Major

Declaring a Major

Prospective majors should consult with the Program Director to discuss the major-declaration process. Students should come prepared to outline their interests in Media Studies and their preliminary thoughts on the courses that will constitute their major curriculum. In most cases, the Program Director will suggest a potential faculty adviser—based on the students’ interests and curricular plans—with whom students should consult as they further refine their plan of study.

After consulting with both the Program Director and a potential faculty adviser, prospective majors will submit an application to the major. This application will consist of two documents:

1. A completed "Media Studies Program Planning Form," identifying the specific courses to fulfill the major requirements and the name of a potential faculty adviser (with whom the student is expected to have already consulted).
2. A three-page "Focus Statement," outlining the student’s interests, objectives, and intended course work. The proposed course of study should be rigorous, well integrated, and feasible in the context of the College curriculum. The focus statement should:
   1. define the core questions and interests of the student's proposed Media Studies curriculum;
   2. identify the disciplines and approaches that will ground the student's multidisciplinary course of study
   3. explain concisely the student's selection of courses, in particular how she/he conceives the linkages between the various courses and disciplines;
   4. sketch some preliminary ideas for a senior project.

If a student plans to study abroad, the focus statement should include a one-paragraph narrative about JYA plans. Media Studies majors will find various JYA programs with a range of Media Studies courses in the curriculum. As such, the Media Studies program encourages prospective students to explore and attend appropriate JYA programs.

The Program Director will work with students to clarify and refine their focus statement prior to its submission to the Steering Committee. Sample focus statements are available in the program office.

Applications will be evaluated by the Program Director, in consultation with the Program Steering Committee. In some cases, students will be asked to revise and resubmit their major application. The Program Director will notify students when their applications have been approved, at which time students are considered Media Studies majors. Students will need to submit their Declaration of Major form, with the appropriate signatures, to the Registrar to complete the process.