Media Studies Major

Required Units

Total number of units required for major, excluding any required Intensive(s): 10

Required Intensive units, if any: 1

Total units required: 11

Total Number of Specific Courses Required

• MEDS 160 - Approaches to Media Studies
• MEDS 250 - Exploratory Media Practices
• MEDS 260 - Media Theory
• MEDS 310 - Senior Seminar

Distributional Content Area Units Required

Six units distributed as follows (which may or may not be cross-listed with Media Studies):

• Two 200-level courses, ordinarily drawn from two different departments or programs
• Two 300-level courses, ordinarily drawn from two different departments or programs
• One course in which topics of race, Indigeneity, non-Western, post/decolonial frameworks or media are the salient focus throughout the course
• One practice-based course (e.g., a course with an emphasis on “media-making” or production)

Intensives

• MEDS 303 - Senior Project Preparation
• MEDS 304 - Senior Project Completion

Additional Information

We accept one ungraded unit towards the major that may be derived from CEL, study abroad (non-Vassar-sponsored programs), or other ungraded credits from coursework/research at Vassar.

Up to 4 graded classes taken through Vassar’s London Program on Media and Culture may be counted towards the major, in consultation with a major adviser.

Relevant non-English language courses may count towards the major, subject to review and approval by a major adviser.

Students must submit a plan of study, including justification of selected electives. The plan is reviewed and adjusted by the program director and overseen by the assigned major adviser.