What is Media Studies?
Learn about this exciting new major in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program.
Author bio: Written by Emma Hole, current BA student, while she was working as the 2019–20 Student Recruitment, Engagement & Communications Intern for the Faculty of Arts.
So much of my life is online, and I know I’m not alone. Digital media is everywhere, and at this point, entirely unavoidable.
Even my middle-aged parents who pride themselves on not falling into the “digital trap” are, (at least to a small degree) influenced by/exposed to some of the same social networking sites used by teens and early 20-somethings. “See Emma?” they say with an episode of CBC queued on the family room TV. “Tik Tok… it’s very dangerous.”
I mean, we’re living in an age where even my grandmother knows how to use gifs… (and yes, it is totally adorable.)
On one hand, I’m receiving heartwarming messages from my grandma who lives eight-hundred-and-some kilometers away from me, whilst simultaneously being lectured by my parents on the horrible dangers of digital media, tech and the internet.
So, what’s the truth? Is today’s media helping or hurting me?
As it turns out, I’m not the only one wondering.
Starting this term (fall 2020), Arts students can begin taking media studies (MST) courses and declare Media Studies as their major. What is Media Studies you ask? Great question! I paid Dr. Astrid Ensslin (a professor in digital humanities, and the new director of the Media Studies program) a visit to find out.
What is Media Studies?
Media Studies navigates and critically analyzes the historical question of “what is mediality to begin with?”
Simply put, mediality is the way in which people are influenced by the media they are exposed to. It’s easy to think about the ways people are influenced by things like books, movies, video games, and social media, but Dr. Ensslin argues that “mediality goes further back than that”. While “Gutenberg’s printing press may have sparked the technological development of media, mediality ultimately begins with orality. Anything that is communicated is mediated, and everything is mediated (even human language)!”
*To better understand this concept — think about the ways in which the word “mankind” might affect or influence your thinking in contrast to the phrase “all of society,” or the word “humankind”.
Media Studies looks at:
The practices of production and consumption of media.
Historically speaking, the line between those who produce media, (e.g. authors, movie directors, music producers) and those who receive media has been very clear. Today, in the age of YouTube stars and Instagram models, it is not. Anyone can produce something to be posted online. According to Ensslin, media studies “looks at the advantages and disadvantages of that”.
Media Studies also looks at:
Politics, companies and issues like data theft.
Distinguishing reliable information from fake news, and how to do that when the two are becoming harder to tell apart.
The political economies, corporations, and organizations we are exposed to. The histories of mediation — both contemporary and historical.
The psychological effects of media.
Ensslin elaborates: “First, there was moral panic surrounding TV watching. Then, there was worry that computer games would cause violent behaviour. All media evolves from human needs. How does it affect us?”
Media Studies is an interdisciplinary program. What is an interdisciplinary program?
Interdisciplinary studies involve the combining of two or more academic disciplines into one activity.
“Interdisciplinary programs look at one topic through multiple lenses. Not all of the questions surrounding media studies can be answered using just psychology, for example. Issues need to be looked at through multiple lenses. The interdisciplinary nature of Media Studies is also one of the reasons [it makes an] excellent choice for students looking to pursue a double major.” And, according to Ensslin, “it would increase your employability greatly!”
Which different subject areas/disciplines combine to make up Media Studies?
“Almost the whole catalogue of departments!”
In Media Studies students will consider and evaluate pop music (music), YouTube (film studies), video games (computing science) and philosophical (philosophy) questions about decision-making and autonomy, as well as “the algorithms that determine what we watch versus what we do not watch”. You’ll ask how this could be taken advantage of by certain political groups (political science) without us noticing?
Who might be interested in Media Studies?
“Media Studies is important across the board, through all sectors! Every company, organization and business — they all need experts, both in social and traditional media and also public relations.”
“Anyone who would consider themselves suffering from ‘no-mobile-phone phobia’ — anyone who can’t find their way around Edmonton without the help of google maps [would enjoy this program]. Ask yourself why you have a phobia of being without your phone.”
What are examples of interesting courses that Media Studies Students can take?
“Well, I can’t say what students will find most interesting! Personally, I really enjoy the courses that examine gaming, but that’s only because that’s what I’ve focused my research on. I’m equally curious to see what sorts of courses will be popular amongst students.”
Declare a major in Media Studies now!
If you are a current BA student and want to declare your major as Media Studies, change your major to Media Studies or add Media Studies so that is one part of a double major, simply fill out this Google Form: Declaration of Change of Major/Minor
Learn more about Media Studies by:
- visiting the Media and Technology Studies website
- reading through course listings for required MST courses (if pursuing a MST major) and approved MST elective courses
- reviewing the 2-page Bachelor of Arts Media Studies Degree Guide
- watching the Media Studies Program Overview video
