Visual Communication & Digital Media Certificate

Do you have a story to tell? A cause to support? A campaign to launch? Do you wish to educate, influence, advocate, or inspire? This certificate gives you powerful tools to understand and use traditional and new forms of digital media. Through projects and research, you will learn to create, disseminate, and critically analyze images, digital media, and embodied communication. With this 12-hour (four course) certificate, expand your potential to reach new audiences with the power of media.

Communication and Media

What courses will I take?

This certificate consists of four courses for a total of 12 credit hours.

  • Sample Seminars in Visual and Digital Media (6 hrs.)
  • Sample Seminars in Performance Studies (3 hrs.)
  • Sample Seminars in Rhetoric (3 hrs.)

Explore samples of our seminar syllabi descriptions from recent semesters:

Seminars in Visual and Digital Media (6 hrs.)

Social Media

This course dives into the information systems which network our lives through everyday domains: work, school, romance, commerce, conversation, and more. Students will define the physical means of information translation through internet-connected technologies. Students will examine the cause and effect of when digital interconnectedness enters new aspects of our lives and will explore how sustained use of digital tools influences who we are and how we communicate. Students will question who has the power in the relationship between self and machine. By the end of the course, students will develop projects about large social topics like work, race, or transportation, using storytelling on the individual level to further understand and empathize with broad abstract impacts.

Media, Labor, and Power

This course critically examines the complex relationship between media industries, labor practices, and the exercise of power in contemporary society. Students will explore the role of media in shaping public opinion, constructing narratives, and influencing social, cultural, and political dynamics. Through a multidisciplinary lens, students will analyze the labor conditions, production processes, and economic structures within media industries. The course will also delve into the ethical considerations of media production, labor exploitation, and the impact of media consolidation on representation and diversity. By the end of the course, students will have developed a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between media, labor, and power, enabling them to critically engage with the media landscape and advocate for media practices that prioritize ethical labor standards, inclusivity, and democratic media environments.

Sample Seminars in Performance Studies (3 hrs.)

Performing Text

This course in examines the dynamic relationship between text and performance across various artistic disciplines. Students will explore the theories, techniques, and practical applications of interpreting and presenting literary works through live performance. Through a combination of theoretical readings, hands-on exercises, and collaborative projects, students will delve into the nuances of text analysis, character development, vocal expression, physicality, and staging. The course will also explore different performance traditions, including theater, spoken word, storytelling, and interdisciplinary forms, allowing students to develop a broad understanding of the possibilities of performing texts. By the end of the course, students will have gained a deeper appreciation for the intersections of literature and performance, enhanced their interpretive skills, and honed their abilities to bring texts to life in compelling and engaging ways.

Cultural Performance

This course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the diverse ways in which cultures express and embody their identities through various performative practices. Students will delve into the theories, contexts, and artistic forms of cultural performances, including music, dance, theater, rituals, festivals, and other expressive arts. Through critical analysis, experiential learning, and engagement with cultural practitioners, students will examine the socio-cultural significance, historical contexts, and contemporary transformations of these performances. The course will foster an understanding of the complex relationship between cultural performances and identity construction, community cohesion, resistance, and representation. By the end of the course, students will have developed a comprehensive understanding of the power and diversity of cultural performances, enabling them to engage critically with the intersections of art, culture, and society.

Seminars in Rhetoric (3 hrs.)

Rhetoric of Controversy, Argument, and Protest

This course delves into the theory and practice of rhetorical analysis, focusing specifically on controversies, arguments, and protests in public discourse. Students will examine how persuasive communication shapes public opinion, influences social change, and constructs power dynamics in various contexts. Through close examination of speeches, political debates, social media campaigns, and other forms of persuasive discourse, students will develop advanced skills in analyzing rhetorical strategies, argumentation techniques, and the use of language in contentious debates. Additionally, students will explore the ethical dimensions of persuasive communication and critically evaluate the role of rhetoric in promoting social justice and democratic participation. By the end of the course, students will explore performance and rhetoric – the words, actions, bodies, images – of protest, including the 1999 Seattle WTO protests, pornography debates, manufactured scientific controversy, and indigenous activism. 

Rhetoric of Public Advocacy

This course in explores the theories, strategies, and practical applications of persuasive communication in the public sphere. Students will delve into the historical foundations of rhetoric and analyze its role in shaping public opinion, influencing policy decisions, and advocating for social change. Through case studies, rhetorical analysis, and hands-on exercises, students will develop advanced skills in crafting persuasive messages, delivering compelling speeches, and engaging with diverse audiences. The course will also examine the ethical considerations of public advocacy, including issues of power, representation, and social responsibility. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively engage in public advocacy, navigate complex rhetorical situations, and advocate for their chosen causes with clarity and impact. By the end of the course, students will explore examples of public rhetoric including Civil Rights, feminist, LGBTQ, transnational, and environmental advocacy.