Overview
Media is 24/7, 365, and always changing. The Department of Media Studies and Production is dedicated to educating and preparing media professionals for today and the future. Our Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Production is at the intersection of study and production with a unique approach that blends theory and practice so that students consider the meaning and purpose of media in society even as they obtain and grow skills to create media. We go well beyond the traditional Radio/TV/Film degrees and offer a program that combines a scholar's understanding of media analysis, business, and production, with the practical and technical skills in oral and written communication, people and project management, media performance, and video/sound production and design for radio, television, online, and other outlets. With worldwide communities and the city of Philadelphia (America's 4th largest media market) as their living laboratories, students draw on their creativity, entrepreneurship, intellectual curiosity, and analytical abilities to navigate and build media careers in our global society.
Media Studies and Production students learn to think purposefully and critically about media, and examine the media's role in history, culture and society from many perspectives.
Working with top scholars and practitioners (both inside and outside of the classroom), and using the latest equipment and tools, Media Studies and Production students learn how to produce, evaluate, and manage media content for traditional, contemporary, and emerging media in various genres, including information (news and documentary), music, comedy, sports, drama, and commercial and noncommercial persuasion campaigns. They explore institutions that create, distribute, and investigate media products (e.g., production studios, television and radio networks, and audience measurement companies) and learn how to develop, operate, and lead successful media businesses. Upon graduation, our students will have the skills to:
- Develop and produce content for a variety of formats, technologies, and platforms.
- Create effective media messages for the audiences and purposes they serve.
- Comprehend and apply theories regarding the cultural, social, and personal uses and effects of media and technologies.
- Understand the legal and regulatory structures of media industries.
- Lead, manage, collaborate, team-build, and innovate.
- Convey information using effective, professional written and spoken communication.
- Act ethically as media-consuming and media-producing citizens in the diverse global society.
- Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to academic and professional media contexts.
- Think critically.
- Adapt and shift priorities and action in real time.
- Manage time effectively and meet deadlines.
- Live with grit, determination, and direction.
While students take courses from all areas, MSP majors must select one of the following concentrations:
- Media Production
- Media Business
- Media Analysis
An optional concentration in International Communication is also available for this major.
Media Analysis Concentration
The Media Analysis professional concentration introduces students to the critical understanding of the roles of media in contemporary life, including media technology as a cultural force, the nature of media institutions, audiences, and texts, and the media as a source of shared social identities. This concentration prepares students for careers such as media educators, media consultants, editorial or technical writers, community activists/organizers, corporate communication producers, media scholars, market research analysts, and more.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: CO-MSP-BA
Accelerated Program
BA in Media Studies and Production / MA in Media Studies and Production
Contact Information
Matthew Lombard, PhD, Chair
lombard@temple.edu
Jack Klotz, Vice Chair
jklotz@temple.edu
Rebecca Gollihur, Department Director
gollihur@temple.edu
Department Office
Annenberg Hall, Room 205
215-204-5401
msp@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Production.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of Requirements
The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Media Studies and Production (MSP) by the recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 overall and in the major.
Students must meet:
- University requirements
- All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
- All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive (WI) courses in the major at Temple University. Whenever possible, it is recommended that students select WI courses that also directly satisfy a specific MSP requirement to ease the path to program completion.
- Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
- Minimum of 45 credits in Media Studies & Production / maximum of 64 credits in Media Studies & Production.
- Each course that fulfills a requirement for the major must be passed with a C- or better.
- All prerequisites must be met unless exempted in writing.
- No more than 20 transfer credits may be applied to the Media Studies & Production major.
- No more than 12 credits total for internship, practicum, and independent study courses.
