Media Studies explores the convergence of communication, culture, and technology to develop students’ written, aural, visual, and multimedia skills and increase their critical awareness of the various ways media shapes our ideas about politics, race, gender, ability, and social justice. Students learn to film video, record audio, and code and design sites and games for the Web, while critiquing contemporary Canadian and global examples and analyzing how media theory informs our current understanding of this quickly evolving digital landscape. Students learn to write and research for academic, industry, and entertainment audiences, collaborate and create in groups, and present for peers and the public.
All courses broaden students’ media literacy and are designed to inform a close reading of the text, sound, images, and biases present in media across devices and platforms and from a wide array of creators. This involves content analysis of news, PR, advertising, film and video, podcasts and radio programming, games, websites, apps, and social media as well as artificial intelligence and new technologies entering the market daily.
A Minor in Media Studies is an excellent complement to a variety of disciplines and degree streams including Journalism, Publishing, Graphic Design, Visual Art, Film Studies, English, Sociology, Gender Studies, Indigenous Studies, Marketing, Computer Science, and Political Studies among many others. The eight courses needed for a minor offer students future career flexibility as prospective employees who can leverage video, audio, web, photography, writing, and design skills to demonstrate currency and proficiency as producers of content to suit a range of needs and audiences.
The skills developed in these courses as electives open doors to opportunities in entertainment arts, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, online and print publishing, marketing, and communications for business, government, non-profit, and advocacy organizations. Opportunities through the Media Research Lab, internships, work-op placements, and on-campus alliances with CHLY, The Navigator, Portal, The Discourse may lead to interest in a Major in Media Studies or portfolios that showcase a content or format specialty.
Program Outline
Requirements for a Minor
Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:
Years 1 and 2 | Credits |
MEDI 100 - (Introduction to Media Studies and Communication) | 3 |
MEDI 110 - (Introduction to Media Production) | 3 |
Select two (2) 100- or 200- MEDI courses | 6 |
Total Credits | 12 |
Years 3 and 4 | Credits |
MEDI 310 – (Media Literacy) | 3 |
Select three (3) 300- or 400- MEDI courses | 9 |
Total Credits | 12 |