BA in English - Communication & New Media

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

American College of Thessaloniki

Program Overview

ACT's BA in English - Communication & New Media is an innovative program that blends traditional literary study with cutting-edge digital media skills, preparing you for diverse careers in content creation, journalism, publishing, and communications. Whether you're interested in storytelling across platforms, understanding media theory, or developing professional communication strategies, this degree gives you both the academic foundation and practical skills employers are actively seeking.

Curriculum Structure

Year One introduces you to the fundamentals of English studies and communication. You'll start with Composition I and II, building strong writing foundations, then move into Introduction to Literature to develop critical reading skills. Alongside these core courses, you'll take Foundations of Contemporary Media and Introduction to Film Studies, which begin your exploration of how media shapes culture and storytelling in the modern world.

Year Two deepens your analytical and creative capabilities through courses like British Literature and Culture and Advanced Writing and Professional Communication, where you'll refine your ability to write for different audiences and contexts. You'll also engage with Media Theory and Introduction to Journalism, courses that help you understand the frameworks behind media production and equip you with journalistic skills for the digital age.

Year Three connects theory to practice and specialization. You'll study The Other in Literature and Media to explore how different perspectives are represented across disciplines, take Communicating Through New Media to master digital platforms, and complete Media Ethics in the Digital Age to understand the responsibility that comes with content creation and distribution. This year solidifies your ability to think critically across multiple media formats.

Year Four culminates in your Senior Thesis I and II, where you'll conduct independent research on a topic of your choice within English studies or communication, synthesizing everything you've learned into a substantial scholarly project.

Focus Areas

The program emphasizes analytical and creative skills for both intellectual and academic purposes, multicultural and interdisciplinary perspectives, and practical competencies in digital storytelling, journalism, and media analysis that directly translate to professional environments.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop conceptual, analytical, critical, and creative skills while becoming astute readers, writers, thinkers, and communicators equipped to operate effectively in multicultural, interdisciplinary settings. You'll gain confidence and practical expertise applicable to real-world professional challenges.

Professional Alignment

The program is validated by Open University (OU), ensuring recognized academic standards and credibility. Graduates work across education, publishing, content creation, media outlets, advertising, public relations, and communications sectors—industries actively recruiting professionals with this skill set.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT), our BA in English - Communication & New Media puts practical skills front and center, blending creative storytelling with real-world media tools through hands-on courses like Digital Content and Storytelling, Communicating Through New Media, and Media Ethics in the Digital Age. You'll dive into group projects, debates, workshops, and senior thesis seminars that sharpen your ability to produce professional content, while using audiovisual materials and conducting focused research in library and web-based databases. Visits to professional settings like media agencies bring the classroom to life, preparing you for careers in journalism, digital marketing, or content creation.

Here are some standout ways you'll build experiential learning tailored to this program:
- Group work and student-led activities: Collaborate on projects in courses like Media Theory and Intercultural Understanding and Communication, fostering teamwork in media production and analysis.
- Workshops and debates: Engage in senior thesis workshops (English 390/395) and debates that develop critical thinking and presentation skills for professional communication.
- Audiovisual materials and digital tools: Hands-on use of new media technologies in classes like Communicating Through New Media (Comm 317) and Digital Content and Storytelling (Comm 270), exploring digital storytelling and media impact.
- Individual and focused research: Access library and web-based databases for research in Comm 327: Research Methods and Practice, plus senior theses that culminate your skills.
- Professional visits: Field trips to media agencies, language schools, and bookstores to connect theory with industry realities.
- Service learning opportunities: Electives like Soc Sc 399 – Service Learning apply communication skills in real community settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT), our BA in English - Communication & New Media puts practical skills front and center, blending hands-on projects with real-world tools to prepare you for careers in media, journalism, digital storytelling, and beyond. You'll dive into courses like Digital Content and Storytelling, Communicating Through New Media, and Media Ethics in the Digital Age, where you'll create content, analyze media trends, and build portfolios that stand out to employers. Facilities support this through library research, audiovisual resources, and visits to professional settings like media agencies, all designed to make your learning dynamic and job-ready.

Here's how experiential learning comes alive in this program, with specific opportunities tied directly to your coursework and ACT's resources:

- Group projects and workshops: Engage in student-led activities, debates, group work, and senior thesis seminars (English 390/395) that sharpen your collaborative skills in media analysis and content creation.
- Research and digital tools: Conduct focused research using library and web-based databases, plus audiovisual materials for courses like Comm 327 Research Methods and Practice and Comm 270 Digital Content and Storytelling.
- Professional visits: Field trips to media agencies, language schools, and bookstores bring theory to life and connect you with industry pros.
- Hands-on media practice: Courses like Comm 317 Communicating Through New Media and Comm 233 Introduction to Journalism involve practical digital content production, storytelling, and ethical media challenges—no specific software named, but emphasis on contemporary tools for new media.