Media Studies, Minor

Program Description

The Media Studies minor is designed for students who want to develop their knowledge of the mass media from a variety of approaches, including aesthetic, humanistic, social-behavioral, and legal-policy. This minor is a theory-based rather than a professional program. In fact, students in the minor may not take professional skills communications courses as part of this program. The minor consists of 18 credits, at least 6 of which must be at the 400 level.

You Might Like This Program If...

You are a major in another discipline that can be complemented by increased knowledge about the mass media or have curiosities about the role of the mass media in an increasingly connected and/or mediated society. The media studies minor – depending on the set of classes that you enroll in – will provide you with foundational, conceptual and theoretical exposure vital to your understanding of the pivotal roles that the mass media play in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world.

Program Requirements

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
COMM 100		3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 3 credits of the following:		3
COMM 110	Media and Democracy
COMM 118	Introduction to Media Effects
COMM 150N	The Art of the Cinema
COMM 180	Survey of Electronic Media and Telecommunications
Select 12 credits of the following:		12
COMM 205	Gender, Diversity and the Media
COMM 250	Film History and Theory
COMM 261	The Literature of Journalism
COMM 304	Mass Communication Research
COMM 404	Telecommunications Law
COMM 401	Mass Media in History
COMM 403	Law of Mass Communications
COMM 405	Political Economy of Communications
COMM 408	Cultural Foundations of Communications
COMM 409	News Media Ethics
COMM 410	International Mass Communications
COMM 411	Cultural Aspects of the Mass Media
COMM 413W	The Mass Media and the Public
COMM 418	Media Effects: Theory and Research
COMM 419	World Media Systems
COMM 451	Topics in American Film
COMM 452	Topics in International Cinema
COMM 453	Narrative Theory: Film and Literature
COMM 454	Documentary in Film and Television
COMM 455	Advanced Film Theory and Criticism
COMM 484	Emerging Telecommunications Technologies
COMM 496	Independent Studies
COMM 499	Foreign Study--Mass Communications

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university’s academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee’s unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Brenda Johnson
Administrative Support Assistant  
204 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-1503
bmj11@psu.edu

World Campus

Undergraduate Academic Advising
301 Outreach Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-3283
advising@outreach.psu.edu

Contact

University Park       

DEPARTMENT OF FILM-VIDEO AND MEDIA STUDIES
215 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-7997
axo8@psu.edu

http://bellisario.psu.edu/fvms

World Campus

DEPARTMENT OF FILM-VIDEO AND MEDIA STUDIES
215 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-7997
axo8@psu.edu

https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/media-studies-minor/overview