Media Studies Major (MDST)

Admission Procedures for the Media Studies Concentrations

1. Admission to the University does not imply automatic admission to the Media Studies major. Students must make formal application.
2. Application is made at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Applicants will obtain admission application forms in BCN 100. Admission application forms are also available from the Broadcasting and Cinema Departmental office in 321 McIver Building.
3. The deadline for filing an application is Reading Day of fall or spring semesters. Applications received after Reading Day will not be processed until the next semester. The foundation courses (ENG 101, BCN 100, and BCN 101 or 102) must be completed prior to or during the semester at the end of which application will be made.
4. Since admission to the Media Studies Major requires a probationary year at UNCG, transfer students will usually require a minimum of six (6) semesters at UNCG to complete degree requirements. Community college transfers entering with associates degrees may not be able to enroll in a full-time schedule in the fall semester since BCN 101 and 102 are offered only in the spring.

Criteria for Admission to the Media Studies Major

1. Minimum overall grade point average of 2.20.
2. Completion of ENG 101, BCN 100, and BCN 101 or 102, with grades of C or better (C- is not accepted).
   
   Selection, upon admission, of a Media Studies concentration as listed below. Students are limited to registration in only one concentration and must receive permission to take courses in another concentration.
3. Students should not take courses outside their declared concentration. Exceptions will be made on a space available basis by approval of the course instructor. Students who appear to be following a Media Studies concentration but who have not been formally registered in that concentration may be prohibited from taking additional course work in that concentration.

Criteria for Continuing in the Media Studies Major

1. Initial admission to the Media Studies major does not guarantee the student the right to complete the degree program.
2. Continuation in the Media Studies major is contingent upon the following requirements.
   1. Maintenance of a minimum overall GPA (currently 2.20). Students with GPAs below 2.20 may be granted up to two (2) semesters of probationary status (sequentially or in separate semesters), after which they shall be removed from the major if the GPA remains below 2.20. Students placed on probation may not take any restricted courses until they return to good standing. Restricted courses include BCN 271, 272, 350, 361, 370, 371, 373, 441, 468, 470, 471, 473, 550, 551, 552, 553, 580, 585, 587, and 588.
   2. Only grades of C or better (C- is not accepted) taken in BCN or related courses substituted in the major will count toward completion of a major or minor.
   3. Demonstration of high quality oral and written communication.
   4. Adherence to all building and equipment policies and procedures, including the departmental and university shooting protocols.
   5. Professional conduct and treatment of program equipment, including prompt payment of any charges assessed for equipment damage.
   6. Compliance with all University regulations including the Academic Honor Policy. Plagiarism, submitting the same work to more than one class, falsified attendance records, etc., are grounds for dismissal from the major.

Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/ concentration.

III College of Arts and Sciences Additional Requirements (CAR)

See requirements and approved courses.

IV Major Requirements

Minimum 40 semester hours in Media Studies (all levels).

Students must take the core requirements (22–23 hours) and one of five concentrations (18 hours) as listed below to complete the minimum requirements for the Media Studies major.

Core Requirements (22–23 semester hours)

BCN 100, 101 or 102, 203, 204, 205, 301, 407, 499

Concentration Requirements (18 semester hours)

1. Film and Television Studies

Film and Television Studies provides a broad-based approach emphasizing the analysis of film and television aesthetics, the social impact of film and television, and the interconnection among film, television, and culture. Film and Television Studies is recommended especially for students interested in film and television art, criticism, research, history, and theory, and those who plan to undertake graduate studies.

