Curious about how media shapes our lives? You don’t have to be a Media Studies and Production major to dive in. Whether you’re looking to analyze, understand or create, there’s a course for you.

Explore the list below and view the class schedule here. MSP courses with no prerequisites are available in fall 2026. Course descriptions are included below.

Fall 2026 Courses

• KLN 0873. Media in a Hyper-Mediated World
• MSP 0821. Future of Your TV
• MSP 0823. Latin American Media
• MSP 1021. Introduction to Media Analysis
• MSP 1251. The Children’s Media Industry
• MSP 1655. Introduction to Media Business
• MSP 1701. Introduction to Media Production
• MSP 2011. Introduction to Media Theory
• MSP 2421. Media and Popular Culture
• MSP 2663. The Recording Industry and Music Business
• MSP 2990. Privacy and Surveillance<– Honors Course
• MSP 3196. Writing Workshop
• MSP 3296. Travel Writing
• MSP 3421. Technology and Culture
• MSP 3455: Social Media
• MSP 3890: Developing your Online Persona
• 4000-level classes with no prerequisites but that are restricted to Juniors/Seniors
  • MSP 4252. Law and Ethics of Digital Media
  • MSP 4425. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Media Representation
  • MSP 4446. Psychological Processing of Media
  • MSP 4454. Media Campaigns for Social Change<– Honors Course
  • MSP 4521: Artificial Intelligence & Creative Industries
  • MSP 4614. Creating a Media Business
  • MSP 4696. Communication in Media Organizations

General Education Courses 

• KLN 0873. Media in a Hyper-Mediated World: The Internet-fueled democratization of media creation has enabled anyone to be a publisher, and has given audiences almost infinite choices — with both great and questionable effects. In a world of information abundance, it can be difficult to discern fact from opinion and truth from fiction. We need to know how to wade through this barrage of information with a critical eye, to be better informed and ultimately become creators of media ourselves. Media in a Hyper-Mediated World is designed to help students navigate 21st century media, starting by becoming active users of media, not just passive consumers. Students will employ principles of media literacy in analyzing and creating messages on a variety of topics using a combination of writing, image production, sound production and creative work with digital media. In order to become active participants in an information society, students will examine the factors that assist them in acting responsibly in media environments.
• MSP 0821. The Future of Your TV: What is the future of your TV and what kinds of programming will you see in the next two years? Television is not going away but how, where and when we interact with TV changes constantly. What roles do blogs, podcasts, YouTube, Netflix and new digital technologies have in furthering television into a medium where consumers drive content? In large lecture you will learn about these changes; in small groups, you will take the driver’s seat as a critic and creator of content. 
• MSP 0823. Latin American Media: This class centers on thinking critically about Latin America, mass media, Latinx in the United States, and the interactions of these topics. Latin America encompasses an incredible diversity of regions, ethnic identities, rich and poor economies, histories, and cultures. This class uses media and communication as entry points to explore this region’s diversity and complexity. The course proceeds mostly through the investigation of case studies, accessing cultural and political complexities of Latin America’s media through a series of snapshots. The course takes students on a journey through different countries and their media and communication practices, including the globalization of Colombian telenovela Ugly Betty; the legendary use of media and digital technologies by the Zapatistas in Mexico; the history of Latin American media giants such as Televisa in Mexico and Rede Globo in Brazil; and the rich tradition of Latin American community media, such as the Bolivian miners’ radio station, Radio La Tribu in Argentina, and Indigenous media in Ecuador and Peru. The course will also explore U.S. mainstream media representations of Latinx. Students will learn about a vast media catalogue that includes films, music, soap operas, community radio stations, and social media. We will also access the world-class intellectual and cultural resources of Philadelphia through field visits and guest presentations.

