Media Communications

Our Program

Humber's two-year Media Communications diploma trains students in multimedia, marketing, web design and writing, new media and videography. With these skills, graduates excel in various roles in the marketing and communication departments of businesses, government departments/agencies and non-profit organizations, or as a freelance communications professionals.

In the Media Communications program, learn how to:

research, write and design communications such as press releases, brochures and profiles
use graphic design, photography and videography to enhance written content
design, write for and edit effective websites
create and edit content using current software applications such as Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver and Flash
produce corporate video and audio for the web and other applications
establish and operate a business through a course in freelance and project management.

Courses are designed with industry input, ensuring students are learning current and relevant information in state-of-the-art labs from industry experts, people who know the trends and challenges of communications. Students participate in experiential projects such as creating and managing in-house meetings and media conferences, and person-to-person communication exchanges. The practical training in this program also includes an industry work placement.

"I chose Humber because I wanted to learn a variety of skills and software applications. My placement turned into freelance work, and shortly after, into a full-time position as a multimedia producer."
Ryan, 2012 graduate

Your Career

Connect with people on a higher level with a career in media communications.

According to a study by VSS, a private investment firm, companies are increasing spending on media relations and communicating their brands with stakeholders. It's a trend, which is expected to continue. The skills you learn in Media Communications will prepare you for a career in this expanding field. As a media communications specialist, you will 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 multimedia, marketing, web design and writing, new media and videography, graduates find work in the marketing and communication departments of businesses, organizations or government departments, or as freelance communications professionals.

Work Placement

In semester four, students find suitable, unpaid work placements, 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 professional environments, developing digital communication solutions for external organizations. They build complete portfolios, which when they graduate, have them standing out from their competitors as corporate communications professionals. Students file Internship Reports, generate Company Needs Assessments, and develop Capstone Projects, which respond to those needs.

Your Future Study Options

Qualified graduates of this program may be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study at many postsecondary institutions. For detailed information, visit humber.ca/transferguide.

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
Grade 12 English (ENG4C or ENG4U). If English is not your first language, refer to the English Language Proficiency Policy
Three Grade 11 or Grade 12C, U or M courses in addition to those listed above

Note: For more information, refer to Selection Procedures.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.

Fees / Scholarships

The 2013/2014 fee for two semesters is

domestic $3,770.08
international $12,950.

Amounts listed are the total of tuition, lab and material fees, student service and auxiliary fees for the first two semesters of the 2013/20143 academic year. Fees are subject to change. For more information, refer to Fees and Financial Assistance.

Curriculum (View the 2012/13 Curriculum)

Semester 1

Course Code	Course Name
GNED 101	An Introduction to Arts and Science An Introduction to Arts and Science Course Code: GNED 101 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.
MDCM 100	Photography and Digital Imaging 1 Photography and Digital Imaging 1 Course Code: MDCM 100 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, available light, and fill flash lighting techniques. Digital photojournalism, Photoshop, layout and design, visual communication and online production are included in the course. Preparing students to tell stories though digital images - still and online - ensures a wide range of employability in communications. Students work toward developing a personal portfolio of unique and original images.
MDCM 101	Website Design and Maintenance 1 Website Design and Maintenance 1 Course Code: MDCM 101 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 websites. 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.
MDCM 103	Digital Design Digital Design Course Code: MDCM 103 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, Photoshop, Acrobat and InDesign, and gives students the basic tools for drawing, layout, and manipulating images in print and web media. The preparation of these ideas will be further expressed through the use of presentation graphics with an introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint.
MDCM 104	Communications Strategies Communications Strategies Course Code: MDCM 104 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.
WRIT 100	College Reading and Writing Skills College Reading and Writing Skills Course Code: WRIT 100 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 WRIT 100 successfully, students must produce writing that meets or surpasses the minimum departmental standards as set out in the attached criterion sheet.

