Curious about the media’s impact on society? Here are the academic requirements you’ll need to complete to get a degree in media studies from the SOJC.
How to Earn a Media Studies Degree
Step 1: If you're an incoming student, declare “pre-advertising," "pre-journalism,” "pre-media studies," or "pre-public relations" on your UO application. Current UO students in other majors can fill out our pre-major application form.
Step 2: Complete the SOJC’s pre-major core requirements and courses below.
Step 3: Apply for full major status with the SOJC.
Step 4: Complete the SOJC full major core required courses.
Step 5: Take five core context courses in media theory and analysis. You can take them at the same time as your media studies sequence courses (see Step 6).
Step 6: Complete the media studies sequence requirements. You can take these courses at the same time as the core context courses.
Step 7: Complete all other general education and general studies requirements. You can complete these while you're working through the steps above.
Step 8: Apply for your degree. Congrats—you made it!
Minimum Requirements
To graduate with an SOJC degree, you’ll also need to complete:
Pre-Major Requirements—Complete Before Applying for Full Major
You’ll begin your SOJC journey as a pre-major, so be sure to declare “pre-media studies” on your UO application. Before taking the next step to become a full SOJC major, you’ll need to complete these pre-major requirements, ideally during your first year.
1. Pre-Major Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J100 | Media Professions | 2 |
| J101 | Grammar for Communicators | 2 |
| J201 | Media and Society | 4 |
2. UO Writing Requirement (Clark Honors College students are exempt from this requirement.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| WR 121 | College Composition I | 4 |
| WR 122 or WR 123 | College Composition II or III | 4 |
WR 123 is highly recommended
Full SOJC Major Core—All SOJC Students Complete
During the term you expect to complete the pre-major requirements, you should submit an application for full major status. Once you’re accepted as an SOJC full major, you’ll need to complete the courses below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J211 | Gateway to Media | 8 |
| J212 | Writing for Communicators | 4 |
| J213 | Fact or Fiction | 4 |
Core Context Courses—All SOJC Students Complete
All SOJC students must complete five classes in media theory/analysis. You can take them concurrently with the media studies sequence courses. If you’re an SOJC Honors student, you’ll meet some of these requirements with your honors courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J320 | Gender, Media and Diversity (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
| J385 | Communication Law (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
| J387 | Media History (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
| J396 | International Communication (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
| J397 | Media Ethics (prerequisite: J201) | 4 |
Media Studies Sequence Requirements—All Media Studies Majors Complete
Once you've completed the full major core, you can start registering for the courses below to complete your media studies degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J250 | Media Studies Production | 2 |
| J314 | Introduction to Media Studies | 4 |
| J415 | Media Studies Research Methods | 4 |
| J413 | Media Studies Capstone (prerequisite: J314; spring term only) | 4 |
Media Studies Specialization—All Media Studies Majors Choose One and Complete
Follow your passion by specializing in a research area. Choose one of the four tracks below:
Media Technology and Society
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J429 | Media Technologies and Society: Topic (take three times, with three different titles) | 4 (x3) |
| J430 or J431 or J477 | Culture and Power in the Media: Topic or Media Structures and Regulation: Topic or Topics in Science of Science Communication: Topic | 4 |
Media, Culture, and Power
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J430 | Culture and Power in the Media: Topic (take three times, with three different titles) | 4 (x3) |
| J429 or J431 or J477 | Media Technologies and Society: Topic or Media Structures and Regulation: Topic or Topics in Science of Science Communication: Topic | 4 |
Media Structures and Regulation
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J431 | Media Structures and Regulation: Topic (take three times, with three different titles) | 4 (x3) |
| J429 or J430 or J477 | Media Technologies and Society: Topic or Culture and Power in the Media: Topic or Topics in Science of Science Communication: Topic | 4 |
Documentary Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| J208 | Introduction to Documentary Production | 4 |
| J416 | Survey of the Documentary | 4 |
| J331 | Digital Video Production | 4 |
| J421 | Documentary Production | 4 |
General Studies Requirements—All SOJC Students Complete
All SOJC students must complete at least 104 non-SOJC credits. For media studies majors, choose one of the following options:
- Non-SOJC minor. See the UO Course Catalog for a list of applicable subject areas. Most minors are 24–32 credits (6–8 courses).
- Declare a nonmajor concentration. Take 24 credits (6 courses) from one non-SOJC area. At least 12 of these credits must be 300-level or higher, and at least 4 must be 400-level. Technical, performance, physical education, and Clark Honors College credits are not considered concentrations.
- Double-major in a program outside the SOJC. See the UO Course Catalog for a list of major options.
Academic Support and Career Advising
Need some guidance? Our academic advisors are here for you. The SOJC Student Services Center is your one-stop shop for undergrad academic advice and career-building tips. All undergraduate SOJC students are welcome—even if you haven’t enrolled yet. Drop in to Student Services on the ground floor of Allen Hall or make an appointment to get on track to meet your goals.