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Curriculum
The MCS major will consist of 33 credits, organized as follows:
- B.A.
- Certificate
- Suggested Courses and Course Combinations for MCS Elective Areas
- Approved depth-of-field majors, minors, and certificates for MCS
BA
33 credits (15 Core credits + 18 Elective Credits)
Core: [15 credits]
- MCS 222: Introduction to Media & Communication Studies [3 credits]
Two courses on Theoretical Approaches and Methods: [6 credits]
- MCS 333: History and Theory of Mass Communication and Media Studies
- One of the following:
- AMST 334: Theories of Media and Culture
- ENGL 324: Theories of Communication and Technology
- ART 215: Introduction to Art and Media Studies
- MLL 305: Introduction to Intercultural Communication
Applied Experience: [3 credits]
- MCS 404: Internship
(Internships can be completed as part of the study abroad experience)
Capstone Seminar: [3 credits]
- MCS 499
(This requirement consists of a project emphasizing scholarly research, creative production, or both.)
Electives: [18 credits]
Choose two courses from each area (see list of recommended course sequences for each area below):
- Critical Media Studies [6 credits]
Coursework on the cultural history of specific media, critical media analysis, industry analysis, audience studies and special topics in media genres - Intercultural Communication [6 credits]
Coursework on intercultural communication; race, gender, ethnicity, social class and media; comparative studies and media; US media in global perspective - New Media and Applied Communication [6 credits]
Coursework in video, audio, and digital production; web content design; technical writing; journalism and oral communication
Other Requirements:
- Writing Intensive Requirement:
Two courses designated “writing intensive” must be taken in addition to GEP requirements. These courses may be drawn from required coursework in the Core or Elective Areas. - Depth of Field Requirement:
A minor, certificate, or a second major in an approved, related department or program is required.
Additional Information…
…about counting credits:
A total of 9 credits towards the completion of the major may be “double counted” towards the completion of an additional major, minor, or certificate.
…about the Capstone project:
MCS students double-majoring in a discipline that also requires a capstone course may be able to satisfy this MCS requirement with the other capstone course. The subject matter and methods must, in the opinion of the Director, be relevant to the study and/or practice of media and communication.
…about the study of foreign languages/ study abroad:
A knowledge of at least one foreign language and familiarity with foreign cultures are important for understanding media and communications under the conditions of globalization in the 21st century. Beyond the language and culture requirements of the General Education Program, therefore, MCS students are strongly encouraged to study a foreign language to at least the 202 level (with appropriate exemptions made for native speakers of languages other than English). Study abroad is also strongly encouraged, for it can provide not only understanding of another culture but also important perspectives on U.S. culture and media.
Certificate
21 Credits (12 Core credits + 9 Elective Credits)
Core: [12 credits]
- MCS 222: Introduction to Media & Communication Studies [3 credits]
Two courses on Theoretical Approaches and Methods: [6 credits]
- MCS 333: History and Theory of Mass Communication and Media Studies
- One of the following:
- AMST 334: Theories of Media and Culture
- ENGL 324: Theories of Communication and Technology
- ART 215: Introduction to Art and Media Studies
- MLL 305: Introduction to Intercultural Communication
Applied Experience: [3 credits]
- MCS 404: Internship
(Internships can be completed as part of the study abroad experience)
Electives: [9 credits]
Certificate students take all 3 elective courses (9 credits) in one of the following areas (see list of recommended course sequences for each area below):
- Critical Media Studies
Coursework on the cultural history of specific media, critical media analysis, industry analysis, audience studies and special topics in media genres - Intercultural Communication
Coursework on intercultural communication; race, gender, ethnicity, social class and media; comparative studies and media; US media in global perspective - New Media and Applied Communication
Coursework in video, audio, and digital production; web content design; technical writing; journalism and oral communication
Other Requirements:
- Writing Intensive Requirement:
Two courses designated “writing intensive” must be taken in addition to GEP requirements. These courses may be drawn from required coursework in the Core or Elective Areas. - Depth of Field Requirement:
A minor, certificate, or a second major in an approved, related department or program is required.
Additional Information…
…about counting credits:
A total of 9 credits towards the completion of the certificate may be “double counted” towards the completion of an additional major, minor, or certificate.
