2020-21 Catalogs

Major Requirements (42 credit hours)
A grade of "C" or higher is required for all courses for the major. 

Media Studies Foundational Courses (18 credit hours)
     CMS 103 Introduction to Media Studies
     CMS 150 The Writing Process* (or) CMS 274 Writing for the Media
     CMS 200 Research Methods in Communication
     CMS 203/204 Introduction to Video Production and Lab (or) CMS 222: Digital Radio & Audio Production
     CMS 223 Communication Law
     CMS 284 Introduction to Cinema Studies (or) CMS 374: Media Criticism and Aesthetics

Concentrations: Students choose one concentration and take 6 of the courses listed under that concentration (18 credit hours)

Students should consult directly with his or her faculty advisor to determine courses relevant to their career and learning interests. 

     Media Writing
     CMS 150 The Writing Process
     CMS 202 Writing for Popular Print Media
     CMS 205 Topics in Media Writing I
     CMS 215 Journalism Reporting and Writing
     CMS 225 Screenwriting
     CMS 274 Writing for the Media
     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 393 Internships in Media Studies (up to 3 credits can be used toward the 18 credit hours in this concentration)

     Media Production & Design
     CMS 203/204 Introduction to Video Production & Lab
     CMS 220 Topics in Media Production I
     CMS 222 Digital Radio & Audio Production
     CMS 320 Topics in Media Production II
     CMS 322 Digital Audio Storytelling
     CMS 324 Photojournalism
     CMS 326 Special Effects and Animation
     CMS 340/341 Narrative Filmmaking and Lab
     CMS 393 Internships in Media Studies (up to 3 credits can be used toward the 18 credit hours in this concentration)
     CMS 440/441 Advanced Narrative Film and Lab
     CMS 460 Topics in Media Production III

     Media Ecology
     CMS 201 Introduction to Public Relations
     CMS 210 Topics in Media Criticism I
     CMS 242 Communication and Social Media
     CMS 284 Introduction to Cinema Studies
     CMS 286 History of International Cinema to 1945
     CMS 288 History of International Cinema since 1945
     CMS 303 Media Effects
     CMS 310 Topics in Media Criticism II
     CMS 323 Understanding Technology
     CMS 360 Ethical Dilemmas in the Digital Age
     CMS 374 Media Criticism and Aesthetics
     CMS 380 Film Genres
     CMS 384 Topics in Cinema Studies
     CMS 393 Internships in Media Studies (up to 3 credits can be used toward the 18 credit hours in this concentration)
     CMS 423 The First Amendment
     CMS 484 Advanced Topics in Cinema Studies
     CMS 490 Theories of Mass Communication

     Meridian Experience (6 Credit Hours)
     Media Studies majors with 90+ earned credit hours, please choose one of the following courses:
     CMS 400 Senior Project Workshop
     CMS 485 Senior Seminar in Media Studies 
     CMS 493 Advanced intership & Professional Portfolio in Media Studies
     All Media Studies majors with 90+ earned credit hours are required to take CMS 450 Service Learning (3 credit hours)