Media Studies Department
Degree Major Requirements Map

An introduction to the multi-disciplinary nature of media studies including an exploration of the definitions of society, culture, the self, as well as an historical approach to human communications. Explores the impact of technological change on culture, and the latest developments in information technologies (Internet, newsgroups, on-line publishing, e-mail). Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12.

An exploration of technologies at the forefront of media and their impact on contemporary culture, education, commerce, politics, and health. These technologies build on earlier media and are examined in the context of larger shifts in how we govern, do business, care for and teach each other, and express ideas. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in English 12 or equivalent.

Explores the interdependence of contemporary popular culture and mass media, and develops critical thinking skills for assessing the impact of media on culture. May focus on a particular medium or special topic. Assignments may include media other than print. Note: Some sections of this course may be offered on-line.MEDI 115 was formerly called MEDI 112; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: None.

An introduction to the interdisciplinary study of videogames, examining their cultural, educational, and social functions within contemporary settings. By playing, analyzing, and theorizing about videogames, we will examine debates surrounding how they function within contemporary social contexts. Readings will include contemporary videogame theory and interaction with contemporary commercial videogames.

This course explores culture from a visual perspective. It examines ways to understand and create visual material and locates various forms of documentary and persuasive visual practices in the dynamics of power, space, and identity. Students will engage in written and hands-on projects from a critical academic perspective.MEDI 202 was formerly called MEDI 303; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: MEDI 100.

An exploration of global popular culture genres, such as Manga/Anime, Bande Dessinée, or Hip Hop, with some historical background and an examination of inherent co-cultural formations. The course might explore a single global popular culture genre or differences and crossovers between genres. Prerequisite: None.

An examination of how selected media - mainly newspapers, magazines, television, and film - identify and address their audiences to represent significant social constructions: gender, ethnicity and class. Participants are challenged to distinguish between the representations of social issues in the media and their social realities.

An examination of the strategies and ideologies in promotional communications: advertising, public relations, political and public service announcements, billboards, news reporting, infomercials, popular performance art, and propaganda. Prerequisite: None.

An interdisciplinary exploration of digital media from a variety of perspectives including social, cultural, economic, and artistic. Topics include the impact of digital technologies on culture and communication, sociological effects of technology on the individual, and emerging philosophies of technology. Principles of media theory, human factors, and usability are introduced. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 110.

An introduction to the fundamental concepts, technologies, and practices involved in current Web markup languages. Students will be exposed to a range of concepts and issues in this field with a focus on professional best practices. Students will complete their own projects to demonstrate their knowledge of these skills.MEDI 220 was formerly called DIGI 220; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 110.

This course explores industry-standard tools, such as JavaScript, used to code dynamic Web-based media. Students will learn object-oriented programming language fundamentals and progressive enhancement to develop interactivity for their own HTML and CSS content. Students custom-build scripts and incorporate external libraries to become familiar with a range of developer resources.MEDI 221 was formerly called DIGI 221; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 220.

Focusing on the Web, students will investigate the concepts and practices of immersive media through industry-standard software and a series of labs, assignments, and a major project. Storytelling, character development, 3-D modelling, animation, game development, and rich media interfaces are introduced.MEDI 260 was formerly called DIGI 260; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 110.

An introduction to digital audio concepts, practices, and technologies including software and production techniques, elements of field recording, interviewing, microphone use, and editing. Students will complete projects based on topics of their own choosing that build technical proficiencies and creative expression.MEDI 270 was formerly called DIGI 270; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 110.

An introduction to digital video production utilizing current concepts, practices, and technologies. Students will be exposed to all aspects of digital video production with a focus on essential equipment and skills. Students will complete projects that build solid technical proficiencies while developing creative expression.MEDI 280 was formerly called DIGI 280; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 110.

An exploration of the media, its control and ownership, from a global perspective. Topics include globalization; the public sphere; international trade agreements and regulatory bodies (WTO, IMF, etc.); internet culture; patterns of ownership, control and monopolization; alternative media; cultural imperialism; racism, assimilation and creolization. Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

A focus on film as medium. Through an examination of films about film-making, students explore the narrative, documentary, and propagandistic powers of film. Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

An exploration of Canadian media and communications. Topics include cultural nationalism, regulation and policy, popular culture, media ownership and political economy, and emerging trends and issues. Prerequisite: Third-year standing.

