Media Studies 
A multi-disciplinary degree with collaboration from TV/Film, Math and Computer Science, and Communications

The Media Studies major at DeSales University is oriented toward a combination of theory and practice, with an emphasis on theory. The goal of the major is to produce media professionals with basic skills for content production and advanced tools of critical thought necessary for critiquing that content. Students will take courses in media theory, written communication, digital media, and video and audio production. These courses combine to form a well-rounded education for future professionals entering the media business world and future scholars who will study media.

The Media Studies major is guided by a theory of media literacy that sees knowledge of the media as a combination of the ability to produce media through various formats and the methodology necessary for analyzing media as crucially important for professionals and scholars. In other words, a professional must carry into his or her chosen field the appropriate tools for critical thinking about how media function as institutions, as content producers, and as political influencers, among other things. Equally so, scholars who choose a path of studying media in higher education should have a knowledge of the technical aspects of the production process that will help inform his or her scholarship.

As a media studies major, you will be exposed to a wide variety of content that includes an introduction to mass communication theory, media law, digital media and art production, film, television and radio production and writing courses in journalism and public relations.

You will also have the opportunity for practical application of these skills in a variety of experiences including:

• Writing for the student newspaper
• Creating digital content for the newspaper website
• Working on research for the forthcoming web forum in the media studies major
• Producing content for the forthcoming media studies major podcast
• Assisting in event planning and promotion through public relations course work

The major incorporates these experiences both in and out of the classroom in order to produce students who have experience in production and theory and an awareness of ethical concerns present in the contemporary world of the media industry.