Media Studies

Media Studies

The Media Studies track focuses on the understanding of media, culture, and society, as well as their interrelationships

The pervasiveness of media in our everyday lives and their powerful effects on individuals, society, and culture underscore the importance of this area of study. By focusing on research, theory, and practice, graduates from this track can go on to work in the media industry or user experience firms, with government or international agencies, or continue their education in graduate school.

Required Courses

In the required courses, students explore media theories and research dealing with the social and psychological effects of media, learn how to conduct research, and critically analyze media content. Furthermore, in the foundation courses, students study the history of media; media theory; and applied areas of media studies, such as advertising and health communication.

 Media Studies Track (PDF)

Required Courses Course # Course Title
6 courses/18 Credit Hours
 
COMM 1000 Contemporary Mass Media
COMM 2030 Introduction to Communication Theory
COMM 2500 Research Methods
COMM 3650 Mass Media and Society
COMM 4090 Emerging Communication Technologies
COMM 4740 Entertainment Theory and Research

Foundation Courses

 
Foundation Courses Course # Course Title
Select one course from each category
for a total of 3
classes/9 credit hours
Category 1: Media History
COMM 3500 American Cinema
COMM 3850 Walt Disney: The Nexus of Communication and Imagination
Category 2: Applied Media Studies  
COMM 3250 Principles and Practices of Advertising
COMM 3480 Health Communication: Media Perspectives
Category 3: Media Theory  
COMM 4140 Media Effects
COMM 4200 Persuasion

Elective Courses

Elective Courses Course # Course Title

Students may choose any four courses (12 credit hours) from the list unless they took that class as a Foundation Course.

Please note the prerequisite courses required for desired upper division courses in order to take them early in the program of study.

Students are encouraged to complete an internship during their program of study

COMM 2250 Introduction to Film and Video
COMM 2270 Sports and Studio TV Production
COMM 2900 Writing for the Media
COMM 3100 Principles and Practice of Public Relations
COMM 3200 Principles and Practice of Advertising
COMM 3250 Principles and Practice of Advertising
COMM 3280 Intercultural and Global Communication
COMM 3300 Screenwriting
COMM 3350 Integrated Marketing Communication
COMM 3400 Digital Communication Technology
COMM 3450 The History of TV Programming
COMM 3460 Digital Film Editing
COMM 3480 Media and Health
COMM 3500 American Cinema
COMM 3850 Walt Disney: The Nexus of Communication and Imagination
COMM 4000 Rhetorical Dimensions in Communication
COMM 4050 Public Relations and Social Media
COMM 4090 Emerging Communication Technologies
COMM 4170 Documentary Film and Video
COMM 4200 Persuasion
COMM 4690 Internship in Communication (with approval of Internship Director)
COMM 4750 Communication Law
COMM 4900 Special Topics in Communication (with approval of Director of Undergraduate Studies
COMM 9400 Independent Study in Communication (with approval of Director of Undergraduate Studies)

*All courses are subject to change based on the needs of the department

 


Suggested 1st Year

Course # Course Title
COMM 1000 Contemporary Mass Media
COMM 2030 Introduction to Communication Theory

Suggested 2nd Year

Course # Course Title
COMM 2500 Research Methods
One Foundation  Course Select a foundation course from the previous table 

Suggested 3rd Year

Course # Course Title
COMM 3650 Mass Media and Society
Two Foundation Courses Select two foundation courses from the previous table
One Elective Course Select an elective course from the previous table

Suggested 4th Year

Course # Course Title
COMM 4090 Emerging Communication Technologies
COMM 4740 Entertainment Theory and Research
Two Upper Division Elective Courses Select two upper division elective courses from the previous table

*All courses are subject to change based on the needs of the department

Contacts

Maja Krakowiak, Ph. D
Associate Professor, Communication Department
Director of Media Studies Track
Academic Office Building 514
mkrakowi@uccs.edu
719.255.4116


Laura Eurich M.A.
Associate Chair, Communication Department
Senior Instructor
Director of Undergraduate Studies/lnternships
Academic Office Building 518 
Leurich@uccs.edu
719.255.4112


Note: All communication majors should receive academic advising with Professor Eurich at least once a year.