The Media School
Concentration in Interactive and Digital Media (Bachelor of Arts in Media)
Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements MDAC02
Requirements
The major requires at least 36 credit hours (12 in the Media Core, 15 in the Concentration, and 9 in the Specialization), including the requirements listed below.
- The Media School Core. Each of the following:
- Introduction to Media. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 101 Media
MSCH-C 101 Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the role media play in our lives-at work, at school, among family members, friends, and lovers-and analyzes pressing issues in media and society today, such as privacy, globalization, and convergence.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
- Managing Media. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 200 The Videogame Industry: Systems and Management
- MSCH-C 204 Behind the Prize
- MSCH-C 206 Media Reporting in a Global World
- MSCH-C 207 Introduction to Media Industry and Management
- MSCH-C 208 Principles of Public Relations
MSCH-C 200 The Videogame Industry: Systems and Management
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines what games are and how they are made. Topics include the games industry: its creative dimensions and economic structures; its history and future; the organization of game development teams; the methods and tools used in game production. Students will gain a deeper and more detailed appreciation for this rapidly evolving, fascinating, and sometimes baffling industry.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 200 or TEL-T 260.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 204 Behind the Prize
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Pulitzer-winning reporters and other award-winning journalists visit the class to share behind-the-scene details of their projects, their ethical choices and the doubts and challenges they faced along the way. The class explores how journalistic prizes are selected and how they shape the future, not just of journalism, but of democracy.
MSCH-C 206 Media Reporting in a Global World
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- The goal of the course is for students to understand and articulate the issues in global journalism and the role of the media as a participant in shaping societies.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 206 or MSCH-C 206.
MSCH-C 207 Introduction to Media Industry and Management
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introductory analysis, using a case-study method, of how media industries such as broadcasting, cable, and telephone are structured, funded, and regulated; how media organizations create and market programs and products, and how they manage their operations.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 207 or TEL-T 207.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 208 Principles of Public Relations
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduction to public relations. Examines theory and practice of public relations, how public relations operates in organizations, and its impact on stakeholders and society. Topics include approaches to persuasion, media relations, crisis communication, reputation management, and ethics.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 321, MSCH-C 208, or MSCH-R 321.
- Thinking Media. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 210 Introduction to Games
- MSCH-C 211 Screening Gender and Sexuality
- MSCH-C 212 Screening Race and Ethnicity
- MSCH-C 213 Introduction to Media Psychology
- MSCH-C 214 Race, Prejudice, and the Media
- MSCH-C 215 History of Videogames
- MSCH-C 216 Social Scientific Perspectives of Gender and Media
- MSCH-C 217 Image Cultures
- MSCH-C 218 Sports, Media and Society
- MSCH-C 219 Media in the Global Context
MSCH-C 210 Introduction to Games
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduces the idea of games systems by breaking down games into their different components to build a deep game literacy. Students will learn how to learn a new game quickly; teach complex games to others; recognize and excel at the many different games played in everyday life. Where most courses have readings, this course has "gamings," required games for students to play and learn.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 210 or TEL-T 366.
MSCH-C 211 Screening Gender and Sexuality
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Critically examines how gender and sexuality are mediated through screen and audio-visual media (including film, video, television, radio, internet) and their cultural contexts. Using humanities approaches, topics might focus on popular media production; various genres, movements, and media cycles; specific cultural and historical contexts; impacts of technological change. Screenings may be required.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CMCL-C 203 or MSCH-C 211.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 212 Screening Race and Ethnicity
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Critically examines how race and/or ethnicity are mediated through screen and audio-visual media (including film, video, television, radio, internet) and their cultural contexts. Using humanities approaches, topics might focus on representations and debates within mainstream, art, or alternative media. May address histories of race, racism, and racial justice. Screenings may be required.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CMCL-C 201 or MSCH-C 212.
