The Media School
Concentration in Media Science (Bachelor of Arts in Media)
Students on Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024 requirements MDAC05
Requirements
The major requires at least 36 credit hours (12 in the Media Core and 24 in the Concentration), including the requirements listed below.
- Media School Core.
- 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 207 Introduction to Media Industry and Management
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
- Thinking Media. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 213 Introduction to Media Psychology
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
- Making Media. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 220 Game Technology
- MSCH-C 221 Writing for Electronic Media
- MSCH-C 223 Introduction to Filmmaking
- MSCH-C 250 Story Lab I
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 221 Writing for Electronic Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Style, form, and preparation of written materials for electronic media.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 221 or TEL-T 211.
MSCH-C 223 Introduction to Filmmaking
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Provides a conceptual framework for writing, designing, and evaluating a variety of media products. Media program design is not a hands-on production course but does offer an overview of the production process. Topics include scriptwriting, production design, visualization, composition, editing styles, and others.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 223 or TEL-T 206.
- Summer 2025CASE AHcourseSpring 2025CASE AHcourseFall 2024CASE AHcourse
MSCH-C 250 Story Lab I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Intensive, hands-on course introduces storytelling skills, techniques and tools for effective media creation in a digital, multi-platform environment and provides the knowledge and skills needed for success in higher-level, more specialized courses of study across the Media School curriculum, including advertising, digital media, journalism, and public relations.
- Grading
- Students are able to earn credit for only one of the following: MSCH-C 250; JOUR-J 210; MSCH-C 226; MSCH-C 21001
- Introduction to Media. One (1) course:
- Concentration.
- Media Science Courses. Five (5) courses:
- MSCH-C 255 Introduction to Media Audience Measurement
- MSCH-S 310 Sex in the Media
- MSCH-S 312 Politics and the Media
- MSCH-S 315 Media Processes and Effects
- MSCH-S 317 Children and Media
- MSCH-S 348 Audience Analysis
- MSCH-S 351 Methods in Media Psychology
- MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media Psychology (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-S 452 Communicating Climate Change
- MSCH-S 471 Applying Theory to Media Design
MSCH-C 255 Introduction to Media Audience Measurement
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Provides an introduction to many of the ways audience behavior is measured and analyzed by media industry professionals and scholars. Covers skill such as basic measurement and questionnaire design principles, reaction time/response latency, continuous response measurement, and peripheral biometrics (heart rate, skin conductance, eye tracking, etc.).
MSCH-S 310 Sex in the Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Explores the role and portrayal of sex and sexuality in media and examines in detail the potential social and psychological effects of exposure to sexual content in the media.
- Repeatability
- Credit give for only on of MSCH-S 410 or MSCH-S 310.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE 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.
- 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 317 Children and Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 213, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Acquaints students with the popular and research literatures on children and media, including television and computers. Students will be expected to identify recurring themes and topics related to children and media and to evaluate their significance in understanding the role of media in children's lives.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-S 348 Audience Analysis
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- The behavior, descriptors, and measurement of telecommunications audiences. Sample survey, focus groups, and other research methods used by the telecommunications industry.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-S 351 Methods in Media Psychology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-C 213, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Explores concepts such as attention, emotion, attitude, and memory as they apply to humans processing media messages. Introduces tools commonly employed in media psychology research such as biometric measures (heart rate, skin conductance, eye tracking, etc.), secondary task reaction time, and continuous response measurement. Provides opportunity to develop and implement a research study.
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 452 Communicating Climate Change
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Provides an overview of public opinion on climate change, introduces different theoretical perspectives on the barriers to public engagement with the topic, and examines the effectiveness of different methods of climate change communication designed to foster public engagement.
- Summer 2025CASE SLcourseSpring 2025CASE SLcourseFall 2024CASE SLcourse
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.
- 300–499 Level Electives. Two (2) additional courses:
- Any MSCH-A 300–399
- Any MSCH-B 300–399
- Any MSCH-C 300–399
- Any MSCH-D 300–399
- Any MSCH-F 300–399
- Any MSCH-G 300–399
- Any MSCH-H 300–399
- Any MSCH-J 300–399
- Any MSCH-L 300–399
- Any MSCH-M 300–399
- Any MSCH-P 300–399
- Any MSCH-R 300–399
- Any MSCH-S 300–399
- Any MSCH-T 300–399
- Any MSCH-V 300–399
- Any MSCH-X 300–399
- Any MSCH-A 400–499
- Any MSCH-B 400–499
- Any MSCH-D 400–499
- Any MSCH-F 400–499
- Any MSCH-G 400–499
- Any MSCH-H 400–499
- Any MSCH-J 400–499
- Any MSCH-L 400–499
- Any MSCH-M 400–499
- Any MSCH-P 400–499
- Any MSCH-R 400–499
- Any MSCH-S 400–499
- Any MSCH-T 400–499
- Any MSCH-V 400–499
- Any MSCH-X 400–499
- Free Elective. One (1) additional course:
- Any MSCH 100–499
- 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.
- Media Science Courses. Five (5) courses:
- Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Major GPA. 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.
- Major 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 major.
- Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Major Residency. 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.
- College Breadth. At least 58 credit hours must be completed in courses from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines outside of the major area.
Major 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 at the 100–499 level with the
MSCH
prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent - Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements—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
- Any course, consistent with the policies herein, that is part of a concentration, track, and/or specialization being pursued as part of this academic program
- Any course at the 100–499 level with the
Exclusions
The following courses cannot be applied toward major requirements or the College Breadth requirement:
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (JOURBAJ)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts (CINEARTBFA)
- Bachelor of Science in Game Design (GAMEDSGNBS)
- Certificate in New Media and Interactive Storytelling (NMISTACRT1)
- Minor in Black Cinema and Media Studies (BLKCNMDMIN)
- Minor in Cinema and Media Studies (CNMDASTMIN)
- Minor in Fashion Media (FAMEDIAMIN)
- Minor in Film Production (FILMPRDMIN)
- Minor in Game Design (GAMEDSNMIN)
- Minor in Global Media (GLVMDIAMIN)
- Minor in Media and Creative Advertising (MDCRADMIN)
- Minor in Media and Diversity (MDIADIVMIN)
- Minor in Media Law and Ethics (MDLWETMIN)
- Minor in Media Persuasion (MDIAPRSMIN)
- Minor in Media, Sex and Gender (MDGNDRMIN)
- Minor in Public Relations (PBLCRELMIN)
- Minor in Sports Media (SPORTMDMIN)
- [Name unavailable] (NMISTACRT)
Exceptions to and substitutions for major 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.
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 College grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.000 is required.
- 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:
- Apply theory to design of media messages
- Apply theory to the analysis of media messages
- Write fluently and persuasively across multiple channels
- Communicate and synthesize complex ideas
- Formulate research questions and use appropriate methods to answer such questions
- Identify, gather, and evaluate appropriate sources for research
- Use statistics to test communication science hypotheses directly
- Develop a critical understanding of ethical tensions in media practice
- Apply understanding to academic and professional activities
- Explain social, political, cultural and economic dimensions of media technology, institutions, practices, policy, regulations
- Critically analyze issues of diversity, difference, social justice and power and the place of media in that context
- Understand best practices for navigating dimensions of diversity, difference, social justice and power