Semester 2

Course Code	Course Name
GNED	General Education Elective General Education Elective Course Code: GNED The following courses represent the GNED General Education electives that you can choose from as part of your program's curriculum. Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences GNED 101 An Introduction to Arts and Sciences Anthropology ANTH 202 Physical Anthropology ANTH 205 Cultural Anthropology Arts ARTS 138 Understanding Movies: An Introduction to Film Studies ARTS 229 Musical Pioneers ARTS 241 Exploring Music and Film ARTS 246 Art and Artists - Money, Madness and Masterpieces Cultural Studies CULT 211 Conspiracy Theories and Critical Thinking CULT 214 AlterNative Pathways: Aboriginal People in Canada CULT 217 Encounter with Latin America CULT 228 Pop Culture: Shaping How We Live CULT 236 China: The Next Superpower CULT 239 Digital Culture CULT 242 Culture, Technology and Identity CULT 243 Crossing Borders: Migration and Culture CULT 244 Gender, Race and Ethnicity CULT 245 The Body: Beauty, Sex and Consumerism CULT 248 Women and Popular Culture Economics ECON 110 Real Life Economics ECON 204 People, Money and Markets ECON 206 The History of Money English ENGE 110 Literature: An Introduction ENGL 239 Dark Days Ahead ENGL 242 Pulp Fiction ENGL 246 Contemporary Fiction ENGL 247 Life Stories ENGL 248 Voices from the Underground Geography GEOG 210 The Nature of Ontario GEOG 212 Political Geography History HIST 110 Canada: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly HIST 203 Monsters of the 20th Century HIST 217 History of War HIST 218 The Making of the Modern World HIST 222 The Age of Europe: From the Enlightenment to 1989 Humanities HUMA 137 Art Matters: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art HUMA 226 The Arts and the 21st Century Imagination: Longing for Paradise HUMA 235 World Religions HUMA 241 Risky Business: Living in a Dangerous World HUMA 242 Vampires: In Film and Literature HUMA 244 Ordinary Heroes: Extraordinary Lives! HUMA 250 God, Science and Religion Languages SPAN 110 Introductory Spanish 1 Philosophy PHIL 100 Ideas: An Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 110 The Love of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 217 Ethical Issues PHIL 225 Philosophy of Love and Sex PHIL 227 Business Ethics PHIL 228 Success: Philosophical Perspectives PHIL 229 Violence, Order and Justice: An Introduction to Political Philosophy PHIL 230 Environmental Ethics Political Science POLS 110 Introduction to Politics POLS 204 Morality, Democracy and Politics POLS 219 Globalization POLS 223 War and Terrorism POLS 224 Justice, Equality and Rights POLS 225 Environmental Policy and Economics Psychology PSYC 110 Psychology - An Introduction PSYC 205 Applied Psychology and Leadership PSYC 207 Psychology of Sport PSYC 210 Psychology - Developmental PSYC 220 Psychology - Social PSYC 230 Psychology - Abnormal Science SCIE 110 The Science of Everything SCIE 208 Water: A Life or Death Issue SCIE 213 Astronomy: The Evolving Universe SCIE 216 Origins of Life SCIE 219 Dangerous Earth SCIE 221 The Environment SCIE 223 Astrobiology: Life in the Universe SCIE 224 Discovering Dinosaurs Sociology SOCE 100 Canadian Society and Culture SOCI 110 Sociology: Introduction SOCI 205 Social Entrepreneurship: Profit, People and the Planet SOCI 219 Sport and Society SOCI 232 Gender, Power and Society SOCI 233 Sociology of Cultural Difference SOCI 234 Society and Conflict SOCI 236 Issues in Crime SOCI 237 Sociology of Fashion SOCI 238 Sociology of Food SOCI 239 Citizenship, Immigration, and Democracy SOCI 240 Sociology of the Family SOCI 246 Sociology of Emotions SOCI 247 Leadership SOCI 249 Imagining the City SOCI 257 Canada Today SOCI 277 Sexual Diversity: Contemporary Social Issues
MDCM 150	Media Writing Media Writing Course Code: MDCM 150 In this course, students critique media writing for purpose, content, structure, style and voice, As well, they complete writing, editing, and reading assignments. Students conduct basic research and write works of exposition, persuasion and narration according to purpose and audience. They produce writing that has a precisely expressed central idea and engages as well as informs in both print and broadcast styles. Students also proofread their own and each other?s work, identifying and correcting weaknesses in research and content as well as faults in grammar, usage and style. In addition, they read at least one work of recent, controversial non-fiction which they discuss within the context of contemporary society and traditional media.
MDCM 152	Photography and Digital Imaging 2 Photography and Digital Imaging 2 Course Code: MDCM 152 Building on the skills and knowledge acquired in Photography and Digital Imaging 1, students continue to develop image capture skills while emphasizing the computer platform in photographic techniques. Students study concepts of digital imaging and the wide variety of tools, commands and options in Adobe Photoshop to produce high quality still images. Students also work with image capture for websites and photoblogs and use these skills to complete creative and complex assignments. Students are introduced to the photographic studio and professional studio lighting equipment. This course also includes group projects and individual portfolio development.
MDCM 153	Website Design and Maintenance 2 Website Design and Maintenance 2 Course Code: MDCM 153 This course will introduce students to the process of generating timeline based animations using Adobe Flash. Participants will work through real world examples along with their instructor, as well as create their own projects concluding with the development of a Flash based portfolio piece. The benefits of Flash as a corporate presentation tool will also be explored. Students will learn to plan and program interactivity with Flash. These programming basics will provide a foundation for continued study as they relate to other object-oriented programming (OOP) languages.
MDCM 154	Videography 1 Videography 1 Course Code: MDCM 154 In this introductory course, students will learn the fundamentals of moving image capture and sound recording using digital video cameras. Students will also learn the fundamentals of video editing using Adobe Premiere Pro software, including media import and file export protocols. Students will be introduced to storyboarding as a tool for pre-visualizing a story arc and production approach. They will also explore the fundamentals of project planning for digital cinema production. Learning these basic concepts and processes will enable students to produce technically-sound and cinematically-literate video projects.
WRIT 200	Workplace Writing Skills Workplace Writing Skills Course Code: WRIT 200 Business Writing Skills introduces students to the strategies of effective written workplace communication. This course is designed to build on and reinforce the writing skills developed in WRIT 100 and requires students to apply these skills to vocationally relevant assignments. Students will learn how to select and organize pertinent information according to purpose and audience and will practise presenting their ideas clearly, precisely, and effectively in various written formats. To complete WRIT 200 successfully, students must produce writing that meets or surpasses the minimum departmental standards as set out in the criterion sheet.

