Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media Studies

at Roger Williams University - Bristol Campus USA

Biology majors investigate the interconnected processes that shape the living world. Since the life sciences are increasingly interdisciplinary, Biology majors choose a wide range of courses in cell and molecular biology; microbiology and virology; anatomy and physiology; neurobiology and developmental biology; and animal behavior and ecology.

A degree in Educational Studies from RWU opens the door to a variety of rewarding teaching careers outside of the classroom, such as family and child services, program development, community outreach and educational publishing. Through coursework, internships and service projects, you’ll examine the roles that teaching, learning, education policy and community organizations play in our society and culture.

In the Educational Studies major, students are prepared for productive careers and future study in a field committed to serving the larger community. Students in the Educational Studies major have a wide range of career and advanced education options in non-profit, corporate, as well as educational settings. An exciting element of the Educational Studies major is the opportunity it provides students to combine strong content background through required coursework and a core concentration with flexibility in participation in community service and internships, research, and intercultural exploration through education and other electives. For example, a student may choose the Modern Language and Culture Concentration which affords him or her immersion in global and multicultural perspectives. The student may also choose among electives in educational research, content, pedagogy, and service that draw from a range of interdisciplinary areas. Students are not prepared for a teaching certificate in this major.

The Visual Arts department at Roger Williams University prepares students for future careers in the arts with an interdisciplinary spirit and a global perspective. The Visual Arts faculty consists of active artists who share their experience with students through lively and challenging discussions and critiques. Media exploration is encouraged throughout the program and culminates in the creation of a cohesive body of work that reflects the individual student’s interests.

The major brings together students of diverse backgrounds who explore their creative interests through a range of media experiences. Emphasis of study is placed on historical as well as contemporary theories in the arts so that students may better place their own artwork within a larger context. Students in the program balance craft and conceptual agility and new and traditional media to engage in an increasingly interdisciplinary world. The interdisciplinary nature of the program allows students to explore multiple areas of interest that informs their creative work and gives students a broader skill-set than most arts programs. Our strength is the amount of attention given to each individual student-artist as they develop in the program preparing them for a future career in the arts.

In Legal Studies, you’ll develop the critical and analytical thinking, writing and reasoning skills necessary to examine all perspectives on issues. Our students study topics like ethics, conflict resolution and social justice to understand the profound effect of the law on people’s everyday experiences. Combined with a required second major and advising from attorney faculty members, you’ll be prepared for law school or a legal career such as a mediator, court reporter or claims examiner.

At RWU, our interdisciplinary International Relations major celebrates human endeavor, diversity and opportunity by drawing upon subjects like history, sociology, economics, modern language and political science. Through internships, study abroad and specialization in either globalization, culture or area studies, you’ll learn the practical diplomacy, communication and critical thinking skills needed to help make a difference in the world in careers such as government, consulting and intelligence.

RWU’s unique and intimate Music program layers the exploration of world cultures on top of a solid foundation in theory, history and composition. All Music students take private lessons, perform with an ensemble and specialize in either technology or culture. With opportunities to take additional coursework in professional fields like business, communication or computer science, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of music careers.

The Music major at Roger Williams University offers a solid foundation in music theory and the principle musical styles in western culture, as well as an introduction to the music of various world cultures. Students study the elements of music and explore their application in various compositional formats. They have the opportunity to study the evolution of popular music as well as the classical forms that have characterized and helped define western culture. A unique aspect of RWU’s Music major that reflects the mission of the University is the exploration of world cultures through music. These courses will focus not only on the music of various world cultures, but also on the ways in which music is a reflection of these cultures.

The Music Major offers two tracks for students to choose from. The “Music & Culture” track highlights performance and world culture through music, and the “Music & Technology” track explores 21st century developments in music, as influenced by new electronic and computer technologies.

A degree in Mathematics from RWU is an excellent foundation for graduate study and a wealth of careers in fields such as science, computers, engineering and business. Our program blends a rigorous study of math theory with flexible electives and research conducted with faculty. You’ll learn how to interpret data and use mathematical reasoning to analyze and solve problems.

The Mathematics program at Roger Williams University provides preparation for graduate study and for a variety of careers in industry and government. There is enough flexibility in the program to allow a large choice of electives, and the program, when combined with further study in a second area, can provide an excellent foundation for graduate or professional study in the physical sciences, computer science, engineering or business. Our best students have opportunities for undergraduate research, while others write theses, present at national conferences and co-author journal articles with our faculty.

Several factors distinguish Roger Williams University from the competition. For starters, small class size means more personalized attention from our faculty members. Our Math major is made up of only 10 courses, leaving plenty of room for a double major, or to experience a wide variety of electives. Our students are involved on campus—as math tutors and as members of the Mathematics Honor Society. Unlike at other institutions, our talented students get to co-author math publications with our faculty. In fact, our students are currently working on the Numerical Solution of the Helmholtz Equation for the Pseudosphere, and Foundations of General Relativity and some speculations on the Einstein-Grossmann Collaboration. Recently, one of our students was awarded the top prize in the MAA Student Essay in History of Mathematics.

The Elementary Education program at RWU prepares teachers to educate the next generation of students. Here, you'll explore a broad spectrum of classroom subjects and school settings, both urban and suburban, through four years of field experiences integrated into your curriculum.With small class sizes, individual attention from faculty and specialized training in educating high-needs youth, our program provides you with the skills to become a certified elementary school teacher. The scope and sequence of our program is designed to match current theories and practice in Elementary Education and is deeply rooted with our mission in social justice. This means the professional teacher education you receive at RWU is on the cutting edge of current educational research and practice.

Engineering at RWU is unique in its structure: a broad, liberal arts-infused foundation of math, science and engineering layered with an in-depth specialization in civil, computer, electrical or mechanical engineering or a customized study. Through this accredited program, you’ll develop the creativity and flexibility to solve practical problems that benefit humanity in our complex and rapidly changing world.

The Custom Program Specialization is only for students majoring in Engineering, B.S. Students specializing in Custom Program must complete all of the requirements for the Engineering, B.S. degree.

A degree in Graphic Design Communication from RWU blends solid communication theory with technical training in graphic arts skills, taught in the campus’ most sophisticated computer labs. Through courses in typography, art direction and brand identity combined with real-world internship experience, you’ll learn the best professional practices to prepare you for a career in the in-demand graphic design field.