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Bachelor
of Arts: Media and Communications
The electronic and print media together constitute one
of the centrally important factors in twenty-first century public
and private spheres. Increasingly, the gathering, analysis, interpretation,
storing and presentation of information in several media pervasively
influence contemporary life. The primary theoretical outcome of the
B.A. program in Media and Communications is an understanding of the
following: mass media roles in democratic society: theory of communications
practices in the circulation of information; legal and ethical responsibilities
of media; media roles in relation to government; media as business
organizations facilitating economic life; and media roles in public
relations. Practical outcomes include communication skills and practices,
both written and oral, that are adaptable in a variety of media workplace
contexts. The program includes directed studies streams that allow
the individual student to choose a topic of interest in one of three
general study areas: 1) media writing, 2) media as business or 3)
public relations.
| Term-4:
Media and Communications Courses |
| 16. |
BUSM 207 Marketing Management |
| 17. |
MDCM 202 Information Gathering |
| 18. |
MCDM 203 Writing for the Media |
| 19. |
BUSM 301 Advertising |
| 20. |
BUSM 206 Business Environment |
|
| Term
5: Media and Communications Courses |
| 21. |
MDCM 301 Media and Government |
| 22. |
MDCM 302 Public Affairs |
| 23. |
MDCM 303 Legal and Ethical Issues in Mass Media |
| 24. |
MDCM 204 Visual Communications in Mass Media |
| 25. |
BUTM 312 E-Business |
|
| Term
6: Media and Communications Courses |
| 26. |
MDCM 304 Technical Writing and Business Communications |
| 27. |
MDCM 305 Public Relations in Practice and Theory |
| 28/29/30. |
MDCM 306 Communications Theory
2 from BUSM 300, 302, 303, 404, 410, PRAC 300, CDRS 410, 411 or other course approved by the Dean of Arts and Science |
|
| Term
7: Media and Communications Courses |
| 31. |
BUTM 403 Technology Culture |
| 32. |
MDCM 401 The Business and Economics of Mass Media |
| 33. |
MDCM 402 Advanced Media and Communications Writing |
| 34. |
BUSM 409 Emerging Global Issues in Business |
| 35. |
CDRS 313 Research Methodology |
|
| Term
8: Capstone Courses |
| 36. |
CAPS 407 Cultural and Political Systems |
| 37. |
CAPS 408 Major Scientific and Technical Discoveries |
| 38. |
CAPS 409 Ecosystems and Sustainable Development |
| 39. |
GRES 400/401 Graduation Essay |
|
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Concentration Course Descriptions:
16.
BUSM 207 Marketing Management
This course provides
an overview of the five “Ps” of marketing: price, place,
promotion, product, and people. Included will be a discussion of push
versus plus strategies to determine and satisfy customer needs. Advertising
principles will be evaluated and the influence of the Internet will
be presented. Development of a marketing plan will be an important
element.
17.
MDCM 202 Information Gathering
Survey of methods
and strategies for acquiring information of use to the various mass
media. Examination of records, databases, sources, and interview methods
18.
MDCM 203 Writing for the Media
Introduction to the
process and practice of writing for various mass media channels. Discussion
of rights and responsibilities of the public communicator.
19.
BUSM 301 Advertising
This course examines the fundamentals of advertising including the sociology and psychology of advertising; related legal, ethical, and moral considerations incumbent in a business context; and, the economics of advertising. The course will examine the importance of matching message and methods of promotion to target audience, product and corporate branding. The course will provide an opportunity to learn to generate fresh ideas, and write effective ads. The costs of various advertising media will be considered and some consideration will be given to the use of press releases and saving money through co-op ads. Consideration will be given to the evaluation of the effectiveness of advertising.
20.
BUSM 206 Business Environment
This course introduces
students to the capitalist marketplace and the boundaries of the many
interest groups that influence the outcome of economic activity. Included
are business and society issues, government policies, financial markets,
ethics, and global factors. The related dynamics and their effect
on enterprise is the foundation of investigation.
21.
MDCM 301 Media and Government
The interface between
mass media and government: theory and practice. Media roles in reporting
and assessing the workings of legislative and administrative bodies;
and government’s roles in regulating and monitoring media practices.
22.
