Programs of Study
Media Arts and Studies
The tutorial program in the School of Media Arts and Studies offers an individualized course of study for exceptional students interested in media industries. This program provides students with a broad liberal arts background, a concentration in theory and research, and practical training in sound recording, radio, and television production. Maximum opportunity will be afforded for the student to work at his or her own pace. The tutorial program prepares a student for graduation as well as industry jobs. Upon completion of the program, students receive a degree of bachelor of science in communications and many choose to pursue advanced degrees at research institutes such as: Indiana University, Michigan State University, University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania, and, of course, Ohio University.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Media Arts and Studies (MAS) is a four-year liberal arts program, emphasizing a broadbased
curriculum. The program stresses strong communication skills, including writing,
and hands-on experience in the electronic media. The schoolof Media Arts and Studies has over 600 undergraduates, and 25 faculty, making it one of the largest programs of its kind in the
United States. Undergraduate students completing degree requirements are awarded a
Bachelor of Science in Communication (BSC).
Media Arts and Studies offers a major through the Honors Tutorial College for students
with outstanding high school records.
To have a School of Media Arts and Studies viewbook mailed to you, please email:
tcomschool@ohiou.edu.
Major Sequences
The School of Media Arts and Studies offers several major sequence tracks leading to the
bachelor's degree. The program is a professional degree program designed to prepare
students for careers in all aspects of media arts and studies.
First year students are allowed direct entry into major sequences in audio production;
video production; digital media: special effects, games, and animation; media
management; and media studies.
Many students prefer study which combines academic breadth and career flexibility.
This is provided by the Media Studies Sequence. The sequence also provides a
background for those going into entertainment law, political communications, or
graduate study. In this program, students can tailor course requirements to match their
own interests and talents.
Studies with career goals in the creative and production areas or the management of
these areas will find courses of study in Audio Production, Digital Media, Management,
or Video Production sequences.
- Audio Production Sequence
This plan of study is designed to provide majors with skills in various areas of audio
production including commercial production, narrative and documentary, music
recording, and sound for picture. In addition to the Media Arts and Studies core courses for all majors (TCOM 101, 203, 204, 205), audio students must complete the Audio Production Core.
Audio Production Core
COM 220: Introduction to Audio Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 308: Technical Basis of Media Arts and Studies (4 credit hours)
Once students have completed the Audio Production Core courses, they will then
choose and start their program of study from one of the production tracks:
Music Production
TCOM 315: Recording Industry Survey (4 credit hours)
TCOM 413: Commercial Music Recording and Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 414: Advanced Projects in Music Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 497: Independent Production Projects (1-4 credit hours)
Media Arts and Studies electives (with approval of advisor) including at least one 4 hour non-production course. This track requires that the student minor in Music for their corollary courses.
Audio Post Production
TCOM 230: Introduction to Video Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 415: Audio Post-Production for Moving Image (4 credit hours)
One or more of the following courses:
TCOM 322: Digital Video Postproduction (4 credit hours)
TCOM 422: Narrative Production II (1-4 credit hours)
TCOM 485: AVW Productions (4 credit hours)
TCOM 497: Independent Production Projects (1-4 credit hours)
Media Arts and Studies electives (with approval of advisor) including at least one 4 hour non-production course
Corollary courses: 35 credit hours outside the school that support program goals (from no more than two areas with at least 20 hours at the 300- to 400-level)
- Media Studies
This plan of study offers students the opportunity to build a program in one of four
areas of study: Electronic Media, International Communication, Media and Society, and
Politics and Media. In addition, a student can design an individualized program of study. In conjunction with the sequence director and a faculty advisor, the student submits for approval a proposal for coursework including justification and corollary. Students must complete the Media Arts and Studies core courses for all majors (TCOM 101, 203, 204, 205, and 367 or 453), and then the Media Studies Core.
