HWS is among the first liberal arts colleges in the country to offer a major in media studies. From its inception in 1996, the focus of the Media and Society Program has been to foster a critical analysis of the media's pervasive influence on society and the individual.
The program's two fundamental goals include: to engage students in the critical analysis of the influence of the mass media on society, from both the sociopolitical and cultural/artistic perspectives; and to stimulate students to use their creative imaginations through self-expression in writing, videography, and editing the visual and plastic arts.
Media and Society majors are required to choose a concentration from one of four core areas: techniques of performance and creativity, use of imagine technologies, critical analysis or media theory, or cultural history of the fine arts or mass media.
The program offers a interdisciplinary major, a B.A., and minor.
If you'd like to view a full listing of our course options in Media and Society or any other subject, please visit the Online Course Catalogue.
interdisciplinary, 12 courses, plus language competency
MDSC 100; MDSC 400; three additional MDSC classes (or their equivalent); one course in each of the four competencies (none of the core competency courses can be used to fulfill the concentration requirements); four courses to comprise a concentration approved by the program adviser; a credit-bearing internship in the area of communications, artistic production, or journalism; two cognate courses (one in American history and social consciousness and the other in social theory); proof of competency in a foreign language to the 102 level.
Download the form for the Major.
interdisciplinary, 6 courses (three of which must be MDSC classes or the equivalent)
MDSC 100; one course in the study of the mass media; one course in the theory of representation, or historical criticism of the arts , or creative arts. Three additional courses drawn from approved electives, one of which must be in the creative arts if not already included. Minors are not required to develop a concentration in a specific area of Media and Society.
Download the form for the Minor.
Our students choose from a variety of introductory and advanced courses, each designed to provide students with an understanding of the way the media influences society and the individual.
Below, you'll find a sampling of some of our most popular classes, as well as suggestions for making Media and Society a part of your larger interdisciplinary experience at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Study the script development process - from brainstorming, to the beat sheet, the creation of a scene, and the first act. Once you've mastered the screenplay, enroll in MDSC 305, Film Editing, and learn basic editing techniques for narrative and documentary film as well as film sequences to learn various editing styles and techniques.
Examine visual social documentary's influence on the representation of immigrants' conditions in major cities during the early 20th century and on rural Americans' lives during the Great Depression. Learn how documentaries are used to forward social change and influence social policy. Then, apply your knowledge as you focus on modern topics of social concern in PHIL 150, Philosophy and Contemporary Issues: Justice and Equality.
Explore the work of Steven Spielberg from his earliest movies to his latest creations. Students will examine his visual sensibility and the major themes that haunt his work. After studying the works of Spielberg, enroll in PHIL 230, Aesthetics, and find answers to questions such as: What is the nature of artistic creativity? What role should critics play? Is there truth in art?
