The Master of Arts (MA) in media literacy provides students with a critical perspective that will enable them to decipher the information they receive through the channels of mass communications and to develop independent judgments about media content. This degree examines the cultural, political, and economic context of media, which affects media programming.
Students who earn an MA in media literacy may pursue careers in education, media literacy research, the press, public policy, community-based media, and media arts production.
Successful graduates of this program will be able to:
- Identify media literacy concepts;
- Understand the impact of the media on the individual and society;
- Apply media literacy concepts to media and media programming;
- Recognize media content as a cultural "text" that provides insight into contemporary society;
- Assess qualitative and quantitative approaches to media literacy;
- Cultivate an enhanced enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of media content;
- In the case of media communicators, produce effective and responsible media messages.
The media literacy degree focuses on research strategies for the systematic analysis of content and provides opportunities for fieldwork experiences in different sectors, including education, community, professional, and media arts. In the case of media communicators, the media literacy degree facilitates the ability to produce effective and responsible media messages. Finally, students in the Master of Arts in teaching (MAT) program may apply specific courses from the following list toward an emphasis in media literacy.
MEDC 5000 Media Communications is the requisite course in the media literacy program. It examines communications theory and its application in mass media as well as introduces students to the graduate program, describes program expectations, and discusses academic preparation for MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications.
Therefore, students must take this course even if they have academic and/or professional experience in media communications. The required courses and electives listed may be taken as Directed Studies, subject to the conditions stated in the Directed Studies section listed under Academic Policies and Procedures and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.
Students taking courses that are a part of their approved curricula and are from outside of the School of Communications should verify prerequisites with appropriate school or college.
The course of study for students working towards an MA in media literacy is as follows. Any variation from this curriculum should be approved in advance using a program option request form.
Core Courses (24 credit hours)
- MEDC 5000 Media Communications (Requisite Course)
- MEDC 5310 Media and Culture
- MEDC 5350 Media Organization and Regulations
- MEDC 5360 International Communications
- MEDC 5460 Media Research: Media Literacy
- MEDC 5480 Comparative Approaches to Media Literacy
- MEDC 5981 Integrated Studies in Media Literacy
- MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications
Emphasis Courses
A minimum of 12 credit hours must be completed from the following with no more than 6 credit hours from the 4000-level coursework:
- COMM 5340 Language Arts Seminars (approved topics only)
- COMM 5440 Integrated Language Arts
- COMM 5460 Curriculum Design
- JOUR 4500 Media Criticism for Publication
- MEDC 4110 Media and Digital Culture
- MEDC 4220 Genre Studies
- MEDC 4440 Patterns of Media Ownership
- MEDC 4500 Political Communications
- MEDC 5010 Introduction to Graduate Studies: Advanced Thinking and Writing
- MEDC 5250 Visual Communication in the Media
- MEDC 5985 Media Literacy Fieldwork
- PSYC 4825 Advanced Research Methods
COMM 5340 Language Arts Seminars (3)
- Media Literacy (2-3)
What messages are being conveyed through the channels of mass communication? How do these messages affect our behavior? Media literacy has emerged as an established field of study within the international academic community. This course prepares students to become discerning and selective consumers of media and explores exciting ways of discussing media in the K-12 classroom. - Technology and Thinking Skills (2-3)
This is a course on developing students' thinking skills using new video and computer technologies. These technologies include interactive video, expert systems, and software, with emphasis on equipment and software available in most schools. Concepts and strategies for using these technologies in developing critical and creative thinking are examined. Previous experience with the technologies is not necessary.
COMM 5440 Integrated Language Arts (3)
Students look at various ways to integrate language arts in the K-12 curricula. Speakers, films, and activities highlight listening, acting, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and thinking as separate, cumulative communication skills.
COMM 5460 Curriculum Design (3)
This course is required for all MAT degree-seeking students. It is designed to help individuals plan learning experiences. Topics included in discussion are technology in the classroom, research regarding learning, models of curriculum design, and methods of evaluation. Each student develops a curriculum package that has a direct application to a particular teaching situation.
