Media Studies Minor - Department of Communication

Make Sense of the Media That Shapes Your World

In today's climate 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 compliment 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

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

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 podcast, 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.

minor DECLARATION FORM