Media Arts, B.A.

Program Overview

The Media Arts, B.A. program at the University of South Carolina prepares students for careers in media and technology, offering a flexible approach and a focus on practical skills in various media fields, such as filmmaking, game design, and digital animation. Through internships, hands-on learning, and mentorship from industry professionals, students develop analytical and practical abilities to excel in the entertainment industry, start their own media companies, or produce media for various industries.

Program Outline

| University of South Carolina

Degree Overview:

The Media Arts, B.A. program at the University of South Carolina prepares students for exciting careers in media and technology. It focuses on developing analytical and practical skills in various media fields, including:

• Narrative and documentary filmmaking
• Game design
• VR/AR
• Digital animation
• Television and feature film writing
• Sound design
The program emphasizes a flexible approach, allowing students to explore different media tools and platforms while building a portfolio for their chosen media career. It caters to students interested in becoming producers or technicians in the entertainment industry, starting their own media companies, or producing media for various industries.

Teaching:

• Experiential Learning: The program emphasizes hands-on learning and internship opportunities to prepare students for the working world.
• Engaged Faculty: Students are mentored by working media producers, writers, filmmakers, and game designers who are motivated to help them learn.

Careers:

• Potential Careers:
• Film and TV Producer
• Video Game Producer
• Video Game Designer
• Media Producer
• Animator
• Screenwriter
• Workplace Settings:
• Film Studios
• Television Studios
• Video Game Studios
• Animation Studios
• Manga
• Comic books

Other:

• Program Highlights:
• Ideas First:
The program encourages experimentation and unique pursuits that align with students' interests and goals.
• Interdisciplinary Environments: Students have the freedom to create art and design work across various platforms.
• Engaged Faculty: Students are mentored by working professionals in the media industry.
• Popular Courses:
• New Media Art
• Advanced Game Design
• TV Writing
• Manga (a unique course rarely found at universities)
• Resources:
• Virtual reality lab
• Production equipment
• Computers with the latest media production software
• Student Testimonial: Yasmeen Brown, a former student, highlights the program's practical experience and its impact on her confidence in pursuing a career as a scriptwriter.
• Related Degrees: The program website lists several related degrees, including Music Industry Studies, Dance Education, Dance, Performance: Music, Theatre, Retail Management: Retailing, Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations: Retailing, Ancient Greek, Latin and Classical Studies: Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and Musical Theatre: Music.