Multimedia Communication & Graphic Design

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Carponelli, Siebert, Steffen

Department Mission Statement

Simpson’s Department of Communication and Media Studies seeks to produce accomplished practicioners and consumers of communication and media texts for the purpose of promoting democratic citizenship in accord with the larger mission of Simpson College.  It does so through promoting integrative learning that enables students of all ages to develop intellectual and practical skills; nurturing values that foster personal worth and individuality within a creative, diverse and just community; graduating students who continue to grow as free, responsible and fulfilled individuals in the world of family, work, service and scholarship; and drawing upon the college’s relationship with the United Methodist Church and its religious traditions, which guide us on issues of personal integrity, moral responsibility, social justice and global citizenship. 

The department accomplishes its mission by offering major and minor courses of study in Multimedia Journalism and in Integrated Marketing Communication.  Consistent with the goals of a liberal education, students enrolled in a major program of study in Communication and Media Studies must pursue a second major or a minor program of study outside of the department. 

Communication and Media Studies distinctively balances and integrates research and theory with practice.  These include attention to speaking, writing and critical-thinking skills, all of which are essential to a student’s experience at Simpson.  Furthermore, Communication and Media Studies is an area of study instrumental in improving any political, economic, cultural or social institution.  Graduates of the program should be able to critically examine communication behaviro with the goal of discerning the structures, patterns and effects necessary for facilitating a higher quality of communication.  Graduates of the program should also be able to succeed in a professional environment and ultimately take leadership roles in their professions and communities. 

Program Orientations

Professional Presentation Orientation: Graduates of the program will be able to gather, present and edit information in a variety of contexts to general and specialized audiences and publics. 

Research and Critical Thinking Orientation: Graduates of the program will demonstrate an ability to seek and integrate high-quality research for the purposes of knowing, comprehending, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating their own insights into the professional and academic study of Communication and Media Studies.  Also, graduates of the program will understand and embrace the historical, legal and ethical basis of a free and responsible system of communication, while also understanding the roles that communication plays in developing individuals and social institutions. 

Professional Development Orientation: Graduates of the program will demonstrate the development of their professional skills through the completion of career exploration experiences, practice and internships. 

Policy on Major-Minor Combinations

Effective Fall 2017, students majoring in a Multimedia Communication program of study may choose to major or minor in another department if there are no more than three courses in common between the programs.  Students may not choose more than a double major or a major-minor in Multimedia Communication. 

New York and Washington Media Experience Programs

Students in Communication & Media Studies at Simpson have opportunities to take part in unique semester-long internship programs in New York City and Washington, D.C.  Simpson students may take advantage of a cooperative New York Media Experience Program administered by Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.  Simpson students have in the past interned through this program at Fox News Channel, CBS News, CBS Productions, Sports Illustrated magazine and Interscope Records.  Through the college’s Capitol Hill Internship Program, students have interned at Free Speech Radio Network, USA Today, the Student Press Law Center, Roll Call newspaper and congressional offices.  See the department chair for more information. 

Senior Portfolios in Communication & Media Studies

Majors in Communication & Media Studies are required to build and maintain a portfolio of their written and creative work throughout their tenure in the department.  Portfolios are a compliation of work completed during a student’s academic career and must be successfully accepted by the department prior to graduation.  Porfolios are collected as part of the student’s senior seminar course. 

Graphic Design

Justin Nostrala

The Graphic Design Major at Simpson College includes extensive, focused studies in design and technical aspects of Graphic Design.  Through courses that use the latest software design programs students will have the opportunity to learn the principles of effective visual communication while determining their personal niche within the graphic design industry. 

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