Media Studies

FAQ

Below are a series of answers to potential student questions on the new curriculum. We’ll add additional information with time. Current answers are subject to revision.

Can majors declared in the old curriculum switch to the new curriculum?

Yes – students who declared Media Studies summer 2021 and before may switch to the new curriculum with concentrations that begins fall 2021 by submitting a Media Studies Curriculum Change Form. Students should ensure that by switching to the new curriculum, they will still be able to graduate by their Expected Graduation Term (EGT). Students should carefully review the information on the form before submitting it. This request must be made no later than the end of the fifth week of the term before a student’s EGT. (This deadline is extended to the end of the eighth week of the term before a student’s EGT for students with spring 2022 EGTs.)

Can new admits opt for the older curriculum or opt out of an area of concentration?

No, that in effect creates an additional, unapproved curriculum path.

Can an elective meet two area electives from the same area?

No, the students must complete three area electives, each from a different category.

Is there a minimum number of units necessary for a class to count as an elective?

Yes, an elective must be at least two units.

Do the electives need to be upper-division (numbered 100-199)?

Yes, with the exception of the research methodologies elective (since such courses are often introductory by nature).

Can students fulfill the research methodologies elective at a community college?

No, students must take the research methodologies course at Cal in order to better guarantee topics, assignments, and readings comparable with those research methodologies courses offered by our program. Students may still complete three of the four prerequisites (exempting Introduction to Media Studies) at another college or university. Approved prerequisites at California community colleges can be found on assist.org. Students may request for courses from other colleges and universities to be reviewed as possible prerequisites by submitting a course substitution form.

How many courses can a student take from the same outside department or program?

Students may take no more than two upper-division courses (numbered 100-199) from the same outside (non-Media Studies) department or program. This includes cross-listed and combined (room-shared) classes (e.g., Information C167  counts as both an Information class and Sociology class, because it is cross-listed with Sociology C167).  This limit does not apply to lower-division courses (numbered 1 – 99). It does apply to any upper-division course used to fulfill Media Studies prerequisites, research methodology courses, concentration courses, or elective courses.

Do the electives need to be upper-division (numbered 100-199)?

Yes, with the exception of the research methodologies elective (since such courses are often introductory by nature). Only the course that applies to the research methodologies category can be lower-division. All electives, whether they count as research methodologies in other areas of concentrations or not, must be upper-division.