Media Studies and Production: Media Analysis Concentration Requirements
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Foundation Courses | ||
MSP 1021 | Introduction to Media Analysis 1 | 3 |
MSP 1655 | Introduction to Media Business 1 | 3 |
MSP 1701 | Introduction to Media Production 1 | 3 |
Content Area Requirements | ||
Media Policy & Ethics | ||
Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3 | |
History of Electronic Media (WI) | ||
Information Technology Policy | ||
Public Media | ||
Law and Ethics of Digital Media | ||
Public Information Media Campaigns | ||
Media Critical Topics | ||
Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3 | |
Introduction to Media Theory | ||
Media Research | ||
Media Popular Culture | ||
The Influence of Media on Children | ||
Media Criticism | ||
Media Images and Analysis | ||
Psychological Processing of Media | ||
Media and Children (WI) | ||
Media, Ecology and Technology | ||
Emergent Media | ||
Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3 | |
Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring | ||
The Video Game Industry and Game Culture | ||
Technology and Culture | ||
Information Society | ||
New Media Literacies | ||
Mobile Media | ||
Emergent Media Production | ||
International/Intercultural Media Issues | ||
Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3 | |
Media and Cultural Differences | ||
Media and the Environment | ||
Communication and Development | ||
#ourmedia: Community, Activist, Citizens' and Radical Media | ||
Global Media (WI) | ||
International Studies in Media and Communication | ||
British Media and Telecommunication | ||
Professional Development and Experiential Learning Requirements | ||
MSP 4039 | Senior Seminar 2 | 3 |
Select one of the following Experiential Learning Options based upon your interests and eligibility: 3 | 3-4 | |
Internship | ||
TUTV Practicum | ||
TV News Production Practicum - Temple Update (WI) | ||
Sports Production Practicum (WI) | ||
Recording Industry Practicum | ||
Television Production Workshop Practicum | ||
Radio Production Practicum | ||
MSP Special Topics practicum course (when available - check the course schedule for the term in question) | ||
Media Analysis Concentration Options | ||
Select a minimum of 18 credit hours from the following courses, including at least two (2) courses at EITHER the 2000 or 3000 level. (Two is the minimum; however, there is no limit to the number of courses taken at these levels.) 3 | 18 | |
Introduction to Media Theory | ||
Media Research | ||
Media Popular Culture | ||
The Influence of Media on Children | ||
Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring | ||
Field Experience in Youth Media and Media Literacy | ||
Media Criticism | ||
Writing Workshop (WI) | ||
History of Electronic Media (WI) | ||
The Video Game Industry and Game Culture | ||
Technology and Culture | ||
Media Images and Analysis | ||
Media and Cultural Differences | ||
Media and the Environment | ||
Communication and Development | ||
Information Technology Policy | ||
Public Media | ||
Psychological Processing of Media | ||
Law and Ethics of Digital Media | ||
Information Society | ||
#ourmedia: Community, Activist, Citizens' and Radical Media | ||
Public Information Media Campaigns | ||
New Media Literacies | ||
Global Media (WI) | ||
Media and Children (WI) | ||
Mobile Media | ||
Communication in Media Organizations (WI) | ||
Total Credit Hours | 45-46 |
- 1
Foundation courses must be completed within the first 45 credits at Temple University. Students transferring into Temple must complete at least one Media Studies & Production foundation course at Temple, unless exempted in writing by the chair of the department.
- 2
Taken during final 30 credits.
- 3
It is recommended that these are chosen in consultation with a Media Studies & Production Faculty Advisor.
Note: Courses offered in various categories can only be counted once.
About the Professional Development Requirements
The academic experience for all Media Studies and Production majors culminates with the Professional Development requirements, which include MSP 4039 Senior Seminar (3 credits) and one of the Experiential Learning Options (3-4 credits). Together, these courses provide students with hands-on and practical training in the field while allowing them the opportunity to explore their potential professional futures.
Experiential Learning Option: Internship
MSP 4785 Internship (3 or 4 credits): Internship opportunities exist locally (at virtually every media-oriented organization in the greater Philadelphia region), nationally (in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other U.S. media markets), and internationally (in London, Dublin, Paris, Barcelona, Hong Kong, and Tokyo through the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication's Global Opportunities Program and Temple's Education Abroad Office). Students who wish to enroll in a second internship as an elective can take MSP 4786 for 1 to 3 credit hours. NOTE: To be eligible for an internship, students must obtain an appropriate internship placement for the term of registration (assistance is available), have Junior or Senior standing, a minimum GPA of 3.00, have completed all three MSP foundation courses with a minimum grade of C-, and official approval by the MSP Internship Coordinator via submission of the Internship Verification Form, and once determined eligible, the Site Verification Form.
