Media Studies investigates the wide range of approaches to understanding and interpreting media forms and practices, especially media texts such as television, film, internet, and video games. Austin College media studies courses consider theories and practices of media texts, industries, audiences, and social contexts. Students will have a variety of opportunities to engage critically with existing media, as well as create their own.
Did you know?
Some examples of student production work:
Our Noir, student-faculty collaboration by the Film Noir Seminar class.
All-Nighter, produced by Carolyn Yao and Kim Shelton for the Digital Video II production course.
Let's Use Our Imagination, produced by Gaby Margocs, Rachel Storm, Prince Balkaran, Daniel Graham, and Christina Hernandez for the Digital Video II production course.
Double Date, produced by Nick Chaviers, Habib Oulahna, and Rachel Bowman for the Advanced Video Production course.
What You Will Learn
In Independence of Independents, students look at what makes "indie" media "independent"...can you produce a film outside of Hollywood that looks like a blockbuster? Can a band make an album with an "indie" sound on a major label? And is there such a thing as independent TV?!
- From Florence Lawrence the Biograph Girl to Jennifer Lawrence the "It" girl, Hollywood Stars looks at celebrities and celebrity culture to arrive at a better understanding of what stars can tell us about society.
- In Screenwriting, students practice the fundamentals of writing in the screenplay genre, including everything from principles like characterization and dramatization to nuts and bolts like proper page formatting. And since the best way to improve is to practice, you will write a lot.
- In Games in Contemporary Culture, students explore what makes the medium of video games unique and consider what its cultural impact has been in today’s world. True, playing video games is considered homework in this class. But the course will force you to reevaluate what you consider “fun” and why.
Meet the Faculty
Erin Copple Smith studies media industries, with an emphasis on television, and teaches courses on everything from celebrity to popular music to youth media.
Brett Boessen is a media studies generalist whose interests range both wide and deep. He takes particular interest in filmmaking and media production, screenwriting, and digital networked media, including the web and videogames, and their cultural impact.
After Austin College
Program Details
- Media Studies Major Checklist
- Media Studies Minor Checklist
- See the Media Studies Courses
- Film Studies Minor Checklist
- See the Film Studies Courses
- See the Austin College Bulletin
Department Extras
Media Studies @ AC
Professional Organizations & Publications