Semester 3

Course Code	Course Name
MDCM 200	New Media Writing New Media Writing Course Code: MDCM 200 In this course, students develop a critical understanding of the communications needs of an organization and the content needs of its website. 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 news releases and backgrounder sheets, and produce pitch letters for mainstream as well as alternative media, both print and on-line. As well, they may write short feature pieces for online trade magazines, newsletters or a venue of their choosing. Students also research, write and edit blogs on subjects of professional interest for their portfolio sites. They adapt print material for the web, demonstrating their understanding of information architecture by repeating strong keywords 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.
MDCM 201	Website Design and Maintenance 3 Website Design and Maintenance 3 Course Code: MDCM 201 This course will introduce the participants to the process of generating timeline-based animations using Adobe Flash. Students will also discover the advantage of using ActionScript to add interactivity to their creations. The planning process, including storyboarding and prototyping, is covered in this course.
MDCM 202	Videography 2 Videography 2 Course Code: MDCM 202 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.
MDCM 203	Portfolio Development Portfolio Development Course Code: MDCM 203 This course is divided into two segments: introductory marketing and professional and portfolio development. In the marketing segment students will study the importance of marketing, not just as a business practice, but as a powerful influence in our everyday lives. Students will study a number of factors which influence marketing campaigns including buyer behaviour; demographic and psychographic variables; the marketing environment; and brand identity and positioning. Through the assignments, students will be able to apply the connection between target markets, buyer behaviour and brand positioning. In the professional and portfolio development section, interpersonal relations and workplace skills are discussed. Students also consider the concept of emotional intelligence and how it can contribute to a successful career. In preparation for their internships, students produce effective resum?s and cover letters, conduct and document interviews with successful media professionals or potential internship sponsors, and they create engaging on-line portfolios which showcase examples of their writing, photography, design, web and videography skills. They also research and secure an appropriate internship placement.
MDCM 204	Project Management Skills Project Management Skills Course Code: MDCM 204 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 businesses. They identify business opportunities, conduct market research, write a business proposal and make use of government, community and industry resources. As well, the use of work search techniques such as employer research and networking techniques are covered. The course also introduces students to the principles and practices of project management and the use of project management software tools. Topics include needs identification, strategic thinking, the project organization, project deliverables, project communication, project planning, resource allocation, scheduling, control and associated costs.

