Media Studies Undergraduate Program

Bachelor's Degree in
Media Studies

Media is one of the most powerful forces shaping the world today. To successfully communicate with audiences—and participate in cultural conversations around diversity, representation, and ethics—organizations need employees who understand the media’s evolution and its current impact on society.

a student presents research in front of a digital screen

Bachelor's Degree in
Media Studies

Media is one of the most powerful forces shaping the world today. To successfully communicate with audiences—and participate in cultural conversations around diversity, representation, and ethics—organizations need employees who understand the media’s evolution and its current impact on society.

Analyze the World with a Media Studies Major

Take a deep dive into the media phenomena that fascinate you while building a unique career path around your passions. You’ll become a cultural expert and develop the future-proof skills employers want most, from critical thinking and problem solving to data analysis and digital research methods. As a media studies major, you’ll focus on one of our four research- and career-focused tracks: Documentary Study and Production; Media Technologies and Society; Media Structures and Regulation; and Culture, Power, and the Media.

Analyze the World with a Media Studies Major

Take a deep dive into the media phenomena that fascinate you while building a unique career path around your passions. You’ll become a cultural expert and develop the future-proof skills employers want most, from critical thinking and problem solving to data analysis and digital research methods. As a media studies major, you’ll focus on one of our four research- and career-focused tracks: Documentary Study and Production; Media Technologies and Society; Media Structures and Regulation; and Culture, Power, and the Media.

Students working together during SOJC Gateway Lab
a student in class
three students with laptops have a discussion

Take flight with a Media Studies Bachelor's Degree

Take flight
with a Media Studies Bachelor’s Degree

Employers across all industries want critical thinkers who can conduct research, analyze and create media, and engage in collaborative probem solving. Our media studies major prepares students for advanced training in communication and law, and for a wide range of careers, from media ethicist to documentarian.  

Get a Minor in Media Studies

Nearly any student would benefit from a media studies degree. Our program is flexible so you can weave it into your education in a way that works for you. We offer a media studies minor for UO students outside the SOJC.

Media Studies Program News

“One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication,” is a new podcast featuring students, faculty, alumni and staff from the SOJC.
SOJC Associate Professor Bish Sen, who has taught a course on reality TV for more than a decade, explains in a Vogue article how the genre can influence viewers and bring out the worst in all of us.
Whitney Phillips, assistant professor of media studies at the SOJC, was quoted in the Washington Post comparing the impact of the average millennial’s digital footprint to that of a vice-presidential candidate.

More News  »

Media Studies Program News

“One Cool Story: Tales from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication,” is a new podcast featuring students, faculty, alumni and staff from the SOJC.

More News  »

Hands-On Learning, Real-World Experience

Students sitting in classroom

Focus on Your Passion

Our media studies major offers four tracks to help you prepare for the careers that most inspire you. In Documentary Study and Production you’ll research the art and impact of the medium and build video production skills. Media Technologies and Society examines and assesses the impact of emerging media technologies on our everyday lives. In Media Structures and Regulation, you’ll analyze and influence the laws and policies surrounding emerging media. And Culture, Power, and the Media explores the power dynamics of the media.

Browse Media Studies Courses

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Become a Real Researcher

Students in our program do real research—and not just in the library. Work with a faculty advisor to develop your thesis for the SOJC Honors program or Clark Honors College. Build your portfolio and deepen your understanding of international media as you study Ghana's emerging media presence in the Media in Ghana program. Present your work at an academic symposium. Or gain hands-on experience as an intern at media outlets around the state, the nation, or the world. The possibilities are endless.

Explore Learning Opportunities

Meet Our FacultyView All Media Studies Faculty →

Dayna Chatman meets with a student in her office

Dayna Chatman   
Assistant Professor of Media Studies

Dayna Chatman is is a subculture expert. She teaches core courses in the major like Gender, Media, and Diversity, and she teaches specialized media courses in the Media, Culture, and Power track that focus on the Black experience in America. But one of her favorite things to research is K-pop—short for Korean popular music—and its multicultural and transnational relevance.

Explore Dayna’s Research

Meet Our Faculty

Dayna Chatman meets with a student in her office

Dayna Chatman 
Assistant Professor of Media Studies

Dayna Chatman is is a subculture expert. She teaches core courses in the major like Gender, Media, and Diversity, and she teaches specialized media courses in the Media, Culture, and Power track that focus on the Black experience in America. But one of her favorite things to research is K-pop—short for Korean popular music—and its multicultural and transnational relevance.

View All Media Studies Faculty →