Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications

Code

Course Name

Credits

• ENGL100

  English Language Writing Skills

  3

• • The development of essential university-level English skills including academic writing techniques and reading comprehension. Emphasis is placed on clarity of expression, word choice, and the practical elements of grammar and punctuation. Writing exercises will teach students to write clearly, persuasively, and correctly. This course is strongly recommended for all undergraduate students.

• BUSM200

  Introduction to Business

  3

• • An overview of the different forms and functions of business. Examine concepts of organizational structure, business finance and accounting, risk management, corporate responsibility, and stakeholder and employee relations.

• MDCM200

  Media and Society

  3

• • Study the means and mediums of mass media and mass communications in contemporary society. An overview of media institutions, dissemination of news, professional fields, and the effect of media on society.

• ECON103

  Principles of Microeconomics

  3

• • An introduction to the theory and policies and microeconomics. Learn the concepts of market systems, price determination, supply and demand, exchange and trade, and income distribution in the Canadian economy.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• ENGL105

  Contemporary Literature: Drama and Narrative

  3

• • A close study of contemporary drama and the novel. Selected screenplays and works of literature by Canadian authors are critically evaluated. Writing assignments including interpretive essays utilize academic writing skills.

• MATH101

  Foundation Mathematics

  3

• • An introduction to basic university-level mathematics in the context of business and social science applications. Problem-solving skills are taught in the areas of linear algebra, exponential growth, basic statistics, and time series analysis. Students will apply these concepts to a variety of problems such as compound interest, annuities, present value, data analysis, and Markov Matrices. Prerequisite: At least a grade of C in BC Mathematics 11 (Principles of Mathematics) or the equivalent.

• ECOL108

  Introduction to Ecology

  3

• • Examine basic principles of ecology with focus on the impact of humans on the natural environment. Study biotic and abiotic conditions, population, ecosystem structure, and concepts of the conservation and preservation of ecosystems.

• ECON109

  Principles of Macroeconomics

  3

• • An introduction to the theory and policies of macroeconomics in the Canadian economy. Gain a basic knowledge of employment, inflation, national and domestic income, monetary and fiscal policy, and international trade.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• PSYC107

  Fundamentals of Psychology

  3

• • An introduction to the study of human development including aspects of personality and social psychological processes. Other topics include theories of intelligence, social behaviour, and behaviour disorders.

• SOCI203

  Introduction to Sociology

  3

• • Explore theories and methods of contemporary social structure. Themes in this course include culture, gender, race and ethnicity, deviance, economy and politics, urbanization, education, and global and social stratification.

• PHIL202

  Moral Philosophy

  3

• • An introduction to theories and case studies surrounding moral philosophy. Discuss historical and methodological concepts of ethics and the morality of human conduct. Moral philosophy builds a foundation for future study in the professions of medicine, business and law.

• POLI102

  Politics and Government

  3

• • An introduction to the origins and structure of the Canadian government. Course topics include the function of the Commons, Senate, Cabinet System, Prime Minister, and the role of political parties. Both current affairs and historic moments in politics will be studied.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• HIST200

  History of Canada to 1867

  3

• • Canadian history from the 16th century to the Confederation in 1867. Survey of the New World settlement, rise and fall of New France, American Revolution, development of British North America, impact on Aboriginal peoples, and Confederation in 1867.

• BIOL204

  Modern Biology

  3

• • An introduction to biological sciences with a focus on evolutionary, cellular, and ecological biology. Course emphasis on the diversity of living organisms, evolution theories, community ecology, and ecosystems.

• GEOG104

  Physical Geography

  3

• • An introduction to basic systematic approaches in the study of modern physical geography, including the climate, vegetation, soil, water, and landforms as components of environmental systems; interrelationships among the components; spatial patterns of environmental systems over the earth; changes in the systems through time; human impacts on natural systems. An emphasis on quantitative skills of modern geography, through the study of physical geography.

• MATH209

  Statistics

  3

• • This course's goal is to give students an appreciation of statistical thinking for business applications. An understanding of how to properly utilize statistics will strengthen your ability to deal with day-to-day operations. You will be provided a statistics toolkit and will learn how to use it for probability assessment of uncontrollable events (or factors) and other risk management tasks. This math course is worth 3 credits towards your bachelor degree.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• BUSM301

  Advertising

  3

• • Explore the sociological and psychological relationship between advertising messages and target audiences. Learn about the legal, ethical and moral issues regarding advertising in contemporary society. Practice effective techniques of copywriting and learn how to develop advertising campaigns.

• BUSM206

  Business Environment

  3

• • An introduction to the capitalist marketplace and economic environment in contemporary Canadian business. Students examine the impact of government policies, financial markets, ethics, and global economics on business.

• BUSM207

  Marketing Management

  3

• • Analyze marketing and advertising concepts and their impact on consumer society. Learn fundamental marketing strategies and advertising principles that complement organizational goals. Students will also study the emergence of the Internet as a tool for marketing and advertising.

