This page reflects the current major requirements for students who declare Media Studies in Fall 2021 or later. This curriculum requires students to choose an area of concentration as part of their Media Studies degree program.
Students declared in the major before the beginning of Fall 2021 can stay on the current curriculum or, if they prefer, move over to the new curriculum. Students looking for the requirements for the old curriculum can find this information below:
Declared Fall 2021 or Later
Media Studies is excited to announce a new curriculum for all new admits beginning Fall 2021. Those students already declared majors before the beginning of Fall 2021 can stay on the current curriculum or, if they prefer, move over to the new curriculum.
This new curriculum requires students to pursue one of three areas of concentration as part of their Media Studies education.
To fulfill their area of concentration, students must complete three “area electives” (including a research methods course). Students are free to take any two “additional electives” from any area of concentration.
Additionally, this new curriculum adds a new core course all Media Studies students must complete, MS 114: Media and Globalization.
In summary, students must take thirteen classes structured into four categories: four prerequisite courses, four core courses, three area electives, and two additional electives.
- American History (Post Civil War Period)
- American Institutions
- Introductory Social Sciences and Humanities
- Introductory Media Studies
Core Courses
- Media Studies 111B: Text and Data Media History (Fall) or Media Studies 111C: Audio-Visual Media History (Spring)
- Media Studies 112: Media Theories and Processes (Fall/Spring)
- Media Studies 113: Media and Democracy (Fall/Spring)
- Media Studies 114: Media and Globalization (Spring)
Concentration Electives
Students must select one area of concentration and complete three “area electives” by taking one course from each subcategory. More information about each area of concentration can be found below.
- DS.1 Research Methodologies
- DS.2 Virtual Communities and Social Media
- DS.3 Digital Projects and Digital Storytelling
- GCS.1 Research Methodologies
- GCS.2 Visual Culture
- GCS.3 Popular Culture
- MLP.1 Research Methodologies
- MLP.2 Institutions
- MLP.3 Citizenship
Additional Electives
In addition to the three area electives, students must complete two additional electives from any area of concentration. These courses must be upper-division and should be approved as an elective for any of the concentration options. Any courses not already listed on the respective area of concentration can be requested for consideration through a course substitution.
Additional Major Requirements
To graduate in Media Studies, students must also complete the following requirements with:
- A minimum of 28 upper-division units in approved Media Studies courses.
- No more than two upper-division courses from any single outside department or program for the major.
For example: a student can take two Sociology and two American Studies upper division courses towards their Media Studies electives, but they cannot take any more Sociology or American Studies upper division courses for their major. They may, however, take courses in these Departments for other requirements or for course credit. - All courses taken for a letter grade. See COVID-19 P grade policies for exceptions to this requirement.
See the bottom of this page for a list of frequently asked questions.
Prerequisite Requirements
* Beginning Fall 2020, all students planning to declare the Media Studies major MUST complete Media Studies 10 or W10 at UC Berkeley.
** For California community college prerequisite course equivalents, visit assist.org. If you are transferring from another school and wish to use a course you have taken to satisfy a prerequisite requirement, you may submit this course substitution form and Dr. Josh Jackson will review your request.