Social Media, B.A.

(48 credits)

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Media, under the Department of English and Communications, is intended to engage students in three categories of study:  theory-based courses, multimedia content creation, and writing courses.  Through these categories, the major will develop a strong foundation in communication for students and enhance that with skills to participate in a professional environment, establish a practice of creative expression in a medium of their choosing, and prepare them for the realities of a market-driven professional environment. These categories further allow each student to tailor their pursuit of knowledge to their individual interests while supporting core interdisciplinary competencies. Students will learn to create graphic and written communication targeted for contemporaneously relevant social media platforms.

Upon completing the program of study in Social Media, students will:

• Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate their ideas through multiple media forms.
• Demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard tools for content distribution.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and proficiency with fundamental art and design principles.  
• Demonstrate professionalism in both work ethic and delivery quality.
• Demonstrate the ability to leverage social media platforms for effective marketing and public relations communication.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical concerns related to advertising, public relations, and social media.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS 

REQUIRED CORE (21 credits)

CO 139 - Introduction to Digital Video & Audio
CO 229 - Introduction to Digital Communications
CO 362 - Persuasion
CO 365 - Writing for Interactive Media
MG 231 - Principles of Marketing
CO 380 - Internship
CO 394 - Social Media Capstone

FLEXIBLE CORE (27 credits)

Theory

Select three (9 credits):

AR 216 - Arts and Entrepreneurship
CO 141 - Public Speaking
CO 220 - Sociology of Communications
CO 261 - Public Relations
CIS 301 - Technology and the Arts
CIS 330 - Issues in Computer Ethics
MG 240 - Social Entrepreneurship
MG 241 - Marketing Research and Strategy

Writing

Select three (9 credits):

BE 135 - Business Communications
CO 125 - Podcast Writing & Development
CO 210 - Creative Copywriting
CO 230 - Interactive Marketing on Social Media
CO 263 - Social Media Storytelling
CO 267 - Social Media Journalism
CO 371 - Political Communication in the 21st Century
CO 372 - Political Activism on Social Media
EN 143 - Introduction to Creative Writing

Media Production

Select three (9 credits):

AR 114 - Graphic Design I
AR 201 - Introduction to Computer Art
AR 214 - Graphic Design II
AR 314 - Advanced Graphic Design I
AR 335 - Digital Photography I
AR 336 - Digital Photography II
CIS 286 - Internet and Web Publishing
CO 239 - Digital Video & Audio I
CO 339 - Digital Video & Audio II