American Culture and Media Arts

Miles Orvell, Ph.D., Advisor
941 Anderson Hall
215-204-1644
orvell@temple.edu

The American Culture and Media Arts major is a response to the fact that mediated culture – film, television, radio, photography, print journalism – has come to dominate the experience of Americans, while, at the same time, American values and traditions inform our creation and reception of the media.  Students pursue coursework in American Studies and other CLA programs, with the addition of certain courses from the School of Communications.  Majors are encouraged to sign up for an internship at one of any number of media-related industries and museums in the Philadelphia area, designed to give students practical experience.  The capstone requirement is usually satisfied by the Senior Seminar in American Studies. 

Students graduating with the American Culture and Media Arts degree can expect to pursue careers in media-related organizations, e.g., film, video, and radio production; archival and library positions, particularly in media institutions; public relations jobs in media; museum research positions supporting exhibitions and media; and writing about media for publications.  Graduates can also pursue advance training at the graduate level in documentary film production.  American Culture and Media Arts is administered by the American Studies Program and is part of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.

Requirements for the Major

36 credits are required for the major.