Bachelor of Arts in New Media Communication
Learn to design and develop digital content and interfaces, including web sites and the content that is found on them, such as video, animation and writing. This major blends the study of computers, visual art, design, writing and communications so you can understand and use new media communication technologies. We focus on both how to use today's digital tools as well as giving you the principles to use tomorrow's tools. And unlike many degrees focusing on web development, we also focus on giving you the communication skills and professionalism necessary to excel in our information society. After graduation, you will be prepared for employment as web site content developers and managers, graphic and interface designers, or creators of digital media including video and animation. In addition, you will be prepared to continue on for graduate-level studies in new media communication and other fields, including technical writing and law.
This page covers:
What You Can Do With the Degree
After taking a set of core courses to give them an overview of the field, students can continue to take a variety of courses or are welcome to choose specialties within the major. Here are three examples of how students can specialize within the degree:
Web designer
A specialist in creating web pages and managing web sites. This student takes courses focusing on designing web sites and learning the appropriate computer skills. The following electives are suggested:
- NMCM N245 Introduction to Website Design Principles and Practice
- INFO I300 Human Computer Interaction
- NMCM N313 Advanced Website Development
- NMCM N345 Intermediate Website Design Principles and Practice
- NMCM N445 Advanced Website Design Principles and Practice
Digital media creator
A specialist in online video, animation, and other media. This student wants to create digital media for use on web sites., such as Flash animations, videos, and graphics and takes courses in these areas. Note, many of these courses offer students a choice of specialty or emphasis within the area of study. The following electives are suggested:
- NMCM N320 Video Production
- NMCM N325 Digital Media Studio II
- NMCM N370 Animation for Integrated Media
- NMCM N391 Seminar: Digital Media
- NMCM N395 Independent Study in New Media Communication
Online Written Content Creator
A specialist in writing who writes content for web sites.
Most websites feature an extensive amount of written content, and this student takes courses to learn various forms of writing. The following electives are suggested:
Other specialties are also possible.
Graphic Designer
This is a an expert, capable of creating graphics and visual designs for a variety of applications.
The following electives are suggested:
- NMCM N250 Graphic Design I
- NMCM N350 Graphic Design II
- NMCM N395 History of Graphic Design
- NMCM N325 Digital Media Studio II
Software and Computer Skills Taught in the Degree
Students will either learn or have the opportunity to learn software and computer skills such as:
- (X)HTML
- CSS
- Flash
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Dreamweaver
- AJAX
- InDesign
Degree Requirements
This major requires 36 semester hours. All students will complete a required core of 21 semester hours, with 15 additional hours of electives. Students must also meet the Arts and Sciences General Education Core requirements.
Required Core (21 semester hours)
NMCM N201 Introduction to New Media Communication
NMCM N215 Digital Media Studio I
NMCM N210 Visual Communication
NMCM N213 Web Design and Development
ENG W231 Professional Writing Skills
NMCM N411 New Media Communication Theory
NMCM N401 Senior Seminar
Electives (15 semester hours)
NMCM N245 Introduction to Website Design Principles and Practice
NMCM N250 Graphic Design I
NMCM N301 Advanced Web Layout and Design
NMCM N311 Evolution of New Media Communication
NMCM N313 Advanced Website Development
NMCM N315 Web Usability and Information Architecture
NMCM N320 Video Production
NMCM N325 Digital Media Studio II
NMCM N345 Intermediate Website Design Principles and Practice
NMCM N350 Graphic Design II
NMCM N351 Cyberculture and Community
NMCM N370 Animation for Integrated Media
NMCM N391 Seminar
NMCM N398 Internship (up to 6 hours)
NMCM N335 Intermediate Website Design Principles and Practice
NMCM N395 Independent Study in New Media Communication
NMCM N445 Advanced Website Design Principles and Practice
ENG W311 Creative Nonfiction
ENG W350 Advanced Expository Writing
ENG W365 Theories and Practices of Editing
INFO I202 Social Informatics
INFO I300 Human Computer Interaction
JOUR J200 Reporting, Writing & Editing
SPCH S333 Public Relations Writing
SPCH C330 Diffusion of Innovations
SPCH S336 Communication Theory
SPCH C380 Organizational Communication
SPCH C393 Communication Research Methods
Any course with the NMCM-N prefix, even if not listed above, will also count as an elective. Additional courses may also count as electives, at the department's discretion. Please consult with an advisor if you have questions.
