Media Production and Studies, Minor

The traditional electronic media of television and radio are more important than ever as sources of information and entertainment. This is partly because of fundamental changes in media industries and technologies that allow programs once available only from broadcast stations and cable systems to be delivered through the Internet to devices and locations unimaginable just a few years ago. At the same time, traditional program forms are being rapidly reinvented. From music videos and podcasts to web advertisements, social media content and YouTube programs, media is attracting new audiences that are both global and hyper-local.

The mission of Media Studies specialization is to produce graduates who can analyze, understand, and predict future trends in media industries and the influences of media on individuals and societies. Ultimately media studies graduates find careers in media programming, sales, management, marketing, and research at public and commercial radio and television, cable television, telephony, social media, advertising, and education companies and organizations.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Media Studies are expected to:

• Comprehend and analyze the historical, cultural, political, and economic contexts that shape the operation of electronic media systems (broadcasting, telephony, Internet, digital media);
• Critically analyze the social, cultural, and psychological effects and implications of electronic media systems from a variety of theoretical and policy perspectives;
• Comprehend and apply the key social science research methods used in researching the role of electronically mediated communication processes;
• Formulate and effectively communicate ideas in oral, written, and visual contexts;
• Comprehend and analyze the various production, performance, and writing techniques that are integral to the realization of effective media texts.