Television, cinema, newspapers and the Internet all profoundly influence our lives. The bachelor's program in Media and Communication Studies provides students with tools to analyze critically the forms and contents of mass media. An interdisciplinary field, media and communication studies at Catholic University is rooted in traditions of rhetorical and historical criticism across the humanities.

Core program courses promote understanding of film, television and related media in their varied aesthetic, social, historical and cultural contexts. After completing the core, majors anchor their elective courses with either a critical studies course (311: Critical Approaches to Media) or a production course (312: Media Composition). Students may take both.  Majors in the program also have opportunities to gain professional experience through internships while earning credit.

Major in Media and Communication Studies: 

 

Curriculum 

Students interested in obtaining a Bachelors of Arts degree in Media and Communication Studies are required to take six core courses. 

MDIA 201: Introduction to Media Studies 

MDIA 202: Media and history

MDIA 301: Critical Methods in Media and Communication Studies*

      *MDIA 301: requirement applies only to Class of 2028 and beyond

MDIA 302: Introduction to Video Production: Media Rhetoric and Aesthetics

MDIA 399: Junior Seminar

MDIA 499: Senior Seminar (Production or Critical Studies options will be offered)        

Please note: The MDIA 311 or MDIA 312 "elective gateway courses" are no longer required and will instead be offered as advanced electives.

In addition to the six core courses listed above, students will also need to take seven advanced electives.  

A total of 13 major courses is required for the program.

Up to two approved courses from other departments (e.g., ART309, Introduction to Photography) may count as in-major electives. The full list of approved interdisciplinary electives is available here.                                                                                     

Important Requirements

  • Students may declare the major as incoming freshmen. Students who wish to transfer into the major after the beginning of freshman year should complete at least one introductory course (MDIA201, 202 or 301) first before being considered for acceptance.
  • All majors must earn a 2.5 GPA average in MDIA201 and MDIA202. All students failing to achieve this level of academic performance will be dismissed from the major; they may re-take either course within two semesters, meet the 2.5 requirement, and then reapply for acceptance to the major.
  • No course in the major may be re-taken more than once. Additionally, all students must maintain a 2.3 (C+) GPA average in the major. Students dropping below this level will be given one semester to restore their in-major GPA, or face dismissal from the major. 
  • MDIA201 is a prerequisite for most advanced electives; MDIA399, Junior Seminar, is a prerequisite for MDIA499, Senior Seminar.