This course explores the inter-dependent nature of music and culture within a media-rich society, incorporating the examination of musical taste and identity. It will also investigate how technology has influenced the use and production of music. An interdisciplinary approach allows students to incorporate written, production, and performance skills. Prerequisite: MEDI 115 and third-year standing

A continuation of MEDI 220, this course is an examination of the theory and techniques involved in contemporary Web standards and presentation including keeping pace with new accessibility technologies. Students will research and develop best practices by completing substantial Web projects that may have originated in another course.MEDI 320 was formerly called DIGI 320; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 220.

This course examines the theory and techniques used to design rich, effective, engaged, efficient, easy, meaningful, and inclusive user experiences (UX) for individuals of all abilities and identities. This includes familiar, consistent, clear, and flexible navigation, text, images, and functions across devices. Students will design and create a project interface.MEDI 330 was formerly called DIGI 330; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 220 and third-year standing.

An exploration of convergence culture to learn how media creators offer audiences immersive experiences of a single story across multiple platforms and formats. This includes remediation, nonlinear narratives, franchises, spin-offs, on/offline campaigns, prosumers, and crowdsourcing. Students will research and create virtual narratives and spaces to demonstrate their interaction.MEDI 340 was formerly called DIGI 340; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 310 and third-year standing.

An introduction to videogame design exploring general game design concepts and principles (reward systems, balance, motivation, immersion, and pacing) as well as genre-specific design principles (puzzle design, resource management, and economic systems). Students will critique specific games of their choice using the design concepts discussed in class.MEDI 366 was formerly called DIGI 366; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 165.

A continuation of MEDI 270 building on its introductory audio tools for recording, interviewing, microphone use, editing, and mixing to develop intermediate skills for the industry. Software and production techniques are examined in greater depth and students will create two major projects that continue to build proficiencies.MEDI 370 was formerly called DIGI 271; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 270.

This course will focus on digital video production, applying the skills students learned in MEDI 280 to focus on longer and more complex video productions. Students will work in various genres directed by their target audiences, markets, and fields of study. Students complete two major video projects in teams.MEDI 380 was formerly called DIGI 281; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 280.

This course investigates how various forms of media impact individual cultural experiences, social relations, and power through academic readings on the intersections of race, class, gender, and ability. Students will explore how media experiences contribute to cultural attitudes and beliefs and ways to address this relationship.MEDI 400 was formerly called MEDI 415; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 100, or 200 or 300, and third-year standing.

A survey of the powerful role public relations and promotion play in contemporary society. An exploration of how different media may be used for advocacy and social activism. As a major assignment, students analyze accessible media, and design a campaign to promote an issue of concern to them. Prerequisite: MEDI 300 and third-year standing.

An exploration of the complex relationship between technology and changing notions of identity. Students consider how media and other technologies influence how we define ourselves, our social relations, and our cultural institutions. Prerequisite: MEDI 300 and third-year standing.

An examination of historical, contemporary, or emerging media technologies and communications topics. Students may engage the subject through research projects, collaborative projects, design and prototyping, or other experiential learning opportunities. May be taken twice for credit if the focus is different in each case.MEDI 405 was formerly called DIGI 405; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 300 or MEDI 310, and third-year standing.

A course offering strong upper-level students an opportunity to complete a 120-hour virtual or workplace professional media internship. The course will focus on preparing resumes, portfolios, online profiles, and interview skills for a career in their industry.(3:0:0 -120) Prerequisite: Min. "B+" in three upper-level MEDI courses and permission of the instructor.

An advanced documentary production course focusing on the preproduction cycle for feature length documentary projects. Topics include interviewing, grant and proposal writing, budgeting, self-promotion, and exploration of documentary form. Students will have an opportunity to work on personal and large-scale projects that develop solid technical skills and creative expression.MEDI 480 was formerly called DIGI 480; credit will not be granted for both courses. Prerequisite: Min. "C" in MEDI 380.

In consultation with the Chair, students articulate a media-related project that demonstrates a strong correlation between theory and practice. Students submit a proposal outlining their project and reviewing the theory informing it, for a project that makes use of at least one non-print medium. See Chair for more detailed guidelines. Prerequisite: MEDI 300 and third-year standing.