Media Arts, B.A. (Bachelor of Arts)
The B.A. degree in Media Arts is designed for students who want to learn about film and media production and the history, theory and criticism of film and media. The degree prepares students for careers in the entertainment and media industries—as technicians, producers and directors, production managers, writers, game designers, animators, and more. A major in Media Arts will teach you how to create aesthetically and conceptually sophisticated works of art, identify and analyze the impact of media art as it relates to global media practices and cultures, and prepare you to publicly present your work.
When you pursue the B.A. degree in Media Arts you have the opportunity to choose a concentration in media production or media studies. All majors take the same foundational courses in media production and studies and then elect a pathway that supports their interests. There is some flexibility to elect courses in each concentration along the way.
The Media Production concentration has classes that support students to create projects across a range of media platforms and tools: film and video production in multiple genres; animation and game design; sound art and design; and scriptwriting for multiple platforms (television, film, and manga and anime). We encourage students to diversify their creative portfolio while they pursue their area of specialization. Whether you want to be a cinematographer, screenwriter, game designer or animator, we prepare you to be an agile, independent artist able to carve your own career path. The concentration in Media Production culminates in a capstone internship experience at a media company or professional media environment. Every production course in Media Arts places students at the center of an intellectually challenging and practical curriculum. Build your skills and confidence as you prepare to enter the diverse and rapidly expanding media arts field and related industries.
The Media Studies concentration is comprised of coursework that explores the cultural impact of film and media. This concentration equips students with the skills necessary to analyze and engage thoughtfully with the media that shape our daily lives—from the screens in our pockets, bags, and homes to the silver screen at our local theaters. Students in this concentration gain a deep understanding of how media works, including the ways in which media influences society, empowering them to be informed, insightful participants and creators in a media-driven landscape. Our Media Studies concentration lays a solid foundation for careers in media production, education, curation, archiving, journalism, and more—wherever media literacy is essential.
2024-2025 B.A. in Media Arts Curriculum and Requirements
What’s the Difference Between Media Production and Media Studies?
The Media Studies and Media Production concentrations both lead to rewarding careers in media, but they each have a distinct focus.
A Media Studies concentration centers on the critical analysis of media, exploring the "why" behind media narratives. Students investigate representation, media history, industry work cultures, and the societal impact of media. It's about understanding the influence of media on audiences, creators, and culture as a whole.
The Media Production concentration is focused on the hands-on skills needed to create media, like filming, editing, programming, writing, and technical production.
Think of it as the difference between analyzing the impact of media on society and learning the craft of making it.
Minor in Media Arts Production
Students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at USC can easily pursue a minor in Media Arts Production. The minor provides a foundation in media production, including marketable skills for most any industry. It is a great companion minor to any major. Students interested in completing a minor should speak to their undergraduate advisor.
Minor in Media Studies
In the Media Studies Minor students build media literacy skills, investigate media history from an international perspective, examine the economics and labor structures of globalized media industries, and engage the central methods and concepts of the discipline. A minor in media studies may be of interest to students in many primary disciplines, especially English, history, business, writing and communications, journalism, the arts, music, theater, acting and more. The skills gained in the minor prepare students for future graduate work or careers in the fields of entertainment, archiving, information science, business, and education, to name only a few.
Internships, Careers, and Alumni
Our B.A. seniors complete internships with national leaders in the media industries and our alumni are creative professionals, working in industry, government, freelance media production, and as entrepreneurs. University of South Carolina Media Arts alumni are globally influential media makers at Netflix, Blizzard, Marvel, IBM, iD Software, Kodansha USA, Turner Studios, HBO Films, Nickelodeon, and CBS Television. Our alumni are self-starters, global creatives, film and television industry executives, and local media pioneers.
While many media arts students seek careers as filmmakers, screenwriters, or video game designers, there are also students and faculty in our program working in global media industry studies, virtual reality, mobile media applications, sequential art, installation, and emerging media forms.
Get Connected
Area Coordinator of Media Arts: Laura Kissel, kissel@mailbox.sc.edu
Core Faculty
- Kelsey Cameron, Ph.D.
- Catherine Chi, M.F.A.
- Northrop Davis, M.F.A.
- Chaz Evans, M.F.A.
- Byeongwon Ha, M.F.A., Ph.D.
- Laura Kissel, M.F.A.
- EB Landesberg, M.F.A.
- Carleen Maur, M.F.A.
- Evan Meaney, M.F.A.
- Maureen Ryan, Ph.D.
- Lauren Steimer, Ph.D.
- Kelly Wolf, Ph.D.
- Ashley Young, Ph.D.