BA Degree

David Goguen, MFA, Chair, Division of Applied & Interdisciplinary Studies
     Media Studies Program Coordinator
W.W. Slider Humanities Center, Room 303
(270) 384-8241  goguend@lindsey.edu

Full-time Program Faculty:  David Goguen, MFA; Daniel Koger, PhD; David Meyers, MFA; Tim Smith, MFA; Greg Phelps, PhD; Stephanie Tarter, MS; Jerry Thomas, MA

Mission Statement

The mission of the Media Studies Program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate, create, and distribute information for mass audiences and to develop as effective and responsible communicators who contribute in productive and positive ways to society.

This degree is recommended for students interested in assuming professional roles in print, online, and broadcast journalism, public relations, business communication, marketing and promotion, and advertising. The curriculum features a strong interdisciplinary approach, integrating the disciplines of journalism, communication, and art.

Degree Requirements

A.  General Education Requirements:  36-47 hours

• Introduction to Photography (ART/JRNL 2153) - 3 hours
• Public Speaking (COMM 2103) - 3 hours
• Writing Studies I (ENGL 1013), unless waiver requirements are met, or permission of instructor is a prerequisite for JRNL 2403 - 3 hours

B.  Program Core:  20 hours

• Introduction to Communication (COMM 1003) - 3 hours
• Mass Media & Society (COMM/JRNL 1503) - 3 hours
• Design & Color (ART 2164) - 4 hours*
• Media Writing & Reporting (JRNL 2403) - 3 hours
• Interactive Media Design (JRNL 3413) - 3 hours
• Communication Law & Ethics (COMM/JRNL 4403) - 3 hours
• Media Studies Seminar (JRNL 4901) - 1 hour

*This course may satisfy general education requirements.

C.    Select one of the following Emphasis areas (Journalism, Public Relations, Media Arts): 

1 - Journalism:  12 hours

• Community Reporting (JRNL 3103) - 3 hours
• Editing & Media Management (JRNL 3203) - 3 hours
• Magazine & Feature Writing (JRNL 3213) - 3 hours
• Broadcast Journalism (JRNL 4123) - 3 hours

2 - Public Relations:  12 hours

• Public Relations Principles & Practices (COMM 3113) - 3 hours
• Intermediate Public Relations (COMM 3213) - 3 hours
• Advanced Public Relations (COMM 4113) - 3 hours
• Crisis Communication (4203) or Political Communication & Public Affairs (COMM 4733) - 3 hours

3 - Media Arts:  13 hours

• Beginning Studio: Drawing (ART 1214) - 4 hours
• Computer Graphics I (ART 2623) - 3 hours
• Computer Graphics II (ART 3633) - 3 hours
• Digital Video Arts (ART 3643) - 3 hours

D.  Experiential Component:  6 hours

1 - Journalism Emphasis

The practicum may be repeated up to six hours to satisfy capstone requirements for the Journalism Emphasis or repeated for three hours and combined with JRNL PN03.

• Practicum: Student Media Productions (JRNL XNF1 and/or JRNL XNS1) - 1-6 hours
• Journalism Internship (JRNL PN03) - 3 hours

2 - Public Relations Emphasis

The practicum may be repeated up to six hours to satisfy capstone requirements for the Public Relations Emphasis or repeated for three hours and combined with COMM 4903.

• Practicum: Student Media Productions (JRNL XNF1 and/or JRNL XNS1) - 1-6 hours
• Professional Internship in Communication (COMM 4903) - 3 hours

3 - Media Arts Emphasis

The practicum may be repeated up to six hours to satisfy capstone requirements for the Media Arts Emphasis or repeated for three hours and combined with ART PN03.

• Practicum: Student Media Productions (JRNL XNF1 and/or JRNL XNS1) - 1-6 hours
• Art Internship (ART PN03) - 3 hours

Exit Assessment

Students applying for graduation in the Media Studies Program are required to present an electronic portfolio of work based on their area of emphasis. The portfolio will be developed throughout the program and will be completed in the student's senior year. The portfolio must be reviewed and approved by at least two faculty members associated with the Media Studies Program. The portfolio will be discussed in an exit interview between the student and Media Studies Program Coordinator. The Program Coordinator must certify to the Registrar that the student has successfully completed the electronic portfolio to satisfy graduation requirements.

E.  General Electives:  42-58 hours

Note:   In addition to a major, a student may select a minor. Courses taken for a minor reduce the number of general electives a student must take. Suggested minors include, but are not limited to, Art, Communication, English, Political Science, Spanish, Theatre, and Women's Studies.

Note:   The major provides fewer than 39 hours of 3000-4000 level course work, therefore the remaining 3000-4000 level hours will need to come from a minor, liberal arts elective studies in depth, and/or general electives.

TOTAL:  128 credit hours