…about the study of foreign languages/ study abroad:
A knowledge of at least one foreign language and familiarity with foreign cultures are important for understanding media and communications under the conditions of globalization in the 21st century. Beyond the language and culture requirements of the General Education Program, therefore, MCS students are strongly encouraged to study a foreign language to at least the 202 level (with appropriate exemptions made for native speakers of languages other than English). Study abroad is also strongly encouraged, for it can provide not only understanding of another culture but also important perspectives on U.S. culture and media.
Suggested Courses and Course Combinations for MCS Elective Areas1
(At least 9 of the 18 credits must be at the 300 or 400 level)
NB: This is a work in progress. Minor updates and revisions will be added with all deliberate speed.
Check with catalogue to make sure you understand any requirements, fees, and pre-requisites for courses.
Critical Media Studies
suggested course combinations---other combinations are acceptable.
- AFST 205 (Contemporary Black Popular Culture) & AFST 245 (Introduction to Black Music)
- AFST 245(Introduction to Black Music) & MUSC 214 (History of Jazz)
- AMST 320 (Television in American Culture) & AMST 321(Radio in American Culture)
- AMST 320 (Television in American Culture) & AMST 322 American Society and Culture in Film
- AMST 325 (Studies in American Popular Culture) or AMST 100(Introduction to American Studies) & AMST 320, 321, 322, 357, 372, 374
- AMST 325 (Studies in Popular Culture) & SOCY/ANTH 416 (Cyberspace Culture) or SOCY 397 (Spec. Topics: Media and Society) or AFST 205 (Contemporary Black Popular Culture) or GWST 322 (Women and the Media)
- ANTH 211 (Cultural Anthropology) & SOCY/ANTH 416 (Cyberspace, Culture, and Society)
- ART 221 (Art History II)
- ART 323 (20th Century Art) and ART 324 (History of Film: Origins to 1965) OR ART 325(History of Film and Video 1965-Present) OR ART 423 (Art since 1945)
- ART 324 OR ART 325 and AMST 322 (American Society and Culture in Film)
- ART 221 (Art History II) & ART 323 (20th-Century Art) & ART 429 (Seminar in Art History and Theory) OR ART 428 (Theory and Practice of the Art Museum).
- ART 324 (History of Film: Origins to 1965) and ART 342 (Film/Video Theory and Criticism)
- ART 324 OR ART 325 & and ART 342 (Film/Video Theory and Criticism)
- ART 324 OR ART 325 & ART 343 (History of Animation)
- ART 343 (History of Animation)
- ART 326 (History of Photo 1) & ART 327 (Contemporary Directions in Photography)
- ENGL 332 (Literature of Non-fiction)
- GWST 310 (Gender and Inequality) & GWST 322 (Women and the Media)
- MUSC 336 (The Beatles) & MUSC 330 (Popular Musics of the non-Western World)
- MUSC 217 (Rock: 1950-Present) & MUSC 330 (Popular Musics of the non-Western World)
- MUSC 230 (Music of the World) & MUSC 480 (Topics in Music, Art, & Society-- Music majors only)
- POLI 433 (First Amendment Freedoms)
- THTR 210 & THTR 211 (History of Theatre I and II)
- THTR/GWST 349 (Women and Theatre) & THTR 360 (Modern Theatre I - Social Protest)
- VPA 225 (Ideas in the Arts) & GWST/MLL 320(International Women Directors)
Intercultural Communication
Suggested course combinations---other combinations are acceptable.
