International Programs
The School of Communication, Media & the Arts is committed to fostering intellectually engaged, ethical and responsible graduates with the social, artistic and professional skills necessary to succeed in the modern media landscape, as well as a lasting commitment to their civic obligations.
SCMA also recognizes the growing internationalization of the media industries, and the necessity of helping our students to develop intercultural awareness if they are to succeed as communications professionals in an interconnected world.
Study Abroad
As part of our wider efforts to promote global self-awareness and understanding of multiple worldviews and diverse perspectives, SCMA offers courses and programs that help students to develop the intercultural competence that will help them to thrive in the modern global media environment.In addition to courses with a focus on international subject matter, each year SCMA’s own faculty offer multiple study abroad opportunities. The study abroad programs include both semester-long and short course programs that are seamlessly integrated into our curriculum, so that students can have a rewarding study abroad experience without losing step with their classmates. We regularly offer SCMA-taught study abroad courses in Ireland and India, as well as occasional offerings in additional locations.
Ireland
The School of Communication, Media & the Arts Offers both short term and spring semester programs at SHU’s well established campus in Dingle, Ireland, in which students can expand their understanding of communication and media arts in an international setting. The Dingle Peninsula has been described by National Geographic as one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is unique in its designation as a Gaeltacht area, where the community works to preserve the vitality of the Irish language and all aspects of Irish culture. The Peninsula offers tremendous learning resources, magnificent relics, ruins and holy places, access to other areas of the country and to Europe, and a vast, living display of folklore, history and authentic music, film and dance. The program in Dingle includes excursions to local sites such as the filming locations of the most recent Star Wars films and the nearby city of Killarney. Participants can also take part in activities such as kayaking, horseback riding, step dancing and hill walking.
The SCMA Spring Semester in Ireland offers both major and core courses, as well as a for-credit communications internship with a local organization, allowing students to study abroad for an extended time period without missing a step in the major. Our short courses in Dingle are two week/3 credit courses that immerse students in a a variety of topics, from Irish Cinema and History to Irish Popular Music to International Field Production.
India
Through a collaboration with our partner university, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University (PDPU), SCMA students have an opportunity to study communication in a cross-cultural context in Gandhinagar, India. Students travel with a member of the SCMA faculty to Gandhinagar, where they learn intercultural communication skills through an immersive program that includes excursions to cultural sites, behind-the-scenes tours of organizations in the communications and other industries, distinguished guest lecturers, and visits with non-profits. The program includes visits to cultural and world heritage sites like the Modhera Sun Temple, the Akshardham Temple, Sardar Patel Museum, and the flea market in the old city of Ahmedabad. Students may also attend cultural festivals like the famous annual kite festival in Ahmedabad, and learn about Indian cuisine at authentic village themed restaurants. Each student is paired with a ‘buddy’ student from PDPU to ensure that they will get an insider perspective during their time in India.
International Scholars Program
SCMA students who participate in the International Communication Scholars Program and earn their Certificate in International Communication gain valuable skills that will help them to thrive in the increasingly global media environment. They also form the basis of a welcoming community that helps all of our students to embrace diversity, understand our human interconnectedness and pursue social justice.
Members of the International Communication Scholars Program should be Sacred Heart undergraduates who are prepared to serve as ambassadors for the school through their involvement in supporting and promoting SCMA’s international programs and its international students. Students who successfully complete the certificate will be recognized in an annual ceremony.
Three CM Courses with International Content
One of the three must be an SCMA based course offered at an international location. Summer MPML program, 3 or 6 credits counts as one course with international content.
- CM 130 Media and Cultural Literacy
- CM 131 Italian Media Culture
- CM 132 Irish Identity in Media and History
- CM 133 City Symphonies: Europe in Film
- CM 135 Irish Cinema
- CM 231 Introduction to International Field Production
- CM 300 International Journalism
- CM 353 National Cinemas
- Any (additional) CM designated course taught in one of our international locations. (Ireland, India, etc.)
GS 101 Introduction to Global Studies
or
GS 150 World Geography
or
At least one semester of a foreign language.
Minimum 20 Hours Service Work
Service work may include mentoring visiting international students and/or supporting SCMAs’ international programs – to be determined in consultation with SCMA faculty.
Any single course can only count for one of the above requirements.
If you are interested in learning more about the International Communication Scholars Program, contact Sally Ross at rosss2@sacredheart.edu or Andrew Miller at millera@sacredheart.edu.
Summer Programs
We also welcome international students to campus, both as fully matriculated members of our undergraduate and graduate programs, and as participants in our collaborative international summer programs. For students who are particularly interested in developing expertise in international communications, SCMA offers the International Communication Scholars Program, which provides students with an opportunity to earn a Certificate in International Communication.
Students will develop theirs skills as professional communicators while exploring the intersections of media and culture. The program integrates daily production-centered training with regularly scheduled media literacy workshops designed to engage students with the important role media plays in society. In addition, the program includes site visits to media industry locations such as working television studios, as well as field trips to cultural sites. Media professionals from television, radio and film meet with the students and share their knowledge of the industry. Students completing the program will gain a solid foundation in both studio and field production in the classroom as they experience the world of professional communication in the media capital of the USA.