Semester 4

Course Code	Course Name
GNED	General Education Elective General Education Elective Course Code: GNED The following courses represent the GNED General Education electives that you can choose from as part of your program's curriculum. Introduction to Liberal Arts and Sciences GNED 101 An Introduction to Arts and Sciences Anthropology ANTH 202 Physical Anthropology ANTH 205 Cultural Anthropology Arts ARTS 138 Understanding Movies: An Introduction to Film Studies ARTS 229 Musical Pioneers ARTS 241 Exploring Music and Film ARTS 246 Art and Artists - Money, Madness and Masterpieces Cultural Studies CULT 211 Conspiracy Theories and Critical Thinking CULT 214 AlterNative Pathways: Aboriginal People in Canada CULT 217 Encounter with Latin America CULT 228 Pop Culture: Shaping How We Live CULT 236 China: The Next Superpower CULT 239 Digital Culture CULT 242 Culture, Technology and Identity CULT 243 Crossing Borders: Migration and Culture CULT 244 Gender, Race and Ethnicity CULT 245 The Body: Beauty, Sex and Consumerism CULT 248 Women and Popular Culture Economics ECON 110 Real Life Economics ECON 204 People, Money and Markets ECON 206 The History of Money English ENGE 110 Literature: An Introduction ENGL 239 Dark Days Ahead ENGL 242 Pulp Fiction ENGL 246 Contemporary Fiction ENGL 247 Life Stories ENGL 248 Voices from the Underground Geography GEOG 210 The Nature of Ontario GEOG 212 Political Geography History HIST 110 Canada: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly HIST 203 Monsters of the 20th Century HIST 217 History of War HIST 218 The Making of the Modern World HIST 222 The Age of Europe: From the Enlightenment to 1989 Humanities HUMA 137 Art Matters: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Art HUMA 226 The Arts and the 21st Century Imagination: Longing for Paradise HUMA 235 World Religions HUMA 241 Risky Business: Living in a Dangerous World HUMA 242 Vampires: In Film and Literature HUMA 244 Ordinary Heroes: Extraordinary Lives! HUMA 250 God, Science and Religion Languages SPAN 110 Introductory Spanish 1 Philosophy PHIL 100 Ideas: An Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 110 The Love of Wisdom: An Introduction to Philosophy PHIL 217 Ethical Issues PHIL 225 Philosophy of Love and Sex PHIL 227 Business Ethics PHIL 228 Success: Philosophical Perspectives PHIL 229 Violence, Order and Justice: An Introduction to Political Philosophy PHIL 230 Environmental Ethics Political Science POLS 110 Introduction to Politics POLS 204 Morality, Democracy and Politics POLS 219 Globalization POLS 223 War and Terrorism POLS 224 Justice, Equality and Rights POLS 225 Environmental Policy and Economics Psychology PSYC 110 Psychology - An Introduction PSYC 205 Applied Psychology and Leadership PSYC 207 Psychology of Sport PSYC 210 Psychology - Developmental PSYC 220 Psychology - Social PSYC 230 Psychology - Abnormal Science SCIE 110 The Science of Everything SCIE 208 Water: A Life or Death Issue SCIE 213 Astronomy: The Evolving Universe SCIE 216 Origins of Life SCIE 219 Dangerous Earth SCIE 221 The Environment SCIE 223 Astrobiology: Life in the Universe SCIE 224 Discovering Dinosaurs Sociology SOCE 100 Canadian Society and Culture SOCI 110 Sociology: Introduction SOCI 205 Social Entrepreneurship: Profit, People and the Planet SOCI 219 Sport and Society SOCI 232 Gender, Power and Society SOCI 233 Sociology of Cultural Difference SOCI 234 Society and Conflict SOCI 236 Issues in Crime SOCI 237 Sociology of Fashion SOCI 238 Sociology of Food SOCI 239 Citizenship, Immigration, and Democracy SOCI 240 Sociology of the Family SOCI 246 Sociology of Emotions SOCI 247 Leadership SOCI 249 Imagining the City SOCI 257 Canada Today SOCI 277 Sexual Diversity: Contemporary Social Issues
MDCM 205	Media Law and Ethics Media Law and Ethics Course Code: MDCM 205 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.