1000-level Courses

• MSP 1001. Video Production for Non-Majors: In the contemporary, multi-mediated world, video production skills constitute a core 21st century communication competency. This entry-level course offers non-video production majors an introduction to basic video and audio production that will equip them with the ability to produce meaningful and aesthetically, impactful video content.
• MSP 1021. Introduction to Media Analysis: This course offers a practical introduction to media analysis, spanning various areas such as audiences, content, industries, policy and regulation, consumerism, and citizenship. We will provide definitions and examples and explore the practical methods used to analyze them. The course will examine traditional and emerging media, from print and television to the internet and artificial intelligence. Through weekly readings, stimulating class discussions, and media analytics skill development, students will uncover the hidden messages and ideologies that shape media industries. This critical thinking will empower students to become more discerning media consumers. Moreover, through written and oral analysis of media, students will hone their communication skills, enabling them to effectively express their views and participate in meaningful discussions on the role of media in society.
• MSP 1251. The Children’s Media Industry: This course will introduce students to the business and entrepreneurship aspects of the children’s media industry. Combining case studies, current news reports, analysis of industry trends, and audience research, students will deepen their understanding of the business decisions and revenue focus that drives the industry. Topics to be addressed include the massive migration of kids from television to streaming and YouTube; why diversity of voices and characters makes good business sense; and the ups and downs of government regulations. The course will explore the unique concerns of leading a media company in which the target audience is children; young, impressionable, and endlessly fickle.
• MSP 1655. Introduction to Media Business: This course is an introduction to the business challenges, creative approaches and ethical responsibilities dealt with by media and technology institutions, media creators, and entrepreneurs. The course places these topics in a historical time frame to provide context for industry growth and creative evolutions over time. Topics include an analysis of media and technology organizations and institutions, roles and responsibilities of media leaders, history of media industries, financial decision-making, the differing missions of for-profit and non-profit media, the influence of government regulations, media as a global industry, and how artificial intelligence is affecting the industry. Course topics are set within four broad areas influencing the industry: institutional structures, monetization strategies (revenue models), content and audience development, trends and global perspective. The course focuses on media industries, including radio/podcasts, television, online, mobile, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
• MSP 1701. Introduction to Media Production: An introduction to the creative components that must be addressed when producing content, including visual aesthetics, framing, audio needs, communication design and other concepts relevant to the world of media. Students are introduced to various applications and learn how to construct effective media projects including web sites, graphics, and audio and video work.

2000-level Courses

• MSP 2011. Introduction to Media Theory: This class provides a broad survey of key theoretical approaches to the understanding of human communicative behavior with an emphasis on those theoretical frameworks associated with mediated communication. The course helps students develop an appreciation for the role theory plays in our society, including the relationship of theory to research and the application of theoretical models to contemporary phenomena.
• MSP 2141. Media Research: This course provides an introduction to the process of research, with specific focus on how research into media and communication practices is designed and conducted. Topics covered include identifying a research question, learning about and applying different research methods, selecting a research method, defining terms, sampling, data collection, and the presentation of results. The course further explores how these processes change across various institutional, academic, and journalistic settings. The class also considers how media and communication research products are circulated in society, as well as how to interpret and critically evaluate the various forms of research one encounters in work and life.
• MSP 2421. Media and Popular Culture: This course critically examines the relationship between the media and a cultural form that is often dismissed as trivial popular culture. This course introduces students to some of the most important critiques of popular culture from the 20th and early 21st centuries in an effort to understand the aesthetics, politics, and economics of popular culture texts, including movies, television shows, songs, books, magazines, comics, and social media. Through these critiques, the class will trace the historical development of this cultural form in America and Europe, its relationship to high culture and folk culture, its globalization during the 20th century, and the influences on it from around the world such as anime from Japan, Bollywood films from India, and K-pop from South Korea. The influence of A.I. on popular culture is also explored.
• MSP 2451. The Influence of Media on Children: How are children affected by the media they consume? This course will explore the key areas in which media affect children, including consumerism, violence, sexuality, representation of body image, gender, race, ethnicity, etc. The course will analyze the research on how media affects children and will include basic child development. This course will incorporate a production assignment to introduce students to production for children as an audience.
• KLN 2823. Latino Media, Communication, and Culture: Latino Media, Communication, and Culture examines how diverse Latino communities in the U.S. engage with media within complex historical, political, and cultural contexts. Students will explore the demographic, cultural, and political characteristics of various Latinx communities and understand the reasons behind their regional distribution across the country. The course analyzes historical and contemporary representations of Latino communities in mainstream media, including Hollywood films, television, legacy news outlets, and advertising. It also investigates how Latinos/as have used media technologies to express and represent their own experience in the U.S. Students will study the evolution of Spanish-language media in the U.S., focusing on major institutions, market dynamics, and key figures behind prominent networks such as Univision, Telemundo, and Spanish-language radio. Additionally, the course highlights grassroots Latinx media initiatives, including the Chicano theater tradition and the Chicano film movement, encouraging students to critically engage with these cultural expressions.
• MSP 2663. The Recording Industry and Music Business: An overview of the business, economic, and legal structures of the recording industry in the context of the wider music business. The course examines the organizational configuration and creative aspects of the current industry landscape, along with the profiles and functioning of the various segments, types of companies, career paths, and jobs involved. Significant time is spent discussing songwriting, publishing, copyright, royalties, as well as the structure and operations of management, record labels, and distribution systems. The course analyzes commercial marketplace data to develop insights into current trends and projections for future developments in music consumption, social media, fan engagement, live events, and popular culture.
• MSP 2990. Privacy and Surveillance. Honors Course: Opportunities for privacy are challenged by the ubiquity of surveillance and data collection. Even if we opt not to “share” personal information online and exercise caution in our social media management, an array of sophisticated technologies monitor us, categorize us, expose us, and can testify against us as they extend surveillance into onetime private contexts and spaces. The purpose of this course is to explore and analyze what privacy is, and should be, in the age of everyday technology (e.g., social media, smartphones, drones and cheap DNA tests). We will explore the actions of governments, corporations and individuals to understand our rights while considering the rights we may need in the future. We will examine philosophical and legal ideas about privacy; issues related to corporate use of algorithms and social categorization; and social justice issues attached to surveillance practices. We will also consider the possibility of an ethical data future for us all.

