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
To graduate from the Media and Cinema Studies curriculum, a student must meet all general University and College requirements for the degree, and must complete the following courses including a minimum of 40 hours at the 300-level or above, all of which must be taken for a traditional letter grade:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | 16 | |
| MACS 203 | Contemporary Movies | 3 |
| MACS 264 | Creative and Information Economies | 4 |
| MACS 317 | Media History | 3 |
| MACS 320 | Popular Culture | 3 |
| MACS 351 | Social Aspects of Media | 3 |
| MACS 499 | Senior Project | 0 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Thematic Areas | 15 | |
Students must take 5 additional courses in at least 2 of the following thematic areas. In addition, students can declare a specialization by taking 4 courses in 1 thematic area or by completing the requirements of a related certificate program. For a list of courses in each area, see go.illinois.edu/macs. | ||
| Cinema Studies | ||
| Media Industries & Cultures | ||
| Difference & Power | ||
| Science, Technology, and Visualization | ||
| Global Media and Cinema | ||
| Sports Media | ||
| Media Making, Design and Research | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in the College of Media | 36 | |
| Students must earn at least 36 hours in the College of Media. Remaining hours are completed with ADV, JOUR, MACS, or MDIA electives. | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Area of Study or Minor Outside the College of Media | 9 | |
| In addition to the courses in the major plan described above, students must complete 9 hours in an approved area outside the College of Media. Approved areas include: African American Studies; American Indian Studies; Anthropology; Art History; Asian American Studies; Business Administration; Communication; Computer Science; Creative Writing; Economics; Food Science and Human Nutrition; Gender and Women's Studies; History; Kinesiology and Community Health; Latina/o Studies; Linguistics; Literature; Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences; Non-English Languages; Philosophy; Political Science; Psychology; Recreation, Sport and Tourism; Regional Area Studies; or Sociology. A university-approved minor may substitute for this requirement. Courses may, if they qualify, also count toward the requirement for advanced hours outside of the College. | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Hours Requirement | 20 | |
| At least 20 hours in courses numbered 200 or above. These courses must be outside and not cross-listed with the College of Media. At least 9 of the 20 hours must be in courses numbered 300 and above. | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Media Electives are any non-required ADV, JOUR, MACS, or MDIA course. These 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 |
| MACS 203 | 3 | MACS Thematic course | 3 |
| MDIA 100 | 1 | General education course or Composition I | 3-4 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4-3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Elective or Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4-3 | Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MACS 264 | 4 | MACS Thematic course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Media elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MACS 317 | 3 | MACS 320 | 3 |
| MACS Thematic course | 3 | MACS Thematic course | 3 |
| Area of Specialization course | 3 | Area of Specialization course | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MACS 351 | 3 | MACS 499 | 0 |
| Media elective | 3 | MACS Thematic course | 3 |
| Area of Specialization course | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 124 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Media & Cinema Studies
Students with a Bachelor of Science in Media and Cinema Studies will be able to:
- Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of media and cinema studies’ subject matter areas.
- Students demonstrate a broad knowledge of the field by accurately identifying and defining the subject matter areas of media and cinema studies.
- Demonstrate a comprehension of foundational media and cinema studies’ theories and concepts.
- Students can identify, use, and relate key concepts and frameworks that are central to the field.
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- Students can reflexively apply concepts and frameworks to promote inquiry, understanding, and solutions.
- Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate media representations in relation to social justice issues.
- Students apply methods to demonstrate, through a production-based activity, how representations are connected to social, political, economic, and cultural issues.
- Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively to successfully communicate ideas and outcomes of creative research across a range of modalities.
- Students present their senior projects using at least two different platforms.
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