An Introduction to Media Studies; Is a Career in Media Studies for You?

College programs in Communications or Mass Communication are other names for Media Studies. The fields of Journalism and Film Studies are connected to Media Studies on the artistic side. Media Studies is also connected to Technology, Cultural Studies, and Sociology on the more scientific end. Much of Media Studies is influenced by Political Science, Psychology, Economics, Philosophy, and Education. They're all related.

This course focuses on the content, history, artistry, and philosophical issues the discipline encounters. You will be asked to write creatively, of course, but also to study, learn, and critically think about the role of Media in our lives and how it shapes our culture.

You will also learn more about how publishing works and how to write more journalistically--engaging in writing articles, critiques, essays, memoirs, film, radio and television scripts, creating photo series, ads, PR, podcasting, blogging, game design, and a whole host of other creative writing tasks.

Our major units will include:

• New Media/Internet & Technology
• Journalism & New Journalism
• Creative Nonfiction
• Film & Television
• Radio
• Graphic Novels/Cartoons
• Photography/photo journalism
• Publishing

Please watch the following PREZI about our course and complete the tasks as directed. We'll discuss some of these issues today as a class, then think a little bit about our future and how this class can help us.

Often during this course we will be reading articles that 1.) serve as models for writing & 2). encourage us to think about our world--hopefully, to engage us with ideas for our own writing. Today, let's read and respond in writing to the short op-ed article "How to Survive the Age of Distraction." Look up the definition of op-ed. In your notes, define the term in your own words. We'll be keeping notes/journal to study and learn from, as well as a source of inspiration for our writing.

• Define op-ed.
• What national story right now involves an anonymous op-ed writer who leaked a story to the New York Times?
• Why is this news? (Who does it involve? What's at stake? Why should we care?)

TASK: After reading the article, please comment in the COMMENT section of this blog to this question/prompt:

• "A book has a different relationship to time than a TV show or a Facebook update. It says that something was worth taking from the endless torrent of data and laying down than an object that will still look the same a hundred years from now. The French writer Jean-Phillippe De Tonnac says 'the true function of books is to safeguard the things that forgetfulness constantly threatens to destroy.' -- Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Are books, in your opinion, still important to us in our culture (or to you in your culture)? Have they been replaced by better modes of mass media (like TV, social media, or film...)? Why or why not? Support your opinion with examples. 

Our course will also utilize a blog. I would prefer that you use the blog you created last year (you can update/redesign it--or create a new one if you prefer.) It is important that, as a writer, you realize that your words matter and that you can reach out to the world using the tool of mass media. A blog is just one kind of mass media. Today, after your research [see below], please update your blog and add a blog post for our second major task today. 

A Career in Media Studies?

It's not too early to think about career paths after high school. Mass communication (media studies) is a large field and covers a lot of different careers and professions. The ability to write, research, critically think, and communicate effectively are all important skills for a writer, and important skills for every professional in the workforce today.

Take a look at some college programs in Media Studies/Mass Communication/Journalism from the area. Look at the curriculum, the requirements for admission, and other details for students interested in pursuing a degree program in the field. How might you measure up? What kinds of courses would you have to take? What does the major cover or entail? Research in the lab.

Various College Programs in Journalism/Media Studies:

• University of Rochester
• SUNY Buffalo
• CUNY Queen's College
• MCC
• St. John Fisher
• RIT
• New York University
• Vassar College

And, of course, there are many others.

NOTE: Revisit this project at any time during the year when you are wondering why you are studying this stuff. It may help get you back on track.

Now that you've seen a few examples of college programs in media studies, take the rest of class to research college programs you might be interested in. What field or subject are you interested in pursuing? What course content do these programs cover? What do these programs promise to do for a student? What makes the program unique?

TASK #2: On your blog share your findings with the world. What have you learned about a potential career path in Media? What is your attitude about the media? How might you personally use media as a writer? What career path are you interested in pursuing? etc. Respond to what you've learned about these topics today on your blog. Check the "homework" rubric to see how you will be graded for these two class assignments (task #1 & #2).

HOMEWORK: None. If you did not complete the homework from last class (see previous post) please catch up and turn your work in late by next class. Don't fall behind. If you're all caught up, have a great weekend!