Curriculum

Introduction

The Moving Image Studies curriculum has two tiers. The Ph.D. level core seminars (8000 level) are not medium specific. They teach theories and methods that may be applied to a range of media. A student in these classes could write papers on computer games, films, television programs, DVD-ROMs, websites, or other popular media texts.

The core Ph.D. seminars are:

We recognize that graduates of the program generally will not work in a "Moving Image Studies" department. Most will be expected to fit in a film or television or new media program, and so we offer MA/Ph.D. level courses that are medium specific. As a way to prepare graduates for the reality of teaching in an academic department, we ask students to become proficient in the theories and histories of one particular medium: film, television, new media, or performance.

In addition, MIS faculty will offer special topics courses under the Comm 8750 Seminar in Moving Image Studies heading.

Recently offered elective courses:

Recent Course Offerings

*Comics Studies (Click here to download example syllabus)

*Radio Studies (Click here to download example syllabus)

*Star Studies (Click here to download example syllabus)

*Television Studies (Click here to download example syllabus)

*Media Industry Studies (Click here to download example syllabus)

*Advanced Film Theory [Restivo] (Click here to download example syllabus)

*Queer Theory (Click here to download example syllabus)

This two-tiered approach seeks to train graduates to research many different media throughout their career, but it also certifies that graduates have the capability to teach within existing academic structures.

Coursework Requirements

Ph.D. students in the Communication department must take a minimum of 68 graduate hours beyond the master's degree.  This must include 27 hours in communication coursework in an area of emphasis; 6 hours of Doctoral Proseminar (our department's weekly colloquium), and 20 hours of Dissertation Research.  Because the Department of Communication places extraordinary value on teaching, all Ph.D. students are required to take Communication Pedagogy.

Students in the Moving Image Studies track are required to take at least 3 MIS research methods courses and 3 other 8000-level MIS courses.

The Moving Image Studies research methods courses are:

Style and Narrative Analysis will be offered every year with different faculty teaching the course and different material being covered. This course may be repeated.

During their first year, the MIS student selects a graduate advisory committee who helps the individual plan coursework and activities that will prepare him/her for teaching and research in their chosen areas of competence.  A student's graduate advisory committee may also require more courses beyond the minimum for an individual student.

Courses outside MIS

A significant advantage of the Moving Image Studies program is that we are one of two Ph.D. programs in the Department of Communication. The other (Public Communication) has scholars who also examine media, but they operate out of a different body of theory/research than MIS does. Public Communication is grounded in the fields of speech/rhetoric, mass communication, and journalism. MIS students may take Public Communication courses as electives, as well as a variety of courses in other departments at Georgia State.

For more complete information on the Communication Department's Ph.D. programs (including an online admissions application), see the departmental website