The concentration requires a minimum of six (6) courses, including a capstone course as indicated. At least four (4) of the courses must be at the 300 level or above:

• BCN 207
• Five (5) courses from the following, including a capstone course as indicated:
  • At least two (2) but no more than four (4) courses chosen from: BCN 101 or 102 [one not chosen for the core requirement], 305, 325, 326, 515, 520, 521, 526, 527, 528. At least one from BCN 515, 520, 521, 526, 527, or 528 must be taken as a capstone course.
  • At least one but no more than three (3) courses from: AFS 310; ART 313; CST 200, 555; ENG 329; GER 306F; HIS 399; SOC 365. The courses not selected from this group are recommended as University elective

2. Film and Video Production

The Film and Video Production concentration provides a broad-based approach emphasizing the aesthetics and practice of film and video production in both image and sound aspects for both fiction and nonfiction media genres. This concentration is especially recommended for students wishing to engage in the practice of film and video production and for those interested in graduate study in an MFA program in media production.

The concentration requires a minimum of six (6) courses, including a capstone course as indicated. At least four (4) of the courses must be at the 300 level or above:

• BCN 271, 272, 373; one from 520, 521, 526, 527, or 528
• Two (2) from among BCN 273, 370, 371, 380, 470, 471, 473, 580, 585, 587, 588. At least one (1) from BCN 470, 580, 585, 587, or 588 must be taken as a capstone course.

3. News and Documentary

News and Documentary introduces students to the practice and analysis of broadcast journalism, documentary, and other forms of electronic information gathering and presentation. Emphasis is on a broad-based understanding of social processes and the development of writing, reporting, and production skills.

The concentration requires a minimum of six (6) courses, including a capstone course as indicated. At least four (4) of the courses must be at the 300 level or higher:

• BCN 271, 272, 341, 371 or 380 or 441; 326 or 526; 442 or 588 (capstone courses)

In addition, News and Documentary students must take the following General Education courses:

• ECO 101; HIS 211 and 212; PSC 100. The following electives are recommended: ENG 219; BCN 326 or 526 (the one not chosen above), 361, 443, 371 or 441 (the one not chosen above), 442 or 588 (the one not chosen above), 525.

4. Media Management

The Media Management concentration is designed to prepare students, within a liberal arts context, for careers in broadcast and media management. Emphases including strategic planning, corporate governance, financing, programming, and producing for broadcast, cable, cinema, and new media industries.

The concentration requires a minimum of six (6) courses, including a capstone course as indicated. At least four (4) of the courses must be at the 300 level or higher:

• BCN 207; one from 520, 521, 526, 527, or 528
• BCN 322, 324, 326, 343, 492, 494, 524, 525, 585, including designation of one from among 524, 525, or 585 as a capstone course. Students may count only three (3) semester hours of BCN 492 or 494 internship credit toward the concentration.

In addition, majors in this concentration must complete the Business Minor (AOS code U398) in the Bryan School of Business and Economics.

Recommended electives include BCN 324, 326, 343, 468, 492, 494 (if not selected above); CST 308, 342, and 562.

5. Media Writing

Media Writing introduces students to conceptualization, research, organization, and execution of scripts for film and electronic media and is the recommended concentration for students who wish to become directors of film and electronic media productions.

The concentration requires a minimum of six (6) courses, including a capstone course as indicated. At least four (4) of the courses must be at the 300 level or higher:

• BCN 207; one from 520, 521, 526, 527, or 528
• Four (4) courses from BCN 252, 341, 343, 350, 443, 550, 551, 552, 553. At least one from BCN 551, 552, or 553 must be taken as a capstone course.

Capstone Courses

It is strongly recommended that the capstone course be taken in the student’s final semester.

V Electives

Major Electives

Media Studies majors are encouraged to develop a strong minor or second major in a related area of communication (e.g., Art, Communication Studies, English, etc.), a modern foreign language, or a content area (e.g., History, Psychology, Sociology, etc.). Media Studies majors may take a limited number of electives in the major, but it is strongly recommended that these courses be limited to the following:

1. Practicum courses (all require permission of instructor):
   
   BCN 190, 191, 196, 197, 296, 395, 396, 399, 490, 491, 496, 497. Practicum registrations are for individual or group work conducted under the supervision of a teaching assistant or a faculty member.
2. Internship courses: BCN 492, 494
3. Honors work: BCN 493

University Electives

Electives sufficient to complete the 122 hours required for the degree.