Communication (B.A.) and Media Design (B.A.)
The Department of Communication and Media Design offers a cross-disciplinary course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in either communication or media design. The curriculum is grounded in design and communication theory and supports the development of research, writing, critical thinking, and creative practice skills. Students develop the conceptual and practical skills that enable them to create design and communication solutions for the contemporary media environment.
Graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in a range of communication media and design organizations. In addition, the major in communication provides excellent preparation for graduate study in communication, public relations, corporate communication, law, and journalism. Within the major in media design, students choose either an emphasis in graphic design or media communication design and participate in a professional portfolio review during the senior year.
Upon successful completion of the communication major, students will be able to
- demonstrate the effective use of research skills and the ability to gather data from diverse sources;
- demonstrate an understanding of concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;
- write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they serve;
- demonstrate oral communication skills and an ability to articulate ideas, feelings, and attitudes to a target audience; and
- apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
Upon successful completion of the media design major, students will be able to
- develop the ability to communicate effectively to a wide variety of audiences, verbally, in writing, and electronically;
- utilize knowledge of typography, graphics, photography, and video to communicate ideas and information visually in print, web, mobile, and social media;
- apply critical thinking and aesthetic judgments in creating print and digital media;
- demonstrate proficient level of skills in design software necessary to gain entry-level employment; and
- create a portfolio of material showing proficiency in print and digital media techniques.
Minimum Grade Requirements: There is a minimum grade requirement of C in CMD 100 and CMD 102. A minimum grade of C is required in CMD 101, CMD 206, and CMD 209 for all communication majors. A minimum grade of C is required in all CMD courses for all media design majors.
Program Requirement: It is recommended that majors purchase a personal computer. Each student entering the sophomore-level media design curriculum will be required to have a personal computer, a color printer, and the software supported by the media design major. Recommended computer specifications are available from an advisor or the communication and media design website.
Transfer Courses: Transfer courses for the communication major should have direct equivalences to Marymount's communication courses. If they do not, a maximum of two courses will be counted toward satisfying Marymount's communication curriculum.
Degree Requirements — Communication
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Communication majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement by choosing among CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism, CMD 304 Media Criticism, CMD 315 Writing for Digital Media, and other WI courses in the Liberal Arts Core or university electives.
Major Requirements
Students will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
Theory
| CMD 100 | Introduction to Media Communication | 3 |
| CMD 102 | Visual Communications and Design | 3 |
Writing and Presentation
Choose two (2) courses from the following:
| CMD 300 | Report Writing * | 3 |
| CMD 302 | Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques | 3 |
| CMD 307 | Broadcast Writing and Delivery | 3 |
| CMD 315 | Writing for Digital Media * | 3 |
Senior Requirement
Major Elective Courses
Majors in communication will take an additional 30 credits, choosing from the following categories:
Communication
Take all four (4) courses for a total of twelve (12) credits:
| CMD 101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| CMD 206 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| CMD 209 | Contemporary Journalism * | 3 |
| CMD 425 | Senior Seminar in Communication * | 3 |
Digital Media
Choose at least two (2) courses for a total of six (6) credits:
| CMD 200 | Electronic Publishing | 3 |
| CMD 203 | Digital Photography | 3 |
| CMD 204 | Video Production: Multimedia Communication | 3 |
| CMD 205 | Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication | 3 |
| CMD 308 | Web and Social Media Design | 3 |
Other Electives in the Major
Choose at least four (4) courses for a total of twelve (12) credits:
| CMD 220 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| CMD 304 | Media Criticism * | 3 |
| CMD 310 | Career and Professional Communication | 3 |
| CMD 360 | Communication and Design Studio * | 3 |
| CMD 401 | Public Relations Case Studies | 3 |
| CMD 402 | Organizational Communication * | 3 |
| CMD 403 | Principles of Communication Law | 3 |
| CMD 405 | Portfolio | 1 |
Sample Degree Plan — Communication
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students should consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
| CMD 100 | Introduction to Media Communication | 3 |
| CMD 101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| MA | Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
| DSC 101 | DISCOVER First-Year Seminar * | 3 |
Year One — Spring
| CMD 102 | Visual Communications and Design | 3 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | |
Year Two — Fall
| CMD 206 | Introduction to Public Relations | 3 |
| | One (1) communication digital media course | |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
Communication digital media course: See Major Requirements for course selections
Year Two — Spring
| CMD 209 | Contemporary Journalism * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | One (1) communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective course | |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
Communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.
