MA in Global Communications: Digital Cultures and Industries Track

Track Description

This track is designed for students who want to meet the challenges of the changing landscape of global communications, and gain practical mastery of digital communications media literacies, including social media strategy, digital copywriting, multimedia storytelling through film and podcasting, visual design, coding, and data analysis and visualization. Students on this track gain access to a variety of career pathways in digital media production such as branding, advertising and public relations; film, television and design; and journalism and writing.

The rapid rise of digital media following the ubiquity of the internet has brought new conceptions of identity and community, and shifted the way we network, socialize, conduct business and engage with politics and activism into spaces that are increasingly digital.  These media are situated within rapidly changing global cultures and the economic context of communications industries themselves.  


In the digital era, it is vital that our students take a critical approach when it comes to information and data. AUP’s approach emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, exposure to industry professions and the combination of theoretical comprehension and practical skills prepares students to navigate fast-paced digital careers and ask the questions needed to thrive in this transforming digital world.

Alongside the skills developed through core MAGC courses, the Digital Cultures and Industries Track focuses on topics such as:

  • the rise of digital media and ongoing global debates about its use;
  • the cultural, economic and political transformations that have accompanied such a rise;
  • mobile media and the new app economy;
  • data and algorithmic cultures;
  • data overload and fake news;
  • digital global advocacy; and
  • digital tools in context.

Digital Cultures and Industries students also have access to a limited number of electives from across global communications and other relevant disciplines, including those in brands and belief, politics and economics of global media, and advanced video production.

Find out more about the requirements of the general track on the main program page.

Students work in the quai

Structure

MA in Global Communications,  Digital Cultures and Industries Track: Program Requirements (48 credits)

The MA in Global Communications is a 48-credit program, regardless of which track is selected. All courses listed below are 4-credit courses unless otherwise noted. 

Please note that all requirements from previous years can be found in our archive catalogs.

Core Courses (16 credits)

Course NumberCourse Name
CM5001Global Communications
CM5004Global Digital Cultures
CM5016Digital Advocacy: Within/Without Borders
CM5018Digital Tools in Context

 

Track Electives (16 credits)
Select four courses from the following list.

Course NumberCourse Name
CM5002Brands and Belief
CM5020MODMAGC Module: 
Choose two modules (2 credits each)
CM5020MOD
CM5026Politics and Economics of Global Media
CM5060Visual Culture, Theory and Communication
CM5062Digital Media Writing Practicum
CM5080Visual Design Practicum
CM5091Topics in Communications
(Changes each semester. Is selectable if relevant to student’s chosen track.)

 

Open Electives (8 credits)

Students choose two additional elective courses from among all other MAGC course offerings (coded CM5) or selected courses from other master’s programs when relevant.  

Internship, Thesis or Applied Project (6 credits) and Compulsory Seminar (2 credits)

Course numberCourse Name

CM5095INPR

or

GR5096

or

CM5098INT

Thesis

or

Applied Project Capstone

or

Internship

Plus compulsory 2-credit seminar

GR5093

or

GR5099

Global Workplace Cultures: Internship Seminar

or

Thesis Seminar

 

Timeline: Coursework and Research Master’s

The MA in Global Communications, Digital Cultures and Industries Track can be completed over three to four semesters, including Summer semester. The length of an internship or thesis may vary; however, many students choose to take additional time for these components.

    FallSpringSummerFall 2
    3 core courses2 core courses2 elective coursesInternship/Thesis*
    1 track elective course2 track elective courses  
     Internship/Thesis Seminar (2 credits)  
    16 credits18 credits8 credits6 credits

    * The length of the internship or thesis may vary. Many students choose to take additional time for these components.

    Required GPA

    Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. Students with a GPA of less than 3.00 will be placed on probation. Only two grades of C (or C+) may be counted towards an MA degree. Students do not earn credit for grades below C.

    SpringSummerFallSpring 2
    3 core courses2 elective courses2 core coursesInternship/Thesis*
    1 track elective course 2 track elective courses 
      Internship/Thesis Seminar (2 credits) 
    16 credits8 credits18 credits6 credits

    * The length of the internship or thesis may vary. Many students choose to take additional time for these components.

    Required GPA

    Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. Students with a GPA of less than 3.00 will be placed on probation. Only two grades of C (or C+) may be counted towards an MA degree. Students do not earn credit for grades below C.

    1st Semester2nd Semester3rd Semester
    3 core courses2 core courses2 elective courses
    1 track elective course2 track elective coursesInternship/Thesis*
     Internship/Thesis Seminar (2 credits) 
    16 credits18 credits14 credits

    * The length of the internship or thesis may vary. Many students choose to take additional time for these components.

    Required GPA

    Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. Students with a GPA of less than 3.00 will be placed on probation. Only two grades of C (or C+) may be counted towards an MA degree. Students do not earn credit for grades below C.