The Media School
Specialization in Documentary (Bachelor of Arts in Media)
Students on Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 requirements MDAS07
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Theory. One (1) course:
- MSCH-D 413 Global Screen Cultures (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-F 326 Authorship in the Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-F 445 Media, Culture, and Politics (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
MSCH-D 413 Global Screen Cultures
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Covers electronic media\'s role in altering perceptions of time, space, locality, and identity. Explores changing economic, political, and cultural relations in the global media environment. Topics vary and may include global media events, trans-border information flows, cultural differences in media forms and practices.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-F 326 Authorship in the Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topic varies: in-depth analysis of directors, producers, or creative individuals in the media, viewed as 'authors.'
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
MSCH-F 392 Media Genres
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topic varies. Analysis of typical genres, such as westerns, situation comedies, documentaries, etc. Problems of generic description or definition: themes, conventions, iconography peculiar to given genres.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 392 and MSCH-F 392.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Media historiography, topics in national media history, national and international movements and trends. Topic varies.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 420 and MSCH-F 420.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
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.
- Electives. Two (2) courses:
- Additional course from the Theory list
- MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-J 362 Journalism Multimedia Storytelling
- MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-P 344 Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking: Theory & Practice
- MSCH-P 434 Advanced Documentary Filmmaking: Theory & Practice
- MSCH-P 435 Advanced Documentary Workshop
- MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-V 470 Issues in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-X 472 Media Internship approved internship at IU Libraries Moving Image Archive for three (3) credit hours
- MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
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 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 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-P 344 Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking: Theory & Practice
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 229; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Explores the variety of documentary film practice. Examines fundamental issues, styles, and techniques (realism, voice, ethics, observation, interview, re-enactment, etc.) through hands-on exercises, screenings, discussions, lectures, and the production of a short form documentary
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-P 344 or MSCH-P 433.
MSCH-P 434 Advanced Documentary Filmmaking: Theory & Practice
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 223; and MSCH-C228 or MSCH-C 229; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Focuses on the development and production of a larger scale documentary, including research, story development, writing, filming, and editing.
MSCH-P 435 Advanced Documentary Workshop
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-P 335 or MSCH-P 344 or MSCH-P 360; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Focuses on collaborative production of a substantial documentary. Employs advanced, specialized procedures, theories, and skills involved in professional production, including research, investigative techniques, production design, cinematography, sound, post-production, writing, and rights clearance.
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-V 470 Issues in Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Seminar exploring new developments and advanced research in media.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 9 credit hours.
MSCH-X 472 Media Internship
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; at least 12 credit hours completed in the school; and application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Faculty-supervised work in a media field related to student's academic interests. Credits based on at least 45 work hours per credit hour with a maximum of 6 credit hours applied toward the B.A. in Media or the B.S. in Game Design. Student must write a critical analysis paper and be evaluated by a workplace supervisor.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 382, MSCH-I 382, MSCH-I 497, MSCH-X 472, or TEL-T 497.
- Grading
- S/F grading.
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.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the specialization.
- Minor GPA. 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.
Specialization Area Courses
-
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
Exceptions to and substitutions for specialization requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.