Media Studies, BA

Media Studies, BA

Central to Creative Storytelling.

Central's Media Studies major offers a balanced curriculum that integrates theory and practice. Students learn theoretical and critical approaches to media content, systems, and institutions that cultivate skills in critical thinking, analysis, and writing.

The major also prepares students to create their own media content including films, documentaries, and multimedia packages through traditional and emerging technologies. The curriculum encourages students to cultivate an appreciation for aesthetics and artistry in media production.

Program Features

  • Media Studies offers three concentrations: Digital Filmmaking and TV Production; Media Analysis; and Multimedia Production and New Technologies
  • Learn how to produce content in a studio and in the field
  • Study abroad in places such as Rome, Paris, and Amsterdam
  • Intern at a production studio
  • Minor in Media Studies is also available
  • Financial aid and scholarships available
  • Free on-campus child care available

Program Options

Students pursuing film production conceive ideas, develop scripts and explore fictional/nonfictional characters through the production process. From originally scripted, short filmmaking to real-life personal portraits, students and graduates work in the entertainment industry, gain acceptance to graduate programs, compete in festivals, produce media campaigns and commercials, and obtain the foundations to create compelling work. Students pursuing television production develop skills to shoot video in the field and in the studio along with pre- and post-production work.

This concentration is designed for students who wish to focus primarily upon the critical, aesthetic and theoretical foundations of media and its institutions. Students learn theoretical and critical approaches to media content, systems, and institutions that cultivate skills in critical thinking, analysis, and writing.

This concentration aims to train students to reach a theoretical understanding of how digital technologies have impacted the communication contexts (interpersonal, professional, mass communication). Students acquire the practical skills to apply technologies in desktop publishing, digital photography, web publishing, and multimedia production. Students become total communicators who can reach audiences across media platforms.

As a digital filmmaker, the Central Media Studies degree provided me with the history of communication messages across various mediums in addition to the practical tools to apply that knowledge in my own documentary films.

Mya Gray ’21
Mya earned the Congressional Black Caucus scholarship for a film she produced at Central!

Did You Know?

Lambda Pi Eta is the National Communication Association’s official honor society. It recognizes outstanding student scholars in communication and has more than 500 active chapters in the United States. Central’s Tau Mu Chapter was established in 2012 and each year an induction ceremony has included a festive reception for students, their families, and faculty. Students must maintain at least a 3.25 GPA in all communication courses to qualify.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain and differentiate the main theories of mediated communication
  2. Apply theoretical constructs in the field of media studies to real-world situations
  3. Design and produce effective multi-mediated messages
  4. Construct effective spoken and written messages
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate research methods
  6. Deconstruct and critically evaluate messages
  7. Cultivate an appreciation for aesthetics and artistry in media production and content