Schools, Departments & Programs

The Media School

B.A. in Media
Media Specializations—Requirements and Course Lists
Purpose

The B.A. in Media Specializations combine advanced training in related professional and creative skills from courses taught across the entire curriculum of The Media School. Specializations will allow students to develop specific transcriptable skill sets. Some concentrations specify appropriate specializations and others allow students to choose any one of the listed specializations. The specializations will allow students to explore areas of media studies from across The Media School, and we anticipate that certain skill sets and course clusters will allow for further collaboration with other units.

Requirements
  • Media School specializations consist of 9 credit hours at the 300–400 level.
  • Students must earn at least a C– in each course to satisfy a specialization requirement.
  • Students must have at least a 2.000 College GPA in courses completed for a specialization.

Please note: most specialization courses have prerequisites. Be sure to consider prerequisite coursework when selecting a specialization. Courses counting in the concentration cannot also count as fulfilling the specialization.

Art, Aesthetics, and Experimental Media

Complete three (3) courses from the lists below:

  • At least one (1) course must come from the Theory list.
  • No more than one (1) course may come from the Fine Arts list.
Theory
  • MSCH-F 326 Authorship in the Media (Approved topics only)
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topics: Local/Global Video Art: Analog and Digital Interventions from Here to the Asia Pacific)
  • MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History (Approved topic: History of the American Avant-garde)
  • MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History (Approved topic: Sound and Cinema)
Production
  • MSCH-P 335 Production as Criticism
  • MSCH-P 360 Motion Picture Production
  • MSCH-P 438 Experiments with the Film Camera
  • MSCH-P 460 Advanced Motion Picture Production 
Fine Arts
  • FINA-D 310 Interactive Multimedia
  • FINA-D 317 Video Art
  • FINA-D 410 Advanced Multimedia
  • FINA-D 417 Digital Video
  • FINA-D 419 Special Topics in Digital Art (Approved topics only)
Audio Journalism
  1. Complete one (1) advanced writing course from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 315 Feature Writing
    • MSCH-J 341 News Reporting
    • MSCH-J 342 Magazine Reporting
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News
  2. Complete two (2) additional advanced skills courses from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News
    • MSCH-J 353 Advanced Broadcast News
    • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-J 362 Journalism Multimedia Storytelling
    • MSCH-J 401 Depth Reporting and Editing
    • MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-P 353 Audio Production
    • MSCH-X 478 Field Experiences in Media (Approved topics only)
Black Cinema Studies: Aesthetics, History, and Image

Complete three (3) courses from the following, at least two (2) of which must be MSCH courses:

  • AMST-A 200 Comparative American Identities (Approved topic: Topic Race and Visual Culture)
  • CMLT-C 361 African Literature and Other Arts
  • FRIT-F 222 Media Studies in the Francophone World
  • MSCH-F 326 Authorship in the Media (Approved topic: Spike Lee's Filmworks)
  • MSCH-F 375 Race, Gender and Representation (Approved topic: Black Women Make Movies)
  • MSCH-F 377 Cinemas of the Black Diaspora
  • MSCH-F 398 National and Transnational Cinemas (Approved topic: African Cinema and Politics)
  • MSCH-X 472 Media Internship (Approved internship at Black Film Center/Archive)
Broadcast Journalism
  1. Complete one (1) advanced writing course from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 315 Feature Writing  
    • MSCH-J 341 News Reporting
    • MSCH-J 342 Magazine Reporting
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News  
  2. Complete two (2) additional advanced skills courses from the following:
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News
    • MSCH-J 353 Advanced Broadcast News
    • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-J 385 Television News
    • MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-X 478 Field Experiences in Media (Approved topics only)
Creative Industry Management

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCH-M 330 Production Management
  • MSCH-M 411 Media Industries and Cultural Production
  • MSCH-M 413 Global Media Issues (Approved topics only)
  • MSCH-M 446 Telecommunications Management
Digital Journalism

Complete each of the following courses:

  • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topic: Web Design)
  • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topic: Data Journalism)
  • MSCH-J 464 Infographics
Documentary

Complete three (3) courses from the following lists, including at least one (1) course from the Theory list:

