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The mass media, more than ever before, play vital roles in how information is disseminated and how societies are shaped and function. As traditional forms of media and information dissemination change rapidly in an increasingly technological world, it is more important than ever for students to understand the way that media work as well as learn to evaluate the messages that are sent.
In the media analysis minor, students learn to understand the roles that media play, how they are changing and their impact. Students are given the tools they need to critically evaluate, analyze and interpret media messages in order to become wise consumers of media.
At A Glance
Media Analysis (Minor)
- Offered by: Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication
- Location: Downtown, Online
Application requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:
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Program requirements
The minor of media analysis consists of 18 credit hours of course work. This is a requirement consistent with many other minor programs at Arizona State University and at other colleges and universities. The focus of the program is on media analysis. Students in the minor will concentrate on evaluating the impact of information dissemination rather than on topics that focus on the practice of gathering and distributing messages. Students in the minor may not register for courses in the professional journalism major.
To take upper-division courses, students must be at least sophomores (25 credit hours). To pursue the minor in media analysis, they must maintain a minimum 2.00 overall GPA, obtain a minimum grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) in each course in the minor and have a major other than journalism and mass communication, sports journalism, or mass communication and media studies.
Required Courses -- 9 credit hours
Elective Courses -- 9 credit hours
Depending on a student's undergraduate program of study, prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.
Degree requirements
The minor of media analysis consists of 18 credit hours of course work. This is a requirement consistent with many other minor programs at Arizona State University and at other colleges and universities. The focus of the program is on media analysis. Students in the minor will concentrate on evaluating the impact of information dissemination rather than on topics that focus on the practice of gathering and distributing messages. Students in the minor may not register for courses in the professional journalism major.
To take upper-division courses, students must be at least sophomores (25 credit hours). To pursue the minor in media analysis, they must maintain a minimum 2.00 overall GPA, obtain a minimum grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) in each course in the minor and have a major other than journalism and mass communication or sports journalism.
Three specific classes will be required (nine credit hours). The required classes are:
MCO 120 Media and Society, SB (3)
MCO 240 Media Issues in American Pop Culture (3)
MCO 418 History of Mass Communication, SB, H (3)
In addition, students select three additional courses (nine credit hours) from the list of electives offered by the journalism school. The common element of these courses is that they focus on understanding specific aspects of the mass media and how those aspects impact individuals and societies in terms of function, effects and enculturation. Electives offered include:
MCO 302 Media Research Methods (3)
MCO 430 International Mass Communication, G (3)
MCO 435 Social Media (3)
MCO 450 Visual Communication, HU (3)
MCO 455 War and Mass Media (3)
MCO 456 Political Communication, SB (3)
MCO 460 Race, Gender and Media, C (3)
MCO 465 Sports and Media (3)
MCO 473 Sex, Love and Romance in the Mass Media, SB (3)
MCO 494 Special Topic (3)
Depending upon a student's undergraduate program of study, prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.
Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: 2.00
Majors Ineligible to Add This Minor: BA in journalism and mass communication; BA in sports journalism and mass communication; BA in media studies
Other Enrollment Requirements: None
Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Students interested in pursuing a minor should consult their academic advisor to declare the minor and to ensure that an appropriate set of courses is taken. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and the minor. Students should contact their academic advisor or the department offering the minor for more information: https://cronkite.asu.edu/undergrad/minor_media_analysis.
What are ASU's Online Programs?
ASU Online offers programs like Media Analysis in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
More information on the program is available directly from ASU Online.