The Media School
Minor in Media Persuasion
The Media Persuasion minor studies the intersection of media messages and technologies with social institutions and individual behaviors. It investigates how media messages are crafted, how they work at both technological and physiological level, with attention paid to their uses and impacts. It sits at the core of The Media School's mission to investigate the interconnections and intricacies of the contemporary media complex. Students will study the methods and strategies of persuasion in an interdisciplinary context that will provide them with critical perspectives. The minor focuses on the interaction between media, technology and opinion. It provides instruction in both media processes and impacts. Students will develop a framework to assess how contemporary society is being reshaped by media, and this should in turn, help them to determine the best uses and practices we should expect of professionals in the field.
Requirements
The minor requires at least 15 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Introduction to Media Persuasion. 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.
- Spring 2027CASE SHcourseFall 2026CASE SHcourse
- Advanced Media Persuasion Electives. Four (4) courses:
- MSCH-A 347 Persuasive Messaging in Media
- MSCH-C 255 Introduction to Media Audience Measurement
- MSCH-C 320 Social Media Tactics
- MSCH-J 423 Public Opinion
- 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
- MSCH-S 452 Communicating Climate Change
- MSCH-S 471 Applying Theory to Media Design
MSCH-A 347 Persuasive Messaging in Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Theory and practice of designing, implementing, and evaluating persuasive materials and messaging campaigns for consumer-focused media. Emphasis on current strategies and techniques employed throughout all media with a concentration on broadcasting.
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-C 320 Social Media Tactics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Provides the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to better understand social media, how they are utilized across fields such as advertising, journalism, media management and public relations, and what tactical and strategic considerations are necessary to most effectively use social networking tools in commercial and non-profit communication.
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-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 2027CASE SHcourseFall 2026CASE 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.
- Spring 2027CASE SHcourseFall 2026CASE 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.
- Spring 2027CASE SHcourseFall 2026CASE SHcourse
MSCH-S 348 Audience Analysis
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Provides an introduction to communication research methods and data analysis. Course content focuses on methods of collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data associated with the assessment of media and audiences. Demonstration is made of how these topics apply to the diversity of audience analysis arenas in our contemporary media environment.
- Spring 2027CASE SHcourseFall 2026CASE 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.
- Spring 2027CASE SLcourseFall 2026CASE 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.
- Minor Hours and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minor Residency. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
- Minor Upper Division Courses. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300-499 level.
- Minimum Grade. A grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
Minor 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
MSCHsubject area 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 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
- Any course at the 100–499 level with the
Exclusions
The following courses cannot be applied toward minor requirements:
- ANTH-E 422 Native American and Indigenous Media
- ENG-R 339 Freedom of Speech
ANTH-E 422 Native American and Indigenous Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Study of contemporary Native American and global indigenous representation and communication, including oral performance and media. Explores the poetics and politics of media and performance in the context of indigenous histories, cultures, and experiences of colonization. Examines the use of performance forms as symbolic resources in literature, film, the Internet, music and television. Addresses intersections of gender, class and race in indigenous media worlds.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of ANTH-E 422 or CMCL-C 430.
- Spring 2027CASE SHcourseFall 2026CASE SHcourse
ENG-R 339 Freedom of Speech
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- An examination of the concept of freedom of speech as a historical, philosophical, legal, and rhetorical concept.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CMCL-C 339 or ENG-R 339.
- Spring 2027CASE AHcourseFall 2026CASE AHcourse
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Area Certificate in Journalism [JOURUGACR1]
- Major in Cinematic Arts (Bachelor of Fine Arts) [CINEARTBFA]
- Major in Game Design (Bachelor of Science) [GAMEDSGNBS]
- Major in Global Media (Bachelor of Science) [GLBMEDIABS]
- Major in Journalism (Bachelor of Arts in Journalism) [JOURBAJ]
- Major in Media (Bachelor of Arts) [MEDIABA]
- Major in Media Advertising (Bachelor of Science) [MEDIAADVBS]
- Major in Public Relations (Bachelor of Science) [PBLCRELNBS]
- Major in Sports Media (Bachelor of Science) [SPTMEDIABS]
Exceptions to and substitutions for minor 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.