Description

Contents

Required courses

The 36 credit hours required for the MA in Media Communications degree must include the following courses (21 credit hours):

MEDC 5000 Media Communications

Students examine communications theory and its application to mass media. Consideration is given to the distinctive characteristics of each of the major mass communications systems, including print, radio, film, television, and interactive media. The course introduces students to the graduate program and describes program expectations as well as introduces research methodologies used throughout the program and discusses academic preparation for MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications. Therefore, students must take this course even if they have academic and/or professional experience in media communications. Prerequisite: students should have an educational background or professional experience in media communications, or they must enroll in 6 credit hours of additional preparatory undergraduate coursework, as determined by an academic advisor.

MEDC 5310 Media and Culture

This course examines the mass media as it reflects and influences the attitudes, values, behaviors, myths, and preoccupations that define a given culture. The course considers the functions of mass media in society and the effect on the individual. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5350 Media Organization and Regulations

The student examines the legal structure of the media communications industry. The course focuses on the formation, rationale, and implications of policies that form the basis of media law and regulation. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5360 International Communications

This course focuses on the history, issues, and future of international communications. The class considers individual media systems, including different understandings of the role of the media, freedom of press and information in different areas of the world, parity between distribution of news and the shaping of the public mind, international stereotyping, and international propaganda. The course also examines the relationship between national and global media systems and the role of international communications in the development of the new world order. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5400 Media Production Management

This course exposes the student to the principles of management, planning, and execution of media-oriented activities and events. The student examines the role and functions of the producer of media-oriented projects: pre-production organization and research; proposal writing; scheduling; budgeting; and staff, crew, and talent coordination. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications

In this course, students synthesize and integrate the learning experiences acquired in all previous media communications courses and research current topics relative to production of a thesis document. Also, current topics in media communications are shared in a seminar setting. Techniques used to accomplish these goals may vary. Prerequisite: Completion of all other graduate courses in program. This should be the last course taken before graduation. Any exceptions must be approved prior to registration by submitting a program option request to be signed by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the School of Communications.

MEDC Elective

One additional core course from MEDC electives, as determined through consultation with an academic advisor.

Elective courses

The following courses are examples of elective courses:

JOUR 5345 News Writing and Reporting

Writing for journalism is intended to give the student an understanding of the various genres of journalistic expression, including the hard-news story, feature story, and investigative story, as well as interpretive and explanatory journalism. Additionally, students are introduced to the trends of journalistic writing, from yellow and tabloid journalism to muckraking and the new civic journalism. Students can expect a number of writing/reporting assignments in this course.
Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5010 Introduction to Graduate Studies: Advanced Thinking and Writing

This course is an introduction to graduate studies that provides students with knowledge and skills in three important ways to maximize academic success as a graduate student. The course will focus on critical thinking and advanced analysis skills, basic information on academic research and library searches, and advanced writing. The course will also offer a brief introduction to effective online learning.This course is an introduction to graduate studies that provides students with knowledge and skills in three important ways to maximize academic success as a graduate student. The course will focus on critical thinking and advanced analysis skills, basic information on academic research and library searches, and advanced writing. The course will also offer a brief introduction to effective online learning.

MEDC 5290 Issues in Media Communications

Current and significant issues in media communications are examined. The course focuses on existing theories and practices, with emphasis given to new and emerging topics in the field. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

MEDC 5390 Practicum

Students undertake, with the supervision of a qualified professional, an approved internship in a media-related setting. The work experience involves professional media duties. The academic experience involves attendance at seminars and written work. The outline of duties and evaluative
methods are established by the student and the internship mentor and approved by the mentor prior to initiation of the program. Prerequisite: completion of at least 21 credit hours in the MA in media communications program, including MEDC 5000 Media Communications, meeting
program criteria, permission of the Internship Coordinator and the Director of Graduate Studies. Note: Internships should be directly relevant to students course of studies, emphases and majors.

MEDC 5460 Media Research

This course introduces students to the major research methodologies, communication theories, and topics of study within media research. Theories, models, and methods are applied toward the development of research projects. Students discuss and examine qualitative and quantitative methods of media research employed by various aspects of the media. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications. MEDC 5310 Media and Culture strongly recommended.

MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications

A practical introduction to interactive media. This course addresses concept, design and production strategies, technical aspects of production and publication, and practical applications of interactive media in educational, commercial, and public environments. Students create flowcharts, treatments, and scripts, and publish their final project as a design document. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5610 Video for Interactive Communication

The production of short segment video bytes for interactive applications differs significantly from conventional video production. Video production for nonlinear access is discussed, and tools and methods are examined. Students are responsible for the planning and development of a series of video shorts. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications or permission of the instructor.

MEDC 5630 Visual Design for Interactive Communications

Integration of traditional commercial art techniques into dynamic interactive modules is the focus of this course. Proper visual cues for response, efficient use of color, and logical design of decision points are examined in detail. Still-frame images from live video are used in combination with graphic design. Human factor issues in the development of interactive media are analyzed. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications or permission of the instructor.

