Language, Media, and Communication

The English major track in language, media, and communication (LMC) allows students to build their major around the department's multi-faceted offerings in areas such as rhetoric, media studies, film, language studies, nonfiction writing and journalism, and public speaking, as well as courses on related topics offered by other departments.

This track may be of special interest to students who are contemplating careers in such areas as law, nonfiction writing, publishing, print journalism, or electronic journalism, though its emphasis is critical, theoretical, and historical as much as practical.

Major Requirement

As of July 1, 2014, the requirements for the language, media, and communication track are as follows:

  • A minimum of ten, 4-credit courses are required for the major (for a minimum total of 40 credit hours). At least seven of the courses must be at the 200 or 300 level.
  • The upper-level writing requirement is fulfilled by completion of the major.
One Introductory Course

One of the following:

  • ENGL 117: Introduction to the Art of Film
  • ENGL 118: Introduction to Media Studies
Six Core Courses

Students must choose six core courses. Up to three of these courses can be chosen from approved courses taught in other departments. No more than two can be 100-level courses. The list below is not comprehensive, and students should consult with the director of undergraduate studies if they have questions regarding appropriate courses for the major

I. Journalism and Nonfiction Writing:

  • ENGL 105: Intro to Rhetoric
  • ENGL 131: Reporting and Writing the News
  • ENGL 132: Feature Writing
  • ENGL 133: Editing Practicum
  • ENGL 138: Journalism Case Studies
  • ENGL 281: Creative Nonfiction
  • ENGL 283: Journalism and Media (Topics)

II. Media and Cultural Studies:

  • ENGL 117: Introduction to the Art of Film
  • ENGL 118: Introduction to Media Studies
  • ENGL 119: Comics and the Moving Image (no longer offered after Fall 2025)
  • ENGL 255: Film History: Early Cinema
  • ENGL 257: Film History: 1959-1989
  • ENGL 259: Italian Neorealist Directors
  • ENGL 260: Studies in Film History
  • ENGL 261: Classical Film Theory
  • ENGL 262: Post War Italian Directors
  • ENGL 263: Topics in Television and other Media (can be taken more than once with different topics)
  • ENGL 264: Studies in Director
  • ENGL 265: Film History 1989-Present
  • ENGL 283: Media ABC (no longer offered after Spring 2024)

III. Rhetoric and Language:

  • ENGL 134: Public Speaking
  • ENGL 135: Intro to Debate
  • ENGL 200: History of the English Language
  • ENGL 240: Literary Criticism and Theory (Topics)
  • ENGL 249: Gender, Writing, and Representation (Topics)
  • ENGL 267: Intro to Literary Publishing
  • ENGL 280: Topics in Debate
  • ENGL 282: Humor Writing
  • ENGL 285: Advanced Writing and Peer Tutoring
  • ENGL 287: Studies in Translation

IV. Approved Courses from Other Departments*:

  • AHST 100: Introduction to Visual and Cultural Studies
  • AHST 209: Writing about Art
  • AHST 217: Art, Science, and Visual Representation
  • LING 105: Language and Advertising
  • PHIL 247: Philosophy of Language
  • PSCI 202: Argument in Political Science

 

Two Literature Courses

Choose two literature courses, at the 200 or 300 level. These classes should be taken before the senior year and cannot be primarily focused on film or media.

Please see the Course List for literature course options. 

See the director of undergraduate studies for questions about what other classes can be used.

One Advanced Seminar

Take one of the following:

  • ENGL 380: Advanced Seminar
  • ENGL 396: Honors Seminar

The department recommends taking this course senior year.

Internship or Independent Study

Students are encouraged to take an approved ENGL 394: Internship in English or ENGL 391: Independent Study.

The department has sponsored internships with:

  • Open Letter Press
  • The Blake Archive
  • Blake/An Illustrated Quarterly
  • METS
  • The Chaucer Bibliographies
  • The UR Press
  • The Public Relations Office
  • Rare Books

Internships within the Rochester-area community include working with local newspapers and television/radio stations, advertising agencies, BOA Editions, and Writers and Books.

Students wishing to discuss internships applicable to the LMC major should contract the director of undergraduate studies.

More information can be found on our internship page. All internships must be approved in advance, during the semester prior to the one in which you plan to do the internship.