Current Size: 100%
Media Communications |
School of Media Studies & Information Technology |
2012/2013 Program AvailabilityNorth Fall: Open |
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Type:
Diploma
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Campus:
North
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Program Code:
11681 |
Length: Four semesters, beginning in September |
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CONTACT INFORMATION: Lynne Thomas, program co-ordinator | 416.675.6622 ext. 4239 | lynne.thomas@humber.ca
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Humber’s Media Communications diploma will help you to become a competent communicator with knowledge and skills in the complementary fields of journalism, communications and marketing. The program’s relevant and versatile curriculum will allow you to develop the ability to research, write and design communications such as press releases, brochures and calendars. Study graphic design, photography and videography so that you can enhance your written content with the right look and feel.
Develop a strong understanding of digital media trends and an ability to design, write for and maintain effective websites so that you can meet the growing need for talented new media communicators. In state-of-the-art labs, create content using current software applications such as Photoshop, InDesign, Flash and Fireworks, and produce corporate video and audio for the web and for other applications. In the third semester, you’ll discover the practicalities and highlights of being a media communications entrepreneur through a course in freelance and project management skills.
Participate in experiential projects such as creating and managing in-house meetings and media conferences, and handling a variety of person-to-person communication exchanges. Your practical training in this program also includes an industry internship with the opportunity to develop a digital communication solution for an external organization. Develop a complete portfolio that, combined with your current training and diverse skill set, will allow you to stand out among your competitors as a competent and forward-thinking corporate communication professional.
Join the thriving communications field and help organizations more effectively promote their brands and interact with key stakeholders with expertise developed through Humber’s Media Communications program.
As a media generalist, you can help organizations better engage clients, partners, employees and reporters by developing compelling external and in-house communications that inform, persuade and motivate.
With broad-ranging skills and knowledge in journalism, marketing, web design, new media and videography, you’ll be poised to excel in cross-functional roles in the marketing and communication departments of businesses, government departments/agencies and non-profit organizations, or as a freelance communications professional.
In semester four, students find suitable, unpaid internships, which run from 10 to 11 weeks, including Reading Week, for a total of no fewer than 120 hours. During that time, students hone their skills in a professional environment. They file initial Internship Reports, generate Company Needs Assessments, and develop Capstone Projects, which respond to those needs.
Note: For more information visit Selection Procedures.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.
Qualified graduates of this program may be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study at many postsecondary institutions. For detailed information, visit our website at humber.ca/transferguide.
The 2011/2012 fee for two semesters was
– domestic $3,537.08
– international $12,200.
Amounts listed are the total of tuition, lab and material fees, student service and auxiliary fees for the first two semesters of the 2011/2012 academic year.
Fees are subject to change.
For more information visit Fees and Financial Assistance.
Semester 1 | ||
| Course Code | Course | Credits |
| COMM 200 | College Writing SkillsCollege Writing SkillsCourse Code: COMM 200 Credits: 3 College Writing Skills emphasizes elements of the writing process. Although subject matter and format may change from one program to another, the skills necessary for effective writing remain the same, as do the professional standards that all Humber students are expected to attain.
Students will practice the reading and writing skills that will be valuable in their college programs and build a strong base for professional business writing. Those students who plan to further their studies will develop the fundamental skills for writing acceptable academic English.
To help students reach these goals, the course covers the following: analytical reading and critical thinking; essay organization and development; and the elements of clear writing, including grammar and punctuation skills.
To complete COMM 200 successfully, students must produce writing that meets or surpasses the minimum departmental standards as set out in the attached criterion sheet.
| 3 |
| HUMA 024 | Humanities: An Introduction to Arts and ScienceHumanities: An Introduction to Arts and ScienceCourse Code: HUMA 024 Credits: 3 The Humanities course focuses on fundamental questions individuals ask of themselves as they proceed through life. Why are we the way we are? Do we have free will or are we prisoners of our past experience or our biological inheritance? What motivates societies to change? Why do societal changes so often divide people into opposing camps? Why do so many people find contemporary life at home, at work, and in the community unfulfilling? What constitutes good government? How should injustice be fought? Can nations successfully deal with global problems? What is science and how does it differ from other kinds of inquiry? Can scientists provide solutions to the problems we face? What is art and does it offer answers of its own? What is its relationship to beauty, to knowledge, and to ethics? Is objectivity about art (or anything) possible? These questions are organized into units that begin with issues concerning the nature of the individual and then extend outward to various social, cultural and physical contexts.
The issues explored in this course are too complex to have any one right answer. Rather, individuals must search for answers that make sense of their experiences via various theoretical perspectives. The Humanities course supports this endeavour through study of different thinkers presented in the readings and exploration of different points of view explored in class discussions.
