School of Arts and Humanities
Emerging Media and Communication (B.A.)
The undergraduate major in Emerging Media and Communication (EMAC) is designed to educate "communicators of the twenty-first century" who can contribute to evolving fields such as journalism, advertising, public relations, corporate and civic communications, and the entertainment industry. The changing nature of communication in a technologically sophisticated, message-saturated and global economy has created a major and fast-growing need for graduates with the ability to communicate effectively in a wide range and mix of media. These new communicators will combine technological expertise with effective communication skills across multiple media platforms, developing "new media literacy" in response to the digital revolution that has radically changed all aspects of human communication.
Students will receive substantive educational training in the rhetorical, cultural, and cognitive aspects of communication, with an emphasis on new and emerging media. The EMAC program reflects a commitment to the concept of "applied humanities," as the curriculum balances theoretical understanding with opportunities for practical application. Some courses are predominantly academic, focusing on matters such as theory and history. Others blend academic analysis with practical application.
Today’s technologically sophisticated and media rich environment requires a comprehensive approach to communication that includes but is not restricted to traditional notions of writing and rhetoric. Students who complete the prescribed curriculum will be able to identify appropriate media and effective rhetorical approaches for a wide range of purposes, audiences and situations. The curriculum integrates courses from three areas: communication/psychology, humanities, and media studies. Courses in Communication and Psychology focus both on the cognitive and social processes of communication to help students understand how people create, use and interpret messages. The humanities courses provide students with aesthetic, cultural and philosophic contexts for studying and employing emerging forms of technologically mediated communication. The media studies courses allow students to gain the expertise to communicate effectively using advanced forms of digital technology while honing collaborative skills. The curriculum culminates with a collaborative capstone project that requires students to integrate the three components with the creation, dissemination and contextual analysis of a multi-media text.
Educational Objectives
Students who complete a B.A. in EMAC will become effective producers and consumers of technologically mediated communication who can combine technological expertise with strategic communication skills. Graduates will be able to demonstrate this integrated expertise as they:
- Analyze communication opportunities to employ the most appropriate complex of media and rhetorical strategies to create and disseminate informative, entertaining and persuasive messages
- Create and/or apply digital content for existing and/or emerging forms of media
- Adapt their messages to audiences and technological constraints while retaining (and amplifying) the benefits provided by existing and emerging media
- Anticipate the ethical implications of emerging media and their power to shape public opinion.
Facilities
EMAC students have access to sophisticated facilities that include computer laboratories, a sound design laboratory, a Motion Capture laboratory and other facilities designed to encourage collaborative learning experiences.
Bachelor of Arts in Emerging Media and Communication Degree Requirements (120 hours)
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 hours
- Communication (6 hours)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (15 hours)
- Humanities and Fine Arts (6 hours)
- Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning (6 hours)
- Science (9 hours including at least one course with a substantial laboratory component)
II. Major Requirements, Lower Division: 15 hours
- ATEC 2382 Computer Imaging
- ATEC 2384 Basic Design Principles and Practices
- ATEC 2385 Sound Design
- ATEC 2321 Writing and Research for New Media
- ATEC 2322 Introduction to Electronic and Digital Communication
III. Major Requirements, Upper Division: 27 hours
- COMM 3342 Issues in Communication*
- COMM 4314 Persuasion
- ATEC 3326 Emergent Media and Mass Communication
- ATEC 3361 Internet Studio
- EMAC 4325 Digital Writing
- ATEC 4326 Emergent Media Production
- EMAC 4V80 Capstone Project
- PSY 3350 Psychology of Communication
- PSY 3351 Mass Communication and Behavior
IV. Elective Requirements: 36 hours
Prescribed Electives (15 hours)
- Any five of the following:
- ARTS 4308 Image/Text Workshop
- ATEC 3330 Digital Video Production I
- ATEC 3363 Basic Interaction Design
- ATEC 4330 Digital Video Production II
- ATEC 4346 Story Telling for New Media
- ATEC 4347 Advanced Design
- CGS 4352 Human Computer Interaction I
- CGS 4353 Human Computer Interaction II
- COMM 3301 Public and Professional Speaking for Business
- COMM 3311 Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 3342 Issues in Communication*
- COMM 4340 Small Group Communication
- COMM 4350 Intercultural Communication
- CRWT 3308 Creative Writing
- EMAC 4372 Topics in Emerging Media and Communication
- PSY 3355 Psychology of Creativity
Advanced Electives (6 hours)
Students are required to take at least six hours of advanced electives outside their major field of study. These must be either upper-division classes or lower-division courses that have prerequisites.
Free Electives (15 hours)
Both upper-and lower-division courses may be used as electives, but students must complete at least 51 hours of upper-division credit to qualify for graduation.
*Repeatable for credit up to 6 hours.
