Resources

Below are the program learning goals mapped to College-wide goals for student learning.

1. Familiarize students with the disciplinary concerns, topical parameters, and methodological approaches of media and film studies.

1. The historical and sociocultural implications of modern mass media, digital technologies, and distributed network forms, including viewpoints from different cultures and multiple historical periods. (Ia, Ib, Ic, IIb, IIIb, IVd).
2. The intersections of media studies with other academic disciplines and approaches, including sociology, history, anthropology/ethnography, discourse analysis, and critical theory. (Ia, IIb, IVd).
3. The formal characteristics of major modern media. (Ic, IIa, IIb).
4. A special focus on the historical development, social and cultural dimensions, representational capabilities, formal characteristics, and narrative structure of film. (Ia, Ib, Ic, IIa, IIb, IVd).

2. Develop critical literacy in forms of media and communication by providing a foundation in the central concepts (theoretical, practical, socio-political, and aesthetic) and contexts of mediated communication. (Ia, Ib, IIa, IIIa, IIIb).

3. Encourage ethical thinking about the relationship of modern media to power and social structures, including self-reflexivity on the ways that social position affects access to and use of media technologies. (Ia, Ib, IIa, IIe, IIId, IVb, IVc).

4. Explore the application of current and developing forms of media and communication. (Ic, IIId, IVa).

5. Foster facility and expertise in the use of technology related to current and emerging media. (IIa, IIc, IId)

Through the program’s capstone project, the Structured Field Experience (SFE), develop skills in self-directed research, creative media making, and/or professional domains involving media (IIa, IIc, IId, IIe, IIIc, IVa, IVc).

The Structured Field Experience (SFE) serves as the student’s culminating work in the minor and can be credit-bearing or non-credit bearing. It offers students a chance to both build on and depart from their coursework in the minor in creative ways that develop their personal and professional interests and aspirations.

Regardless of credit status (credit-bearing or non-credit-bearing), the SFE is completed through independent work such as internships, independent studies, the Storytellers’ Institute, other independent projects involving critical and/or creative media work, or through an additional approved MFS 300-level course. 

The SFE requires a minimum of 120 hours (the equivalent hours of a 3-credit course) and must be pre-approved by a designated SFE advisor or the Media and Film Studies Program director. Non-credit-bearing experiences may be voluntary or paid. Regardless of the experience, an SFE advisor/mentor must be identified and at least 75% of the SFE experience must be substantive/professional (e.g., not Xeroxing or other clerical work).

Pre-requirements for the SFE:

• Completion of a minimum of two MFS courses, including MF101.
• Arrangement of an SFE faculty advisor. Any MFS-affiliated faculty may serve as an SFE advisor.
• Completion of the Structured Field Experience Contract Form and approval of the SFE.

Post-requirements for the SFE:

• Completion of the Structured Field Experience Reflection Form. Please note that all non-credit bearing internships require an additional signature on the form from the off-site internship advisor/mentor.
• Electronic submission of a completed and signed SFE Reflection Form to the SFE faculty advisor and the MFS Program director. 
• Submission of a completed and signed SFE Reflection Form to the Registrar’s Office. The deadline for submission is the last day of classes or, if completed in the summer, by the end of the first week of classes in the fall. 

Contact Paul Benzon at pbenzon@skidmore.edu to obtain copies of the Structured Field Experience Contract and Reflection forms.