Experiential Learning Option: Standard and Special Topics Practica
As noted in the major requirements list, there are six (6) standard practica courses, (MSP 4487, MSP 4596, MSP 4597, MSP 4687, MSP 4787, and MSP 4887). Four to five (4-5) of those options are offered each term and most of them have specific course prerequisites that must be completed prior to practica registration, so students are advised to plan accordingly.
When possible, at least one Special Topics practicum is also offered each year, and these focus on media-related topics different from the standard six. Consult the MSP Department for any upcoming Special Topics availability as well as the process for counting them toward the Professional Development Option within the official degree audit.
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and Production with a Concentration in Media Analysis
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credit Hours | |
MSP 1021 | Introduction to Media Analysis (Foundation Requirement) | 3 |
MSP 1701 | Introduction to Media Production (Foundation Requirement) | 3 |
ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
KLN 1001 | Klein First-Year Seminar | 1 |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
MSP 1655 | Introduction to Media Business (Foundation Requirement) | 3 |
Select one of the following courses from the Media Analysis Concentration Requirement (Other options may be possible depending upon completed prerequisites.) 1 | 3 | |
Introduction to Media Theory | ||
Media Research | ||
Media Popular Culture | ||
Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring | ||
Writing Workshop [WI] | ||
KLN 1002 | Klein College Introduction to Professional Development | 1 |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall | ||
Media Analysis 2000-3000 Concentration Course (minimum of two courses required at 2000-3000 level) 1 | 3 | |
Media Analysis 2000-3000 level Concentration Course (select a 2000-3000 level course if not yet completed; if completed, select any Media Analysis Concentration Course) 1 | 3 | |
IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Media Analysis Concentration Course 1 | 3 | |
Media Critical Topics Requirement Course 1 | 3 | |
IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Non-MSP Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall | ||
Media Analysis Concentration Course 1 | 3 | |
Emergent Media Requirement Course | 3 | |
GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
Non-MSP Electives | 7 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Media Analysis Concentration Course 1 | 3 | |
International/Intercultural Media Issues Requirement Course 1 | 3 | |
MSP or Non-MSP Electives | 9 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 4 | ||
Fall | ||
MSP 4039 | Senior Seminar (Professional Development Requirement) | 3 |
Media Policy & Ethics Requirement Course 1 | 3 | |
MSP or Non-MSP Electives | 10 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Select one of the following Experiential Learning Options based upon your interests and eligibility: 1 | 3-4 | |
Internship 2 | ||
TUTV Practicum 3 | ||
TV News Production Practicum - Temple Update [WI] 3 | ||
Sports Production Practicum [WI] 3 | ||
Recording Industry Practicum 3 | ||
Television Production Workshop Practicum 3 | ||
Radio Production Practicum (not offered every year) 3 | ||
MSP Special Topics practicum course (when available - check the course schedule for the term in question) | ||
Non-MSP Electives | 13-12 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Total Credit Hours | 124 |
- 1
All students are required to take at least two writing-intensive (WI) courses in their major. Therefore, this academic plan includes a [WI] notation next to any course that has a writing-intensive attribute. All three MSP concentrations and three of the four focus areas include WI options. Whenever possible, it is recommended that students select their two WI courses from those that also directly satisfy one of their specific MSP requirements, since that will provide a more efficient use of credits and ease the path to program completion.
- 2
Internship Requirements: a.) Junior or Senior standing (minimum 60 credits completed), b.) a minimum 3.0 GPA, c.) completion of ALL MSP Foundations courses (MSP 1021, MSP 1655, and MSP 1701), and d.) no outstanding grades of Incomplete for any course. For details of the application process and information about the Internship course, review the MSP Internship Overview document, available from the "Forms and Links" section of the Klein tab on the TUPortal.
- 3
Practicum requirements vary from course to course. Check specific course prerequisites so you may plan accordingly.
