MA in Media Arts and Performance
This is an MA degree offered under the auspices of the Media Studies department working in collaboration with the Drama, Theatre and Dance department, for actors, dancers, writers, directors, technicians, set and costume designers, media makers, and performance studies scholars interested in performance and/or media as a form of social practice, activism, or community building.
It is appropriate for those pursuing careers in the performing arts, arts education, media arts, arts activism, or performing arts scholarship.
The program will specialize in integration of media arts and performance, such as interactive theater, online performance, augmented reality and dance, and performative media. The overall focus of the Media Studies department is on media studies and social justice, cultural change, climate justice, economic equality, and media activism.
Students will also receive credit for projects such as playwriting, theater productions, dance, choreography, public theater, media activism, augmented theater, community engagement, primary school workshops, internships with media or performing arts organizations, and teaching.
Program Details
Completion of the Media Studies MA requires 30 credits, or the equivalent of 10 courses.
Media and Social Justice
Media and Capitalism
One or Two semesters of thesis – Thesis advisors will be chosen from whichever arts modality in which the student is working, and include projects such as playwriting, theater productions, dance, choreography, public theater, media activism, augmented theater, community engagement, primary school workshops, etc.
Seven (or six) additional electives.
For the Media Arts and Performance Track, electives must include:
- At least two electives in media arts or performance practice
- Students will be required to do practical work in their discipline. This can be accomplished by taking any combination of two studio, performance, or practical classes in Media Studies, Art, Theater, Dance, or Social Practice; or by taking up to two semesters of cooperative placement with an existing performing arts organization, teaching opportunity, or internship; or by doing Independent Studies with professor
- One elective of Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, or Equivalent
- Courses from anywhere in the QC system, or new dedicated courses in community media and performance.
- Three additional electives
- Three additional electives in Media Studies, Theater, Dance, Directing, Playwriting, Media Arts, Social Practice, Filmmaking, Social Media, etc.
Each student is assigned a faculty advisor from their discipline, who helps guide the student’s curriculum and supervises the two-semester thesis.
Apply directly to the Media Studies MA program; state your interest in this program in your essay.
For more information, email Professor Douglas Rushkoff