Michigan State University

Collection Development Policy Statement: Communication and Media and Information Studies

Written by: Sharon Ladenson. Initial draft: March 2005. Updated: July 2023.

Purpose or Scope of Collection

Curricular/Research/Programmatic Needs

The collection supports the curricular and research needs of undergraduate and graduate (M.A. and Ph.D.) students and faculty from the departments of Communication and Media and Information Studies. The College of Communication Arts and Sciences offers various degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The graduate programs specific to communication and media and information include the following: M.A., and Ph.D. in communication; M.A. in media  and information; M.S. in user experience (online program); M.A. in health and risk communication; and Ph.D. in media and information. Graduate certification is also offered in the following areas: digital media; media analytics; serious games; and organizational communication for leadership. The Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law (housed within the College of Communication Arts and Sciences) supports current research on media and information and communication policy, management, and law.

Undergraduate students in Communication can pursue a B.A. in communication, or a B.A. in communication and leadership strategy). They can also pursue minors in entrepreneurship and innovation, public relations, and sales leadership. Undergraduate concentrations in communication include intercultural communication; social influence; communication science, analytics, and research methods; interpersonal communication; mediated communication; health communication; and organizational communication. Undergraduates in Media and Information can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in games and Interactive Media or a Bachelor of Arts in information science.  Undergraduates in Media and Information can also pursue minors in the areas of entrepreneurship and innovation; game design and development; communication technology for development; and information technology.

Existing Strengths and Emphases

Programmatic areas of particular strength include health communication, communication technology, mass communication, and video game design. The College of Communication Arts and Sciences has numerous points of pride, including top ranked doctoral programs in the areas of communication and media and information studies.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are also areas of programmatic emphasis, including in courses focusing on cross-cultural communication, intercultural communication, and diversity and communication. DEI is key to shaping approaches to selecting materials on communication and media and information studies for the collection, including focusing on bringing the voices and perspectives of underrepresented populations from the margins to the center.