Optional Concentration
The optional International Communication Concentration (ICC) provides a theoretical and practical education in international and intercultural communication and media. This program allows students to develop sought-after competencies in cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication skills by encouraging students to reflect on their own cultural lenses. Students participating in the ICC program will be exposed to multiple international perspectives through internationally- and interculturally-oriented courses offered on Temple's domestic campuses and may be supplemented with study abroad coursework.
This concentration is restricted to Klein students only.
Requirements
To earn the International Communication Concentration transcript notation, a student must successfully complete a total of 18-20 credits of International / Intercultural studies courses, a maximum 9 credits of which may come from courses transferred into Temple, across 3 areas. Each course that fulfills a requirement for the concentration must be passed with a C- or better.
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Common Course | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Intercultural Communication | ||
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace | ||
Klein International/Intercultural courses | ||
Select three of the following: | 9 | |
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR courses taken as part of a Klein GO International Program, or on an overseas Temple Campus (Main Campus Students: Rome or Japan; TUJ Students: Main or Rome; Rome Students: Main or Japan). | ||
Any ADV, CMST, CSI, JRN, MSP, or PR International Internship completed as part of a Klein GO Program | ||
Intercultural and Cross Cultural Conflict | ||
Communication, Culture and Identity | ||
Intercultural Communication in the Workplace (if not used to fulfill common course requirement above) | ||
International Reporting | ||
Journalism and Globalization | ||
Media and Cultural Differences | ||
Communication and Development | ||
Information Society | ||
Global Media | ||
Global Communication and Leadership | ||
International/Intercultural Electives outside of Klein | ||
Note: Satisfying the GenEd World Society requirement by completing a Study Abroad does not also satisfy this requirement. | ||
Choose any two (2) courses of the following: | 6-8 | |
Up to any two foreign language courses | ||
Any non-Klein courses at the 2000-level or higher taken in a Klein GO International Program, or on an overseas Temple Campus (Main Campus Students: Rome or Japan; TUJ Students: Main or Rome; Rome Students: Main or Japan). | ||
Any non-Klein internship taken in a Klein GO International Program | ||
Anthropology | ||
Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan | ||
or ASST 2238 | Visual Anthropology of Modern Japan | |
The Anthropology of Modern China | ||
or ASST 2374 | The Anthropology of Modern China | |
Peoples of Latin America | ||
or LAS 2361 | Peoples of Latin America | |
Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean | ||
or LAS 2362 | Peoples and Cultures of the Caribbean | |
Art History | ||
Roman Art and Archaeology | ||
Greek and Roman Sculpture | ||
Early Modern Italy and Spain in the 17th Century | ||
Northern and Global Baroque Art: Art in the Age of Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer | ||
Transnational Impressionisms | ||
Modern Art, 1900-1945 | ||
Arts of Asia | ||
History of Art in Rome (Study Abroad - Rome) | ||
Art and Culture in Ancient Rome (Study Abroad - Rome) | ||
Wonders of Rome: Art and Culture of the Baroque Era (Study Abroad - Rome) | ||
Galleries and Studios of Rome (Study Abroad - Rome) | ||
Arts of Asia (Study Abroad - Japan) | ||
Pre-Modern Japanese Art up to the Edo Period (Study Abroad - Japan) | ||
Asian Studies | ||
Practical Asian Society and Culture | ||
Survey of Japanese Literature Before 1868 | ||
Tokyo in Literature and Film | ||
or JPNS 2015 | Tokyo in Literature and Film | |
Japanese Literature in Film | ||
or JPNS 2021 | Japanese Literature in Film | |
Japan in a Changing World | ||
South Asia: Peoples, Culture, Experiences | ||
Japanese Culture | ||
or ANTH 2373 | Japanese Culture | |
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular | ||
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland | ||
