Communication BA Tracks

ICTs & Policy

This track focuses on information and communication technologies (ICTs) and how they are shaped by, as well as influence, society. Students learn how ICTs such as the Internet, social media, mobile phones, online gaming and virtual worlds, digital video, peer-to-peer networks, and other emerging network technologies are used around the world. The Capstone Project in ICTs and Policy will focus on specific ICT and policy problems related to Hawai'i and the Asia-Pacific region. There will be several options, including: a traditional research project related to some aspect of ICTs, a policy analysis presenting alternatives to address an issue related to ICTs, an applied technology project related to ICTs. Other possibilities are negotiable. The capstone course includes written reflection and portfolio components common to all capstone courses in COM.

Communication in Communities

This track focuses on communication in social, organizational and professional communities ranging from small groups working together face-to-face or online to large organizations communicating with international publics. Intercultural communication, international communication, organizational communication and public relations are traditional academic areas of scholarship that inform this track. The Capstone in Communication in Communities will involve project development within either local or global communities. Project options may include a public relations campaign, an organizational communication audit, or a program for preparing, training, and supporting people in dealing with cultural diversity. Students will explore specific project ideas in consultation with the professor and client organizations. The capstone course includes written reflection and portfolio components common to all capstone courses in COM.

Media Arts

Digital cinema and multimedia are two production tracks within media arts. Digital Cinema combines learning of single camera production skills in narrative with documentary style filmmaking. Pre-production, production and postproduction filmmaking skills are constructed with essential aesthetic values that go beyond technical application to theory, criticism and cinema history. Multimedia combines design aesthetics with production knowledge such as web content design and video streaming. Software programs used include Photoshop, Flash and other moving image applications. Students in the media arts sequence may choose one of two capstone courses (digital cinema or multimedia). The media arts capstone courses include a comprehensive media project and written reflection and portfolio components common to all capstone courses in COM.