Media Studies Department
Degree Major Requirements Map

This course introduces the history, theories, and basic concepts of traditional and new media. It explores media culture, content, audiences, law and policy, ownership, content producers, the effects of media convergence, and globalization. A hybrid of critical analysis and hands-on application merges the theoretical and practical streams of the discipline.

An introduction to the fundamental concepts, concerns, genres, and technologies of digital media. Students produce introductory digital projects (Web, photography, video, and audio) exploring contemporary concerns and genres in the new media field. Students from other fields are invited to explore interdisciplinary applications of Digital Media to their chosen discipline.

An introduction to the multi-disciplinary nature of media studies including an exploration of the definitions of society, culture, the self, as well as an historical approach to human communications. Explores the impact of technological change on culture, and the latest developments in information technologies (Internet, newsgroups, on-line publishing, e-mail). Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12.

An exploration of emerging digital technologies and their impact on culture, education, commerce, politics and society. Development of hands-on skills in the use of e-mail, newsgroups, web-site authoring, and multimedia. Familiarity with computing applications is an asset. Note: Some sections of this course may be offered on-line.

Explores the interdependence of contemporary popular culture and mass media, and develops critical thinking skills for assessing the impact of media on culture. May focus on a particular medium or special topic. Assignments may include media other than print. Note: Some sections of this course may be offered on-line. MEDI 115 was formerly called MEDI 112; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: None.

An examination of how selected media - mainly newspapers, magazines, television, and film - identify and address their audiences to represent significant social constructions: gender, ethnicity and class. Participants are challenged to distinguish between the representations of social issues in the media and their social realities.

An interdisciplinary exploration of digital media from a variety of perspectives including social, cultural, economic, and artistic. Topics include the impact of digital technologies on culture and communication, sociological effects of technology on the individual, and emerging philosophies of technology. Principles of media theory, human factors, and usability are introduced. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 110.

An examination of the strategies and ideologies in promotional communications: advertising, public relations, political and public service announcements, billboards, news reporting, infomercials, popular performance art, and propaganda. Note: Some sections of this course may be offered on-line.

An examination of television as a medium of communication and an element of culture. In a given year, the focus of the course may be on television production and management in addition to an analysis of television's impact on culture. Prerequisite: Min. 'C' in English 12.

An exploration of global popular culture genres, such as Manga/Anime, Bande Dessinée, or Hip Hop, with some historical background and an examination of inherent co-cultural formations. The course might explore a single global popular culture genre or differences and crossovers between genres.

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of videogames, examining their cultural, educational, and social functions within contemporary settings. By playing, analyzing, and theorizing about videogames, we will examine debates surrounding how they function within contemporary social contexts. Readings will include contemporary videogame theory and interaction with contemporary commercial videogames.

An introduction to the fundamental concepts, technologies and practices involved in contemporary Internet markup languages. Students will be exposed to the complete range of concepts and issues involved in this field with a focus on current professional authoring practices. Students will complete their own projects using industry standard authoring languages. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 110.

An exploration of industry-standard scripting tools relevant to the delivery of dynamic, online digital media. Students will examine scripting fundamentals, and add interactivity to their own web projects. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 220.

Using the Internet as a focus, students investigate the concepts and practices of interactive motion media by mastering industry standard software through a series of labs, assignments, and a major project. Storytelling, character development, animation, game development, and rich media interfaces are introduced. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 110.

An introduction to industry-standard videogame engines and development. Through rapid prototype development and playtesting, students will learn about game elements, mechanics, and audiovisuals. Students will interpret simple code and learn to use common logic structures. Prerequisite: DIGI 110.

An introduction to digital audio concepts, practices, and technologies including software and production techniques, elements of field recording, interviewing, microphone use, and editing. Students will complete projects based on topics of their own choosing that build technical proficiencies and creative expression. Students from all disciplines are welcome. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 110.

A continuation of DIGI 270 building on the digital audio skills learned. It will provide intermediate skills in recording, interviewing, microphone use, editing and mixing. Software and production techniques will be examined with greater depth and students will create two major projects that continue to build proficiencies. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 270.

An introduction to digital video production utilizing current concepts, practices, and technologies. Students will be exposed to all aspects of digital video production with a focus on essential equipment and skills. Students will complete projects that build solid technical proficiencies while developing creative expression. Students from all disciplines welcome! Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 110.

This course will focus on applications of digital video production. Students will learn how to apply the skills they learned in DIGI 280 by focusing on their own productions. Students will work in various genres directed by their chosen fields of study. Students will complete two major projects. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 280.

This course reviews basic principles of research methodology. Students will be presented with the purpose and theories behind various methodological approaches, and will identify and evaluate the relevance of various research methods and approaches in media and cultural analysis. Students will also learn to critically evaluate research findings. Prerequisite: MEDI 200 and third-year standing.

An introduction to important concepts in understanding digital media and technologies, their audiences, and their impact on society. This course will examine the myths and metaphors informing the discourse on digital technologies. Students will develop digital media projects reflecting themes developed in the course. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 110 and third-year standing.

