Requirements & Courses

The Media & Communication major provides a systematic scholarly approach to the analysis of media and society. Knowledge of how media and media industries function is essential for responsible citizen participation in a democratic society. Courses in the major provide students with conceptual and analytic tools to assess the social impacts of media as well as to explore media production as a form of creative expression and critical civic engagement. All courses are informed by concerns for the value-related issues and controversies raised by media practices. The major prepares students for graduate study and provides education for careers in digital media, journalism, broadcast media, publishing, advertising, public relations, political advocacy, media law, teaching, film, video, and new media production.

Programs

Major

A total of nine courses are required within the major

Curriculum Checklist

Courses

Media and Communication Required

All majors must complete the following three courses.

Discovery

These introductory courses emphasize the breadth of media and communication. They provide an overview of different sub-specializations within the field.

Structure

These courses use media and communication theories and methodologies to provide an in-depth exploration of significant media and communication institutions, traditions, or cultural forms.

Practice

These courses provide students with opportunities to become producers, not merely consumers, of print, video, digital, and audio information. Each course gives students in-depth opportunities to put theory into practice in research, writing, or digital media production.

Internship

COM 960 - Communication Internship

Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE)

All Class of 2024+ Majors must complete Ways of Seeing during their senior year.

COM 401 - CUE: Ways of Seeing
Note: For students who have been accepted into the COM Honors Program, 472: Media and Comm Honors Seminar will satisfy the CUE requirement.

Special Programs

Alumni Week

A week-long event each year, where successful Muhlenberg Media & Communication and Film Studies Alumni network and hold workshops with current students.

Dublin

A semester abroad experience designed for Media & Communication and Film Studies students at Dublin City University (DCU), Ireland.

Honors

Allows qualified students the opportunity to enrich their experiences in media and communication theory, history, and practice.

HYPE

A youth media arts program, housed in the department, that encourages teens to raise their voices about issues affecting their world.

Internships

An opportunity to work with professionals in practical preparation for your career.

Undergraduate Conference

A Muhlenberg forum outside of students' classes to discuss issues of social justice in a democratic society.