Undergraduate Academic Accelerator Pathway (2-Term) - Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

The courses that constitute the Justice, Ethics, and Human Rights Thematic Area wrestle with the thorny issues of justice, equality, and human rights. How do we create more just societies? What are the conditions that promote or impede collective violence and mass murder? What kinds of peace settlements are long lasting? Can we protect human rights and simultaneously reduce poverty and inequality? What kinds of criminal and transitional justice systems are both fair and effective at reducing abuse? Students in the program will learn about an array of empirical cases and master the pertinent theoretical and ethical debates.

To study physics is to study the universe and all of its parts. As a fundamental science, a background in physics prepares you for diverse fields like astronomy, medicine, engineering, consulting, science policy, and more. The BS prepares you for graduate school and careers in science and technology. It features three tracks: traditional physics, chemical physics, and computational physics.

MS in biotechnology opens the door to meaningful and innovative careers that improve human and environmental health. Our program immerses you in research, management, science communication, and entrepreneurship. You'll be able to specialize in one of four tracks: biodefense, drug discovery, biotechnology management, and bioinformatics.

Interdisciplinary course work includes courses in chemistry, physics, and statistics and readies students for the diversity of upper-level biology courses taught by our faculty experts. Biology majors acquire a thorough, competitive background in biological science and are encouraged to obtain valuable research experience working one-on-one with faculty mentors in research labs on campus, to participate in study abroad and off-campus internships, and to gain teaching experience as student instructors.

The Global Inequality and Development Thematic Area directly addresses issues concerning the theory and practice of achieving equitable and sustainable human development. Courses will encompass a broad examination of issues related to poverty and inequality as they intersect with urban and rural geographies, the built and natural environment, food systems, conflict, education, gender, youth and development, and possibilities for bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This area will include historical analysis of the field of development studies from colonialism through the present with a focus on understanding and analyzing conflicts, shared goals, and normative values embedded in development objectives. Students will become equipped to understand and analyze the multiple causes and consequences of development and inequality, and will become better equipped to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond to these challenges.

The US is experiencing an acute shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals. Well-trained professionals who can wield mathematical models to protect sensitive data are in growing demand. Our MA program combines the study of applied mathematics, data science, and information technology. Our DC location allows students to gain valuable job experience while earning graduate credit.

How does the brain produce thoughts? What makes a genome able to alter its own architecture? Can we stop world hunger by manipulating the DNA of bacteria, plants, and animals? These fascinating questions are being answered through biochemical research. Our biochemistry program offers three different tracks, a dynamic and impressive faculty, and a proven reputation with DC's major employers. 

Majors in the BS program receive firm grounding in the theory and techniques of algebra, analysis, and other fields as a basis for further work in pure or applied mathematics and for graduate studies. Graduates go on to work for organizations such as Pew Research Center and Environmental Defense Fund.

The Global and Comparative Governance Thematic Area is designed for students who are interested in how a range of actors—local, national, global—seek to understand and solve the compelling security, development, environmental, and economic problems of our time. This thematic area focuses on the role that states, regional and global institutions (the United Nations, EU, World Bank, etc.), civil society, and the private sector play in addressing regional and global problems. Students also have the option of specializing in a geographical region. Students will take a multidisciplinary approach and will acquire the skills to empirically evaluate phenomena, anticipate emerging trends, and interpret data through an innovative curriculum that emphasizes theory and applied knowledge.

There is no better place to learn how to report the news than in the nation's capital, where news is made every minute of every day. At American University School of Communication, students regularly report on Capitol Hill, the DC government, federal agencies, and the policies forged here that have impact around the world. You'll gain valuable experience and earn bylines and credits through internships at major national and international news outlets including The Washington Post, USA TODAY, Politico, NBC4, and National Public Radio.

Our journalism program helps you hone your skills with courses in various forms of writing, advanced reporting, digital media, journalism ethics, and communication law as you learn from the School of Communication's richly experienced faculty. Our students take advantage of the most advanced video, audio, and film equipment in our Media Innovation Lab as they gain confidence being behind and in front of the camera. You'll graduate with strong writing and reporting abilities, an impressive multimedia portfolio, and connections throughout the industry that will help you build a successful career in journalism.