Media Studies

Benson T. Sexton, Ph.D., Dean, School of Business & Communication

J.L. Turner Leadership Center, Room 214

(270) 384-7384             sextonb@lindsey.edu

David Goguen, M.F.A., Program Coordinator

W.W. Slider Humanities Center, Room 308

(270) 384-8241             goguend@lindsey.edu  

Full-time program faculty: Karly Flynn, M.A.T.; David Goguen, M.F.A.; Daniel Koger, Ph.D.; Tim Smith, M.F.A.

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 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.

Graduation Requirements

Some courses taken for the major may simultaneously fulfill general education requirements. Please see the Graduation Requirements (bachelor’s degrees) section of this catalog for information on the general education program.

Students should note that the major provides fewer than the required 39 hours of 3000-4000 level coursework, therefore students will need to complete additional 3000-4000 level coursework to meet this requirement.

Program Requirements: 44-48 hours

Along with the general education program, students must complete the major’s prerequisites and core requirements, must select one of its emphasis areas (journalism, public relations, media arts), and must complete that area’s requirements and experiential component.

A.        Prerequisites: 6-9 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 instructor’s permission is a prerequisite for JRNL 2403 – 3 hours

B.        Core Requirements: 20 hours

• Principles of 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

C.        Emphasis Area (select one of the following areas)

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 (select the experiential component that corresponds with the emphasis area chosen): 6 hours

1 – Journalism Emphasis

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

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

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’s Office that the student has successfully completed the electronic portfolio to satisfy graduation requirements.

Recommended Minor

Art, communication, English, political science, Spanish, theatre, and women’s & gender studies are good choices for media studies majors. Courses taken for a minor reduce the number of general electives a student must take.