Theory
  • MSCH-F 326: Authorship in the Media (Approved topic: Michael Moore, Errol Morris and the Contemporary Theatrical Documentary)
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topic: Contemporary Documentary)
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topic: The Essay Film)
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topic: Nontheatrical Cinema)
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topic: Film and Ethnography)
  • MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History (Approved topic: History of Documentary)
  • MSCH-F 445 Media, Culture, and Politics (Approved topic: Film and Propaganda)
Production
  • MSCH-J 362 Journalism Multimedia Storytelling
  • MSCH-P 433 Video Documentary
  • MSCH-P 434 Documentary
  • MSCH-P 435 Documentary Filmmaking: Theory and Practice
  • MSCH-X 472 Media Internship (Approved internship at IU Libraries Moving Image Archive)
Game Art

Complete each of the following courses:

  • MSCH-G 320 Game Art and Sound
  • MSCH-G 410 Game Design II: Systems
  • MSCH-G 420 Advanced Game Art I
Game Audio

Complete at least three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCH-P 369 Sound Design
  • MSCH-P 455 Topics in Music Scoring for Visual Media (all topics)
  • MSCH-V 401 Senior Seminar in Media (Approved topic: Sounds, Images, Interactivity)
  • MSCH-V 401 Senior Seminar in Media (Approved topic: Scoring for Narrative Media)
Game Production

Complete each of the following courses:

  • MSCH-C 220 Game Technology (OR INFO-I 110) Upper-level programming skills needed
  • MSCH-G 300 Game Production I (formerly TEL-T 361)
  • MSCH-G 400 Game Production II (formerly TEL-T 461)
Global Media

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • INTL-I 305 Advanced Topics in International Communication and the Arts (Approved topics only)
  • MSCH-F 393 History of European and American Films I
  • MSCH-F 394 History of European and American Films II
  • MSCH-F 398 National and Transnational Cinemas
  • MSCH-F 413 Global Villages
  • MSCH-J 448 Global Journalism: Issues and Research
  • MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (Approved topics: Conflict, Terrorism and Humanitarianism; Muslims and the Media)
  • MSCH-M 413 Global Media Issues
  • MSCH-X 478 Field Experiences in Media (Approved topics only)
Graphic Communication
  1. Complete one (1) advanced writing course from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 315 Feature Writing
    • MSCH-J 341 News Reporting
    • MSCH-J 342 Magazine Reporting
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News  
  2. Complete two (2) additional advanced skills courses from the following:
    • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-J 362 Journalism Multimedia Storytelling
    • MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (Approved topic: Depth Multimedia)
    • MSCH-J 463 Graphic Design I
    • MSCH-J 464 Infographics  
    • MSCH-J 465 Graphic Design II
    • MSCH-X 478 Field Experiences in Media (Approved topics only)
Health Communication

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCI-M 440 Health Care in America
  • MSCH-S 410 Sex in the Media
  • MSCH-S 414 Public Communication Campaigns
  • MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media and Society (Approved topics: Media Violence; Media and the Body)
International Cinema

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • FRIT-F 222 Media Studies in the Francophone World
  • MSCH-F 311 Media History (Approved topic: Japan on Film)
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topic: Local/Global Video Art: Analog and Digital Interventions from Here to the Asia Pacific)
  • MSCH-F 394 History of European and American Films II (Approved topic: Cosmopolitan Challenges: Contemporary European Cinema)
  • MSCH-F 394 History of European and American Films II (Approved topic: French Cinema)
  • MSCH-F 398 National and Transnational Cinemas (Approved topic: African Cinema and Politics)
  • MSCH-F 398 National and Transnational Cinemas (Approved topic: Chinese Cinemas)
  • MSCH-F 398 National and Transnational Cinemas (Approved topic: East Asian Cinema and Media)
  • MSCH-F 413 Global Villages (Approved topic: Media Screens and Global Frames)
  • MSCH-F 445 Media Culture and Politics (Approved topic: Film and Propaganda)
  • MSCH-V 401 Senior Seminar in Media (Approved topic: Film and Revolution)
Media and Creative Advertising