- Summer 2025CASE DUScourseSpring 2025CASE DUScourseFall 2024CASE DUScourse
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 213 Introduction to Media Psychology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the construction of social meaning associated with mediated messages as well as the range of uses of and consequences of exposure to mediated messages in individual groups, organizations, and society.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 214 Race, Prejudice, and the Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- This course addresses the psychology of racial prejudice and stereotyping and uses this social-scientific framework to examine the impact of media portrayals. We will focus on how race influences our media consumption decisions and how exposure to certain media messages (in entertainment, news, music, video games) could change racial stereotypes.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 214 or TEL-T 191.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 215 History of Videogames
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Covers the origin and development of the videogame. Topics include the location and platforms for gaming (arcades, home game consoles, personal computers); social and cultural impacts (stereotypes, gender roles, media effects, violence, regulation and intellectual property); new gaming trends (mobile and social gaming, free-to-play, and cloud gaming).
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 215 or TEL-T 160.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 216 Social Scientific Perspectives of Gender and Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines the representation of women in the media and analyzes women's creative work as media producers from a social scientific perspective. The course will include lecture and discussion of areas of critical debate: visual representation across media platforms, women's employment in media industries; women as an audience/consumer group.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 216 or TEL-T 192.
- Summer 2025CASE DUScourseSpring 2025CASE DUScourseFall 2024CASE DUScourse
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 217 Image Cultures
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Offers an interdisciplinary and historical context for understanding contemporary western 'image culture' by addressing the notion of the 'image' in a wide range of its theoretical, critical, and practical contexts, uses, and history. Examines the claim that our culture is more imagistic than others historically, asking how the roles of images have changed over time in relation to other modes of signification.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 217 or CMCL-C 208.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
MSCH-C 218 Sports, Media and Society
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examination of the social and financial relationships between sports organizations, media and society. Study of the social implications of sports media content in light of economic connections between sports media and college and professional sports teams, including how television contracts influence media coverage and how organization-based media influence audience perceptions.
MSCH-C 219 Media in the Global Context
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Surveys media industries, products, and publics outside the United States context (e.g., Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America). Analyzes regional media in relation to local/global historical, economic, and social processes. Screenings may be required.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 219 or CMCL-C 202.
- Summer 2025CASE GCCcourseSpring 2025CASE GCCcourseFall 2024CASE GCCcourse
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
- Making Media. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 220 Game Technology
- MSCH-C 226 Visual Communication
MSCH-C 220 Game Technology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Provides a survey of current technologies for creating games. These tools are also appropriate for projects in virtual and augmented reality and interactive journalism. Students acquire competency in several game engines demonstrated by the creation of several digital game prototypes using recently released tools.
MSCH-C 226 Visual Communication
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Theories of visual communication including human perception, psychology of color, and principles of design. Application of those theories to photography, video, and computer graphic design in news communication.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 210 or MSCH-C 226.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
- Introduction to Media. One (1) course:
- Concentration. Each of the following:
- Advanced Electives. Two (2) courses:
- MSCH-G 300 Game Production I
- MSCH-G 320 Game Art and Sound
- INFO-I 210 Information Infrastructure I
MSCH-G 300 Game Production I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 220 or INFO-I 210
- Description
- Students will learn how to make digital game prototypes gaining hands-on experience while working in teams and using game engines such as Unity and Unreal. Students will develop sound teamwork practices such as appropriate and timely communication, version control, and leadership; employ production methods such as agile and waterfall; and develop essential playtesting methods.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-G 300 or TEL-T 361.
MSCH-G 320 Game Art and Sound
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- A general introduction to concepts, techniques, and tools for creating audio, visual, and narrative assets used in computer games and digitally mediated environments, including sound editing and synthesis, frame-based and procedural animation, and non-linear story writing. Students will create original sounds, write and edit computer code, and author multiform narratives while studying their roles in emerging and complex systems.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-G 320 or TEL-T 284.
