Communication, Culture and Information Technology

 

OUAC CODE: TMC

The Institute of Communication, Culture & Information Technology (ICCIT) offers a number of integrated, multi-disciplinary programs which provide an opportunity to study in depth topics at the intersection of communications, culture, information and technology with an emphasis on digital technologies and digital media. Courses are offered in the development and use of visual, audio and tactile technologies, the management of technologies, the development and interpretation of content, and the interweaving of technology and culture.

The programs offered by ICCIT provide students with unique educational experience through a rich set of courses that range across a variety of disciplines and allow students to take advantage of the exceptional research and teaching resources of the University of Toronto Mississauga and either Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning or the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto. If students take advantage of our partnership with the Faculty of Information they benefit from participating in two world-class research and teaching environments and also be able to take advantage of unique programs offered by the Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) which is associated with the Faculty of Information.


PROGRAMS AND SPECIALIZATIONS

The CCIT Major allows students to select courses from a variety of courses addressing the study of communications, culture, information and technology. Students also enrol in another Major program at UTM in addition to the CCIT Major. The combining of two major programs allows students to build a comprehensive portfolio of knowledge and skills that is an outstanding preparation for careers in almost any creative and professional field and graduate work.

The Digital Enterprise Management Specialist (DEM) focuses on how business and organizations are transformed through the innovative potential of technology and, in particular, digital technologies. Students studying in the DEM program explore the full range of management disciplines from marketing to finance and organizational behaviour. In addition, they are required to study such key topics as entrepreneurship, the management of technology and project management. This study of management disciplines is enhanced with studies of design, content development and interpretation, digital technologies and innovative courses as digital technologies and risk management.

The Interactive Digital Media Specialist (IDM) is an innovative program that combines a broad and deep study of state-of-the-art technologies and the latest thinking about the application, design and implementation of these technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on knowledge-media and immersive media. The IDM is jointly taught with the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto and thus takes advantage of research and teaching strengths of ICCIT and the Faculty of Information.

WHY CHOOSE U OF T MISSISSAUGA FOR ICCIT PROGRAMS?

ICCIT programs integrate theory and practice into a variety of dynamic programs with outstanding professors, staff and facilities. Students have access to state-of-the-art technology and have the opportunity to develop facility in using interactive and immersive technologies. ICCIT also boasts a very active student community and engaged alumni. There are many opportunities to network and interact with our alumni both informally and more formally through internship and mentorship programs.

PROFESSIONAL WRITING - AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AT UTM

See: Professional Writing and Communication

The ICCIT also offers a Major and Minor in Professional Writing. These programs are stand-alone programs but are also integrated with our other programs. By combining their studies in other ICCIT programs with a major or minor in Professional Writing students prepare themselves for both traditional journalistic careers in the context of digital media and also many other writing-intensive careers. The Professional Writing program is taught by outstanding faculty and unmatched in the intensive opportunities it provides to students to actively develop their writing skills.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Eligible ICCIT students can participate in the ICCIT Internship program. Each placement increases students’ knowledge, ethical awareness, professionalism and work portfolio in preparation for graduate school and/or employment. Students come to better understand their own aspirations as well as developing their teamwork, problem-solving and communications skills. Internships provide wonderful networking opportunities in the media, communications and digital technology sectors.

ICCIT also provides for students to have opportunities of gaining work experience through CCT 409 which involves working with a group of other students on a specific project with external organizations.

Past interns have worked in television and radio, advertising and design companies, as well as with web developers. Host organizations include: Muchmusic, Bell Media Group, CBC, Rogers TV, Service Canada, City of Toronto, RBC Capital Markets, Sick Kids Foundation, Nestle Canada and the Research Innovation Centre.

NOTE: ICCIT features two 400-level internship courses, CCT 410H5 and CCT 411H5. Each course is a 0.5 credit course and to register students must have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 and have completed 13.0 credits.

AFFILIATED STUDENT CLUBS


WHAT COURSES DO I TAKE?

Each CCIT program has a specific curriculum that students must follow. The core courses for CCIT are:

  • CCT109H5: Contemporary Communication Technologies
  • CCT110H5: The Rhetoric of Digital and Interactive Media Environments
  • CCT200H5: Intercultural Communication
  • CCT204H5: Design Thinking
  • CCT206H5: Law, Technology and Culture
  • CCT208H5: Writing and Research Methods in Communication
  • CCT210H5: Signs, Referents and Meaning
  • CCT260H5: Web Culture and Design


Some interesting upper-year courses:

  • MGD415H5: E-Business Strategies
  • CCT311H5: Introduction to Game Design and Theory
  • CCT316H5: Communication and Advertising
  • CCT380H5: Human Computer Interaction and Communication
  • CCT441H5: Online Collaborative Project Management
  • CCT453H5: Advanced Video Production


WHAT HIGH SCHOOL PREPARATION DO I NEED?

Admission is based on six Grade 12 credits (Ontario U or M credits), one of which must be English (ENG4U).*

*This refers to courses from the Ontario Curriculum. We will accept equivalent courses from other academic systems. For details, visit www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm.

AFTER GRADUATION

ICCIT programs can launch graduates into a wide variety of expanding and dynamic career paths. Among them you will find advertising, communications, marketing, business and technology consulting, web design, web-mastering and graphic design, journalism, public relations, education, creative arts, arts management, designer of interactive and immersive environments, health care communications and industrial design.

Graduate Studies: Depending on their program, students have pursued graduate degrees in journalism, media studies, communications, communication & culture, fine arts, visual culture and information studies.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Lisa Peden
Student Liaison/Internship Assistant
lisa.peden@utoronto.ca
905-569-4398
www.utm.utoronto.ca/iccit