Note: MAT courses are on a different schedule than MA/MBA courses. Also, please check with the School of Education for course prerequisites.
JOUR 4500 Media Criticism for Publication (3)
Students learn to research and write media analysis within a journalism format. Students learn about the techniques of writing media literacy analysis designed for popular consumption in newspapers, magazines, and online publications. Students analyze the content of news and entertainment media and prepare articles based on this research for publication. Prerequisite: JOUR 3130 Feature Writing, MEDC 3190 Introduction to Media Research, MEDC 5460 Media Research for graduate students or permission of instructor.
MEDC 4110 Media and Digital Culture (3)
This course applies the principles of media literacy to digital media, which includes interactive media, voice and image transmission devices, simulations, and video games. The course examines the technological characteristics of digital media as well as the impact of digital technology on content. The course also considers the impact of digital media on the individual and society and identifies strategies for the analysis of media messages. Prerequisite: MEDC 3190 Introduction to Media Research, MEDC 5460 Media Research for graduate students or permission of the instructor.
MEDC 4220 Genre Studies (3)
This course offers an in-depth study of genres that appear in the media, such as reality shows, film noir, and the evening news. Students learn a range of approaches to the study of genre, including: formulaic, ideological, historical, cultural, and audience response analysis. Students conduct primary research on a particular genre using selected approaches. Prerequisite: MEDC 3190 Introduction to Media Research, MEDC 5460 Media Research for graduate students, or permission of instructor.
MEDC 4440 Patterns of Ownership in Media (3)
Students learn the impact of media economics on content by studying media ownership patterns, such as state-run, state-owned, privately owned, and individually owned systems, and topics such as cross promotion, conflicts of interest, bottom-line programming decisions, and internal organizational/staffing decisions. Students study the recent concentration of media ownership. Other topics include: historical context, international trends, regulations, and issues of gender and diversity in ownership and management. Students will conduct primary research focusing on one of these topics.
MEDC 4500 Political Communications (3)
Students learn the role of the media on the American political process. Topics include the history and evolution of political media, the role of the press and its influence on the political process, and how media strategies are created, developed, and produced. Political advertising campaigns are analyzed. Prerequisite: MEDC 1010 Introduction to Mass Communications or MEDC 5000 Media Communications for graduate students.
MEDC 5000 Media Communications (3)
Students examine communications theory and its application to mass media. Consideration is given to the distinctive characteristics of each of the major mass communications systems, including print, radio, film, television, and interactive media. The course introduces students to the graduate program and describes program expectations as well as introduces research methodologies used throughout the program and discusses academic preparation for MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications. Therefore, students must take this course even if they have academic and/or professional experience in media communications. Prerequisite: Students should have an educational background or professional experience in media communications, or they must enroll in 6 credit hours of additional preparatory undergraduate coursework, as determined by an academic advisor.
MEDC 5010 Introduction to Graduate Studies: Advanced Thinking and Writing (3)
This course is an introduction to graduate studies that provides students with knowledge and skills in three important ways to maximize academic success as a graduate student. The course will focus on critical thinking and advanced analysis skills, basic information on academic research and library searches, and advanced writing. The course will also offer a brief introduction to effective online learning.
MEDC 5250 Visual Communication in the Media (3)
One of the major revolutions in contemporary communication has been the development of visual genres to carry information that cannot be carried easily by printed media or radio broadcast. Students examine the development of the documentary film, photojournalism, television, and interactive media, with particular attention to the impact these have had on other media, in terms of both form and content. Emphasis is on the criteria for critical evaluation of each genre in the light of its particular history and development. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.
MEDC 5310 Media and Culture (3)
This course examines the mass media as it reflects and influences the attitudes, values, behaviors, myths, and preoccupations that define a given culture. The course considers the functions of mass media in society and the effect on the individual. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.