ESL students should consider taking the ESL Humanities course. Students may transfer into
ESL Humanities (HESL 024) either at the Registrar?s Office or the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Office (K201) on a first-come, first-served basis before the Last Day to Add. | 3 |
| MDCM 100 | Photography and Digital Imaging 1Photography and Digital Imaging 1Course Code: MDCM 100 Credits: 3 This course introduces students to basic photographic theory, practice and techniques. Students think and work visually using a variety of digital media. They use photography as a tool in self-expression, visual communication and creativity. Students use manual controls of cameras, exposure, flash, available light and lighting techniques. Digital photojournalism, Photoshop, layout and design, visual communication, digital video, web log and online production are included in the course. Preparing students to tell stories through digital images - still, moving and online - ensures a wide range of employability in communications. Students develop a personal portfolio of unique and original images. | 3 |
| MDCM 110 | Website Design and Maintenance 1Website Design and Maintenance 1Course Code: MDCM 110 Credits: 3 This course introduces students to the elements and principles of planning and working with XHTML and JavaScript, using Dreamweaver. Through class discussions, critiquing existing projects, in class exercises and assignments, students conceptualize, plan and build web sites. Students implement Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), which allow web designers more control while optimizing the overall look and feel of every web page. This course also focuses on the use of Fireworks and Photoshop to prepare images for the web. | 3 |
| MDCM 130 | Communications StrategiesCommunications StrategiesCourse Code: MDCM 130 Credits: 3 This course explores the history and theoretical principles underlying the practice of digital communications. It uses case studies to examine the role, duties and activities of the communications professional. Students learn how the media function and what they expect from corporate communications professionals. Particular attention is paid to the development of strategic thinking in communications. Planning for publications and events that identifies key audiences, needs, goals, and objectives is also emphasized, as are the analysis and evaluation of communication tactics and strategies. | 3 |
| MDCM 230 | Digital DesignDigital DesignCourse Code: MDCM 230 Credits: 3 In this course, students identify the role graphic design plays in the world of communications. They study the effective use of the basic tools of design (composition, layout, typography and colour) in both traditional and digital venues. The course introduces students to digital graphic design with Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, and gives students the basic tools for drawing, laying out, and manipulating images in print and web media. The delivery of these ideas will be further expressed through the use of presentation graphics with an introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint. | 3 |
Semester 3 | Course Code | Course | Credits |
| MDCM 300 | New Media WritingNew Media WritingCourse Code: MDCM 300 Credits: 3 In this course, students develop a critical understanding of the communications needs of an organization and the content needs of its web site. They learn to write for specific audiences through specific media, including corporate websites and social media. The students produce promotional/informational video proposals for corporate or not-for-profit organizations. They research, write, and edit social media press releases and backgrounder sheets, and produce short feature pieces for online trade magazines or newsletters. As well, they also develop creative briefs and produce banner ads for marketing departments. Students adapt written material for the web, demonstrating their understanding of information architecture by repeating strong key words in heads, leads, and photo captions, producing sidebars, writing eye-catching sub-heads, and incorporating hypertext into their work. Throughout, they adhere to the requirements of all good writing: proper grammar and syntax, supported opinion, verifiable fact, thorough research, and engaging voice. | 3 |
| MDCM 305 | Advanced DesignAdvanced DesignCourse Code: MDCM 305 Credits: 3 Successful design comes from the implementation of a clear development plan based on a solid understanding of a client?s needs. Achieving the design outcomes of any given project requires that the graphic designer recognize the trends of the industry while remaining relevant within the changing world of design. To this end, students will delve further into the use of the industry standard software and the tools of the design trade to which they were introduced in the prerequisite MDCM 230 Digital Design. | 3 |
| MDCM 310 | Website Design and Maintenance 3Website Design and Maintenance 3Course Code: MDCM 310 Credits: 3 This course introduces students to the website design techniques used on the Internet today. Students are introduced to ActionScript and to Flash, which allow users to easily create animations for the web. Students create a fully functional Flash site. Techniques covered include current animation techniques, preloading, targeting, loading external movies, managing audio and video files and scripted movement. | 3 |
| MDCM 320 | Videography 2Videography 2Course Code: MDCM 320 Credits: 3 In this second of two courses, students will build on learning from Videography 1 to create more sophisticated corporate communications projects. Students will explore the art and production of interviewing and will write and produce a full-scale promotional video for a real-world client. Students will explore script development, production technique and post-production methods in more depth to execute this project. Students will also further develop their project planning skills through an exploration of video budgeting. | 3 |
| MDCM 331 | Portfolio DevelopmentPortfolio DevelopmentCourse Code: MDCM 331 Credits: 3 Interpersonal relations and workplace skills are critical to the professional success of communications specialists. Therefore, relational (soft) skills will be studied and discussed. These will include listening and organizational skills, as well as non-verbal and interpersonal communication. Students will also consider the concept of emotional intelligence and how it can contribute to a person?s success in the workplace. In preparation for their internships, students will prepare effective resum?s and cover letters, conduct and document informational interviews with successful media professionals, and create engaging online portfolios, which will showcase examples of their writing, photography, design, web, and videography skills. | 3 |
| MDCM 340 | Freelance and Project Management SkillsFreelance and Project Management SkillsCourse Code: MDCM 340 Credits: 3 This course is an introduction to the concepts of entrepreneurship and the business plan. Students gain an understanding of the considerations involved in starting their own business. Course content includes creating a business identity, conducting market research, writing a business plan, identifying business opportunities, and making use of government, community and industry resources. As well, the use of work search techniques such as employer research, networking and interview techniques are covered.
The course also introduces students to the principles and practices of project management and the use of project management software tools in the project management process. Topics include needs identification, strategic thinking, the project organization, project deliverables, project communication, project planning, resource allocation, scheduling, control and associated costs. | 3 |
| MDCM 350 | Media Law and EthicsMedia Law and EthicsCourse Code: MDCM 350 Credits: 3 Set against an evolving legal and ethical landscape, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to the relationship between media/professional communicators and the laws of Canada. Armed with this knowledge, students will be equipped to identify and evaluate legal issues and their consequences, while communicating ethically and responsibly. | 3 |
