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Communication Arts

Major/Minor

The Communication Arts major offers a chance to study new advances in communications technology, understand principles that remain constant, and respond with appropriate messages for an increasingly dynamic media landscape. Through a liberal arts approach, the curriculum aims to develop effective communication talents in print, visuals, speech, and multimedia.

group of comm arts students filming an interview

Program Locations

Available Majors

  • Communication Arts

Through a series of electives, you can design a specialty such as:

  • Advertising
  • Video and Digital Media
  • Public Relations
  • Journalism
  • Corporate Communication

Available Minors

  • Communication Arts

Faculty

Courses

  • Introduction to Media Writing: COM-101 (3 credits)

    Explores the various types of writing and rhetorical approaches used in crafting messages for the mass media. Provides experience in writing for journalistic, broadcasting, public relations and advertising needs, with diagnostic attention given to the individual student's writing skills. Writing requirements of the Web and digital media are previewed. Intensive laboratory work assists the student in improvement of skills. Offered in Women's College only. Prerequisite: ENG-101 or permission of department. [3 credits]

  • Mass Media and Society: COM-131 (3 credits)

    Studies the role of newspapers, magazines, radio, television, motion pictures and the "new media" in contemporary life and their impact on sociological and cultural patterns. The goal of the course is to develop the students'critical perspective through reflective review of media messages and analysis of current media systems. [3 credits]

  • Interpersonal and Team Communication: COM-201 (3 credits)

    Examines concepts, principles and skills central to interpersonal communication processes. Develops understanding of verbal and nonverbal dimensions of human interaction from both experiential and competency-based approaches. Consideration given to group dynamics. Students write reflective journals and participate in a number of workshop experiences. [3 credits]

  • Speaking in Professional Settings Speaking in Professional Settings: COM-206 (3 credits)

    Explores the art of public communication and persuasion, content and delivery, through composition and delivery of a variety of speeches. Particular attention is given to the xpectations of the workplace. Recommended in first year or second year. Fulfills the general education requirement in oral communication. [3 credits]

  • Social Media: COM-210 (3 credits)

    Engages students in a theoretical and critical look at the incursion of social media (such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter) into human communication processes and considers the implications of use of these media for the future of communication. [3 credits]

  • Popular Culture: COM-256 (3 credits)

    Explores contemporary American culture through an examination of the creation and propagation of iconic images, myths, stereotypes and shared beliefs within a mass-mediated context. Extensive discussion and analysis of media and media artifacts. [3 credits]

  • Media Literacy: COM-310 (3 credits)

    Explores visual and audio literacy through the balance of critical consumption and production skills. Employs a series of units in which students decode complex visual and audio images and then move to composition in both visual and auditory production. Creation of a Web-based portfolio is the culminating unit. [3 credits]

  • Digital Media Skills: COM-313 (3 credits)

    Provides hands-on experience in the use of digital and social media in professional contexts in the communication fields. Students will complete a number of projects applicable to professional situations that will enhance the job-search portfolio. [3 credits]

  • Reporting and Writing News: COM-314 (3 credits)

    Stresses the writing of accurate and stylistically compelling news and information and the development of interviewing skills. Students will use digital media and new technologies necessary for covering stories and preparing news packages in the field. Mobile reporting and convergence are stressed. [3 credits]

  • Communication Research Methods: COM-356 (3 credits)

    Serves as an introduction to research methods in the communication field, detailing how to gather and analyze data about communication processes and their effects. Emphasizes the relevance of research to helping communication practitioners make sound decisions in applied settings (e.g., print, video, advertising, public relations and interpersonal relations). In workshop and small group settings, students learn how to formulate and pursue research questions of interest. Prerequisites: COM-131, COM-201. [3 credits]

  • Mass Communication Law: COM-441 (3 credits)

    Provides students with opportunities to discuss and analyze the major legal problems encountered by communication practitioners. Teaches case method by review of benchmark federal and state court decisions and statutes. Covers freedom of information, censorship, copyright, privacy, libel, and law for the digital media, public relations, business communication, advertising and broadcasting. Students write case briefs and hypothetical case analyses. [3 credits]

  • Communication Arts Practicum: COM-461 (4 credits)

    Provides opportunities to work in pre-professional settings in communication positions with an approved organization. Prepares the student for a career in the communication field of her choice as a culminating experience. The student must enroll for the spring semester of her senior year. Prerequisite: senior standing. [4 credits]

  • College Writing: ENG-101 (3 credits)

