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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
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Requirements for the Minor | 18 |
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. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| COMM 100N | The Mass Media and Society  | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select 3 credits of the following: | 3 | |
| Media and Democracy | ||
| Introduction to Media Effects | ||
| The Art of the Cinema | ||
| Survey of Electronic Media and Telecommunications | ||
| Select 12 credits of the following: | 12 | |
| Gender, Diversity and the Media | ||
| Film History and Theory | ||
| The Literature of Journalism | ||
| Mass Communication Research | ||
| Telecommunications Law | ||
| Mass Media in History | ||
| Law of Mass Communications | ||
| Political Economy of Communications | ||
| Cultural Foundations of Communications | ||
| News Media Ethics | ||
| International Mass Communications | ||
| Cultural Aspects of the Mass Media | ||
| The Mass Media and the Public | ||
| Media Effects: Theory and Research | ||
| World Media Systems | ||
| Topics in American Film | ||
| Topics in International Cinema | ||
| Narrative Theory: Film and Literature | ||
| Documentary in Film and Television | ||
| Advanced Film Theory and Criticism | ||
| Emerging Telecommunications Technologies | ||
| Independent Studies | ||
| 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 PRODUCTION AND MEDIA STUDIES
103 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-1243
mfj3@psu.edu
World Campus
DEPARTMENT OF FILM PRODUCTION AND MEDIA STUDIES
103 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-1243
mfj3@psu.edu
https://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/degrees-and-certificates/media-studies-minor/overview