Students outside of the Department of Communication may declare this minor once their major has been declared. Declaration can be done by submitting this form: https://communication.utah.edu/undergraduate/minor-declaration.php
Media Studies Minor
Make Sense of the Media That Shapes Your World
In today's climate, the media shapes how we think, communicate, and connect. The Media Studies minor offers students outside the Department of Communication an opportunity to critically examine the powerful role media plays in modern life. Whether you're interested in how media intersects with identity or how emerging technologies influence audience behavior and content creation, this program will help students understand the forces behind the screens. With courses exploring social media, communication technology, and the relationship between media and race, gender, and culture, the minor is a valuable complement to a wide range of majors.
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Program Description
This minor will serve students who are interested in pursuing knowledge of media to complement majors outside the Department of Communication. The minor will help students understand how individuals and communities use, adapt, appropriate, and are impacted by media in their personal, family, work, and community lives. Courses examine the relationship of media and ethnicity, gender, race, and social identity. Other courses emphasize the role of communication technology, new media, social media, and the relationship of audience, content, and aesthetics.
Program Admissions Requirements
Major Exploration Link
https://advising.utah.edu/majors/quick-look/media-studies.php
Requirements
The minor will consist of 6 courses (18 credits) divided into four categories. All courses must be passed with a 'C' grade or better.
Introductory Courses
Complete all of the following courses:
- COMM 1500 – Media and Society
- COMM 2040 – Media Theory and Popular Culture
Core Courses
Complete at least three of the following courses:
- COMM 2360 – Consuming the Earth
- COMM 3000 – Communication Studies
- COMM 3030 – Communication and Social Responsibility
- COMM 3070 – Communication and Gender
- COMM 3290 – Indigenous Communication
- COMM 3405 – Rhetoric: Aristotle to AI
- COMM 3460 – Rhetorical Criticism
- COMM 3550 – Principles of Visual Communication
- COMM 3610 – Internship
- COMM 3770 – Cross-Cultural Documentary
- COMM 3775 – Korean Media and Culture
- COMM 5000 – Studies in Communication
- COMM 5116 – Health, Communication, Culture
- COMM 5117 – Health Campaigns and Media
- COMM 5200 – Persuasion and Political Communication
- COMM 5320 – Freedom of Expression
- COMM 5330 – Visual Rhetoric and Political Argumentation
- COMM 5360 – Environmental Communication
- COMM 5365 – Communicating Climate Change
- COMM 5490 – Communication and Social Justice
- COMM 5540 – Communication & Race
- COMM5610 – IT & Global Conflict
- COMM 5620 – International Communication
- COMM 5640 – Communication Technology and Culture
- COMM 5660 – Media Ethics
- COMM 5690 – Topics in Media Studies
Elective Course
Complete at least one other COMM course.Learning Requirements
By completing the media studies minor, students will:
- Understand how individuals and communities use, adapt, appropriate, and are impacted by media in their personal, family, work, and community lives
- Examine the relationship of media and ethnicity, gender, race, and social identity on individuals and communities, as well as in other aspects of professional and personal life
- Emphasize the role of communication technology, digital media, social media, and the relationship of audience, content, and aesthetics
- Work with, explore, and engage in the use and building of media platforms such as podcasts, streaming, social media, brand channels, television, radio, and print
How to Apply
Students interested in the media studies minor must fill out the major declaration form. Questions about the minor may be sent to comm-advisor@utah.edu.
