Oct 16, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Academic Calendar 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Academic Calendar [ARCHIVED CALENDAR]

Communication and Digital Media Studies


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General information


The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Digital Media Studies (Honours) program offers a four-year degree with a high-quality, socially relevant curriculum designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the theory and practice of communication in the 21st century. This program emphasizes digital media and social justice and equity, while providing a broad-based liberal education in communication studies in a range of courses designed to impart professionally relevant communication skills. The curriculum explores crucial developments in human communication, from oral traditions and the emergence of literacy to the development of contemporary social media, with an emphasis on how changes in communication technologies and practices shape culture and society. The courses are designed to help students not only to understand the role of communication in society, but also teach how communication can be employed to promote social justice and equity. Students are given the opportunity to develop communication skills and to relate them to developments in the economy and society, with attention to practical applications in such sectors as corporate communication and social advocacy. The curriculum provides insights into the role of communication in the Canadian and global contexts.

Admission requirements


Admission is competitive. The specific average or standing required for admission varies from year to year. Students are selected by taking into consideration a wide range of criteria including school marks, distribution of subjects taken, and performance in subjects relevant to the academic program. Possession of the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Preference will be given to applicants with the best qualifications.

Current Ontario secondary school students must complete the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with six 4U or 4M credits including English (ENG4U). All other applicants should refer to admissions  for the requirements for their specific category of admission.

Practicum


A limited number of fourth-year students are granted an opportunity to participate in a learning experience with a community organization. The Practicum course consists of 100 hours of fieldwork, in-class seminars, a set of academic assignments and a major research paper and poster. As part of the pre-practicum process, students will be required to acquire a Vulnerable Sector check. For additional information, please refer to the course description for SSCI 4098U .

Internship


This program offers students who have successfully completed three years of study with a cumulative 3.0 GPA (B average on a 4.3 scale), an opportunity to engage in a work-integrated learning partnership with organizations locally and globally. The internship program not only gives students an opportunity to apply classroom concepts to the challenges of organizational life, but also helps them to gain valuable and relevant work experience to promote networking and life-long career success.

The internship program placement equates to a minimum of 280 hours of paid or unpaid field experience. The intern’s wages, where applicable, are paid by the sponsoring organization over a contracted period. The Faculty may provide links to various internship placement opportunities or a student may secure an internship opportunity that meets the criteria as prescribed by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities. Successful work placement completion and both a verbal and written final project will result in the intern receiving a mark and three credits toward the Honours Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.

Admission to the internship program is competitive. While students are participating in an internship program, they may enroll in up to one additional course (3 credits) per semester. This course must not interfere with the internship schedule outlined by the employer. For additional information, please refer to the course description for SSCI 4103U.

Double majors


Students registered in a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program within the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at the university have the opportunity, in most cases, to combine two majors within the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities concurrently as a double major (note - some restrictions apply). Double major program maps have been approved by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities and are available through the Academic Advising Office. Students undertaking a double major within the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities will, in most cases, be required to complete more than 120 credit hours. Students wishing to declare a double major must consult with the Academic Advising office.

Degree and major requirements


To be eligible for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Communication and Digital Media Studies, students must meet both the degree requirements  and requirements of the major as outlined below for a total of 120 credits. Each year prior to course registration, the order and timing of course offerings will be released by the faculty and communicated to students.

Total [120 credit hours]


Note:


  • Not all Communication electives will be offered every year.
  • Communication elective courses from adjoining years can be chosen with permission of the academic advisor.
  • Communication electives may be chosen as general electives.

****General electives


General electives can be taken at/or adjoining their year level, where permission has been granted and prerequisites have been fulfilled. No more than three 1000-level elective courses can be included and a minimum of three elective courses must be offered by the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities but outside of major and at the 2000-level or higher. ALSU 1101U  is recommended as a general elective in first year.

SSCI 4101U and SSCI 4102U Honours Thesis I and II


In order to be considered for the Honours Thesis I , students must apply during their sixth semester to begin their Honours Thesis I  in semester seven. The course application must include a detailed statement of intent outlining the methodology, theoretical significance and the projected timelines for completion of the project. To proceed to Honours Thesis II , a student must have successfully completed Honours Thesis I with a minimum A- and prepare a written statement outlining the projected timelines for completion of the project.

Please note: only a limited number of applicants will be admitted to the Honours Thesis. Consent is required from both the instructor and the dean.

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