Students of the Communications and Multimedia (CMD) program explore different communication model and theories that explain how, why, when, what and where humans of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds communicate. Overall, the CMD program teaches students skills in critical thinking and analysis, media production, media design, media writing, and animation.

To accomplish the above, the CMD program employs a flexible approach that allows students to become a Communication and Multimedia generalist, or to specialize in any of the professional concentrations, including advertising, print journalism, multimedia design, and TV/Film. Each concentration offers a balanced mixture of basic and advanced laboratory and lecture courses. Laboratory courses sharpen students' skills, while lecture courses enable students to view the profession from a variety of perspectives. Students also have the option to double-concentrate. In effect, graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in Communications & Multimedia (B.Sc. CM) with the concentration [s] duly noted.

Classes are taught in state-of-the-art computer labs and classrooms. The networked labs are equipped with the latest software and served by in-house servers and databases. Separate Mac labs designed for advertising, graphics, photo-journalism, and multimedia are equipped with appropriate film and flatbed scanners, CD/DVD drives and burners, DV decks, and printers.

The CMD curriculum is applied and practical, with great sensitivity to developing country context and relevance. The goal is to help develop the next generation of highly skilled and informed multimedia communications professionals and leaders to aid the needs of Nigeria in particular, as well as those of sub-Saharan African Economies and developing countries in general. All students are required to take two intensive entrepreneurship courses from our School of Entrepreneurship and Business.

Upon completion of all degree requirements, students shall receive a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Multimedia, with a concentration in any of the following: Advertising, Journalism, Multimedia Design and Television/Film. To be allowed to declare a concentration, students must be in good academic standing and must have completed 60 credits (at least 30 of them in CMD courses).

Students may elect to declare a no-concentration option, in effect pursuing a general degree in communications and multimedia. Such an option prepares students for a comprehensive understanding of the various disciplines contributing to the profession.

Career Directions

Communications and Multimedia graduates can embark upon rewarding and prosperous careers in fields such as government or corporate relations, advertising management, marketing communications, digital design, animation, media production, mediation, public affairs, public policy, media policy and regulation, speech writing, print, electronic or online reporting and/or editing, media planning and buying, sales promotions, public relations, etc.

Concentrations:

Advertising
The advertising concentration introduces students to the branding of products through marketing communications tools. The training involves understanding consumer behavior, targeting audiences, deciding strategy, and creating goal-directed advertising campaigns. Students are exposed to new approaches to marketing communications, including direct
marketing, promotions, events marketing, e-marketing/e-advertising, and the interactive media. In effect, the concentration is a training ground for ad account executives, media planners, media buyers, ad layout & design specialists, ad copy writers, brand managers, interactive media advertising specialists, marketing communications researchers.

Journalism
The journalism concentration introduces students to basic writing skills needed in journalism: copy editing, grammar, and style rules, along with the basics of reporting, and writing, and editing. Students learn fair and accurate reporting while using multiple sources. Most journalism graduates plan to seek jobs in newspapers (online and print), magazines (online and print), wire services, special interest publications. In short, the AUN journalism concentration is a training ground for careers as electronic and print reporters, editors, producers, copywriters, scriptwriters, news/project managers, copy editors, correspondents, columnists, or editorial writers.

Multimedia Design
The multimedia concentration provides students with the skills needed to succeed as professionals in photojournalism, graphic design, multiple media use and applications, digital audio and video production, media producing, animation, videography, multimedia design, web design. Skills are taught within the context of visual storytelling assignments and include a thorough discussion of communications ethics and standards.

Television/Film
The TV/film program is designed for students interested in joining the ranks of young, professional TV programs producers and filmmakers. Students learn the rudiments of organizing and structuring audio and visual material in cinematic formats. Students are exposed to scriptwriting, basic television and film production, cinematography, film directing, third world cinema, documentary film, film criticism and blacks in film. Students learn to write, direct, edit, and exhibit short films on celluloid, and they develop critical thinking in order to analyze the powerful aesthetic, psychological, and socio-political influences of film and TV media.

To talk to a faculty adviser, please contact Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob, Interim Associate Dean of School of Arts & Sciences at Rm 212 A&S Building or [email protected].