• BUSM205

  Organizational Behavior

  3

• • This course investigates the dynamics of human behavior within the context of organizations. Three levels of analysis are focused upon: individual, group and organization. The goal is to develop analytical skill to decrease the number of unintended consequences occuring because of the interface between human nature and organization rules and structures.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• BUTM312

  E-Business

  3

• • This course highlights the growing business model of electronic commerce. Study the changing relationship between business and the online community by examining issues of website design, Internet security, data exchange, Internet marketing, and electronic financial transactions. Legal and intellectual property issues are also discussed.

• MDCM202

  Information Gathering

  3

• • This course surveys methods and strategies for acquiring information of use to the various mass media. Areas of examination include records, databases, sources and interview methods.

• MDCM204

  Visual Communication in Mass Media

  3

• • Study models of effective visual communications in newspapers, magazines, video, advertising, and public relations. Compare and discuss visual communications tools such as graphic design, illustration, signs, and typography.

• MDCM203

  Writing for Media

  3

• • Develop professional, specialized writing skills for various channels of media. Students will consider different target audiences, mediums, and writing styles. Develop an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the public communicator.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• MDCM303

  Legal and Ethical Issues in Mass Media

  3

• • An overview of the legal framework and ethical issues in mass media. Topics include media ownership and flow of information, free speech, privacy, journalistic privilege, advertising, and access to public records.

• MDCM301

  Media and Government

  3

• • The theory and practice of mass media and government relations. Examine media coverage on the government and the government’s regulation and monitoring of media practices.

• MDCM302

  Public Affairs

  3

• • Examine the mass media’s responsibility to disseminate information about politics and public policy in modern democratic society. The study of public affairs is related to topics in government, law, politics, finance, education, science, and culture.

• MDCM304

  Technical Writing and Business Communications

  3

• • Develop effective technical writing skills for business communications. Practice language skills, message development and character, assessment of audience levels, and clarity of vocabulary. Analyze the importance of formal communications in a business setting.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• MDCM402

  Advanced Media and Communication Writing

  3

• • Develop advanced writing skills for various channels of media including print, audio, video, online applications, and multimedia presentations. Determine target audience, media outlet, and communication objectives for effective media writing.

• MDCM306

  Communication Theory

  3

• • Survey of contemporary social, scientific, and humanistic theories of mediated communication. Examine the relationship between the media and human society through the creation of shared meanings and understandings.

• BUSM409

  Emerging Global Issues in Business

  3

• • Throughout this class, you will examine a broad spectrum of current global issues that affect business. The course will teach you to identify emerging problems in world, analyze news stories and decide how they will affect businesses that choose to operate internationally. You will also learn about international trade; global monetary systems; ethics of international finance, accounting and taxation; corporate social responsibility; and international human resource management. This business course is worth 3 credits towards your bachelor degree.

• BUTM403

  Technology, Culture and the Future

  3

• • This course examines the influence of the information age on daily life in organizations and homes. You will learn about the integration of digital technologies and explore phenomena like the downloading syndrome. This course is worth 3 credits towards your bachelor degree.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• GRES400-401

  Graduation Essay

  6

• • This course carries over two terms. Students will write an original essay on an approved topic related to their degree program. The essay must be 8,000 to 10,000 words long, written in a standard format as described by the course instructor at the beginning of the course, and presented to the class at the end of the term.

• MDCM305

  Public Relations in Practice and Theory

  3

• • An introduction to the principles of strategic public relations and communications. Study the use of communication planning, crisis communication, publicity, and issues management in public relations agencies and organizations. Examine methods of measurement, evaluation, and two-way communications.

• CDRS313

  Research Methodology

  3

• • This course examines business-appropriate research methods. Areas of concentration include the elements of a good research topic, data collection methods, primary vs. secondary data and research ethics. Students will learn to critically review business literature and write and present results. At the end of this course, students should be able to pick a topic for study and prepare and submit a Research Ethics Proposal that is to be submitted within one month of completion of the course. The proposal is in preparation for the CDRS 410/411 Directed Research Project. This research course is worth 3 credits towards your bachelor degree.

• MDCM401

  The Business and Economics of Mass Media

  3

• • Study the mass media as a corporate structure in the market economy. Analyze the mass media in the areas of globalization, production and distribution, investment, ownership, taxes, work force, and finance and economics.

Code

Course Name

Credits

• CAPS407

  Cultural and Political Systems

  3

• • An overview of modern cultural and political systems including major religious, philosophical, historical, and economic affairs in society. This course will focus on the dynamics of religion and culture in relation to contemporary issues in diplomacy. Case studies in terrorism and military responses to current affairs will be discussed.

• CAPS409

  Ecosystems and Sustainable Development

  3

• • Study the unique global issues of natural and human ecosystems and sustainable development in contemporary society. Topics include the impact of human activity on the world’s energy systems, global climate change, and the endangered areas of fisheries, forests and deserts. Learn about the economy of sustainable development and its direction and goals for the future.

• GRES400-401

  Graduation Essay

  6

• • This course carries over two terms. Students will write an original essay on an approved topic related to their degree program. The essay must be 8,000 to 10,000 words long, written in a standard format as described by the course instructor at the beginning of the course, and presented to the class at the end of the term.

• CAPS408

  Major Scientific and Technological Studies

  3

• • Examine a broad range of topics including theories of evolution, relativity, genomics, tectonic plates, earth systems, digital technologies, and advanced technological discoveries. Analyze the dynamic relationship and interaction between these topics and modern society.