If you already have a Bachelor's degree, you may wish to consider our Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in New Media Communication.
Minor in New Media Communication
The minor is an excellent choice for students wishing to develop a strong understanding of new media technologies so they can apply them to their chosen field. The minor consists of 15 credit hours.
Required Course
NMCM N201 Introduction to New Media Communication
Electives
Students must take 12 more credit hours from the courses listed for the major, at least 1 of which must be a course listed as a core course.
Degree Resources
Note for plan of study files below: if N201 is not offered in the fall of the first year of study, switch it and N215 in the schedule.
Brief Descriptions of Courses
The New Media Communication degree features a variety of courses, both within New Media Communication and relevant coursework from within English, Informatics, and Communication Arts. This approach allows students flexibility to tailor the degree toward their interests.
Current Courses in New Media Communication
NMCM N201: Introduction to New Media Communication
This course is an introduction to New Media Communication, introducing various new media design principles and software within the context of creating simple websites. Very basic HTML as well as the use of simple features of software such as Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop are covered.
NMCM N210: Visual Communication
This course looks at the history, theory, and practice of visual aspects of print or electronic communication. Students learn to analyze the visual design of pages, flyers, brochures, newsletters, and advertisements, and to produce similar works.
NMCM N213: Web Design Site Design and Development
This course is designed as an introduction to web site design and development. The course will blend high-level concepts with hands-on instruction and activities. Topics will include Internet infrastructure, client-side technologies, embedded media, page design, site design, content design, usability, emerging technologies, and more. The technical implementation details will focus on XHTML, JavaScript, and style sheets (CSS). This course is still under development. A course number will be determined soon.
NMCM N215: Digital Media Studio I
This course teaches Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash/animation, and digital video.
NMCM N235 Introduction to Website Design Principles and Practice
This courses focuses on producing websites. It concentrates on basic principles of web interface design and
using Dreamweaver to create sites.
NMCM N250 Graphic Design I
This course introduces students to graphic design.
NMCM N313 Advanced Website Development
This course focuses on advanced scripting and programming for websites.
NMCM N315: Web Usability and Information Architecture
This course covers designing professional web sites. It focuses on learning principles to make web sites both well structured and usable. Activities include web site analysis, design, and usability testing. Prerequisite: W131
NMCM N320: Video Production
This course emphasizes technical command of video camera and digital editing procedures with development of sensitivity to visual aesthetics.
NMCM N325 Digital Media Studio II
This course teaches advanced practices of the software and concepts offered in N215, allowing students to focus more on particular software.
NMCM N335 Intermediate Website Design Principles and Practice
This courses focuses on producing websites. It concentrates on principles of web usability and
using advanced features of Dreamweaver to create sites.
NMCM N351: Cyberculture and Community
The rise of new media communication technology has altered stretches of our social landscape. This course explores how emerging technologies form new types of social networks while also changing the rules of communication in existing social units.
NMCM N370: Animation for Integrated Media
This course covers the principles and technical aspects of animation.
NMCM N391: Seminar
This course allows us to offer new courses on special topics in new media communication Topics will be announced in the prior semester and feature current topics in new media communication; readings, projects, and papers as indicated by the topic and instructor. May be repeated up to a total of 8 credit hours. One option is to take advanced courses in digital media, expanding on work from N325.