3000-level Courses

• MSP 3196. Writing Workshop: A writing-intensive course that stresses writing fundamentals while encouraging students to express themselves in various forms of writing and other forms of production. Students read their work in class, participate in workshop activities and meet with the instructor for individual critiques.
• MSP 3296. Travel Writing: This course explores international communication, intercultural competence, personal reflection and the nature of travel (why and how we travel, and what we can learn from it) through a travel writing curriculum.
• MSP 3354. Sports Media in Latino Communities: This course examines the relationship between sports media and Latino/a/e/x communities in the United States and across the Americas. Students will explore how sports media both represents and misrepresents Latino athletes, fans, and cultures through directed readings, case studies, videos, podcasts and other learning sources. Students will analyze media sources and framing, evaluate historical and current industry practices, and produce culturally responsive sports media content. Students will be able to better understand, cover, and promote diverse sports audiences.
• MSP 3421. Technology and Culture: This course critically examines the nature, role, and significance of new communication technologies in contemporary U.S. culture. It considers how these technologies impact our ideas on work, leisure, art, knowledge, identity, and environment and thus provides a foundation for understanding the nature, role, and significance of new communication technologies as a dynamic factor in society. We will examine socio-cultural imperatives that shape the development of new information/ communication technologies in addition to the socio-cultural influences of those technologies. We will explore the nature of technology in general to understand what it is and how it is linked closely with cultural change. The course also addresses the social history of technology in terms of the philosophies, politics, and economics surrounding the creation of new technologies.
• MSP 3455: Social Media: This course examines social media through several lenses, including politics, marketing, communication, and culture. In the first half, students will learn about theories related to social media, while in the second half, they will learn about applied topic areas. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the significant developments in social media while at the same time preparing them to work with social media in contexts such as education, news, government, healthcare, and privacy. We will look at the history, platforms, psychology, and impact of social media on individuals, businesses, and society. You will acquire critical thinking skills and experience in managing social media complexities responsibly and strategically through lectures, discussions, and assignments. This course will also provide hands-on experience creating and managing social media content.
• MSP 3890: Developing your Online Persona: The pursuit of careers in independent media creation is attractive, but independence means that creators must find ways to monetize their content themselves. In this course, we will explore the best paths to shape your public-facing image as a creator of news, sports, entertainment, or other content for YouTube, Substack, or social media and podcast platforms. Through case studies, production work, and class discussion students will compare the roles of image vs authenticity, weigh the value of iconography, develop production values appropriate to the content type, and work to match platform to content type and personal strengths.

4000-level Courses*

*Note some 4000-level courses are restricted to Juniors and Seniors.

