Program: Communication and Digital Media Studies - Ontario Tech University

General information

Communications and digital media are everywhere and in everything. Journalists, public affairs officers, content creators, entertainment makers, branding experts, digital storytellers, social media influencers, consumers, activists and citizens use all kinds of media every day to create, send, and receive messages and images about the world, with the goal of changing it in some way. In the Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Digital Media Studies (CDMS), students learn about the fast-changing communication and digital media environment in which we live, work, play, vote and influence; analyze the social dimensions and impacts of many media forms; and hone professional communication and digital media knowledge and skills linked to thousands of new 21st century careers. Our program’s high-quality and socially relevant curriculum is designed to provide learners with a strong foundation in the theory, research, analysis, creation, and professional practice of communication and digital media. From a look at the global creative and entertainment industries to immersion in new developments surrounding the Internet and social media platforms, our curriculum explores the fast-changing world of communication and digital media in relation to the dynamics of the broader society and culture that shape them. Students learn about the uses, roles, goals, arts, industries, audiences, policies, technologies, practices, messages, and effects of communication and digital media in relation to the pursuit of social justice and a good life for all. Throughout the program, students develop their civic and professional knowledge and skills, analyze and apply strategies, tactics and best practices, hone creative and critical media literacies, and assess the impacts of the professional application of communication and digital media in modern society and culture. To learn more about our program, visit our website.

Creativity, Digital Arts and Entertainment Industries specialization

From Hollywood to Silicon Valley, creativity is core to the globe’s largest entertainment industries, and the world has become a stage for all kinds of digital creators, artists and influencers. Whether made by a big studio or a YouTuber, new ideas, styles, artworks, apps, movies, TV series, games, songs, ads, and videos spread around the world. Creativity is now everywhere and in everything, and the digital arts and entertainment industries are used to educate, distract, delight, persuade. But what is creativity and how does it intersect with business and entrepreneurship, law, politics and policy and new technology? How can we use the new digital arts to tell impactful stories about the world to make the social changes we want to see? In the Specialized Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Digital Media Studies (CDMS) - Creativity, Digital Arts and Entertainment Industries, you will learn about creativity, the digital arts and the entertainment industries in relation to the social environment that shapes them. You will explore the political economy of the creative industries, the legal, policy and regulatory environment that supports and sometimes stymies what digital media creators do and say on the Internet, and design and communicate ideas, images and stories to resonate with audiences and have a social impact. The Specialized program’s high-quality and socially relevant curriculum will provide you with a strong foundation in the theory, research, analysis, and professional practice of communication and digital media, and its emphasis on creativity, digital arts and entertainment industries will open pathways to thousands of new and emerging 21st century careers. To learn more about our specialized program, visit our website.

Strategic Communication, Social Media and Society specialization

Communications and digital media are everywhere and in everything. Journalists, public affairs officers, content creators, entertainment makers, branding experts, digital storytellers, social media influencers, consumers, activists and citizens use all kinds of media every day to create, send, and receive messages and images about the world, with the goal of changing it in some way. In the Specialized Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Digital Media Studies (CDMS) - Strategic Communication, Social Media and Society, students learn about the fast-changing strategic and social media communications environment in which a wide range of communicators, from companies to governments to militaries to political parties to non-profit advocacy and activist movements, use social media platforms such as Twitter, TikTok and YouTube to inform, influence and change society. Strategic communication encompasses PR, public affairs, advertising, propaganda, media activism and online influence, and represents how all organizations, groups and individuals in our digital society undertake purposeful goal-oriented communication to effect change. In the Strategic Communication, Social Media & Society specialization, you will analyze strategic communications in relation to the economics, politics, technologies, and cultures of the Internet and social media platforms, and hone knowledge and skills linked to thousands of new 21st century careers. Our program’s high-quality and socially relevant curriculum is designed to provide you with a strong foundation in the theory, research, analysis, creation, and professional practice of strategic communication and social media and help you get up to speed with and ahead of the fast-changing world of strategic communication and social media in relation to the dynamics of the broader society and culture that shape them. Students learn about the uses, roles, goals, arts, industries, audiences, policies, technologies, practices, messages, and effects of strategic communication and social media in relation to the pursuit of a good life for all. Throughout the program, students develop their civic and professional knowledge and skills, hone strategic and social media literacies, and assess the impacts of the professional application of strategic communication and social media in modern society and culture. To learn more about our program, visit our website.

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 enrol in up to two additional courses (six credits) per semester. These courses 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. New in 2023-2024, the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities will offer a double major in Legal Studies and Political Science that is 120 credit hours to complete.

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 and or major specialization areas 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. Although reasonable efforts will be made to adhere to the CDMS program major and major specialization maps, course requirements and term offerings may change.

Required first-year courses for all Bachelor of Arts students in Communication and Digital Media Studies [18 credit hours]

Communication and Digital Media Studies major [102 credit hours]

Total [120 credit hours]

Communication and Digital Media Studies major with Creativity, Digital Arts and Entertainment Industry specialization [102 credit hours]

Communication and Digital Media Studies major with Strategic Communication, Social Media and Society specialization [102 credit hours]

Note:

Not all courses will be offered every term, and some courses have prerequisites. A limited number of courses from the above lists of required and optional courses may be substituted with courses required in other curricular maps for joint CDMS specializations and minors with other programs inside and outside of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities.

****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.