Charting My Media Studies Course
When I first applied to graduate school at The New School, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted do with my advanced education. The program’s combination of theory and practice was ideal for my goal to one day become a college professor and enter the world of academia. However, little did I know that once I started participating in class work my ideas would slowly change, leaving me with questions about my initial ambitions. But this is not a negative thing. I think the evolution of ideas and plans is natural and expected. During this semester in classes, such as Understanding Media Studies, Media Ideas, and Media Concepts, I learned and acknowledged traits within myself, which contributed to my reworked idea of my future within the field. For example, I’ve recently garnered interest in obtaining a Media Management certificate, and want to put my skills and knowledge into the production and management of creative media. While I still have hopes to one day work with future media students at the college level, and will therefore complete a thesis, there are a few things I want to accomplish and experience first surrounding the idea of examining and advising effective message making.
Furthermore, it is clear I need to explore my options and interests further to narrow my interests and goals, which will be accomplished in future course work next semester and beyond. In addition, I must think pragmatically about my educational course at The New School. I will consider connections with faculty, financial costs and time spent in school. Most importantly, I will gear my course of study towards my interests. Although I am still determining my place within the field, I have a good idea of what I need to do next to direct my future within media studies, and how all of this will factor together to formulate my New School journey.
Theory and Practice
I always knew I wanted to take a fairly equal number of theory and practice courses while attending graduate school. I think understanding the driving theory behind the creative process is equally as important as the resulting production. However, I initially imagined myself using this knowledge to enhance my own teaching of the core concepts of media literacy or education. With my background in art education, I wanted to teach college level students the importance of media literacy with ways to foster this in the field of education. However, during my first semester I rediscovered my own love of creating and producing. I had taken several studio courses while in undergrad, and they were some of my most cherished, practical school experiences. Since then I have practiced on my own, but only when I’ve had time in between work. Now that I’m back in school, I’m rejuvenating my creative side and getting back to my art making roots, albeit in a much different medium. In addition, due to my interest in media literacy, I’ve always been interested in how to create an effect message, one which is able to be understood by as many people as possible within that intended audience. In my Media Concepts course I was able to engage in this practice, and further my knowledge of the medium in which I’m working.
Next semester I am continuing my trend of balancing theory and practice courses, especially since I am still trying to gain my footing to determine a more definitive plan of action. I am currently enrolled in four classes for the Spring 2010 semester: Research Methods for Media Activism, Media Practices: Time-Based, Competitive Strategies: Branding, and Urban Media Lab: Strangers. I am hoping to advance my production skills in the Time-Based class, learn research methods necessary to any media venture, and get an idea of what media management entails. In addition, I will get a chance to enhance my theoretical knowledge while putting ideas into practice in the unique Urban Media Lab. By selecting this course load I am hoping to further cement my path in media studies. I will learn production and management skills required to participate in the practice of media studies. I also hope the spring semester will help me to further my idea for a thesis proposal.
Thesis and Graduation Timeline
I have taken the time to meet with Peter Haratonik for academic advising, and through our discussion have learned that it is common for students working towards a thesis to take an extra semester; therefore, graduating in two and half years instead of just two. Since I would like to complete a thesis, I am certain this will pertain to me as well. I am not entirely sure what I will choose for my thesis topic, and I surely do not know enough of the faculty yet to decide on an advisor. I am hoping that next semester I will have the opportunity to explore these options more fully. However, I have a general idea that I would like my thesis to be in the form of a multimedia project, along the lines of an interactive website, to fully incorporate not only my interests in theory and production, but my desire to explore effective message making and its related topics. While speaking with Professor Haratonik about this, I learned that I need to look for two faculty members to guide me in this venture. Therefore, I know I will searcg for an advisor with the skills and knowledge of interactive media, and one who understands media literacy and the research skills and methodology necessary for my thesis project.
Since I am aiming to complete a thesis, my personally proposed timeline for graduation is the end of the Fall 2011 semester. In speaking with a Professor Haratonik, I understand that I need to take some additional time next semester to narrow my interests within the field. I hope to turn in my thesis proposal during the fall term of 2010, complete my core coursework requirements by Spring 2011, and take the one credit Thesis Supervision course during Fall 2011 to complete my degree. Since I am currently receiving financial aid, during the Fall 2011 term I will try to find work or an internship related to my field while completing my thesis.
Future Course Work
While looking at the course list and faculty bios I know there are several classes I hope to take that will further my goal of combining production and theory. If I firmly decide to pursue a Media Management Certificate in addition to my Masters degree, I would like to not only meet with Paul Hardart, but take 3 more courses within MMP. I am interested in signing up for Media Management and Leadership, Film Distribution and New Media, and Digital Media: Strategy and Implementation. My goal is for these classes to contribute to my ability to creative produce by understanding the business and strategy behind it. Therefore, my culminating MMP project would relate to my final thesis.
Theory classes I wish to take include Interactive Media with Douglas Rushkoff, Digital Media Theory, and/or Fundamentals of the Sociology of Media with Paolo Carpignano. Since I am interested in the affects/effects relating to the production of and understanding of media messages, engaging in coursework regarding media of today and the sociology behind it seems sensible and, most importantly, of interest to me.
Production courses I hope to pursue are Media Practices: Design, The Producer’s Craft, and/or Media Practices: Interactive. Again, I feel these classes will contribute to my core knowledge of the production side of media, which goes hand-in-hand with theory. I hope to achieve a well-rounded education in terms of production. I feel it is important to understand how to operate the medium in which I plan to work. Overall, my goal is for my classes to work in conjunction with one another, enhancing my understanding of the each one through the participation in the other.
Lastly, in reading faculty bios and through discussions with peers and advisors, in addition to presentations during Understanding Media studies, there are several faculty members I hope to interact with while at The New School. I am very interested in taking a course with Douglas Rushkoff. I found his experience and expertise with interactive media, as well as, his contributions to The Daily Beast and Arthur magazine, is something I hope to benefit from through his teachings. I also would like to take a course with the highly respected Paulo Carpignano, whom would have great insights into the sociology side of media. Paul Hardart would be an excellent professor to provide guidance in regards to media management, and I hope to take another course with Brian McCormick. I had the pleasure of taking Mr. McCormick’s Media Practices: Concepts course this semester and found his teachings to be very practical and worthwhile. In addition, he forms excellent relationships with his students and was able to provide additional guidance in response to my questions regarding my media interests
Next Step…
In conclusion, I know I still have a lot of exploring to do personally and educationally in order to make the most of my experience at The New School. I understand the need to narrow my interests within the field, and I plan to achieve this by engaging in my courses next semester, and seeking out meetings with faculty members for advising. In addition, I am adamant about keeping a journal to chart my professional ideas in media. I also keep extensive reference for classes, which help to guide me in locating my top interests within media studies. Utilizing all the resources available to me at The New School, such as my fellow peers and faculty, I plan to actively make the most of my education. My courses, along with my personal research and notes, will push me towards a solid method of study regarding the study of effective media production that reaches an intended audience. To begin, or better yet continue, on this journey I will ask questions as to how certain media is more effective than others and why, and what is the relationship between the message and medium rather than just assuming that the “medium is the message.”