NMCM N398: Internship in New Media Communication
1-6 credit hours. May be repeated once for credit. No more than 6 credits total. Internship focusing on producing and managing new media communication projects. Apply during semester prior to desired internship. Must represent a minimum of 45 hours of experience per credit hour. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
NMCM N401: Senior Seminar
3 credits. Senior experience for New Media Communication students centering around a major project. Meets concurrently with L495 and C398. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status or approval of instructor.
NMCM N411: New Media Communication Theory
This course examines various theories of New Media Communication and its effects on the world. As New Media technologies increasingly occupy a central place in our culture, politics, and business, this course gives students critical lenses to understand and explore the influences of these technologies on society. Prerequisite: W131
NMCM N435: Advanced Website Design Principles and Practice
This courses focuses on producing websites. It concentrates on information architecture and
using advanced features of CSS to create sites.
Inactive Courses in New Media Communication
The following courses are not currently in the regular course rotation for a variety of reasons.
NMCM N200: Digital Art
Introduction to digital art covers a variety of digital means for the creation of art work and design work. Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Dreamweaver and digital audio will be introduced and examined in projects designed to create a familiarity with the digital work flow, storage and output.
NMCM N311: Evolution of New Media Communication
This course examines how new media communication has evolved throughout history, examining the impact of the development of various media on society, ranging from the invention of writing to the development of a computer networked society. Students will develop a critical understanding of media of the past, present, and future. Prerequisite: W131
Courses in Communication Arts
JOUR J200 Reporting, Writing & Editing
Working seminar stressing principles of writing for mass media. Emphasis on development of story ideas, information gathering, organization, and effective presentation of material for various news media; print and electronic. Basics of computer proficiency introduced.
SPCH C330: Diffusion of Innovations
The diffusion of innovations in new media is the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system. This course will help students understand how a variety of messages are most efficiently disseminated to a constituency, market, or society, given a host of cultural and demographic (e.g., socio-economic status, degree of cosmopoliteness, education, etc.) variables.
SPCH S333 Public Relations
Principles of contemporary public relations, including ethics of public relations; impact on society; and uses by government, business, and social institutions for international and external communication. Public relations as a problem-solving process utilizing theoretical and application strategies.
SPCH C380: Organizational Communication
The application of communication theory and research to the study of communication within the formal organization. Communication behavior is examined in a variety of organizational settings: interpersonal, small group, and interorganizational units.
SPCH C393: Communication Research Methods
This course focuses on concepts and practices associated with doing quantitative and qualitative human communication research. The course provides an opportunity to learn about conceptualizing a problem, developing a research design, assessing measurement/inquiry issues, collecting and analyzing data, and reporting results. Students will be able to understand a variety of human communication processes and thus make informed, defensible decisions.
SPCH S336: Communication Theory
Extensive analysis of selected problems in contemporary speech communication.
Courses in English
ENG W231: Professional Writing Skills
This course focuses on teaching students to write in professional situations, including letters, memos, and reports.
ENG W311: Creative Nonfiction
Focuses on teaching students to write various forms of creative nonfiction
.
ENG W321: Advanced Technical Writing
This course teaches students the principles of technical writing, including writing instructions and documentation.
ENG W350: Advanced Expository Writing
Close examination of assumptions, choices, and techniques that go into a student’s own writing and into the writing of others.
ENG W365: Theories and Practices of Editing
Students examine the workplace roles of editors while developing their own editing skills. Topics include editorial practices, style, grammar, ethics, and resources for editing. Prerequisite: W131
Courses in Informatics
INFO I202 Social Informatics
Introduction to key social research perspectives and literatures on the use of information and communication technologies. Discusses current topics such as information ethics, relevant legal frameworks, popular and controversial uses of technology (e.g., peer-to-peer file sharing), digital divides, etc. Outlines research methodologies for social informatics.
INFO I300 Human Computer Interaction
The analysis of human factors and the design of computer application interfaces. A survey of current HCI designs with an eye toward what future technologies will allow. The course will emphasize learning HCI based on implementation and testing interfaces.
For more information, contact Scott Jones at scotjone@iuk.edu or 765-455-9380.
