Media & Cinema Studies, BS
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Media & Cinema Studies
MEDIA AND CINEMA STUDIES (MACS), prepares students with dynamic skills for careers in media, information, creative, and visual industries, as well as informed interaction with everyday media technologies. Majors have the opportunity to participate in original research, mixed media production, internships, study abroad, and public engagement through a transformative learning environment.
Programs in Media & Cinema Studies
Undergraduate Programs:
- major: Media & Cinema Studies, BS
- minors: Cinema Studies | Critical Film Production | Media
Graduate Programs:
- minor: Cinema Studies
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Media & Cinema Studies
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 124 hours.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
fulfilled by MACS 101 | ||
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Course | 3 | |
| MACS 101 | Introduction to the Media | 3 |
| Core Requirements: Theory, History, Methods, and Production | 12-13 | |
| Students must choose a track for core requirements and are encouraged to select one of the specific tracks. Each track requires students to complete at least one course each in Theory, History, Methods, and Production appropriate to their track. | ||
| Cinema Studies Track | ||
| Theory | ||
| Film Theory | ||
| History | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Survey of World Cinema I | ||
| Survey of World Cinema II | ||
| Methods | ||
| Film Analysis and Criticism | ||
| Production | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media Production | ||
| Introduction to Documentary | ||
| Film Production | ||
| Critical Media Production Track | ||
| Theory | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Popular Culture | ||
| New Media, Culture & Society | ||
| Sex & Gender in Popular Media | ||
| Film Theory | ||
| History | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Introduction to Documentary | ||
| Survey of World Cinema I | ||
| Survey of World Cinema II | ||
| Animated Media from Mickey to GIFs | ||
| Media History | ||
| Methods | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Film Analysis and Criticism | ||
| Media Analysis | ||
| Production | ||
| Film Production | ||
| Media Studies Track | ||
| Theory | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Popular Culture | ||
| New Media, Culture & Society | ||
| Sex & Gender in Popular Media | ||
| History | ||
| Media History | ||
| Methods | ||
| Media Analysis | ||
| Production | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Smartphone Cinema | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media Production | ||
| Introduction to Documentary | ||
| Film Production | ||
| Media Industries | ||
| General Track | ||
| While a specific track is strongly preferred, students may fulfill the following core requirements for the general track: | ||
| Theory | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Popular Culture | ||
| New Media, Culture & Society | ||
| Sex & Gender in Popular Media | ||
| Film Theory | ||
| History | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Introduction to Documentary | ||
| Survey of World Cinema I | ||
| Survey of World Cinema II | ||
| Animated Media from Mickey to GIFs | ||
| Media History | ||
| Methods | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Film Analysis and Criticism | ||
| Media Analysis | ||
| Production | ||
Choose 1: | ||
| Smartphone Cinema | ||
| Introduction to Digital Media Production | ||
| Introduction to Documentary | ||
| Film Production | ||
| Media Industries | ||
| Capstone Course | 3 | |
| Students should complete at least 3 hours of MACS coursework at the 400-level from the following list: | ||
| TV Studies | ||
| Media Ethics | ||
| Japanese Cinema | ||
| Advanced Filmmaking (MACS 480 and MACS 481 must be taken concurrently) | ||
| Advanced Filmmaking Studio (MACS 480 and MACS 481 must be taken concurrently) | ||
| Media Professionalization | ||
| Making Video Essays | ||
| Advanced Media/Cinema Topics | ||
| Media and Cinema Studies Electives | 12 | |
| Students must complete at least 12 hours of MACS coursework that is in addition to the requirements above. At least 3 hours must be at the 300-level or above. | ||
| College of Media Electives | 6 | |
| Students should complete at least 6 hours of coursework from courses in the College of Media, in addition to the requirements above. These can be Media and Cinema Studies (MACS), Journalism (JOUR), Advertising (ADV), or Media (MDIA). | ||
| Total hours required for graduation | 124 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Media & Cinema Studies
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Electives are additional courses to help students achieve 124 hours required for the degree. MACS Electives are any Media and Cinema Studies (MACS) courses not already counting toward degree requirements. Media Electives are any non-required Advertising (ADV), Journalism (JOUR), Media & Cinema Studies (MACS), or Media (MDIA) course. MACS and Media Electives can often be any level, but students should check with their advisor for specific guidance.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. This may require up to three semesters of language depending on high school coursework or placement. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Media History Core Course | 3 | MACS 101 | 3 |
| Composition I or General Education Course | 4-3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 | General education Course or Composition I | 3-4 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Methods Core Course | 3 | Theory Core Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | Media Elective | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Production Core Course | 4 | MACS Elective | 3 |
| MACS Elective | 3 | MACS Elective | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 16 | 18 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Capstone Course | 3 | MACS Elective | 3 |
| Media Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 124 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Media & Cinema Studies
Students in Media and Cinema Studies will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of media and cinema studies’ subject areas, and their respective concepts, theories, and methods.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- Demonstrate an ability to identify and explain problems of social power and social justice across media products and processes.
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully communicate research outcomes and/or creative expressions across a range of modalities.
- Demonstrate the ability to collaborate successfully and inclusively on research and/or creative projects.
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Media & Cinema Studies
Media and Cinema Studies website
Media and Cinema Studies faculty
College of Media website
College of Media admissions & degree requirements