM 391) may be taken to complete the major.
- One unit each of internships or independent studies may count as electives toward the major.