Global Media and Communication Studies, M.A.

NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS OR INTERNAL TRANSFERS

Carlson Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-4966

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies is designed to pre­pare students to become communication specialists who can respond to the informa­tion revolution and the globalization of me­dia. The program conveys the importance of media experts that possess intercultural sensitivity and an ability to transcend bor­ders and interpret the communications of other cultures. The program’s Global Com­munications Track introduces and supports its students to develop the skills needed for careers in as spokespersons, cross-cultural communications specialists for governmen­tal, nongovernmental public diplomacy and for work with transnational corporations. Its New Media Track prepares students as web­masters and content managers for industry and for the work in the public sector.

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Com­munication Studies is a two-year program. It requires the completion of 36 semester hours of class work, including an internship, tuto­rial and thesis. Students who enter the pro­gram are expected to have completed at least one year of college foreign language study or pass a language proficiency exam. Students who have not studied a foreign language must do such study in order to graduate. Do­mestic students must do the internship in a country where the foreign language that they have studied is spoken and it may be done over two summers if necessary. Non-US stu­dents who speak another global language besides English may do their internship ei­ther locally or overseas.

Learning Outcomes

The curriculum of the Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies is designed so that students develop and dem­onstrate competency in the following areas:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and functions of traditional and new media
• Demonstrate an ability to function as an effective communicator, writer, and spokesperson
• Demonstrate an understanding of the dif­ferent media systems in the world and patterns of communication
• Demonstrate abilities and skills to com­municate across cultures and nations
• Demonstrate an ability to use media and communication skills to address conflicts and misunderstandings
• Demonstrate an understanding of the le­gal and ethical issues in media communi­cation
• Demonstrate abilities and skills in gather­ing, writing, and reporting news in for­eign countries
• Develop abilities to create effective media content
• Demonstrate abilities to assess, use, and interpret information
• Develop basic knowledge of at least one world language other than English.

Masters of Arts Core Requirements

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies is a 36 semester hour graduate course of study that requires four to five semesters, including an overseas intern­ship.

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies offers two potential tracks and students choose one based on in­terests and skills:

Global Communication Track

Students who elect this concentration will normally pursue a career in public diploma­cy either (strike either) as a communications specialist either with a government, a gov­ernment agency, an intergovernmental agen­cy or a non-governmental agency or with a transnational corporation.

New Media Track

Students choosing this track will normally work as webmasters, web designers or spe­cialists for government-related agencies or in the corporate world.