    Provides students with an understanding that clear thinking is fundamental to clear writing. It also demonstrates every stage of the composing process: generating and organizing ideas, prewriting and drafting, critiquing, revising, final editing and proofreading. In addition, students work to accomplish clarity, unity, coherence and emphasis in sentences, in paragraphs, and in the overall structure of an essay. They develop techniques of style and tone toward more fluent and appealing prose and strive to sharpen their analytical, critical and editing skills by interacting with other students about their own writing and about the writing of professionals. Students learn to use standard English and develop a sensitivity to sentence structure and diction and to appreciate effectively written prose and recognize characteristics that make such prose effective. To fulfill the general education requirement in composition a minimum grade of C is required. [3 credits]

  • First Year Seminar: NDMU-100 (3 credits)

    First Year Seminar course (formerly Perspectives in Culture and Education - IDS-100)

  • Introduction to Philosophy: PHL-201 (3 credits)

    Studies some of the major issues that have intrigued reflective people from time immemorial: How do we know? What is human nature? Is there life after death? Where did the universe originate? We will evaluate replies suggested from the time of Plato to the 20th century. Fulfills general education requirement for 200-level course. [ 3 credits ]

  • Introduction to Biblical Studies: RST-201 (3 credits)

    Introduces the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures of the Judeo-Christian tradition, exploring their historical and literary contexts, as well as interpretations of religious meaning. Presents modern methods of biblical study, including Roman Catholic, Protestant and Jewish scholarship. Fulfills general education requirement for 200-level religious studies. [3 credits]

  • American Catholicism: RST-300 (3 credits)

    Studies Roman Catholicism in the United States. Topics include the history of American Catholic self-understanding; the influence of the Catholic Church on politics, education and social issues; and an examination of American Catholic socio-religious issues. Prerequisite: RST-201. Fulfills general education requirement for 300/400-level religious studies. [ 3 credits ]

Four-Year Plan

Fall Spring
First Year

COM-131 Mass Media and Society

3

COM-101 Introduction to Media Writing

3

Foreign Language

3

COM-256 Popular Culture

3

Natural Science

4

Mathematics

3

ENG-101 College Writing

3

RST-201 Introduction to Biblical Studies

3

NDMU-100 First Year Seminar

3

History or Social Science

3

[16 credits]

 

Physical Education

1
 

 

[16 credits]

 
Second Year

COM-201 Interpersonal and Team Communication

3

COM-206 Speaking in Professional Settings

3

COM-210 Social Media

3

COM elective

3

PHL-201 Introduction to Philosophy

3

History or Social Science

3

English Literature

3

PHL or RST 300/400 level

3

General Education/Course in minor

3

General Education/Course in minor

3

[15 credits]

 

[15 credits]

 
Third Year

COM-314 Reporting and Writing News

3

COM-356 Communication Research Methods

3

COM Elective

3

COM-310 Media Literacy

3

Course in Minor

3

COM-313 Digital Media Skills

3

Gender Studies/Cross Cultural

3

Gender Studies/Cross Cultural

3

PHL or RST 300/400 level

3

Ethics/Values Requirement

3

[15 credits]

 

[15 credits]

 
Fourth Year

COM-441 Mass Communication Law

3

COM-461 Practicum

4

COM Elective

3

General Education/Minor/Electives

9-11

General Education/Course in Minor

6

[13-15 credits]

 

Internship

3

  

 

[15 credits]

 

  

 
View Course Catalog

What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University

Small class sizes allow for personal attention while discussion-based seminars and studio-based production courses offer a well-rounded learning experience. Internships and portfolio development opportunities provide essential career preparation.

Alum
Micah Castello
Toggle between the photo and the story

What’s next: Graduate Newspaper Fellow in the MA in Magazine, Newspaper, and Online Journalism at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School

Alum, NDMU Class of 2018 English, Communication Arts

Notre Dame helped me discover my passion for storytelling through the writing courses I have taken…My experience at NDMU has not only helped me sharpen my writing and communication skills but it has given me the confidence boost I needed to believe in my ability to tell stories. I look forward to traveling to new places, meeting interesting people, feeling the adrenaline rush of a buzzing newsroom, and developing my voice as a journalist.

Read story

Research & Internship Opportunities

A capstone practicum course includes a semester-long professional internship, which greatly increases employability.

Examples of Internships

Communication Art Careers

  • Advertising
  • Public Relations
  • Digital Design
  • Video Production
  • Publication Editing
  • Social Media Coordination
  • Web Content Management

Where do NDMU Graduates Work?

Ou graduates are working in diverse fields for employers such as:

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