MDCM 250	Marketing Marketing Course Code: MDCM 250 This course examines how marketing is practiced as a system of business actions in Canadian business today. Students study the purpose of marketing; the various marketing strategies used to make up an integrated marketing plan; the power of branding and the importance of brand equity and loyalty; the role of internet and social media marketing; the effects of environmental forces on the marketing function; how target customers are identified; the process of market segmentation and positioning; and pricing strategies. They also study integrated marketing plans along with the various methods of evaluating success.
MDCM 251	Website Design and Maintenance 4 Website Design and Maintenance 4 Course Code: MDCM 251 Today?s business websites need to be managed by people other than the site creators themselves. Often, their content must be updated and reworked daily by employees who are not XHTML specialists, which is why personal hypertext preprocessor (PHP) is rapidly becoming one of the most popular tools for the development of dynamic web content applications. In this course, students will examine the basics of PHP, Structured Query Language (SQL), MySQL along with utilizing WordPress as a content management system (CMS). Topics include parsing external data, dynamic file management, and secure administrative capabilities.
MDCM 252	Capstone Project/Internship Capstone Project/Internship Course Code: MDCM 252 In this course, students work on internships with external clients for no fewer than 120 hours (a minimum of two full working days per week during February and March). During that time, students apply the skills they have developed in the program in a professional environment. These skills include website development, videography and photography, as well as writing and design. Students will file initial internship reports, generate client needs assessments, and develop communications solutions in their capstone projects. Daily activities will be assigned by the internship supervisor. Students will demonstrate problem solving abilities, exhibit effective communication skills, and may work as members of a team. Students are expected to behave professionally at all times with respect to attendance and performance. Failure to meet the standards set by the placement will result in dismissal from the internship and failure in the course.
MDCM 253	Advanced Design Advanced Design Course Code: MDCM 253 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 103 Digital Design. This course will explore best practice and procedures used in creating computer generated designs using Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop.

Diploma to Degree

Humber offers pathways from Ontario college diplomas to Humber degrees. Find out where your diploma can take you.

You can also choose another postsecondary institution. Humber has formal articulation agreements indicating the specific transfer arrangements from a Humber program to a particular degree program, as well as general policies on admissions at specific institutions. Click here to find out more.

May 2013 Program Availability

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Media Communications

School of Media Studies & Information Technology

Our Program

Your Career

Work Placement

Your Future Study Options

Admission Requirements

Fees / Scholarships

Curriculum (View the 2012/13 Curriculum)

Semester 1

An Introduction to Arts and Science

Photography and Digital Imaging 1

Website Design and Maintenance 1

Digital Design

Communications Strategies

College Reading and Writing Skills

Semester 2

General Education Elective

Media Writing

Photography and Digital Imaging 2

Website Design and Maintenance 2

Videography 1

Workplace Writing Skills

Semester 3

New Media Writing

Website Design and Maintenance 3

Videography 2

Portfolio Development

Project Management Skills

Semester 4

General Education Elective

Media Law and Ethics

Marketing

Website Design and Maintenance 4

Capstone Project/Internship

Advanced Design

Diploma to Degree