BA Media Communications brochure

BA Media Communications


The Media Communications BA at Webster Leiden is focused on enabling students to create exciting and innovative projects across a wide range of media, as well as teaching basic critical approaches to contemporary media issues. All teaching is delivered in small groups as seminars or as practical workshops. The exceptionally high staff to student ratio creates a supportive environment for students to develop the key strategies and skills needed to succeed in today's complex media industries.

As well as being encouraged to investigate contemporary media using a range of critical tools, students have the opportunity to create moving images, websites and digital photography to a professional standard. The faculty are all experienced professionals who have distinguished national and international track records, and who combine their academic commitments with continuing work in the media industry. The program is currently expanding with the establishment of a purpose fitted digital studio for student creative work, and a more focused integration of theoretical research and the practical and creative aspects of working with inter-active digital media.

The Netherlands' New Media community has an international reputation for creativity and innovation. Webster Leiden is within easy reach of major centers of digital cultural production in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Establishing internships and developing collaborative project work with outside media companies is an active part of our educational strategy.

Degree Requirements:

  • 48 credit hours required courses
  • 44 credit hours elective courses
  • 36 credit hours general education courses
  • Portfolio Review

 Required Courses:

  • MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communications
  • MEDC 1020 Introduction to Media Production
  • MEDC 1050 Introduction to Media Writing, or
  • JOUR 1030 Fundamentals of Reporting
  • MEDC 1630 Introduction to Media Literacy
  • MEDC 2200 Ethics in the Media
  • MEDC 3190 Introduction to Media Research
  • MEDC 4100 The Law and the Media
  • MEDC 4620 Senior Overview, or
  • MEDC 4950 Professional Media Practicum*

 Plus 2 courses from the following:

  • SPCM 1280 Interpersonal Communication
  • MEDC 1500 Applied Media Aesthetics
  • MEDC 2800 Cultural Diversity in the Media
  • MEDC 3260 International Communications

And 1 course from the following:

  • AUDI 1930 Audio Production I
  • PHOT 1000 Photo I
  • INTM 1600 Introduction to Interactive Media
  • VIDE 1810 Video Production I
  • ADVT 1940 Introduction to Marketing Communications
  • BJRN 2410 Introduction to Radio-TV journalism
  • SCPT 2900 Scriptwriting
  • PBRL 2920 Writing for Public Relations

Portfolio Review:
As a student majoring in media communications, you must complete a portfolio of your work after you have completed the following courses:

  • MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communications
  • MEDC 1020 Introduction to Media Production
  • 6 credit hours of any introductory production courses (for example: VIDE 1810, PHOT 1000, FILM 2320, JOUR 1030, AUDI 1000, SCPT 2900, ADVT 2910, PBRL 2920)
  • 3 credit hours of media theory courses

The Department will review your portfolio with you to assess your progress. We can then offer you guidance for your academic program and career goals.

Capstone Course Requirement
The capstone course is an advanced course in which you demonstrate your mastery of the subject matter. It is required to complete the major and should be taken during your senior year.

General Education Requirements
A minimum of 36 credit hours must be taken within the selection of Liberal Arts and Sciences courses.

Portfolio Review Course Requirements
All students declaring a major in Media Communications will complete a portfolio of their work as part of their degree requirements. They must complete a portfolio review with a panel of faculty within their major after they have successfully completed MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communications, MEDC 1020 Introduction to Media Production and 9 credit hours as defined below.

The portfolio review is designed to help students begin developing portfolios in their areas of interest. In addition, the process enables the faculty to gauge the talent, aptitude, and potential of the student in his or her area of study. Finally, the portfolio review gives faculty members the opportunity to talk with students about their progress and make suggestions regarding their school program and career goals.

The student's portfolio will be judged on both the quality and presentation of the material. Faculty members consider accuracy, creativity, content, and technical expertise in the work presented, and enthusiasm and professionalism of delivery when judging the student for formal admittance into his or her major in the School of Communications. Portfolio deadlines are announced each academic year, and reviews are held each semester. Students have one opportunity to resubmit their portfolios for admission to the school.

Transfer students
Transfer students with prior coursework in communications must submit a portfolio of their work in a pre-enrollment interview to determine placement within the curriculum and their standing regarding portfolio review. If the student meets the portfolio review criteria, this pre-enrollment interview may serve as the initial portfolio review. Transfer students should not expect to obtain a degree in the Department of Communications and Journalism in less than four full semesters of sequenced courses.