Core (2 courses/8 credits)

All majors complete:

• MECM 101 Introduction to Media and Communication (4), usually before the junior year
• MECM 211 Screen Genres (4) OR MECM 261 Critical Approaches to Media (Topics) (4), usually before, and not later than, spring of the junior year
  II. PRODUCTION (1 course/4 credits from the following list, or others approved by the director)

Relevant courses include:

• MECM 202 Visual Storytelling (4)
• MECM 203 Screenwriting (4)
• ART 235 Introduction to Photography (4)
• ART 252 Introduction to Graphic Design (4)
• CS 103 Introduction to Multimedia (4)

Electives (5 courses/20 credits)

• In addition to cross-listed courses offered regularly or semi-regularly (see below), a list of electives for each semester is posted on the MECM pages on the university website and is available on request from the program office or the director. Students must work with their advisors to draw from the lists of approved courses to ensure their experience in the major encompasses an appropriate breadth of content and methodology, ideally including courses that address: media forms; theoretical and historical approaches to visual communication, and media cultures, and media/visual culture in global perspectives.

Capstone experience (2 courses/8 credits)

The two-course capstone sequence begins in the junior year and is completed in either spring or fall of the senior year.

All majors complete MECM 396 Praxis/Method, which serves as the capstone’s threshold class and satisfies the first 4 credits, in the spring of the junior year. (NB. This course may be attended asynchronously by students studying abroad, but assigned work must be completed by the end of the spring semester.)

Based on the learning contract drawn up in MECM 396, there are several possibilities for the remaining 4 credits of the capstone experience during the senior year, as follows:

1. Options for single majors –
   
   • MECM majors who have no second major have three paths to fulfilling the capstone requirement:
   • (a) complete MECM 495 Capstone (4) in the senior year, usually writing an undergraduate thesis
   • OR
   • (b) complete a 4-unit, 300- or 400-level MECM, ARTH, or cross-listed class (e.g. MECM 461, ARTH 365, ENGL 311), which, with approval of the instructor and MECM program director, forms the basis for the capstone
   • OR
   • (c) complete an advanced internship, MECM 480, which builds on a prior internship/practicum experience, and write an accompanying critical reflection on that experience, showing mastery-level engagement with program learning outcomes.
2. Options for double majors –
   • MECM majors who also major in another field may either: (a) complete two separate capstone experiences; one in Media and Visual Culture (as detailed above)
   • AND one in the second major
   • OR
   • (b) where appropriate and feasible, write a shared capstone that integrates the student’s learning outcomes in both majors (with the director’s approval and that of the advisor and capstone instructor in the second major), with the Media & Visual Culture component reflected in the transcript either as MECM 495 or as the capstone in the second program (e.g. ENGL 420, BUS 458, HIST 490, POLI 495, REST 401 & 402, WGS 459), depending on the nature of the project.
   • Regardless of which of the foregoing options is selected, the capstone must focus substantively and centrally on media forms, representation, practices, organizations, ecologies, or theory and students must meet MECM program learning outcomes at the mastery level. In most cases other than Option 1(a) above, this will entail supplementary or extension writing above and beyond what is required by the course nominated as the basis for the capstone.

• MECM 101 Introduction to Media and Communication (4)
• MECM 211 Screen Genres OR MECM 261 Critical Approaches to Media (Topics) (4)

Electives: Students may shape the minor to enhance their major program and can do so in consultation with the director.