MEDC 5650 Special Topics in Interactive Media

This course addresses current and significant issues in interactive media and interactive communications. The course focuses on existing theories and practices, with emphasis on new and emerging topics and technologies in this field. The course topics could include computer-based training, games and entertainment, journalism on the Internet, and interactive narrative writing. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications recommended. Can be repeated once for credit if content differs.

Requirements

Admission is contingent upon submission of the following items:

• A university, HBO, or equivalent diploma, work experience (MBA applicants only)
• A completed application form and a non-refundable application fee of EUR40.00
• Official transcript(s) and diploma(s) of your secondary and post-secondary education with certified English translations of all documents
• A letter of your motivation for pursuing graduate studies at Webster University (maximum 500 words)
• A résumé or curriculum vitae
• TOEFL examination (required minimum of 575 points and further evaluation of written and spoken English language skills). The TOEFL examination can be taken at Webster sites by prior appointment.
• A copy of your passport and, if applicable, your Dutch Residence permit.

UPON REQUEST: Two letters of reference from instructors and/or employers
Applicants should have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better (on a 4.0-point scale) on all previous academic work.

English Language Requirements

Funding

Several scholarships are available for students studying at both the graduate and undergraduate level at Webster University in The Netherlands. Scholarships run for a maximum of one Academic Year (Summer - Spring 2). If application is awarded part way through an Academic Year then it will run until the end of that Academic Year and be renewable from the beginning of the following Academic Year.

NB Students who want to work (at the University) need to get a Dutch health insurance. Please ask Admissions for more information and/or check this page.

Gateway Scholarship, sponsored by the Holland-America Friendship Foundation

Who may apply: New Undergraduate and Graduate Students.

This scholarship is offered to new, motivated full time students applying for any of the undergraduate or graduate programs offered at our Leiden and/or Amsterdam locations. The award is normally 15% of total full-time tuition. If you are motivated to work 10 hours a week at the University, you can increase your scholarship to 25% of the full-time tuition. To be eligible, students must have been fully admitted to study at Webster University and show evidence of academic excellence (GPA 3.5 or equivalent) as well as leadership potential and promise for future studies.

Application deadline: June 1 for applicants wishing to start in Fall; November 1 for those wishing to start in Spring or Summer.

Mayflower Scholarship

Who may apply: Current Webster Graduate and Undergraduate Students.

The Mayflower Scholarship can be awarded to undergraduate or graduate students currently registered at Webster Leiden. This competitive scholarship is based upon academic merit and is normally renewable at the end of the scholarship period (end of Spring 2). If the awardee maintains continuous full-time enrollment at Webster Leiden and meets or exceeds the required cumulative grade point average of 3.5. The scholarship award is up to 25% of tuition costs (15% base and an additional 10% if you are willing to work extra hours at the University).

Application Requirements: Scholarship consideration occurs after having obtained at least 30 credits (undergrad) or 6 credits (graduate) at Webster Leiden.

Application deadline: June 1 for Fall scholarships; November 1 for Spring or Summer scholarships.

Webster Study Grants

Who may apply: New and current Graduate and Undergraduate students

Students who do not meet with the GPA requirement for scholarships but who are in financial hardship, may qualify for a Webster Study Grant. This needs-based grant normally requires a GPA of 3.0, but exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. However it should be borne in mind that also these grants are competitive.

Sverdrup International Scholarship

Who may apply: Students who wish to study at a Webster Campus in the USA.

The Sverdrup fund was established as an endowed fund to promote and advance international awareness among the students and faculty of Webster University. Each year Webster University awards a number of students from campuses in Europe with scholarships for study at a Webster campus in the United States. The minimum award is 250.00.

Note: Students who are planning a permanent transfer to St Louis are not eligible to apply. The Sverdrup Scholarship can be used in conjunction with a WWWTP award.

For any student awarded a Sverdrup Scholarship, the amount of their award will be applied to their account as a credit for the specific term(s) they will be studying in the U.S. The funds are automatically applied toward any outstanding tuition, fees, etc. on the student's account. Once they have a zero balance, any amount remaining will be refunded to the students.

Chris Devries Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors the memory of Chris Devries, advisory board member 2002 - 2008 who enjoyed meeting students, helping them learn how to network and build relationships, and stimulated students with potential to achieve greatness. Scholarships will be targeted towards students from disadvantaged backgrounds who show potential for leadership as seen by specific activities highlighted in the application. Academic standards still apply (minimum GPA = 3.5 or if above age 30 with a lower GPA exceptions may be made following their first 6 credits earned at Webster).

Please contact your Academic Advisor if you think you are eligible for this scholarship.

Len Even Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship

A scholarship fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship in current Webster students from all majors. The award to the value of maximum 5000 will be shared by one graduate and one undergraduate student each year based on their best proposal or business plan, to be applied as free tuition for a course in entrepreneurship and/or an internship placement or special 1:1 project supervised by an expert, to achieve the realization of their business idea. Applications for 2011 are open until 1 February, presentations will be made at the annual degree ceremony in May. Non-business majors (For example: Media, N.G.O.-Management and/or Social Entrepreneurship) are also encouraged to apply, see your study advisor for details.

More scholarship possibilities: Nuffic