An exploration of the media, its control and ownership, from a global perspective. Topics include globalization; the public sphere; international trade agreements and regulatory bodies (WTO, IMF, etc.); internet culture; patterns of ownership, control and monopolization; alternative media; cultural imperialism; racism, assimilation and creolization. Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

An exploration of the history of journalism with an emphasis on the evolution of print, photography, radio, film, television, and the internet as media for the mass dissemination of news, information, and opinion. Students also consider questions of journalistic style and ethics. Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

This course explores culture from a visual perspective. It examines ways to understand and create visual material and locates various forms of documentary and persuasive visual practices in dynamics of power, space, and identity. Students will engage in written and hands-on projects from a critical academic perspective. Prerequisite: MEDI 300 and third-year standing.

A focus on film as medium. Through an examination of films about film-making, students explore the narrative, documentary, and propagandistic powers of film. Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

An exploration of Canadian media and communications. Topics include cultural nationalism, regulation and policy, popular culture, media ownership and political economy, and emerging trends and issues. Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

This course explores the inter-dependent nature of music and culture within a media-rich society, incorporating the examination of musical taste and identity. It will also investigate how technology has influenced the use and production of music. An interdisciplinary approach allows students to incorporate written, production, and performance skills. Prerequisite: MEDI 115 and third-year standing

A survey of the powerful role public relations and promotion play in contemporary society. An exploration of how different media may be used for advocacy and social activism. As a major assignment, students analyze accessible media, and design a campaign to promote an issue of concern to them. Prerequisite: MEDI 300 and third-year standing.

An exploration of the complex relationship between technology and changing notions of identity. Students consider how media and other technologies influence how we define ourselves, our social relations, and our cultural institutions. Prerequisite: MEDI 300 and third-year standing.

Focusing on media, this course investigates how culture impacts individual experiences, everyday life, social relations and power through readings on the intersections of race, class, gender and ability. Students will explore how media experiences contribute to cultural attitudes and beliefs and will consider ways in which to address this relationship. Prerequisite: MEDI 115 and third-year standing.

In consultation with the Chair, students articulate a media-related project that demonstrates a strong correlation between theory and practice. Students submit a proposal outlining their project and reviewing the theory informing it, for a project that makes use of at least one non-print medium. See Chair for more detailed guidelines. Prerequisite: MEDI 300 and third-year standing.

This course allows students to develop skills required for the completion of a senior-level project involving digital media. Topics include project proposals, management and design, teamwork and collaboration, technical skill development, audience analysis, promotion and presentation, and research. Prerequisite: MEDI 300 and third-year standing.

A continuation of DIGI 220, this course is an examination of the theory and techniques involved in semantic Web presentation and accessibility technologies (i.e. CSS and WCAG). Students will research and develop best practices by completing substantial Web projects that may originate in another course. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 220.

A continuation of DIGI 230, this course is an in-depth examination of the theory and techniques used to design rich user experiences. Students will design and create the user interface for a substantial digital project. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in each of DIGI 220 and DIGI 230 and third-year standing.

An exploration of the theories, practices and technologies used to create and participate in contemporary digital social narratives. Topics include listserves, blogs, games, discussion groups, wikis and other developing electronic narrative environments. Students will actively research and create virtual narrative spaces based on subjects of their own interest. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in each of DIGI 220 and DIGI 301 and third-year standing.

An exploration of the advanced aspects of images in contemporary interactive digital contexts balancing theory and practice. Students will explore the processes of acquisition, manipulation and output using industry standard imaging software. Digital imagery created may be used to support projects completed in other courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 110 and third-year standing.

An introduction to videogame design. Students will explore high-level game design principles (reward systems, balance, motivation, immersion, and pacing) as well as genre specific design principles (puzzle design, resource management, and economic systems). Students will critique specific games of their choice using the design concepts discussed in class. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 265.

An examination of emerging digital media technologies. Students will research emerging technologies and collaborate to design, create and prototype projects utilizing these technologies. May be taken more than once if the focus is significantly different in each case. May be taken more than once for credit. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 301 and third-year standing.

An examination of theories, practices and technologies used by individuals and groups to create, manipulate and interact with contemporary digital identities. Topics include blogs, game personas, organizational websites, online interpersonal forums and other developing electronic environments. Students will actively research and create virtual identities based on subjects of their own interest. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 301 and third-year standing.

A continuation of DIGI 260, this course focuses on the scripting capabilities of contemporary interactive motion media (i.e. Macromedia Flash). Students will develop and demonstrate professional scripting practices through projects of their own choosing. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 260 and third-year standing.

An advanced documentary production course focusing on the preproduction cycle for feature length documentary productions. Students will have an opportunity to work on personal and large-scale projects that develop solid technical skills and creative expression. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 281 and third-year standing.

A continuation of DIGI 480, this course focuses on the production (filming) cycle for feature length documentary productions. Students will have an opportunity to work on personal and large-scale projects that develop solid technical skills and creative expression. Prerequisite: Min "C" in DIGI 480 and third-year standing.

A continuation of DIGI 481, this course focuses on the post-production and distribution cycle for feature length documentary productions. Students will have an opportunity to work on personal and large-scale projects that develop solid technical skills and creative expression. Prerequisite: Min "C" in DIGI 481 and third-year standing.

This course requires students to demonstrate mastery of one or more digital media technologies though the completion of a senior level project. Topics will include technical planning, testing and evaluation, and project maintenance. Students will chose their own projects, which may include elements completed for credit in another class. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in DIGI 301 or DIGI 320, and third-year standing.