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:
MDIAschool@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 (MDIA 101, 203, 204, 205), audio students must complete the Audio Production Core.
Audio Production Core
COM 220: Introduction to Audio Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 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
MDIA 315: Recording Industry Survey (4 credit hours)
MDIA 413: Commercial Music Recording and Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 414: Advanced Projects in Music Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 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
MDIA 230: Introduction to Video Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 415: Audio Post-Production for Moving Image (4 credit hours)
One or more of the following courses:
MDIA 322: Digital Video Postproduction (4 credit hours)
MDIA 422: Narrative Production II (1-4 credit hours)
MDIA 485: AVW Productions (4 credit hours)
MDIA 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 (MDIA 101, 203, 204, 205, and 367 or 453), and then the Media Studies Core.
Media Studies Core
MDIA 270: Mass Communication Theory (4 credit hours)
MDIA 279: History of Electronic Communication (4 credit hours)
Plus 8 hours of MDIA Electives
Electronic Media Technologies
Three of the following:
MDIA 308: Technical Basis of Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
MDIA 421: Non-Broadcast Video (4 credit hours)
MDIA 441: Instructional Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
MDIA 463: New Technology (4 credit hours)
MDIA 465: Satellite Communications (4 credit hours)
MDIA 466: Technology, Communication & Culture (4 credit hours)
International Communications
Three of the following:
MDIA 371: Effects of Mass Communication (4 credit hours)
MDIA 384: Media Criticism (4 credit hours)
MDIA 455: Media Messages for Social Change (4 credit hours)
MDIA 456: Southeast Asia Popular Culture (4 credit hours)
MDIA 463: New Technology (4 credit hours)
MDIA 465: Satellite Communications (4 credit hours)
MDIA 466: Technology, Communication & Culture (4 credit hours)
MDIA 484: Age, Class, Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation (4 credit hours)
Media and Society
MDIA 333: Sports and Media (4 credit hours)
MDIA 359: Audience Research (4 credit hours)
MDIA 382: Television Genres (4 credit hours)
MDIA 384: Media Criticism (4 credit hours)
MDIA 440: Public Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
MDIA 454: Personal Values in Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
MDIA 466: Technology, Communication & Culture (4 credit hours)
MDIA 475: Politics and Electronic Media (4 credit hours)
MDIA 480: Children and Television (4 credit hours)
MDIA 481: Women in Media (4 credit hours)
MDIA 482: Documentary Genres (4 credit hours)
MDIA 483: The African-American Televisual Image (4 credit hours)
MDIA 484: Age, Class, Gender, Race, Sexual Orientation (4 credit hours)
Politics and Media
MDIA 359: Audience Research (4 credit hours)
MDIA 371: Effects of Mass Communication (4 credit hours)
MDIA 424: Contemporary American Documentary (4 credit hours)
MDIA 454: Personal Values in Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
MDIA 455: Media Messages for Social Changes (4 credit hours)
MDIA 463: New Technology (4 credit hours)
MDIA 466: Technology, Communication & Culture (4 credit hours)
MDIA 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 (MDIA 101, 203, 204, 205), students must complete the Management core; MDIA 453 (Telecommunications Law & Regulations); a minimum of two courses from the Management electives list; and a management corollary.
Management Core
MDIA 360: Management (4 credit hours)
MDIA 459: Audience Research (4 credit hours)
MDIA 461: Financial Management (4 credit hours)
Management Electives (2 courses)
MDIA 355: Programming (4 credit hours)
MDIA 367: World Media Systems (4 credit hours)
MDIA 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 MDIA core (MDIA 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
MDIA 220: Intro to Audio Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 240: Intro to Video Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 250: Intro to Multimedia Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 251: Nontraditional Storytelling (4 credit hours)
MDIA 350: Evolution of Multimedia (4 credit hours)
--OR--
MDIA 357: Digital Games and Global Culture (4 credit hours)
Digital Media: Special Effects, Games, and Animation Electives
At least 8 credit hours from:
MDIA 253: Digital Nonlinear Editing (4 credit hours)
MDIA 323: Intro to Animation (4 credit hours)
MDIA 352: 3D Modeling & Animation I (4 credit hours)
MDIA 353: 3D Modeling & Animation II (4 credit hours)
MDIA 354: Interactive Video Projects (4 credit hours)
MDIA 356: Game Development (4 credit hours)
MDIA 358: Digital Game Development (4 credit hours)
MDIA 415: Audio Post Moving Image (4 credit hours)
MDIA 456: Advanced Game Development (4 credit hours)
MDIA 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 MDIA core (MDIA 101, 203, 204, 205), the Video Production core, and a minimum of 4 hours of electives. The following are required:
Video Production Core
MDIA 230: Introduction to Video Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 231: Short-form Scriptwriting (4 credit hours)
Video Production Electives (2 courses)
MDIA 380: Technical Basis of Telecommunications (4 credit hours)
MDIA 318: Multiple-Camera Producing and Directing (4 credit hours)
MDIA 319: Single-Camera Producing and Directing (4 credit hours)
MDIA 320: TV Lighting and Staging (4 credit hours)
MDIA 323: Animation and Videographic Design (4 credit hours)
MDIA 324: Documentary Production (4 credit hours)
MDIA 325: Postproduction Digital Video (4 credit hours)
MDIA 418: Producing for Video (4 credit hours)
MDIA 419: Narrative Production I (4 credit hours)
MDIA 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. Applicants to the audio, video and digital sequences must submit a portfolio of creative work and a recent substantive writing sample. Applicants to the media studies and management sequence need not submit a portfolio.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/.