INFO-I 210 Information Infrastructure I
- Description
- This course introduces software architectures of information systems and basic concepts and procedures of system and application development. Course topics include PHP programming syntax; procedural programming fundamentals; principles of developing dynamic, database-driven applications for the World Wide Web; relational database concepts; and basic MySQL statements.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
- Digital Media Production. Three (3) courses:
- MSCH-J 362 Journalism Multimedia Storytelling
- MSCH-J 363 Web and Mobile Design
- MSCH-J 365 Graphic Design I
- INFO-I 201 Mathematical Foundations of Informatics
MSCH-J 362 Journalism Multimedia Storytelling
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 250 or MSCH-C 226; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Provides hands-on experiences in reporting, editing and presenting stories through images, sound, and spoken word. Goes beyond the basics skills to work with advanced cameras and software. Explores the use of emerging technologies for delivering truth to audiences of various types of media.
MSCH-J 363 Web and Mobile Design
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- in MSCH-C 250, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of websites and mobile platforms. Students learn design standards and how to apply them in the design of messages using multiple media. Course progresses from introductory work on web design to a culminating project employing responsive design.
MSCH-J 365 Graphic Design I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 250 or MSCH-C 226
- Description
- Instruction in page design, illustration and web design informed by design theory emphasizing critical thinking, creative problem solving, and ethical practice. Uses Adobe programs, HTML, CSS, and other coding to produce original media projects for mass and targeted audiences.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-J 365 or MSCH-J 463.
INFO-I 201 Mathematical Foundations of Informatics
- Description
- An introduction to methods of analytical, abstract and critical thinking, deductive reasoning; and logical and mathematical tools used in information sciences. Topics include propositional and predicate logic, natural deduction proof system, sets, functions and relations, proof methods in mathematics, mathematical induction, and graph theory.
- Additional information
- Credit hour, prerequisite, and other information cannot be displayed for this course. If this is a course outside of the College of Arts and Sciences, please see the appropriate school's bulletin for additional information.
- Additional Requirements.
- At least nine (9) credit hours in the concentration must be at the 300–499 level.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the concentration.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the concentration—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Advanced Electives. Two (2) courses:
- Specialization. One (1) of the following Media Specializations (see requirements below):
- Game Art
- Game Audio
- Game Production
- Web
- Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
- At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to major 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.
The Bachelor of Arts degree requires at least 120 credit hours, to include the following:
- College of Arts and Sciences Credit Hours. At least 100 credit hours must come from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines.
- Upper Division Courses. At least 42 credit hours (of the 120) must be at the 300–499 level.
- College Residency. Following completion of the 60th credit hour toward degree, at least 36 credit hours of College of Arts and Sciences coursework must be completed through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
- College GPA. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 is required for all courses taken at Indiana University.
- CASE Requirements. The following College of Arts and Sciences Education (CASE) requirements must be completed:
- CASE Foundations
- CASE Breadth of Inquiry
- CASE Culture Studies
- CASE Critical Approaches: 1 course
- CASE Foreign Language: Proficiency in a single foreign language through the second semester of the second year of college-level coursework
- CASE Intensive Writing: 1 course
- CASE Public Oral Communication: 1 course
- Major. Completion of the major as outlined in the Major Requirements section above.
Most students must also successfully complete the Indiana University Bloomington General Education program.
