• MDST 3706

    Media in China: Technology, Policy and Commerce
     Rating

    3.00

     Difficulty

    2.50

     GPA

    3.54

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    The growth of media industries in China sits at the intersection between commerce, technology and policy. The objective of the course is to cultivate a rigorous understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of these three areas within the context of China's global expansion. Students will also be expected to develop fresh critical perspectives on the significance of analysis of industry practice as a means to critique media texts.

  • MDST 3712

    Interactive Storytelling
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.29

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    This course approaches the design and creation of "interactive stories." Over the term, students will develop prototypes of multiple interactive storytelling media (interactive fiction, games, simulations, scenarios), balancing an understanding of the scholarship on interactive narrative with individualized design goals. No experience with game design or programming is required.

  • MDST 3720

    Social Media and Global South Societies
     Rating

    2.22

     Difficulty

    2.33

     GPA

    3.71

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    This course studies the relationship between social media and Global South societies. Students in this course will analyze the various theories related to the effects and affordances of social media on ideological polarization, social influence, social capital, and social movements. Students will be required to look beyond positive/negative effects of social media, and conduct in-depth interrogations about issues that surround them.

  • MDST 3755

    Social Media and Society
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.89

    Last Taught

    Fall 2025

    This class examines computer-mediated communication forms known as "social media." What makes these technologies "social" or "media"? From algorithms to selfies, most aspects of social media have been met with both moral panics and utopian pronouncements. Students will develop a set of critical frames and analytical methods for understanding the role of social media in society.

  • MDST 3760

    Reading Black Digital Culture
     Rating

    4.33

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.77

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Using a mix of scholarly and popular-press readings and an examination of digital artifacts, we will analyze the creations and contributions of Black digital culture from the mid-90s to the present. Covering topics including the early Black blogosphere; the creation of niche content sites like BlackPlanet.com; the emergence of Black Twitter; the circulation of memes, and the use second-screening.

  • MDST 3800

    Field Experience in Media Studies
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.95

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    Provides an opportunity for students to get credit for field work, in the area of media studies. Students must put a proposal together for the project with a faculty sponsor, which must be approved by the add/drop deadlines. Restricted to Media Studies Majors.

  • MDST 3811

    History of American Broadcast News
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.26

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    This course traces the development of national news broadcasting in the United States from the 1920s to the present.

  • MDST 3900

    Specialized Field Experience in Media Studies
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    This course is reserved for Media Studies students interested in receiving credit for participation in student-led and UVA-affiliated enterprises that are media-related under the guidance of a faculty member or industry professional in the area of media studies. Students must put a proposal together for the project with a faculty sponsor, which must be approved by the add/drop deadlines. Restricted to Media Studies Majors.

  • MDST 4000

    Media Theory and Methods
     Rating

    2.67

     Difficulty

    2.00

     GPA

    3.62

    Last Taught

    Spring 2026

    An introduction to research methods in media studies. Intended as a foundation for thesis and project work for students in the DMP program. Covers subjects such as research design, ethics, people-based methods (ethnography, surveys, interviews) and textual analysis.

  • MDST 4010

    Distinguished Majors Thesis Writing or Research Project
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Spring 2025

    Writing of a thesis or production or a project with appropriately researched documentation, under the supervision of the faculty DMP thesis readers or project supervisor.