Creative industries are a major driver of global growth. Success in this rewarding arena requires mastery of vital advocacy and visibility tools to “break through the clutter” and reach intended audiences. Majors learn how historical and technological changes drive demand for new culture, and dissect how innovators build content, platforms, or services.
Courses immerse students in the specialized terminology, communication, and practices of industries that produce, promote, and distribute creative work. They prepare students to work in companies that need expertise in design, marketing communication, information architecture, copywriting, or promotion. This program offers flexibility and customization — a hallmark of all successful creative industries.
Prospects in the creative industries are strong and diverse. Emerging technology is expanding creative content for smartphones, social media, and digital entertainment, and enabling innovations in distribution and promotion. The major prepares students for careers in: social media, media promotion, sports or entertainment PR, digital and social media, interactive multimedia, social TV, game management, and media planning. The Film and Media Studies Lab in Lindsay Hall provides professional software for photography, screenwriting, film editing, sound mixing, animation, and graphic design. Our state-of-the-art lab gives students hands-on experience in all forms of media production and provides opportunities for them to develop their creative abilities.
For further information about degree requirement policies and guidelines, see the Degree Requirements page.
Major Requirements
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| |
| XD 225 | Designing Experiences | 3 |
| XD 240 | Fundamentals of Design | 3 |
| 6 |
| Introduction to Public Relations | |
| Public Relations Writing | |
| Advanced Visual Communication | |
| Digital Public Relations | |
| Sports Public Relations | |
| Interface Design | |
| Prototyping & Concept Development | |
| Advanced Interaction Design | |
| Human Factors in Experience Design | |
| Selected Topics in Experience Design | |
| Internship in Experience Design | |
| 3 |
| Global Media | |
| The Television Industry | |
| Disney+: Content + Platform | |
| The Business of Media | |
| Hollywood Convergence | |
| Hollywood Rebels: A History of American Independent Film | |
| Films, Franchises, and Fandom: Superheroes in Popular Culture | |
| Money, Power, Communication | |
| Video Game Studies | |
| Popular Music Studies | |
| Internship in English and Media Studies | |
| 9 |
| Introduction to Media Theory | |
| Introduction to Mass Communication | |
| Introduction to Media Production | |
| Introduction to Graphic Design | |
| Writing Fiction | |
| Writing for Drama/Screen | |
| Creative Nonfiction/Essay Writing | |
| Global Media | |
| The Television Industry | |
| Hollywood Convergence | |
| Popular Music Studies | |
| Audio Production | |
| Animation Production | |
| Communication Design: Messages and Means | |
| Podcasting | |
| Fashion Photography | |
| Designing Brands for Change | |
| Selected Topics in English and Media Studies | |
| Internship in English and Media Studies | |
The Business Environment (6 Credits)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| CS 305 | Business Processes and Systems | 3 |
| MG 300 | Strategic Management | 3 |
General Degree Requirements
Foundations for Success (15 Credits)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| FDS 100 | Falcon Discovery Seminar | 3 |
| |
| EMS 101 | Critical Reading and Writing | 3 |
| or EMS 101L | Critical Reading and Writing with Lab |
| or EMS 102 | Critical Reading and Writing for Multilingual Students |
| or EMS 102L | Critical Reading and Writing for Multilingual Students with Lab |
| |
| EMS 104 | Multimodal Communication | 3 |
| or EMS 105 | Multimodal Communication for Multilingual Students |
| CS 100 | Solving Business Problems with Information Technology | 3 |
| |
| MA 105 | Mathematical Foundations for Business | 3 |
| or MA 105L | Mathematical Foundations for Business with Lab |
| or MA 107 | Applied Calculus for Business |
| or MA 107L | Applied Calculus for Business with Lab |
| or MA 131 | Calculus I |
| or MA 131L | Calculus I with Lab |
Context and Perspectives (18 Credits)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Business Dynamics/Business Administration Minor (18 Credits)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| |
| AC 115 | Introduction to Financial Reporting and Analysis | 3 |
| EC 111 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| FI 118 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| LA 100 | Business Law | 3 |
| MG 116 | Human Dynamics in Organizations | 3 |
| ST 113 | Business Statistics | 3 |
Communication Intensive
All students are required to take a three-credit course designated as a Communication Intensive. This requirement can be met within a variety of course subjects in both Arts & Sciences and Business. Communication Intensive courses are designated with a "Communication Intensive" course tag in Workday. Transfer students with a minimum of 30 credits will be waived from the Communication Intensive requirement.
Please note that certain majors have an additional three-credit Communication Intensive built into their major requirements, separate from the general CI requirement.
Additional Requirements
Arts and Sciences Electives (15 Credits)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| 15 |
Unrestricted Electives (24 Credits)
Course List | Course | Title | Credits |
| 24 |
Total: 120 Credits
