BMS students are encouraged to take electives which allow them to specialize in an area that will compliment their focus on media studies. In addition to the 12 Core Plus Credits, BMS students can tailor their electives to specific areas of study within Arts.
See the list below for a more thorough breakdown of preferred topics for specialization that can coincide with a theoretical media studies degree.
Political Activism (Politics and Social Justice)
- Foundational work in Political Science (POLI 100, POLI 110)
- Foundational work in History which might include HIST 236: Public History in Canada: Memory, Representation, and Interpretation
- foundational work within Social Justice (GRSJ 101/102) leading to upper level courses
Public Information on Climate Change, and Sustainability
- GEOG 121: Geography, Modernity and Globalization along with HIST 106: Global Environmental History
- Foundational work in climate change/sustainability (GEOB 102 or GEOB 103)
Science, Technology, and Communications
- HIST 260: Science and Society in the Contemporary World
- PHIL 150: Minds and Machines
- Foundational Psychology courses (PSYC 101/102) leading to upper level courses
Digital and Cultural Sectors in Music
- MUSC 119: Introduction to Music Technology
Preserving and protecting the world’s languages
- FNEL 180: Introduction to Endangered Language Documentation and Revitalization
- LING 101: Languages of the World
Moral, economic and legal issues
- LASO 204: Introduction to Law and Society
- PHIL 230A: Introduction to Moral Theory
- ECON 101/102 – May lead to upper level ECON courses
Visual Arts’ Interaction with the World
- ARTH 101: Ways of Seeing: Introduction to Visual Studies
- ARTH 102: Crisis and Contradiction in Art and the Built Environment
The Role of Media in the Historical and Modern Aboriginal Experience
You’ll notice that we have not mentioned foundational course work within Film Studies, Film Production, and Visual Art. Through the CAP Year one Media Studies stream, you will already be building a strong foundation in these areas.
If your particular area of interest was not included in the examples listed above, please email the arts.mediastudies@ubc.ca. We will work with you to develop an individualized program plan focused on developing the necessary expertise to match your future career goals.
