BA in Media Studies

Beyond the university core requirements, the following list of requirements complete the bachelor of arts in media studies. In addition, a total of 120 credits are required to complete the degree.

Major Requirements (45 credit hours of the 120 total needed to graduate)

I. Common Core (9 credit hours)

CMS 102J Introduction to Communication
CMS 103 Introduction to Media Studies
CMS 200 Research Methods in Communication

II. Media Writing (9 credit hours)

Select One:

CMS 150W The Writing Process
CMS 274W Writing for the Media

Select Two:

CMS 202 Writing for Popular Print Media
CMS 205 Topics in Media Writing I
CMS 225 Screenwriting I
CMS 300 Topics in Media Writing II
CMS 302 Writing the Feature Story
CMS 305 Writing Opinion: Editorials and Columns
CMS 315 Broadcast Newswriting
CMS 325 Screenwriting II

III. Media Theory (9 credit hours)

Select One:

CMS 284 Film Appreciation
CMS 294 Visual Communication
CMS 374 Media Criticism and Aesthetics

Select Two:

CMS 210 Topics in Media Criticism I
CMS 303 Media Effects
CMS 310 Topics in Media Criticism II
CMS 323 Understanding Technology
CMS 350 The Internet and Society
CMS 355 Consumer Culture
CMS 370 Media and Social Change
CMS 380 Film Genres
CMS Film and Cultural Studies
CMS 394 Theories of Film
CMS 486 Women in Film
CMS 490 Theories of Mass Communication
PHI 211 Media Ethics
ENG 244E Introduction to Cultural Studies

IV. Media Production (6 credit hours)

Select One:

CMS 190 Introduction to Media Production/CMS 191 Lab
ITT 281 Internet Website Development

Select One:

CMS 220 Topics in Media Production I
CMS 320 Topics in Media Production II
CMS 330 Studio Video Production
CMS 340 Field Video Production/CMS 341 Lab
CMS 440 Advanced Video Production/ CMS 441 Lab
ITT 241 Graphic Communication
IITT 343 Desktop Publishing and Design
ITT 344 Video Production Technology

V. Senior Experience (6 credit hours)

CMS 400 Senior Project (3 credits)
CMS 450 Service Learning Practicum (3 credits)

VI. Electives (6 credit hours)

Media studies majors may select any two courses offered by the department as long as they have met the prerequisites. The exceptions are internships and independent studies. These count toward the total number of credits need for a bachelor of arts degree, but not as electives in the major.