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCH-A 315 Advertising and Consumer Culture
  • MSCH-A 320 Principles of Creative Advertising
  • MSCH-A 337 Electronic Media Advertising
  • MSCH-A 420 Advertising Concepts and Copywriting
  • MSCH-A 441 Advanced Advertising Strategies
Media and Cultural Studies

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • AMST-A 200 Comparative American Identities (Approved topic: Race and Visual Culture)
  • MSCH-A 315 Advertising and Consumer Culture
  • MSCH-A 438 Advertising Issues and Research
  • MSCH-F 309 Images of War and Peace in Public Culture
  • MSCH-F 311 Media History (Approved topic: Mass Media and Democracy)
  • MSCH-F 336 Using Popular Culture (Approved topic: Media and Cultural Studies)
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topic: Queer Cinema and Beyond)
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topic: Crime and Punishment)
  • MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History (Approved topic: Visual Culture)
  • MSCH-F 445 Media Culture and Politics (Approved topic: Words and Images in Public Culture)
  • MSCH-J 410 Media as Social Institutions
  • MSCH-T 410 Media Theory
  • MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media
Media and Diversity

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • AAAD-A 330 African American Cinematic Experience
  • AAAD-A 430 The Cinema of Africana Women
  • AAAD-A 447 Race, Crime, and Media
  • LATS-L 302 Latinos in the Media
  • MSCH-F 326 Authorship in the Media (Approved topic: Spike Lee)
  • MSCH-F 375 Race, Gender and Representation
  • MSCH-F 377 Cinemas of the Black Diaspora
  • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topic: Diversity in the Newsroom)
Media History—New and Old

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • GNDR-G 402 Problems in Gender Study (Approved topic: Celebrity Theory)
  • MSCH-D 337 New Media
  • MSCH-F 311 Media History
  • MSCH-F 392 Media Genres (Approved topic: American Independent Cinema)
  • MSCH-F 413 Global Villages
  • MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History (Approved topic: History of Television)
  • MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History (Approved topic: Researching Media History)
  • MSCH-M 411 Media Industries and Cultural Productions (Approved topic: MTV)
  • MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media (Approved topic: Media Convergence)
Media Law and Ethics

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCH-J 300 Communications Law
  • MSCH-J 407 Newsgathering and the Law
  • MSCH-J 410 The Media as Social Institutions
  • MSCH-L 317 Media Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  • MSCH-L 322 Telecommunications Policymaking
  • MSCH-L 424 Telecommunications and the Constitution
Media Persuasion

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCH-A 315 Advertising and Consumer Culture
  • MSCH-A 337 Electronic Media Advertising
  • MSCH-A 347 Media Promotion and Marketing
  • MSCH-J 423 Public Opinion
  • MSCH-R 429 Public Relations Campaigns
  • MSCH-S 312 Politics and the Media
  • MSCH-S 315 Media Processes and Effects
Media Psychology

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCH-J 470 Broadcast Media Analysis
  • MSCH-S 315 Media Processes and Effects
  • MSCH-S 317 Children and Media
  • MSCH-S 445 Sports and Television
  • MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media and Society (Approved topics: Media and Violence, The Appeal of Entertainment, Media and Morality)
  • MSCH-S 471 Applying Theory to Media Design
Media Research

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCH-S 315 Media Processes and Effects
  • MSCH-S 348 Audience Analysis
  • MSCH-S 471 Applying Theory to Media Design
  • MSCH-X 490 Projects in Media
  • A statistics course chosen from:
    • CJUS-K 300 Techniques of Data Analysis
    • ECON-E 370 Statistical Analysis for Business and Economics
    • LAMP-L 316 Junior Seminar (Topic: Analytical Problem Solving)
    • PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques
    • PSY-K 310 Statistical Techniques
    • SOC-S 371 Statistics in Sociology
    • STAT-S 300 Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods
    • STAT-S 303 Applied Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences
New Media Marketing

Complete each of the following courses:

  • MSCH-A 337 Electronic Media Advertising
  • MSCH-V 401 Senior Seminar in Media (Approved topic: Marketing and Social Networks)
  • MSCH-V 490 Capstone Seminar in Media
News Writing
  1. Complete one (1) advanced writing course from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 315 Feature Writing
    • MSCH-J 341 News Reporting
    • MSCH-J 342 Magazine Reporting
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News
  2. Complete two (2) advanced skills courses from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 315 Feature Writing
    • MSCH-J 341 News Reporting
    • MSCH-J 342 Magazine Reporting
    • MSCH-J 351 News Editing
    • MSCH-J 352 Magazine Editing
    • MSCH-J 401 Depth Reporting and Editing
    • MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (Approved topics: Story Mechanics, 812 Magazine, Investigative Journalism and Narrative Journalism, Reporting The World From Home)
    • MSCH-J 481 Creating an Indiana Magazine (812 Magazine)
    • MSCH-X 478 Field Experiences in Media (Approved topics: Reporting HIV/AIDS in Africa, Reporting War and Peace in Okinawa)
Photojournalism
  1. Complete one (1) advanced writing course from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 315 Feature Writing  
    • MSCH-J 341 News Reporting
    • MSCH-J 342 Magazine Reporting
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News
  2. Complete two (2) advanced skills courses from the following:
    • MSCH-J 344 Photojournalism Reporting
    • MSCH-J 354 Photojournalism Editing
    • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-J 444 Advanced Photojournalism
    • MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-X 478 Field Experiences in Media (Approved topics only)
Politics and Media

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • MSCH-F 445 Media, Culture, and Politics
  • MSCH-J 410 The Media as Social Institutions
  • MSCH-J 423 Public Opinion
  • MSCH-J 470 Broadcast Media Analysis
  • MSCH-L 322 Telecommunications Policymaking
  • MSCH-S 312 Politics and the Media
  • MSCH-S 414 Public Communication Campaigns
  • MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminars in Media and Society (Approved topic: Comedic News)
  • PSY-P 449 Social Psychology of Public Opinion
Public Relations and Strategic Communication

Complete each of the following courses:

  • MSCH-R 349 Public Relations Writing
  • MSCH-R 428 Public Relations Planning and Research
  • MSCH-R 429 Public Relations Campaigns
Sex, Gender and Media

Complete three (3) courses from the following:

  • AAAD-A 430 The Cinema of Africana Women
  • GNDR-G 310 Representation and the Body
  • GNDR-G 325 Technologies of Gender
  • GNDR-G 330 Looking Like a Feminist: Visual Culture and Critical Theory
  • INTL-I 425 Gender: International Perspectives
  • MSCH-F 375 Race, Gender, and Representation
  • MSCH-F 420 Topics in Media History (Approved topics only)
  • MSCH-S 410 Sex in the Media
  • MSCH-S 451 Topical Seminar in Media and Society (Approved topic Nature, Role and Effects of Pornography)
  • SOC-S 422 Constructing Sexuality
Sports Journalism
  1. Complete at least two (2) course from the following:
    • MSCH-B 332 Sports Writing and Reporting
    • MSCH-B 333 Sportscasting
    • MSCH-B 334 Applied Social Media in Sports
    • MSCH-B 432 Advanced Sports Writing
  2. Complete one (1) additional course from the list above or from the following:
    • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-J 464 Infographics
    • MSCH-X 472 Media Internship

Note: Students pursuing the Sports Media concentration who take MSCH-X 472 Media Internship as part of their concentration are prohibited from taking a second internship for credit in the Sports Journalism specialization.

Video Journalism
  1. Complete one (1) advanced writing course from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 315 Feature Writing  
    • MSCH-J 341 News Reporting
    • MSCH-J 342 Magazine Reporting
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News
  2. Complete two (2) additional advanced skills courses from the following:
    • MSCH-J 303 Online Journalism
    • MSCH-J 343 Broadcast News
    • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topics only)
    • MSCH-J 362 Journalism Multimedia Storytelling
    • MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (Approved topics)
    • MSCH-X 478 Field Experiences in Media (Approved topics only)
Web
Complete three (3) courses from the following:
  • CSCI-A 348 Mastering the World Wide Web
  • INFO-I 300 HCI/Interaction Design
  • INFO-I 308 Information Representation
  • MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (Approved topic: The New Privacy)
  • MSCH-V 334 Current Topics in Media (Approved topics only)
  • MSCH-V 401 Senior Seminar in Media (Approved topics only)