BA in Media Study: Critical Studies
The Critical Studies Concentration within the Media Study major gives students the theoretical background and analytical skills necessary to understand various forms of media as works of art in their own right and as an integral part of modern society.
Students with a Critical Studies Concentration leave the program being able to: Comprehend, explain and interpret media theory and use of media technology; apply, produce and demonstrate use of media technology and theory: be able to use the knowledge towards media theory and produce media objects skillfully; deconstruct, analyze and compare media objects and theory: deconstruct media objects for analysis, and create comparisons using media theory; and incorporate media technology and theory into critiques and appraisals. Be able to take the knowledge one step beyond merely applying it.
Degree Requirements
The BA in Media Study (Critical Studies Concentration) requires a total of 66 credits: 48 within the program and 18 within the minor or virtual minor. At least 24 of the 66 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level. Students must receive a grade of C- or higher in all courses applied to the major.
Departmental Coursework:
Official requirements for the major are in the course catalog, linked below, but here is a quick outline of the categories courses fall into.
Introduction to Interpretation (3 courses): 100-level to 200-level courses that give students an introduction to analyzing a breadth of media types.
Advanced Analysis (4 courses): 400-level courses that give students a deeper understanding of one or more type of media including film, video, interactive fiction, digital media, sound, and social media.
Media and Culture (1 course): 200-level to 400-level course that focuses on the interaction between media and broader culture.
New Media Theory (1 course): 200-level to 400-level course that focuses on new developments in the world of media. Offerings in this area include but are not limited to digital and web-based media.
Production (1 course): 100-level course that allows the student to gain an appreciation for how media is produced. Students may choose from any introductory level media production course.
Electives (2 courses): Recommended to be 300-level or higher, students may choose to broaden their theoretical base or may pursue further courses on the production side of the program.
Outside Concentration: Students majoring in Media Study are required to take a group of six related classes, two at the 200-level and four from the 300/400 level. This concentration may be created by the student, in consultation with their departmental advisor. Otherwise, many of the university's minors also allow students to meet this requirement. The student may petition the department to use a minor that does not contain exactly two 200-level or exactly four 300/400 level classes but should consult with the departmental advisor before assuming that a minor will count.