PH 100: PH-1 core course
Year Three — Fall
| | Two (2) communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses | |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.
Year Three — Spring
| | Two (2) communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses | |
| | Three (3) electives | |
Communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.
Year Four — Fall
| CMD 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| | Two (2) communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses | |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course * | |
Communication writing and presentation, digital media, or elective courses: See Major Requirements for course selections.
Year Four — Spring
| CMD 425 | Senior Seminar in Communication * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Three (3) electives | |
Degree Requirements — Media Design
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Media design majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing-Intensive (WI) requirement by choosing among CMD 209 Contemporary Journalism, CMD 301 History of Graphic Design (graphic design emphasis requirement), CMD 315 Writing for Digital Media, and other WI courses in the Liberal Arts Core or university electives.
Major Requirements
Students will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
Theory
| CMD 100 | Introduction to Media Communication | 3 |
| CMD 102 | Visual Communications and Design | 3 |
Writing and Presentation
Choose two (2) courses from the following:
| CMD 209 | Contemporary Journalism * | 3 |
| CMD 302 | Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques | 3 |
| CMD 307 | Broadcast Writing and Delivery | 3 |
| CMD 315 | Writing for Digital Media * | 3 |
Design Requirements
Four (4) courses required
Digital Media
Two (2) courses required
Senior Requirements
Emphasis Courses
All majors also must complete 13 credits in either the graphic design or media communication design emphasis.
Graphic Design
FA 105: as the required Liberal Arts Core FNA course
Media Communication Design
| CMD 106 | Motion Graphics | 1 |
| CMD 204 | Video Production: Multimedia Communication | 3 |
| CMD 205 | Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication | 3 |
| CMD 360 | Communication and Design Studio * | 3 |
| CMD 404 | Performance Media Lab * | 3 |
Three (3) additional credits for a total of six (6) credits of
CMD 360
Sample Degree Plan — Media Design (Graphic Design Emphasis)
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students should consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
| CMD 102 | Visual Communications and Design | 3 |
| FA 105 | Drawing I * | 3 |
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| MA | Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| DSC 101 | DISCOVER First-Year Seminar * | 3 |
Year One — Spring
| CMD 100 | Introduction to Media Communication | 3 |
| CMD 104 | Adobe Illustrator | 1 |
| CMD 200 | Electronic Publishing | 3 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| CMD 202 | Illustration I * | 3 |
| | One (1) communication writing and presentation course | |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| CMD 203 | Digital Photography | 3 |
| CMD 255 | Typography | 3 |
| | One (1) communication writing and presentation course | |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course * | |
Year Three — Fall
| CMD 305 | Publication Design | 3 |
| CMD 308 | Web and Social Media Design | 3 |
| MKT 301 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | |
Year Three — Spring
| CMD 301 | History of Graphic Design * | 3 |
| CMD 360 | Communication and Design Studio * | 3 |
| MKT 412 | Marketing Research | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| CMD 405 | Portfolio | 1 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Three (3) electives | |
Year Four — Spring
| CMD 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| | Three (3) electives | |
Sample Degree Plan - Media Design (Media Communication Design Emphasis)
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students should consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
| CMD 102 | Visual Communications and Design | 3 |
| CMD 106 | Motion Graphics | 1 |
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| MA | Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| DSC 101 | DISCOVER First-Year Seminar * | 3 |
Year One — Spring
| CMD 100 | Introduction to Media Communication | 3 |
| CMD 200 | Electronic Publishing | 3 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| CMD 204 | Video Production: Multimedia Communication | 3 |
| | One (1) communication writing and presentation course | |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| CMD 203 | Digital Photography | 3 |
| CMD 205 | Video Production: Promotional and Informational Communication | 3 |
| | One (1) communication writing and presentation course | |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| CMD 308 | Web and Social Media Design | 3 |
| MKT 301 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course * | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| CMD 404 | Performance Media Lab * | 3 |
| MKT 412 | Marketing Research | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| CMD 360 | Communication and Design Studio * | 3 |
| CMD 405 | Portfolio | 1 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2) or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | |
Year Four — Spring
| CMD 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| CMD 360 | Communication and Design Studio * | 3 |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | |
| | Two (2) electives | |
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.