• MSP 4221. Information Technology Policy: The course explores key policy and legal issues surrounding information and communication technology. These issues include privacy, digital copyright, free speech and internet governance. Because of recent developments regarding the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), the course will spend significant time exploring equipping students with the tools to navigate and critically assess the legal and ethical challenges reshaping the industry. Students will examine the profound implications of information communication technology on legal frameworks through in-class discussions, case studies, and analysis of current events.
• MSP 4252. Law and Ethics of Digital Media: Why should you want to study digital media law? Almost every behavior you (the individual) or you (the media professional) engage in online can become a legal or ethical quandary. This course is intended to introduce students to American law and regulation as it pertains to digital media (internet, mobile media, digital communication). Because legal issues permeate society, it is important for potential communication professionals to understand the principles of media law, both as observers of the judicial process and as potential participants in legal matters stemming from professional activities. As digital communication technologies integrate into our media landscape, new legal and ethical issues are being debated and new law is made every day. Historical perspectives will be discussed, but the primary focus of the class is on the current status of communicators’ legal rights and the theoretical underpinnings on which they’re based. This course will help you both as citizens and as prospective media professionals.
• MSP 4275. #ourmedia: Community, Activist, Citizens’ and Radical Media: All over the world, people are taking media technologies out of the hands of corporations and using them in their own unique ways: neighbors in Germantown, Philadelphia run their own radio station; the Maori of New Zealand write, direct, and produce films and TV series that reflect their realities and dreams; young women and men in Egypt and Tunisia use social media to mobilize against authoritarian regimes; and indigenous people in rural Mexico developed their own cell phone network. This course will take you on a journey around the world, exploring indigenous media in Mexico, New Zealand and Canada; radical media in Egypt and Tunisia; citizens’ media in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina; and immigrant media in Europe and the U.S. We will consider what it means for communities to create new narratives about and for themselves, outside of dominant corporate media structures. Along the way, the course will introduce issues of production, funding, regulation, technology, and design relevant to community/alternative/citizens’ media.
• MSP 4425. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Media Representation: This class investigates the history of LGBTQ representation in a range of popular media since the 1960s – in news, film, television, marketing, comics, video games, and on the Internet. How have LGBTQ people been represented in popular media? What negative – and positive – stereotypes have characterized them? How have these images changed over time in different media? How can we account for these changes? This course introduces students to some of the major debates about LGBTQ representation in the United States, including how gender, race, class, and economic factors shape how we understand sexuality and its representation. We will look at both mainstream and alternative media to consider the role of LGBTQ producers and audiences in shaping queer images. We will consider on-going debates about visibility, stereotypes, camp, and the value and limits of “positive images.” The class includes a strong emphasis on independent research; students will learn how to develop and carry out an original qualitative research project throughout the semester. 
• MSP 4446. Psychological Processing of Media: This is an advanced media analysis course in which students learn about research and theory concerning the contemporary psychological significance of media and mediated experience. Topics include attention, memory, comprehension, emotional response, arousal, picture perception, unconscious processing, and person perception as they relate to traditional media (e.g., print, radio, TV, film) as well as emerging media (e.g., telepresence teleconferencing, virtual reality, virtual worlds).
• MSP 4453. The Role of Information in Society: This course examines emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their social implications, including new media industries and stakeholder perspectives. It explores the impact of ICTs on society and its institutions, what these technologies reveal and what they obscure, how data are socially constructed, the modalities of technological infrastructure, and the constraints and affordances of ICTs for individuals and organizations. Topics covered may include self-tracking and wearable technologies and their impact on our bodies and identities, data visualization, open data, knowledge vs. information, surveillance and privacy, internet moderation and regulation, environmental impacts of ICTs, and new and old forms of labor in digital economies. Throughout, emphasis is placed on how data are socio-technical constructions manipulated and shaped by actors with different goals.
• MSP 4454. Media Campaigns for Social Change: This is an advanced course about the use of theory and research in the design, implementation and evaluation of public information campaigns conducted via mass and other media to promote positive social change. Students learn about key theories and research techniques regarding campaigns to affect knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on issues related to the individual, the social good, and collective betterment. Examples of media campaigns for social change and the issues or problems they address are smoking, drug abuse, safe sex, voter registration, recycling, animal welfare, disaster relief and many others. After accumulating knowledge and gaining an understanding of the key theories and methods of campaign design, students then apply this knowledge by creating, conducting and evaluating campaigns conducted on and off campus. 
• MSP 4521: Artificial Intelligence & Creative Industries: This introductory course explores the applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in creative production across three major domains: sound, video, and writing. Students will learn how AI technologies are transforming these fields through automation, augmentation, and innovative collaboration with human creators. Key topics include AI-based music and sound design, automated video editing and generation, and AI-assisted writing tools. Students will also gain hands-on experience with industry-standard open source AI tools and evaluate the ethical implications of AI in creative industries.
• MSP 4541. Mobile Media: Mobile technology is an increasingly important tool for modern communication. This course will take a critical exploration of the role of mobile communication in public life, in part by having students design their own mobile media. Throughout the course, we will explore the societal impact of mobile communication so that students can gain a deeper intellectual understanding of mobile communication in public life and its impact on issues such as social interaction, identity, privacy, sense of place, and surveillance. During the class examples of mobile media applications and services will be introduced. The course consists of conceptual and theoretical teachings, but also includes many practical and hands-on elements in the form of demonstrations of real-life mobile applications, conducted studies and projects. To teach preliminary practical mobile media production skills there will be exercises in mobile application concept design and in mobile application research.
• MSP 4614. Creating a Media Business: This is an advanced level course that focuses on understanding the risks and rewards of starting a media-related small business. The course explores the general business strategies and tactics that are employed by successful small businesses, along with the particular requirements for creative media entrepreneurship.
• MSP 4657. Current Issues in Media Management: Changes in the media business, including technology, distribution, content platforms, business models, even in styles of managing people and teams require a new perspective and approach. This course combines lecture, vibrant class discussion, student presentations, personal reflection and guest speakers to explore and clarify these media business areas. The course will focus on three core questions: 1) What are the skills and behaviors reflected in successful media managers today with respect to technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, communication and content development? 2) What are your own managerial preferences & skills and how can you build upon them? 3) What is the relationship between media business trends and the changing role of the media manager?