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The BA Major in Digital Media Studies balances theory, critical thinking, and communication skills with the technical and creative skills needed for today's emerging digital technologies. Students take a combination of Digital Media (DIGI) and Media Studies (MEDI) courses in a four-year program and emerge with a powerful set of skills that prepares students for a variety of careers: from writers and artists, web developers, and media producers to teachers, public service workers, and entrepreneurs. The skills developed in the program are in demand in the entertainment arts, the film and broadcasting industries, management services to business, advertising and public relations, publishing, web development, media production, journalism, advocacy, communications, library science, archival research. A recent survey in the United Kingdom revealed that Media Studies graduates were "most employable" of all disciplines, a trend we expect to see in the Canadian market.
The program emphasizes media agency in all aspects of study, requiring students to acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence necessary to engage with contemporary media in a wide range of contexts from advocacy to management to production. The program explores the multi-disciplinary nature of Digital Media Studies as a field of inquiry. Course content integrates the best insights of such diverse areas of study as culture, perception, digital society, political economy, game theory, marketing and public relations, policy and regulation, and digital media creation (Web, video, audio). While this program has a distinctive focus on contemporary Canadian media and culture, we encourage international students to bring their experiences into the classroom and share them through dialogue and assignments based on their knowledge of other cultures. Students will discover how digital media studies knowledge and skills supplement and enhance their courses in other disciplines as well. This creative multi-disciplinary approach to learning contributes to the career flexibility required in the current labour market and sought by graduate schools.
Assignments are designed to balance theory with professional-level production knowledge. In all courses, students develop strong critical thinking, communication, and research skills. Collaboration is a hallmark of the media field, and this program requires students to work collaboratively in many courses. Students are required to demonstrate effective written and oral skills.
Students are encouraged to purchase a laptop with industry standard software as their production machine. A portable computer lab, wireless network, video and audio production equipment, and technical support are availabe for student use in the program. Arrangements with the VIU Campus Store provide support for student purchase of computers and software.
The program also has been designed to accomodate students who transfer to VIU after two years of study elsewhere, and those who hold two-year diplomas in the Media Studies, Communications, and Media Production fields can normally begin studies at the third-year level. (Note that some lower-level courses may be required; please consult the Department Chair for individual information on transfer.) As noted in the matrix below, students in the BA Major are encouraged to complete a major project in their final year. This project has flexible guidelines and is determined through extensive consultation with faculty members in the program. The program offers a number of research assistant opportunities for qualified students both within the program itself, and in the Media Research Lab.