- AMST 200 (Multicultural America) & AMST 352 (US in Global Perspective)
- AMST 352 (US in Global Perspective) & AMST 380 (Community in America)
- ANTH 211 (Cultural Anthropology) & ANTH 310 (Ethnographic Film)
- MLL 230 (World Language Communities) & MLL 425 (Intercultural and Cross-cultural Communication)
- MLL 230 (World Language Communities) & MLL 250 (Introduction to the French-Speaking World) or MLL 270 (Introduction to Russian Culture and Civilization) or MLL 271 (Introduction to Modern Russian Civilization and Culture) or MLL 280 (Introduction to the Spanish-Speaking World)
- MLL 263 (Popular Music and National Identity in German-Speaking Countries) & MLL 332 (Introduction to German Cultural Thought)
- MLL 320 (International Women Directors) & GWST 322 (Women and the Media)
- AMST 200 & MLL 306 (Intercultural Communications: Issues Confronting Immigrant and Heritage Communities)
- MLL 190(The World of Language I) or 191(The World of Language II) & MLL 301 (Textual Analysis: Words, Images, Music)
- MLL 310 (Intercultural Studies of International Film) & HIST 371 (History and Film)
- MLL 213 (Film and Society in Spain) or MLL 218 (Film and Society in Latin America) or MLL RUSS 315 (Studies in Russian Film) & MLL 310 (Intercultural Studies of International Film)
- MLL 406 (History and Theory of Intercultural Media) & MLL 495 (Intercultural Video Production)
- POLI 260 (Comparative Politics) & POLI 280 (International Politics)
- ANTH 211 (Cultural Anthropology) & SOCY 210 (Class and Inequality in the US) & MLL 305 (Introduction to Intercultural Communication)
New Media and Applied Communication
Suggested course combinations---other combinations are acceptable.
- ART 210 Visual Concepts I—2 Dimensions)
- ART 210 & ART 211 (Visual Concepts II—Camera Vision)
- ART 210 & ART 211) & ART 213( Visual Concepts IV: Time-based Media)
- ART 210 & ART 331 (Graphic Design --Art majors only)
- ART 210(or 211) & ART 395 (Television Production Techniques I)
- ART 211 & ART361 (Digital Darkroom)
- ART 210 & ART 211 & ART362 (Black and White Photography)
- ART 211 & ART361 (Digital Darkroom) & ART363 (Color Photography)
- ART 210 & ART 211 & ART362 (Black and White Photography) & ART363 (Color Photography)
- ART 210 & ART 211 & ART362 (Black and White Photography) & ART 364 (Studio Photography)
- ART 210 & ART361 (Digital Darkroom) & ART 364 (Studio Photography)
- ART 211 & ART361 (Digital Darkroom) & ART 365 (Sequence and Time)
- ART 210 & ART 211 & ART362 (Studio Photography) & ART 365 (Sequence and Time)
- ART 211 & ART361 (Digital Darkroom) & ART367 (Alternative Processes)
- ART 210 & ART 211 & ART362 (Studio Photography) & ART367 (Alternative Processes)
- ART 211 & ART361 (Digital Darkroom) & ART369 (Topics in Photography)
- ART 210 & ART 211 & ART362 (Studio Photography) & ART369 (Topics in Photography)
- ART 210 & ART 315 & ART 360 (Mixed-Media Book Arts) OR ART 370 (Silkscreen Printing)
- ENGL 303 Art of the Essay
- ENGL 380 (Intro to News Writing) & ENGL 382 (Feature Writing)
- ENGL 380 (Intro to News Writing) & ENGL 480 (Seminar in Advanced Journalism)
- ENGL 391 (Advanced Exposition and Argumentation) or ENGL 393 (Technical Writing) & ENGL 387 (Web Content Development)
- ENGL 393 & ENGL 394 (Technical Editing)
- MLL 406 History and Theory of Intercultural Media & MLL495 Intercultural Video Production
- MCS 377 Desktop Publishing and the Web
- MCS 395 Television Production Techniques 1
- SPCH 100 (Public Communication) and SPCH 210 (Interpersonal Communication)
- THTR 242 (Presentation Skills for Non-Actors)
for Music majors only: - MUSC 218 (Recording Technology Lab) & MUSC 219 ( Studio Recording)
- MUSC 427 (Composing at the Computer I) & MUSC 428 (Composing at the Computer II)
1 Other courses and combinations are permitted. It is recommended that students consult with their MCST advisor when choosing electives.
Approved depth-of-field majors, minors, and certificates for MCS
(Students can petition MCS to use a major, minor, or certificate not listed below)
| Africana Studies | BA and Minor | |
| American Studies | BA and Minor | |
| English | BA and Minor | |
| Gender & Women’s Studies | BA and Minor | |
| History | BA and Minor | |
| Modern Languages & Linguistics | BA, Minor, and Certificate in Intercultural Communication | |
| Music | BA | |
| Political Science | BA, Minor, and Certificate | |
| Psychology | BA and Minor | |
| Sociology & Anthropology | BA and Minor(Soc) | |
| Theater | BA, BFA, and Minor | |
| Visual & Performing Arts | BA | |
| Visual Arts | BA |