Media Studies Major

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Program Learning Outcomes

Students will:

Understand foundational relationships between media, culture, and society
Develop critical skills in assessing media as a consumer and citizen
Develop foundational skills in media profession practice in electronic media and journalism
Understand the historical and contemporary practices of news media in societal context
Understand the historical and contemporary practices of electronic media in societal context
Understand the legal and ethical constraints on media practices
Understand the social theories of media and power, and the development of media criticism
Understand and apply theories and research on media uses and effects
Develop research skills in media history, theory, and criticism, and in media analysis
Gain advanced knowledge in media and society, electronic media, or journalism
Gain understanding of professional practices in media organizations through fieldwork
Apply advanced research or professional skills to a senior thesis or project

Major Requirements (48 units)

Required - 100-Level (8 units):

200-Level

Core (8 units)

Choose two of the following:

Electives (8 units)

Choose two of the following:

300-Level

Core (8 units)

(Take both):

Electives (12 units)

Choose three of the following, must include one Studies course:

400-Level (4 units)

Choose one of the following:

Note:

Students must obtain a grade of “C” or higher in every class in the major and may not count prerequisite courses in which a grade of “C-” or lower is obtained.

Degree Planner

First-Year

Fall	Units
Core - E: MS 100 - Intro to Media Studies	4
Core: Rhetoric and Composition	4
Core - A1: Public Speaking or Freshman Seminar	4
Core	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
MS 101 - Multi-Media Storytelling	4
Core: Rhetoric & Composition	4
Core	4
Core	4
Total Semester Units	16

Sophomore Year

Fall	Units
MS 201 - Civic Media or MS 202 - Media History or MS 203 - Cultural Industries	4
MS 221 - Audio Production or MS 222 - Video Production or MS 223 - Journalism I: Reporting	4
Language - Course 1	4
Core	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
MS 201 - Civic Media or MS 202 - Media History or MS 203 - Cultural Industries	4
MS 221 - Audio Production or MS 222 - Video Production or MS 223 - Journalism I: Reporting	4
Language - Course 2	4
Core	4
Total Semester Units	16

Junior Year

Fall	Units
MS 313 - Media Theory & Criticism	4
MS 300-Level Elective	4
Language - Course 3	4
Core (regular Core course or Core course that also fulfills a minor)	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
MS 314 - Media Research	4
MS 300-Level Elective	4
Core (regular Core course or Core course that also fulfills a minor)	4
Core	4
Total Semester Units	16

Senior Year

Fall	Units
MS 300-Level Elective	4
Community - Engaged Learning (CEL): MS 302 - Communication for Change	4
Elective (any elective or towards your minor)	4
Core	4
Total Semester Units	16
Spring	Units
MS 400-Level Elective	4
Elective (any elective or towards your minor)	4
Elective (any elective or towards your minor)	4
Elective (any elective or towards your minor)	4
Total Semester Units	16

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information.

*If you would like to minor in Journalism, please keep in mind that a Media Studies Major + a Journalism Minor means you only need 3 stand-alone Journalism classes. Please consult your major advisor to determine how best to arrange your coursework to accomplish this (several Media Studies courses also fulfill core requirements, etc)

*If you would like to minor in Film Studies, please keep in mind that a Media Studies Major + a Film Studies Minor means you only need 3 stand-alone Film Studies classes. Please consult your major advisor to determine how best to arrange your coursework to accomplish this (several Media Studies and Film Studies courses also fulfill core requirements, etc)