Program Advisor: David Balzer, M.A. (web page)
Instructor of Communications and Media

We live in an information age that is constantly messaging. But just having access to vast amounts of information and being able to transmit endless streams of data does not help us make sense of the world. Making sense of the world happens when we harness faith and skill to tell great stories and create shared meaning between people.

Communications and Media studies enhance your human communication skills, expand your capacity to evaluate and produce stories and engage you in experiential learning with industry leaders. At CMU, we know that group and interpersonal communication skills are essential to navigating the complexities of human relations in goal-oriented environments. At CMU, we believe that expanding your creative potential involves using faith-shaped thinking to examine the ways society tells stories and communicates values. At CMU, we provide strategic industry partnerships as stepping stones into future employment through course-level projects and intensive practicum placements.

CMU’s Communications and Media program prepares you for a life of work and service as a creative communicator in non-profit organizations, media industries, church, and business.

Come develop these skills:
• Ability to think creatively and critically
• Audio/Video editing and storytelling
• Strong oral and written communication
• Public speaking and persuasion
• Group communication and problem-solving
• Production management skills
• Intercultural competence
• Bringing Christian faith to life

For specific questions about this program, contact the Program Advisor

Find below a list of courses CMU offers in the field of Communications and Media.

Courses

The following section contains a complete list of courses for its curriculum. For current course listings please see the Course Description section of our website.

COMM-1000/3 Communications and Media (Formerly: 43.200/3): This course introduces students to contemporary public communications media, examines how audiences and content are determined, and identifies critical issues such as media ethics, financing, regulation and ownership.

COMM-1080/3 Journalism—Principles and Practice (Formerly: 43.208/3): This course studies the principles and practices of journalism that can be applied to all media. Students examine the nature and role of the media, evaluate the news processes, consider the role of reporters, and learn basic journali ournalism.

COMM-2020/3 Oral Communication (Formerly: 43.202/3): This course covers the theory and practice of formal and informal speeches, presentations, interviews, meetings, and other forms of oral communication. The course is designed to enhance public speaking ability, and seeks to develop skills in the use of microphones, visual aids, and body language for engaging small and large audiences.

COMM-2040/3 Audio Engineering and Production Techniques (Formerly: 43.204/3): An introduction to the techniques and technologies of audio recording production. The primary focus is recording in a studio environment. Remote location recording, live sound, multi-media production and broadcasting also are covered. A practical component includes recording music ensembles, voiceovers, and assisting in an audio production.

COMM-2050/3 Graphic Design (Formerly: 43.205/3): A study of the creative use of the elements and principles of design as applied to the problems of graphic communication, and of the use of symbols, pictographs, writing and letter forms.

COMM-2070/3 Broadcasting (Formerly: 43.207/3): This course surveys the principles, production, and critique of various kinds of broadcast media. It also covers hands-on components of radio production, including news gathering, writing, editing, and effective delivery.

COMM/POLS/SOCI-3000/3 Politics, Society and Mass Media (Formerly: 43/31/42.206/3): This course examines the relationship between the mass communications media and the political and social processes in which they operate, investigating the state of research on mass media, the role of media in creating and shaping political awareness, and in influencing human behaviour and values. Examples of topics which may be covered are: media ownership and organization patterns, media in the electoral process, the media in developing nations, the media and globalization,
propaganda, media freedom and public opinion. Prerequisite: 30 credit hours of university-level studies, including six credit hours in social science.

COMM-3010/3 Theories of Communication and Media: This course analyzes the character and significance of theory in communication and media studies. A variety of theoretical perspectives will be assessed, from classical rhetorical theory to contemporary communication theory. Prerequisite: COMM- 100/30 and 1080/3 and 30 credit hours of university-level studies.