Journalism, Media Studies Concentration, B.A.

The Media Studies concentration provides students the education of thinking critically about media narratives, texts and production. Today, now more than ever, students need critical thinking skills about how they consume and create media. The classes in the Media Studies concentration teach students theoretical frameworks for critical thinking about media and about how they construct media messages. The Media Studies concentration offers courses in Analyzing Mass Media Messages, Women and the Media and Global Media and Society, among other courses.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Requirements for the Major (45 Units)

The journalism major with a concentration in media studies includes 30 units of core courses and 15 units of concentration specific courses.

Core Courses (30 Units)

The following core courses are required for all journalism majors.

Lower Division

JMC 105 - Introduction to Mass Communication Units: 3
JMC 120 - Beginning Reporting Units: 3
JMC 107 - Media Tools: Literacy in Action Units: 3

Lower Division Experiential Learning Courses

Complete 6 units (each course may be used once to meet this requirement.)

JMC 134 - Photojournalism Units: 3
JMC 150 - Media Design Units: 3
JMC 154 - Radio and Audio Production Units: 3
JMC 155 - KRFH On Air Workshop Units: 1
JMC 156 - Video Production Units: 3
JMC 160 - El Leñador News Units: 2

Upper Division

JMC 327 - Lumberjack News Workshop Units: 2
JMC 328 - Media Law Units: 3
JMC 332W - Media Ethics Units: 3
JMC 480 - Special Topics Units: 3

Upper Division Experiential Learning Courses

Complete 4 units (each course may be used once to meet this requirement).

JMC 325 - Osprey Magazine Production Units: 2
JMC 333 - Radio News Workshop Units: 2
JMC 355 - Advanced KRFH On Air Workshop Units: 2
JMC 360 - Advanced El Leñador News Units: 2
JMC 427 - Advanced Lumberjack News Workshop Units: 2
JMC 482 - Media Internship Units: 1-3
JMC 490 - Seminar in Journalism Units: 1-4

Media Studies Concentration (15 Units)

JMC 305 - Global Media and Society Units: 3
JMC 318 - Media Research Units: 3

Upper Division Electives

Complete 9 units from the following list.

JMC 306 - Mass Media History Units: 3
JMC 309 - Analyzing Media Messages Units: 3
JMC 323 - Public Relations Units: 3
JMC 354 - Media Advertising Units: 3

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program.

Demonstrate the ability to tell non-fiction stories using visual and audio tools and technologies.
Understand how media professionals, institutions, and industries produce and shape the news.
Acquire the knowledge of ethical principles related to mass media and public relations.
Demonstrate the ability to gather information from diverse sources, including data bases.
Demonstrate the ability to write clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences, and purposes they service.
Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy, fairness and clarity.
Acquire the knowledge of media laws and First Amendment rights and limitations.