MDCM 302 Public Affairs
Mass media’s
responsibilities and practices in democratic societies in relation
to the public sphere. Topics related to government, courts, politics,
finance, urban affairs, education, science and culture.
23.
MDCM 303 Legal and Ethical Issues in Mass Media
Assessment of legal
frameworks that control the flow of information, in relation to ethical,
political and economic consequences. Issues of ownership and access
to information, free speech, pornography, privacy, libel, copyright,
journalistic privilege, advertising, access to public records.
24.
MDCM 204 Visual Communications in Mass Media
Theory and application
of visual communication in newspapers, magazines, video, advertising,
and public relations.
25.
BUTM 312 E-Business
This course highlights
the growing business model using the Internet as a basis of commerce.
Issues of website design, transaction effectiveness and financial
security are evaluated within the context of the business models used
by corporations. The so-called "brick and click" value proposition
is compared with pure Internet plays. Legal and intellectual property
questions are also discussed.
26.
MDCM 304 Technical Writing and Business Communications
The theory and practice
of business communications and technical writing in a corporate context.
Topics include analysis of communication problems, assessment of audience
levels, message character, message monitoring and storage, message
media, selection of appropriate vocabulary and form, corporate proprieties.
27.
MDCM 305 Public Relations in Practice and Theory
Theories, processes,
and techniques involved in planning and implementing programs designed
to influence public opinion and behaviour through socially responsible
performance and mutually satisfactory communication.
28.
MDCM 306 Communications Theory
Survey of contemporary
social, scientific, and humanistic theories of mediated communication.
Theories of the media and their relationships to society.
31.
BUTM 403 Technology Culture
This course examines
the influence of the information age on daily life in organizations
and homes. Integration of digital technologies in everyday life, from
the downloading syndrome to more substantial opportunities
32.
MDCM 401 The Business and Economics of Mass Media
Mass media viewed
as corporate structures subject to competitive market forces and globalization.
Attention to issues of production and distribution, investment, finance,
economic strategy, ownership, taxation, work force, management.
33.
MDCM 402 Advanced Media and Communications Writing
Advanced processes
and practices of writing for multimedia that include print, audio-video,
computer-assisted presentation, internet-intranet applications, and
striking the balance between word and image.
34.
BUSM 409 Emerging Global Issues in Business
The course will examine a broad spectrum of current global issues that affect business. Consideration will focus on the importance of scanning the global environment to identify emerging issues, including an analysis of items in the news and how they affect business decision making for businesses choosing to operate internationally. Emerging issues in international business; international trade; global monetary systems; ethics of international finance, accounting and taxation; corporate social responsibility; and international human resource management will be examined.
(See MDCM 307 above.)
35.
CDRS 313 Research Methodology
The course will examine research methodologies appropriate for business research. Topics examined include attributes of a good research topic, critical literature reviews, formulating the research design, primary vs. secondary data, negotiating access to data, research ethics, selecting samples, data collection methods, writing and presenting results. The intended outcome of this course is for the student to pick a topic for study, produce a written research proposal and prepare and submit a UCW Research Ethics Proposal within one month following completion of the course period, in preparation for CDS 410/411 Directed Research Project.
Capstone Courses
36.
CAPS 407 Cultural and Political Systems
The major religious, philosophical, historical and economic underpinnings of modern cultural and political systems will be evaluated in this course. The dynamics of religion and culture will be reviewed in the context of contemporary problems in diplomacy, including terrorism and military responses to current problems.
37.
CAPS 408 Major Scientific and Technological Discoveries
This course will investigate
broad issues such as evolution, relativity, geomics, plate techtonics,
earth systems, digital technologies and leading edge discoveries and
how they interact within a modern society.
38.
CAPS 409 Ecosystems and Sustainable Development
The ecology and interaction
of natural and human ecosystems, including energy systems and global
climate change, world fisheries, rain forests, deserts and their implication
for economic sustainable development.
39.
GRES 400/401 Graduation Essay
GRES 400/401 is an original essay on an approved topic related to the student’s degree program. It will be of a standard format, described at the beginning of the class. Normally, the essay will be 8,000 to 10,000 words long and, upon completion, will be presented live by the student towards the end of the term during a finishing residency experience.
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