The Media, Society, and the Arts Program | Academic Requirements
Minor in Media, Society, and the Arts | Courses | Faculty

The Media, Society, and the Arts Program: Courses

MSA 1000–2999 (lower level):

Introduction to Media, Society, and the Arts
MSA 1530 / 3 credits / Every semester
An introduction to various sociological theories on the visual and performing arts and the media. Focusing on art worlds and the social context of cultural production instead of on individual creators, various methodologies are examined, including visual and interpretive analysis and social-structural approaches as they relate to both elite and popular culture, “fine” art, and commercial commodities.

Computers and Culture
Refer to SOC 2230 in Sociology Courses for description.

Performing Arts in Cross-Cultural Perspective
MSA 2320 Refer to ANT 2320 in Anthropology Courses for description.

Behavioral Statistics
Refer to PSY 2320 in Psychology Courses for description.

Drugs, Bodies, Design
MSA 2340 Refer to ANT 2340 in Anthropology Courses for description.

Black Popular Culture
Refer to ANT 2710 in Anthropology Courses for description.

Philosophy of Art: From Plato to Postmodernism
Refer to PHI 2780 in Philosophy Courses for description.

MSA 3000–4999 (upper level):

Riot Grrls and Radical Women
MSA 3120 / 4 credits / Alternate years
This interdisciplinary course underscores the linkage between feminist theoretical paradigms and genres of feminist art. Feminist theory is considered, from Betty Friedan to bell hooks, as well as diverse artists and art forms, including Judy Chicago, Karen Finley, the Riot Grrl movement, and feminist zines. Sexuality, reproductive rights, women’s work, pornography, race, violence, and activism are key themes that direct the analysis. Also offered as GND 3120.
Prerequisite: MSA 1530

Queer Media Convergence
MSA 3160 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
Media convergence refers to large-scale changes in the ownership and production of media content, as well as the role that audiences and consumers have in its development. This course examines media convergence from the perspectives of queer theory and history, and asks how queer identities, sensibilities, styles, and practices both shape and are shaped by media convergence. Also offered as NME 3160 and GND 3160.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Media Representations and Identity
MSA 3175 Refer to ANT 3175 in Anthropology Courses for description.

Global Media, Local Cultures
MSA 3185 Refer to ANT 3185 in Anthropology Courses for description.

Media Ethnographies
MSA 3200 / 4 credits / Every spring
Ethnography, one of the key methodological innovations of anthropology, is used in this course to examine life in a media-saturated world. Focusing on an emergent ethnographic literature that examines the relationships between mass media, popular culture, and social and technological networking, the course situates ordinary and everyday interactions with media within broader theoretical, historical, and cultural contexts.
Prerequisite: MSA 1530 and permission of instructor

Media, Music, and Culture in Brazil
MSA 3260 Refer to ANT 3260 in Anthropology Courses for description.

Critical Perspectives on Media, Society, and the Arts
MSA 3400 / 4 credits / Spring
An intensive examination of critical and theoretical work on media, society, and the arts. Classic and contemporary theories (e.g., Marxism, structuralism, organizational and cultural production, various cultural studies approaches) and topics (e.g., hegemony, cultural capital, high vs. low culture, elite and commercialized culture) are explored.
Prerequisite: MSA 1530 and permission of instructor

Research Methods
Refer to SOC 3405 in Sociology Courses for description.

Visual/Social Analysis: A Practicum
MSA 3410 / 4 credits / Fall
A hands-on introduction to the use of visual methods to study social phenomena. Each student designs a project within the medium of his or her choice: photography, video, or film. Selected problems of method and ethics are examined, and cross-cultural examples are provided. No previous working background in photography or other visual media is required.
Prerequisite: MSA 1530 or permission of instructor

Performing Arts and Social Analysis
Refer to ANT 3510 in Anthropology Courses for description.

Fieldwork: Qualitative Methods
Refer to ANT 3560 in Anthropology Courses for description.

Mass Media and Society
MSA 3830 Refer to SOC 3830 in Sociology Courses for description.

Internship in Media, Society, and the Arts
MSA 3980 / 4 credits / Every semester
A supervised work experience in an art- and/or media-related environment, including television studios, film production companies, art galleries, book and magazine publishing companies, and public relations firms.

Special Topics in Media, Society, and the Arts
MSA 4700 / 4 credits / Special topic (offered irregularly)
The topics, which vary, are selected from among the special interests of faculty.
Prerequisite: MSA 1530 and permission of instructor

Senior Project in Media, Society, and the Arts
MSA 4990 / 4 credits (per semester) / Every semester
The senior project, which is developed in consultation with advisors, can take a variety of forms, from an exploration of social phenomena or a creative effort, using a range of media (e.g., photography, video, film, performance), to a research project based on library and/or empirical research. In the second semester of their junior year, students are encouraged to consult with a member of the board of study to determine appropriate topics and research strategies. Must be taken for two semesters (8 credits total).

Updated July 25, 2008