Subject areas
- Any AAAD course that carries degree credit
- Any AAST course that carries degree credit
- Any ABEH course that carries degree credit
- Any AFRI course that carries degree credit
- Any AMST course that carries degree credit
- Any ANTH course that carries degree credit
- Any ARTH course that carries degree credit
- Any ASCS course that carries degree credit
- Any AST course that carries degree credit
- Any BIOC course that carries degree credit
- Any BIOL course that carries degree credit
- Any BIOT course that carries degree credit
- Any CEUS course that carries degree credit
- Any CHEM course that carries degree credit
- Any CJUS course that carries degree credit
- Any CLAS course that carries degree credit
- Any CLLC course that carries degree credit
- Any CMLT course that carries degree credit
- Any COGS course that carries degree credit
- Any COLL course that carries degree credit
- Any EALC course that carries degree credit
- Any EAS course that carries degree credit
- Any ECON course that carries degree credit
- Any ENG course that carries degree credit
- Any EURO course that carries degree credit
- Any FOLK course that carries degree credit
- Any FRIT course that carries degree credit
- Any GEOG course that carries degree credit
- Any GER course that carries degree credit
- Any GLLC course that carries degree credit
- Any GNDR course that carries degree credit
- Any HHC course that carries degree credit
- Any HISP course that carries degree credit
- Any HIST course that carries degree credit
- Any HON course that carries degree credit
- Any HPSC course that carries degree credit
- Any HUBI course that carries degree credit
- Any IMP course that carries degree credit
- Any INST course that carries degree credit
- Any INTL course that carries degree credit
- Any JSTU course that carries degree credit
- Any LAMP course that carries degree credit
- Any LATS course that carries degree credit
- Any LING course that carries degree credit
- Any LTAM course that carries degree credit
- Any MATH course that carries degree credit
- Any MELC course that carries degree credit
- Any MEST course that carries degree credit
- Any MLS course that carries degree credit
- Any MSCH course that carries degree credit
- Any NEUS course that carries degree credit
- Any OVST course that carries degree credit
- Any PACE course that carries degree credit
- Any PHIL course that carries degree credit
- Any PHYS course that carries degree credit
- Any POLS course that carries degree credit
- Any PSY course that carries degree credit
- Any REEI course that carries degree credit
- Any REL course that carries degree credit
- Any RMI course that carries degree credit
- Any SEAS course that carries degree credit
- Any SGIS course that carries degree credit
- Any SLAV course that carries degree credit
- Any SLHS course that carries degree credit
- Any SLST course that carries degree credit
- Any SOAD course that carries degree credit
- Any SOC course that carries degree credit
- Any STAT course that carries degree credit
- Any THTR course that carries degree credit
Students will be able to:
- Design and visualize their creative work as interactive, data-driven documents on the Web platform;
- Master principles of audience-centered design to maximize the impact and utility of their creative projects;
- Work in (or contribute to) creative teams effectively. They will be able to speak intelligently to colleagues with other areas of expertise, and to constructively critique the work of others;
- Demonstrate familiarity with basic tools (for example, Web development languages, version control, Adobe Design Suite), be able to solve technical problems and know how and where to seek information for emerging tools and technologies; and
- Evaluate the usability of digital media and adjust their designs based on A/B testing, prototyping, critiquing & play testing.
Specializations
- Specialization in Advertising Creative
- Specialization in Advertising Management
- Specialization in Art, Aesthetics and Experimental Media
- Specialization in Audio Journalism
- Specialization in Black Cinema Studies: Aesthetics, History, and Image
- Specialization in Broadcast Journalism
- Specialization in Creative Industry Management
- Specialization in Digital Journalism
- Specialization in Documentary
- Specialization in Editing and Post Production
- Specialization in Game Art
- Specialization in Game Audio
- Specialization in Game Production
- Specialization in Global Media
- Specialization in Graphic Communication
- Specialization in Health Communication
- Specialization in International Cinema
- Specialization in Media & Creative Advertising Strategies
- Specialization in Media and Cultural Studies
- Specialization in Media and Diversity
- Specialization in Media History New and Old
- Specialization in Media Law and Ethics
- Specialization in Media Persuasion and Behavior
- Specialization in Media Psychology
- Specialization in Media Research
- Specialization in Multi-Camera Video Production
- Specialization in Narrative Filmmaking
- Specialization in New Media Marketing
- Specialization in News Writing
- Specialization in Photojournalism
- Specialization in Politics and Media
- Specialization in PR and Strategic Communication
- Specialization in Screenwriting
- Specialization in Sex, Gender and Media
- Specialization in Sports Journalism
- Specialization in Video Journalism
- Specialization in Web