Below are a series of answers to potential student questions on the new curriculum. We’ll add additional information with time. Current answers are subject to revision.
Can students change their concentration after declaring the Media Studies major?
Yes – Students must declare a concentration when they declare the Media Studies major. After they are declared, they may request to change their concentration by submitting a Media Studies Curriculum Change Form no later than the last day of instruction during the term (fall, spring, or summer) before their Expected Graduation Term (EGT). Before making this request, students need to verify that they will be able to complete all requirements to graduate by the end of their EGT or within the 130-unit ceiling. Running a What if Report in CalCentral can help students determine this; the report is on the student’s My Academics Page at the bottom of the middle column. See Unit Ceiling and Semester Limit on the L&S Advising website.
Can new admits opt for the older curriculum or opt out of an area of concentration?
No, that in effect creates an additional, unapproved curriculum path.
Can an elective meet two area electives from the same area?
No, the students must complete three area electives, each from a different category.
Is there a minimum number of units necessary for a class to count as an elective?
Yes, an elective must be at least two units.
Do the electives need to be upper-division (numbered 100-199)?
Yes, with the exception of the research methodologies elective (since such courses are often introductory by nature).
Can students fulfill the research methodologies elective at a community college?
No, students must take the research methodologies course at Cal in order to better guarantee topics, assignments, and readings comparable with those research methodologies courses offered by our program. Students may still complete three of the four prerequisites (exempting Introduction to Media Studies) at another college or university. Approved prerequisites at California community colleges can be found on assist.org. Students may request for courses from other colleges and universities to be reviewed as possible prerequisites by submitting a course substitution form.
How many courses can a student take from the same outside department or program?
Students may take no more than two upper-division courses (numbered 100-199) from the same outside (non-Media Studies) department or program. This includes cross-listed and combined (room-shared) classes (e.g., Information C167 counts as both an Information class and Sociology class, because it is cross-listed with Sociology C167). This limit does not apply to lower-division courses (numbered 1 – 99). It does apply to any upper-division course used to fulfill Media Studies prerequisites, research methodology courses, concentration courses, or elective courses.
Do the electives need to be upper-division (numbered 100-199)?
Yes, with the exception of the research methodologies elective (since such courses are often introductory by nature). Only the course that applies to the research methodologies category can be lower-division. All electives, whether they count as research methodologies in other areas of concentrations or not, must be upper-division.