MEDC 5331 Media Communications Production: Video (3)
Managers of media communications often need to produce or manage the production of video presentations. This course employs techniques common to all types of video production. The class is a hands-on course in portable production and editing, giving students a basis for understanding the use of this medium to meet management strategies. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications. VIDE 1810 Video Production 1 or permission of instructor.
MEDC 5350 Media Organization and Regulations (3)
The student examines the legal structure of the media communications industry. The course focuses on the formation, rationale, and implications of policies that form the basis of media law and regulation. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.
MEDC 5360 International Communications (3)
This course focuses on the history, issues, and future of international communications. The class considers individual media systems, including different understandings of the role of the media, freedom of press and information in different areas of the world, parity between distribution of news and the shaping of the public mind, international stereotyping, and international propaganda. The course also examines the relationship between national and global media systems and the role of international communications in the development of the new world order. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.
MEDC 5460 Media Research (3)
This course introduces students to the major research methodologies, communication theories, and topics of study within media research. Theories, models, and methods are applied toward the development of research projects. Students discuss and examine qualitative and quantitative methods of media research employed by various aspects of the media. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications. MEDC 5310 Media and Culture strongly recommended.
MEDC 5480 Comparative Approaches to Media Literacy (3)
This course focuses on qualitative approaches to the study of media literacy, including Nonverbal, Mythic, Socratic, Ideological, Autobiographical, and Production Elements. Students will consider various aspects of the field of media literacy including international approaches/developments in the field; media literacy sectors (education, production, public policy, community) and assessment strategies. Students assume responsibility for a major project or paper. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5310 Media and Culture.
MEDC 5550 Topics in Media Communications (3)
This course offers a variety of topics to address emerging theories, practices, and applications in the field of communications. Topics are timely and of interest to professionals currently working in or pursuing media-related careers. Classes may focus on such topics as campaign strategy and political power; video and media literacy; ethical issues in the media; account planning for advertising; applications for podcasting and blogs; creating cultural change through organizational communications; etc. Prerequisite may vary with the topic. May be repeated once for credit if content differs and is appropriate for student's course of study.
MEDC 5981 Integrated Studies in Media Literacy (3)
An in-depth study in the field of media literacy, students examine a variety of approaches to the discipline, as well as consider issues related to the field of media literacy. Students assume responsibility for a major project or paper. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications, MEDC 5310 Media and Culture and MEDC 5480 Comparative Approaches to Media Literacy.
MEDC 5985 Media Literacy Fieldwork (3)
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply media literacy principles through fieldwork at one of a number of sites including schools, retirement centers, parent-teacher organizations, and businesses. Under the direction of the instructor, students assume responsibility for program initiation, development, implementation, and evaluation. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications, MEDC 5310 Media and Culture, MEDC 5480 Comparative Approaches to Media Literacy, and permission of instructor. May be repeated once for credit.
MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications (3)
In this course, students synthesize and integrate the learning experiences acquired in all previous media communications courses and research current topics relative to production of a thesis document. Also, current topics in media communications are shared in a seminar setting. Techniques used to accomplish these goals may vary. Prerequisite: Completion of all other graduate courses in program. This should be the last course taken before graduation. Any exceptions must be approved prior to registration by submitting a program option request to be signed by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the School of Communications.
MEDC 6250 Thesis Project in Media Communications (3-6)
The student synthesizes and integrates the learning experiences from all previous media communications courses and researches a specific topic to complete a thesis project relevant to the major. Techniques used to accomplish these goals may vary and must be summarized in a written project proposal. Prerequisite: Completion of all other graduate courses and approval of written project proposal by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the School of Communications.
PSYC 4825 Advanced Research Methods (3)
Provides a focused investigation of a particular research methodology (e.g., quantitative, qualitative) used in the social sciences. Topics vary each semester. The focus of the course is on the theory and practice of social science research, covering research concept formation, research design, data collection, and data analysis. In addition, students will apply this knowledge to their own independent research project. Prerequisite: PSYC 2825 and 12 credit hours of social science or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit if content differs.
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