Communication Arts Major: Digital Media Option (B.A.)

Communication Arts Major: Digital Media Option (B.A.)
digital media option

Explore the intersections of technology, creativity and artistry with a focus on audio, video and web-based media.


What is digital media?

Digital media is a highly interdisciplinary field with foundations in the theory and ethics of media technologies. Students explore the design and technology of modern digital media content and learn how to create audio, visual and web-based content. Digital media attracts both creative-minded and tech-savvy students, preparing them with the skills and experience for success in the industry.

Why study digital media at ӣ Manchester?

The communication arts: digital media option combines media interests with computing skills, exploring topics like video production, social media and public relations, ethics and law in the digital age, motion graphics, web authoring, multimedia and more. Through coursework and hands-on learning in our production and editing studios, digital media students examine the intersections of technology, creativity and artistry with a focus on audiovisual content and web-based media. Students gain a comprehensive overview of the different stages of a digital media project, from writing and pre-production to production and post-production. Through a required internship, students gain the real-world media experience that is highly sought by prospective employers.

Potential careers

  • Corporate communications manager
  • Creative media specialist
  • Digital marketing specialist/manager
  • Digital video producer/editor
  • Independent videographer
  • Motion graphics artist
  • Multimedia artist
  • Social media coordinator/manager
  • Web content specialist
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Curriculum & Requirements

Students choosing the Digital Media option use coursework and hands-on learning to explore the intersections of technology, creativity and artistry with a focus on audio, video and web-based media. Students gain a comprehensive overview of the different stages of a digital media project, from writing and pre-production through production and post-production. Courses cover topics such as web authoring and multimedia, audio and video production, social media and public relations, ethics and law in the digital age, and motion graphics. An internship in the area of digital media is required.

For more information, contact the ӣ Manchester Office of Admissions, (603) 641-4150.

This degree plan is a sample and does not reflect the impact of transfer credit or current course offerings. ӣ Manchester undergraduate students will develop individual academic plans with their professional advisor during the first year at ӣ.

Sample Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ѳ401
or ѳ402
First Year Seminar
or Transfer Seminar
1-2
ҳ401 First-Year Writing 4
ѱ455 Introduction to Media Studies 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Credits17-18
Spring
Quantitative Reasoning 4
CMN456 Propaganda and Persuasion 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Credits16
Second Year
Fall
Foreign Language 4
CMN457 Introduction to Language and Social Interaction 4
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Credits16
Spring
Foreign Language 4
Major Elective 4
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Credits16
Third Year
Fall
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Credits16
Spring
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Credits16
Spring
Major Elective 4
Discovery Course 4
Elective 4
Elective 4
Credits16
Total Credits129-130

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at ӣ
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: Yes

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Communication Arts (CA) majors must complete 10 courses (40 credits) and maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in the major. Transfer students must complete at least 20 credits in the Communication Arts major at ӣ. Communication Arts majors may use up to two CMN and/or CA courses toward both the Communication Arts major and ӣ Discovery Program requirements.

I. Required Core Courses 1
ѱ455Introduction to Media Studies4
CMN456Propaganda and Persuasion4
CMN457Introduction to Language and Social Interaction4
II. Selected Coursework 2
Select three courses from area A, two from area B, two from area C below.28
Total Credits40
1

Students must earn a "C" or better in each course to satisfy CA degree requirements.

2

Students must earn a "C-" or better in each course to satisfy CA degree requirements.

A. Communication Practices
Select three courses from the following:12
CA450
Introduction to Public Speaking
CA500
Media Writing
CA501
Internship/Communication in the Urban Community
CA502
Image and Sound
CA507
Relational Violence
CA508
Conflict in Relational Communication
CA512
Screenwriting
CA514
Fundamentals of Video Production
CA515
Advanced Video Production
CA517
Fundamentals of Audio Prod
CA520
Special Topics in Applied Communication
CA522
Graphic Design I
CA523
Graphic Design II
PSYC762
Counseling
Total Credits12
B. Communication Practices: Organization, History, and Policy
Select two courses from the following:8
CA527
History of Film
CA531
History and Organization of Advertising
CA532
Typography I
CA536
LGBT Images and Perspectives
CA538
Gender
CA539
Communicating in Families
CA540
Public Relations
CA542
Social Media for Organizations and Business
CA550
Special Topics in Communication Organization, History, and Policy
COMP560
Ethics and the Law in the Digital Age
ENGL534
21st Century Journalism: How the News Works
PHIL565
Philosophy Through Film
Total Credits8
C. Communication Practices: Theory and Research
Select two courses from the following:8
CA610
Communication Technologies and Culture
CA612
Narrative
CA615
Film History/Theory and Method
CA618
Documentary
CA720
Seminar
CA795
Independent Study
Total Credits8

Digital Media Option Requirements

The option in Digital Media consists of 24 credits as distributed below. Note that some courses may also be used to fulfill the requirements of the Communication Arts major. Courses applied to the option must be completed with a minimum grade of C- and overall GPA of 2.0. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 12 credits, including the Digital Media Internship, at ӣ Manchester.

