As every level of society is digitized in increasingly complex and innovative ways, communications graduates need to keep developing multiple and highly sophisticated skills and knowledge. The twenty-first century is digital.

The optional Digital Cultures and Industries track within the Master of Art in Global Communications (MAGC) replaces the Visual and Material Culture track and offers an innovative and interdisciplinary focus on the central importance of digital technologies in today’s world.

 

Connect to the Network: Theory and Practice

How we communicate is in flux. From new conceptions of identity and community, to the shifting ground of virtual space and global networks, to revolutions in commerce, politics and activism: digital media have helped us create a brave new world. The Digital Cultures and Industries track helps students to meet the challenge of this world with a suite of up-to-the-minute critical and practical courses that can be tailored to different career pathways.

Students acquire in-depth knowledge of theories, contexts, and practices of digital media and their relationship to global cultures and communications industries. Building on a solid base of critical thought on the rise of digital media and current global debates, students may also study specialized topics such as mobile media, the new app economy, data and algorithmic cultures, and digital advocacy. And to put ideas into action, choose from hands-on courses teaching skills such as data analysis and visualization, social media strategy, digital writing, multimedia storytelling, visual design, and coding. Learning from digital media scholars and industry professionals alike, students are primed with the critical and practical skills and emerging literacies required to thrive and adapt in a transforming digital world.  

 

Ideal Candidates

Students pursuing this track may come from various backgrounds of work and study –advertising and PR, design and film, sociology, anthropology and psychology, writing and journalism—or be interested in pursuing careers in those fields. Whichever their individual talents, the Digital Cultures and Industries track prepares students for professional careers at the changing face of communications or further graduate study in emerging fields. 

 

Structure of the Specialized Track

As in the regular MA in Global Communications program, coursework can be completed in three semesters, including the summer. The length of the internship or thesis may vary, however—many students choose to take additional time for these components.

The program requirements for the MAGC Digital Cultures and Industries Track are as follows:

  • Four mandatory core courses (16 credits)
  • Four track electives (16 credits)
  • Two open elective courses chosen from all Global Communications graduate course offerings and selected offerings from the other graduate programs (8 credits)
  • Final project: thesis or internship (8 credits)