该专业是为想要从事学术研究而不是专业研究媒体研究的学生而设计的。首先让学生接触到了解大众传播媒介（例如美学，文化，人文主义，社会行为）的广泛方法，然后通过选择四个选项之一，深入研究媒体研究的特定领域。该专业的所有选择都与人文科学紧密相连。因此，成功修完该专业的学生必须具有扎实的文科基础和发达的语言和分析能力。在这个以理论为基础，以研究为导向的专业中，学生将研究媒体对社会的作用和影响。学生探索媒体与公众之间的关系，分析媒体信息和技术，并检查其对个人和文化的影响。课程内容涵盖广泛的主题，包括消息分析，媒体心理
This major is designed for students who want to pursue an academic rather than professional program of media studies. Students are exposed first to the breadth of approaches to understanding the mass media (e.g., aesthetic, cultural, humanistic, social-behavioral) and then, by selecting one of four options, go into depth in a specialized area of media studies. All options within the major are closely intertwined with the liberal arts and sciences. Therefore, students who successfully complete this major must have a strong foundation in the liberal arts and well-developed language and analytical skills.<br><br>Students study the role and impact of the media on society in this theory-based, research-driven major. Students explore the relationships between media and the public, analyze media messages and technologies, and examine their effects on individuals and cultures. Course work covers a wide range of topics, including message analysis, media psychology, public opinion, global media, film studies, game studies and human-computer communication. Students can customize their studies by specializing in film and television studies, media effects, international communications, or society and culture.