Communication - Media Studies

Media Studies (15 credits, minimum)

The Media Studies emphasis examines the creation, perpetuation, and reception of meaning through media and new communication technologies; the history and practices of the various media industries; and the production of culture.

Required Courses - Select a minimum of 2 from the following; at least 1 must be a 300-level course:

CO 231 Media Institutions (Prerequisite: CO 130)
CO 236 Gender, Sexuality, and the Media (Prerequisite: CO 130)
CO 238 Communication and Popular Culture
CO 239 Consumer Culture (Prerequisite: CO 130)
CO 331 American Media/American History
CO 334 International Media Systems (Prerequisite: CO 130)
CO 335 Globalization, Media, and Culture (Prerequisite: CO 130)
CO 339 Special Topics in Media Theory and Criticism (Prerequisite: CO 130)

Elective Courses - Select a minimum of 3 from the following:

Approved elective courses are published in the Department of Communication Handbook, available from the communication faculty advisors. Sample courses include:

CO 201 Persuasion (Prerequisite: CO 101)
CO 202 Group Communication (Prerequisite: CO 200)
CO 220 Introduction to Organizational Communication (Prerequisite: CO 200)
CO 248 Health Communication (Prerequisite: CO 220 or 130)
CO 341 International Communication (Prerequisite: CO 130)
CO 342 Technoculture and Information Society (Prerequisite: CO 130)
CO 345 Communication and the Environment (Prerequisites: CO 100, 130)

Relevant courses in applied ethics, economics, English - journalism, information systems, marketing, politics, sociology, and visual and performing arts (new media film, television, and radio; also some music classes).
Related Minors

Communication majors who concentrate their coursework in media studies are strongly encouraged to complete an academic minor in one of the following areas of "applied" communication skills or "allied" communication professions:

  • English/journalism concentration
  • International studies
  • New media film, television, and radio
  • Politics
  • Sociology
  • Marketing

Students who plan to complete a minor should choose their major elective courses wisely; courses selected for the major may double count for some minors. It is suggested that students who do not complete a related minor take all 10 of their major courses in the Communication Department.