The Media School
Specialization in Politics and Media – Bachelor of Arts in Media
Students on Summer 2018, Fall 2018, or Spring 2019 requirements MDAS29
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Politics and Media. Three (3) courses:
- MSCH-F 445 Media, Culture, and Politics
- MSCH-H 410 Honors Media as Social Institutions
- MSCH-H 451 Media Scholar Capstone (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-J 410 The Media as Ethical and Social Institutions
- MSCH-J 423 Public Opinion
- MSCH-J 470 Broadcast Media Analysis
- MSCH-L 322 Media Policymaking
- MSCH-S 312 Politics and the Media
- MSCH-S 414 Public Communication Campaigns
- MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media Psychology (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- PSY-P 449 Social Psychology of Public Opinion
MSCH-F 445 Media, Culture, and Politics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the role of media in the political process. Topic varies and may include censorship and free speech, social movements, politics of representation.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 445 or MSCH-F 445.
MSCH-H 410 Honors Media as Social Institutions
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-H 300 or MSCH-J 300; must be a current MSCH honors student
- Description
- Examines functions and impact of mass media in society with primary focus on the United States. Discusses values of media organizations and professional and ethical values of journalists. Includes critical analysis of the relationship between media and society and the effect of political, economic, and cultural factors on media operation.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-H 410, MSCH-J 410, JOUR-H 410 or JOUR-J 410
- Spring 2026CASE AHcourse
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 410 The Media as Ethical and Social Institutions
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 251 and MSCH-J 300 and junior or senior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Examines functions and influences of news and public relations professionals in a networked society with primary focus on the United States. Analyzes professional and ethical values of journalists and public relations practicioners working in a digital, participatory media environment. Critical analysis of the relationship of media institutions and society, and the effects of political, economic, and cultural factors on media professionalism.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 410 or MSCH-J 410.
- Spring 2026CASE AHcourse
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 470 Broadcast Media Analysis
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Seminar on problems of communicating news through aural and visual channels. Application of communications theory to broadcast news and public affairs presentations. Study of effects of format, verbal content, nonverbal content, and presenter on communication process.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 470 or MSCH-J 470.
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourse
MSCH-L 322 Media Policymaking
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 207; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Overview of basic U.S. law and government. Specific analysis of who makes U.S. media policy, how it is done, and its effects. Course includes a case study of recent policymaking that varies each semester.
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourse
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.
- Spring 2026CASE SHcourse
MSCH-S 414 Public Communication Campaigns
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 213; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Theoretical backgrounds of media campaigns; analyses of persuasion strategies, campaign goals, communication media, audiences, and campaign effectiveness. Case studies of campaigns for social action; original analysis of specific campaigns.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-S 414 or TEL-T 414.
- Spring 2026CASE 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-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.
MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- Application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Topical course integrating classroom and field experience. Includes 10-day field experience during or after term offered. Field experience will change based on topic.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit with different topics in JOUR-J 418, MSCH-J 418, and MSCH-X 478.
PSY-P 449 Social Psychology of Public Opinion
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- PSY-P 304 or PSY-P 320
- Description
- Describes the methods of public opinion research, empowering students to become informed consumers of poll results. Covers basic social psychological processes that shape opinions, such as people's self-interest, group memberships, personal experiences, and conformity. Homework involves analysis and interpretation of data from recent surveys on social and political attitudes.
- 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.