March 14, 2012
Western
University's Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) is
launching a new program that will provide students with a powerful set
of tools, competencies and best practices for effectively working within
social media, virtual worlds and other forms of online communication.
FIMS
Associate Dean Nick Dyer-Witheford, one of the key Western faculty
spearheading the initiative, said the new Digital Communication
Certificate Program will provide excellent preparation for the many
professional and academic careers where knowledge of social media is
essential.
"The new program is being established to help
students in other faculties, including Engineering, Health Sciences and
Social Sciences, to master the communication tools of the digital age,
while learning about the social media environment," said Dyer-Witheford,
an acclaimed researcher and author who studies and writes about the
computer and gaming industry. "These days, if you plan on getting your
message, into the public sphere, it is important to be able to harness
social media, search engines and network theory."
The Digital
Communication Certificate Program is open to all undergraduate and
graduate students and may be pursued concurrently with the completion of
other degrees.
FIMS is holding an information meeting for
prospective students on March 26 at the Western Journalism TV
Studio, which is located on the second floor of the North Campus
Building. The event, which will also be streamed online, is open
to all and begins at 12:30 p.m. Those interested in following the
proceedings via Twitter are encouraged to use the hashtag, #FIMS.