Introduction to Asian Business | ||
Ideology and Social Change in Japan | ||
or SOC 3247 | Ideology and Social Change in Japan | |
China: State and Society | ||
or POLS 3251 | China: State and Society | |
Contemporary China | ||
or HIST 3522 | Contemporary China | |
Japan Today | ||
or HIST 3541 | Japan Today | |
Women and Society in Japan | ||
or HIST 3542 | Women and Society in Japan | |
Film & Media Arts | ||
International Cinema | ||
Geography & Urban Studies | ||
Urban Systems in a Global Economy | ||
African Development | ||
East and South Asia | ||
or ASST 2074 | Geography of East and South Asia | |
International Urbanization | ||
Environmental Problems in Asia | ||
or ASST 3052 | Environmental Problems in Asia | |
or ENST 3052 | Environmental Problems in Asia | |
Geography of Travel and Tourism | ||
Transportation & Culture | ||
History | ||
History of Central Europe, 1618-1871 | ||
Central Europe Through Wars and Revolution, 1848-1989 | ||
Introduction to East Asia: China | ||
or ASST 2501 | Introduction to East Asia: China | |
Introduction to East Asia: Japan | ||
or ASST 2502 | Introduction to East Asia: Japan | |
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular | ||
or ASST 2503 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Insular | |
Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland | ||
or ASST 2504 | Introduction to Southeast Asia: Mainland | |
Introduction to African History | ||
Introduction to Latin America | ||
Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean | ||
or LAS 2515 | Civilization and Modernity in the Caribbean | |
Modern Islamic History | ||
Third World Issues through Film | ||
Irish History | ||
History of England | ||
Russia: Nationality and Empire | ||
Russia: Revolution, State, and Empire | ||
Southern Africa: A History | ||
The Chinese Revolution | ||
Modern India | ||
History of Vietnam | ||
History of Brazil | ||
or LAS 3561 | History of Brazil | |
Contemporary Mexico | ||
or LAS 3562 | Contemporary Mexico | |
Israel: History, Politics and Society | ||
Modern Middle East | ||
Third World Women's Lives | ||
Jewish Studies | ||
Jewish Diaspora/Survey of Jewish History | ||
Latin American Studies | ||
Latin America through Film and Fiction | ||
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America | ||
Fundamentals of Latin American Business | ||
or IB 2502 | Fundamentals of Latin American Business | |
Historical Continuity and Social Change in Latin America | ||
Sociology of Music: Nation, Race, Class and Gender in Argentina and Brazil | ||
"Other Voices" in Latin American Literature | ||
Caribbean Literature and Culture | ||
African Culture in Brazil | ||
Political Science | ||
Contemporary Politics of Europe | ||
Eastern Europe, Russia and the West | ||
Comparative Political Systems in Latin America | ||
Comparative Public Policy | ||
Politics of International Law | ||
Politics of the Global Economy | ||
International Organization | ||
British Government and Politics | ||
Mideast Politics | ||
East Asia and the United States | ||
or ASST 3252 | East Asia and the United States | |
International Environmental Policy | ||
or ENST 3265 | International Environmental Policy | |
Religion | ||
Religion and Human Sexuality | ||
Religion in Film | ||
Indian Philosophies and Religions | ||
or ASST 2101 | Religions of India | |
Introduction to Buddhism | ||
or ASST 2102 | Introduction to Buddhism | |
Chinese Religions - Confucius to Mao | ||
Zen Buddhism | ||
or ASST 2301 | Zen Buddhism | |
Introduction to Judaism | ||
or JST 2403 | Introduction to Judaism | |
Kabbalah and Mysticism | ||
or JST 2447 | Kabbalah and Mysticism | |
Jesus in the Media | ||
Introduction to Islam | ||
Religion in Contemporary Africa | ||
Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature | ||
or ASST 3011 | Monks, Masters, and Magicians: Religion in Premodern Chinese Literature | |
I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen | ||
or ASST 3201 | I-Ching, Tao, and Ch'an/Zen | |
Japanese Religions | ||
or ASST 3301 | Japanese Religions | |
The Philosophies of Judaism | ||
or JST 3411 | The Philosophies of Judaism | |
The Islamic State | ||
Women in Islam | ||
Islamic Mysticism | ||
African Religions and New World Culture | ||
Total Credit Hours | 18-20 |
Contact Information
Jack Klotz, MSP Faculty Advisor
Annenberg Hall, Room 115
215-204-5823
jklotz@temple.edu