Digital Media Option
Requirements
Select three courses from the following (one must be COMP):12
COMP405
Introduction to Web Design and Development
COMP415
Mobile Computing First and For Most
CA500
Media Writing
CA514
Fundamentals of Video Production
CA515
Advanced Video Production
CA517
Fundamentals of Audio Prod
CA520
Special Topics in Applied Communication 1
Select one course from the following:4
CA531
History and Organization of Advertising
CA540
Public Relations
CA542
Social Media for Organizations and Business
CA550
Special Topics in Communication Organization, History, and Policy 1
COMP560
Ethics and the Law in the Digital Age
Select one course from the following:4
CA610
Communication Technologies and Culture
CA720
Seminar 1
CA795
Independent Study 1
Complete one, four-credit Digital Media Internship with advisor approval
CA501Internship/Communication in the Urban Community 14
Total Credits24
1

Topic must be related to digital media

Capstone Requirement

The capstone requirement will be satisfied in a student's senior year by completion of a specific four-credit capstone course at the 600 or 700 levels.Students maynot enroll in a capstone course until they have completed all three CA program core courses (ѱ455 Introduction to Media Studies, CMN456 Propaganda and Persuasion, and CMN457 Introduction to Language and Social Interaction) and at least one Area A course and one Area B course. Students must also have completed the prerequisites for the particular capstone course they seek to take. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and CA program coordinator.The capstone course can also fulfill an Area C course requirement.

The capstone experience offers seniors an opportunity to synthesize and apply knowledge and skills gained throughout their communication arts major coursework. The capstone course requires students to conduct an original research study, a creative media project, an internship, community-based research, or an advanced service learning project in communication arts under the close supervision of a communication arts faculty member. Students are strongly encouraged to share their capstone projects with the larger ӣ community through participation in the Undergraduate Research Conference, a presentation in the Brown Bag lunch series, publication in the ӣ undergraduate journal , or presentation in some other public venue. Students should work closely with their advisors to make sure the capstone requirement has been satisfied.

Courses that satisfy this requirement include, but are not limited to:

Capstone Courses
CA612Narrative4
CA615Film History/Theory and Method4
CA720Seminar4
CA795Independent Study4

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Communication Arts program, students will be able to:

  • Analyze how creativity, artistry, narrative, identity, persuasion, and ethics shape messages and relationships produced within a variety of social, organizational, and industry contexts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skills that give them expertise and proficiency in areas such as human relations, social media, digital video, audio production, graphic design, writing, and speaking.
  • Know the history of communication practices and understand how media technologies and messages have impacted societies, cultures, organizations, and businesses.
  • Effectively research and creatively explore communication practices, experiences, and trends using high quality sources of information, multiple modes of inquiry, and multiple presentation formats.
  • Identify professional interests or career paths by working with the Internship and Career Planning Office and by engaging with communication settings outside the classroom through internships, service learning, field trips, and independent studies.

Explore Program Details

As a communication arts major, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art sound recording and video production studios, a high-definition editing lab and a brand-new digital media screening room with surround sound.

Video Production Studio

From script to screen, bring your work to life in our state-of-the-art video studio and editing lab. Explore the artistry of digital media with high-definition cameras, green screen technology and industry standard editing software.

Audio Studio

The audio studio gives you the tools to record, edit and produce your original projects. Equipped with a digital recording booth, editing stations, control room and more, the studio is your haven for both audio and video production.

Our campus is in the heart of the region’s cultural, economic, entertainment and government activity — putting unlimited internship opportunities at your doorstep. We’ve partnered with local businesses to give you the real-world experience that sets you apart. Communication arts majors have interned at many high-profile organizations in the area, including:

  • Granite United Way
  • NH1 News Network
  • New Hampshire Public Radio
  • N.H. Department of Environmental Services
  • Verizon Wireless Arena
  • WMUR-TV

Learn more about internships

Communication arts majors gain the interpersonal and communication skills that employers in all industries look for. With a highly flexible curriculum and the ability to personalize your studies, your communication arts degree will open doors to unlimited career and graduate education opportunities.

The  projects positive growth in many communications-related professions between 2012 and 2024. Make an impact with career possibilities in any industry, from media to healthcare, education, counseling and beyond.

Job Title Job Growth Average Salary
Advertising, Promotions or Marketing 9% $124,850
Film/Video Editor or Camera Operator 11% $58,900
Graphic Designer 1% $46,900
Multimedia Artist or Animator 6% $63,970
Producer or Director 9% $68,440
Writer or Author 2% $60,250

Learn more about career planning

Add breadth to your degree with a communication arts minor, giving you the interpersonal and communication skills that will set you apart to employers in any industry.

View all minors

In partnership with the Community College System of New Hampshire community colleges below, we've developed curriculum guides to show you which courses at your community college will transfer into ӣ Manchester's communication arts program.

See the complete list of Pathways 

 

Questions? Contact an admission counselor for help.

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