Undergraduate Catalogue
Media and Culture
Designed to prepare students for a career in media industries, the English Department's media and culture major combines creative arts with business and information technology. The major addresses the need for creative and business professionals to gain an understanding of the past, present and future of media forms and contents. Unlike media studies programs at other institutions, this program requires a business minor and culminates in a media-related internship or capstone project. Students in the major take hands-on media production courses that focus on contemporary media, as well as classes that emphasize theory, analytical thinking and critical reading skills, and the study of important literary, filmic, digital and other cultural texts in historical contexts.
In the hands-on courses, multiple dimensions of creativity are emphasized, practiced, and developed to support and reinforce theoretical principles presented in related academic courses.
Required Courses
Four core courses:
MC 200 Principles of Media Culture
MC 220 Principles of Media Production
MC 250 Principles of Globalization and the Media
One production course chosen from the following:
MC 222 Digital Photography
MC 224 Introduction to Video Production
MC 320 Advanced Production
MC 321 Sound Design for New Media
MC 322 Social Issue Documentary
MC 323 Design and Time-Based Media
Four English Department electives, with an option to fulfill the fourth elective with a course in another department with the English Department chair's approval.
A required business minor
An internship (MC 421) or a capstone project (MC 422)
A recommended semester abroad is encouraged.
Liberal Arts major with a concentration in English or communication:
Students who wish a more traditional English concentration or a communication concentration may select the Liberal Arts major, and design their program with a faculty adviser. They may choose from more than 50 courses in literature, film, creative writing, cultural studies, media studies, speech, communication theory, and expository writing. An English or communication concentration is flexible, allowing students to create a program appropriate for graduate study in such fields as English, communication, or law, or to focus on the communication skills and broad cultural background necessary for success in business.