Media Studies Core
TCOM 270: Mass Communication Theory (4 credit hours)
TCOM 279: History of Electronic Communication (4 credit hours)
Plus 8 hours of TCOM Electives
Electronic Media Technologies
Three of the following:
TCOM 308: Technical Basis of Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
TCOM 421: Non-Broadcast Video (4 credit hours)
TCOM 441: Instructional Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
TCOM 463: New Technology (4 credit hours)
TCOM 465: Satellite Communications (4 credit hours)
TCOM 466: Technology, Communication & Culture (4 credit hours)
International Communications
Three of the following:
TCOM 371: Effects of Mass Communication (4 credit hours)
TCOM 384: Media Criticism (4 credit hours)
TCOM 455: Media Messages for Social Change (4 credit hours)
TCOM 456: Southeast Asia Popular Culture (4 credit hours)
TCOM 463: New Technology (4 credit hours)
TCOM 465: Satellite Communications (4 credit hours)
TCOM 466: Technology, Communication & Culture (4 credit hours)
TCOM 484: Age, Class, Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation (4 credit hours)
Media and Society
TCOM 333: Sports and Media (4 credit hours)
TCOM 359: Audience Research (4 credit hours)
TCOM 382: Television Genres (4 credit hours)
TCOM 384: Media Criticism (4 credit hours)
TCOM 440: Public Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
TCOM 454: Personal Values in Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
TCOM 466: Technology, Communication & Culture (4 credit hours)
TCOM 475: Politics and Electronic Media (4 credit hours)
TCOM 480: Children and Television (4 credit hours)
TCOM 481: Women in Media (4 credit hours)
TCOM 482: Documentary Genres (4 credit hours)
TCOM 483: The African-American Televisual Image (4 credit hours)
TCOM 484: Age, Class, Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation (4 credit hours)
Politics and Media
TCOM 359: Audience Research (4 credit hours)
TCOM 371: Effects of Mass Communication (4 credit hours)
TCOM 424: Contemporary American Documentary (4 credit hours)
TCOM 454: Personal Values in Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
TCOM 455: Media Messages for Social Changes (4 credit hours)
TCOM 463: New Technology (4 credit hours)
TCOM 466: Technology, Communication & Culture (4 credit hours)
TCOM 475: Politics and Electronic Media (4 credit hours)
- Management Sequence
This plan of study is designed for those who hope to rise to significant management
positions in the media industries. It is organized to provide an understanding of
management and leadership roles in those industries, and to provide students the
opportunity to begin acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve longterm
success in their career. In addition to the Media Arts and Studies core courses required for all majors (TCOM 101, 203, 204, 205), students must complete the Management core; TCOM 453 (Telecommunications Law & Regulations); a minimum of two courses from the
Management electives list; and a management corollary.
Management Core
TCOM 360: Management (4 credit hours)
TCOM 459: Audience Research (4 credit hours)
TCOM 461: Financial Management (4 credit hours)
Management Electives (2 courses)
TCOM 355: Programming (4 credit hours)
TCOM 367: World Media Systems (4 credit hours)
TCOM 462: Electronic Media Sales (4 credit hours)
Management Corollary
Corollary courses from outside the school that support program goals:
ACCT 101, ECON 103 and 104, and MGT 202 or MKT 202;
plus 20 hours at the 300- to 400-level in business and/or organizational communication
- Digital Media: Special Effects, Games, and Animation
This plan of study is designed to provide skills in digital media production with
emphasis on computer animation, digital effects, and digital games. Students must
complete the TCOM core (TCOM 101, 203, 204, 205), the Digital Media core, and a minimum of 4 hours of
electives. The following are required:
Digital Media: Special Effects, Games, and Animation Core
TCOM 220: Intro to Audio Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 240: Intro to Video Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 250: Intro to Multimedia Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 251: Nontraditional Storytelling (4 credit hours)
TCOM 350: Evolution of Multimedia (4 credit hours)
--OR--
TCOM 357: Digital Games and Global Culture (4 credit hours)
Digital Media: Special Effects, Games, and Animation Electives
At least 8 credit hours from:
TCOM 253: Digital Nonlinear Editing (4 credit hours)
TCOM 323: Intro to Animation (4 credit hours)
TCOM 352: 3D Modeling & Animation I (4 credit hours)
TCOM 353: 3D Modeling & Animation II (4 credit hours)
TCOM 354: Interactive Video Projects (4 credit hours)
TCOM 356: Game Development (4 credit hours)
TCOM 358: Digital Game Development (4 credit hours)
TCOM 415: Audio Post Moving Image (4 credit hours)
TCOM 456: Advanced Game Development (4 credit hours)
TCOM 494: Advanced Digital Video Post (4 credit hours)
Digital Media: Special Effects, Games, and Animation Corollary
Corollary courses: 35 credit hours outside the school that support program goals (from
no more than two areas with at least 20 hours at the 300- to 400-level)
- Video Production Sequence
While there is an overlap between journalism and media arts and studies in broadcast
news career preparation, students interested in studio and field production should
enroll in the School of Media Arts and Studies, and those interested in news writing,
reporting, and anchoring should enroll in the E.W.Scripps School of Journalism.
