The Media School
Specialization in Media Persuasion and Behavior (Bachelor of Arts in Media)
Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements MDAS21
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Media Persuasion and Behavior. Three (3) courses:
- MSCH-A 315 Advertising and Consumer Culture
- MSCH-H 451 Media Scholar Capstone (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-J 423 Public Opinion
- MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-R 429 Public Relations Campaigns
- MSCH-S 312 Politics and the Media
- MSCH-S 315 Media Processes and Effects
- MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media Psychology (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-S 471 Applying Theory to Media Design
- MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
MSCH-A 315 Advertising and Consumer Culture
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Critical examination of advertising's role in modern societies. Focuses on marketing and consumption as central activities in shaping personal identity and social relations.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-H 451 Media Scholar Capstone
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- Senior standing; and must be an Ernie Pyle Scholar or Media Scholar
- Description
- Topical seminar in which students complete an honors capstone project focused on a topic they selected in consultation with their faculty mentor.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 9 credit hours in MSCH-H 451 and TEL-S 451.
MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties
- Credits
- 1–4 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topical course dealing with changing subjects and material from term to term.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit with different topics in JOUR-J 360 and MSCH-J 360.
MSCH-J 423 Public Opinion
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Behavioral study of nature, operation, molding, and influence of public opinion, with practice in its measurement and evaluation. Discussion of major political, social, economic, and cultural problems.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 423 or MSCH-J 423.
MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium
- Credits
- 1–4 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Topical seminar in journalism dealing with changing subjects and materials from term to term.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit up to 4 times.
MSCH-R 429 Public Relations Campaigns
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-R 348 and MSCH-R 349
- Description
- Covers development and execution of a public relations campaign for a non-profit organization as well as public relations theory and in-depth care study analysis. Provides training and practice in developing and pitching a proposal to meet a client\'s business objectives. Includes media relations and crisis communications training.
MSCH-S 312 Politics and the Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the relationship between media and modern politics. Topics will vary.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-S 312 or TEL-T 312.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-S 315 Media Processes and Effects
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 213; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Examination of the effects of the mass media on human cognitions, attitudes, and behaviors, relying on empirical social science research; emphasis on the effects on individuals, although study will include groups, organizations, and social norms.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-S 315 or TEL-T 314.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media Psychology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Exploration of social problems and research issues related to media psychology. Topics vary.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
MSCH-S 471 Applying Theory to Media Design
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 101 or MSCH-H 101
- Description
- Basic media theories as well as cognitive, emotional, and social psychology, with a focus on how these theories can be applied to the design of media messages. Special attention given to interactive and immersive mediated environments.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-S 471 or TEL-T 471.
MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Analysis of selected problems in media studies. Topics vary each semester.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the specialization.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the specialization—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to specialization requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.