The school is also affiliated with the Honors Tutorial Program.
The classroom and laboratory experiences of students are augmented by a variety of
practical experiences, including work with the School's student production unit--Athens
Video Works (AVW) and the All-Campus Radio Network (ACRN). Additionally, experiences with the Public Broadcasting Services of Ohio University (Center for Public
Media ) are also available. The Center owns and operates three stations: WOUB-AM,
WOUB-FM, and WOUB-TV. Credit for both types of experiences is available.
The school maintains relationships with various professional organizations including
the Ohio Association of Broadcasters, the Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association,
the International Radio-Television Society, the National Association of Television
Program Executives, the Society of Professional Audio Recording Services, the Audio
Engineering Society, the Broadcast Education Association, the National Association of
Broadcasters, and ACM's SIGGRAPH.
This plan of study is designed to provide skills in vieo media production. Students must complete the TCOM core (TCOM 101, 203, 204, 205), the Video Production core, and a minimum of 4 hours of electives. The following are required:
Video Production Core
TCOM 230: Introduction to Video Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 231: Short-form Scriptwriting (4 credit hours)
Video Production Electives (2 courses)
TCOM 380: Technical Basis of Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
TCOM 318: Multiple-Camera Producing and Directing (4 credit hours)
TCOM 319: Single-Camera Producing and Directing (4 credit hours)
TCOM 320: TV Lighting and Staging (4 credit hours)
TCOM 323: Animation and Videographic Design (4 credit hours)
TCOM 324: Documentary Production (4 credit hours)
TCOM 325: Postproduction Digital Video (4 credit hours)
TCOM 418: Producing for Video (4 credit hours)
TCOM 419: Narrative Production I (4 credit hours)
TCOM 422: Narrative Production II (4 credit hours)
Video Production Corollary
Corollary courses: 35 credit hours outside the school that support program goals (from
no more than two areas with at least 20 hours at the 300- to 400-level)
EVALUATION
In each tutorial, the student completes readings and projects or papers. These papers are discussed and evaluated at weekly tutorial meetings. The director of studies also consults with the tutors about the progress, strengths and weaknesses of individual students. A description of the content of each tutorial and evaluation of the student's performance is filed by the tutor in the Honors Tutorial College office at the close of the quarter.
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
A number of professional opportunities are available to tutorial students in the School of Media Arts and Studies. Two public radio stations, a public television station, a local public access television station, and a student-run web-based radio station provide professional experience in all aspects of media. Tutorial students are expected to seek out training and experience in these facilities. Internships are available in media industries in all specializations and in a number of locales including New York and Hollywood. These internships are often summer-long experiences that allow the student to gain college credit while working in the industry.
THESIS
During the senior year, tutorial students are required to write an original thesis reflecting their interest in their chosen specialization.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Entering freshmen applicants are expected to rank in the top 10% of their high school class and to have a minimum ACT composite score of 30 or a combined SAT score of 1300. A creative portfolio must accompany the application.APPLICATIONS
The deadline for application for admission is December 1, and admission interviews are held in January.FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information, contact:Dr. Arthur Cromwell
Director of Studies
Department of Media Arts and Studies
Ohio University
225 RTV Building
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-0741
cromwell@ohio.edu
Additional information can be found on the School of Media Arts and Studies website: http://www.tcomschool.ohiou.edu/.