Media Studies (MA)
The Master of Arts (MA) in Media Studies is a thesis-based program for advanced studies in film and media history, theory, and methods that emphasizes current concepts, issues, and trends. Students develop broad expertise and critical thinking skills while focusing on their interests through core courses in theory and methods, seminars, and specialized directed readings.
Research areas for the master’s thesis could include national and transnational cinemas, directors, genres, or other contemporary approaches (feminist, post-colonial, Indigenous) across the full range of media such as dramatic, documentary, animation and experimental cinema, broadcast media, new media and interactive media.
The Department of Film at the University of Regina is the only university department between Toronto and Vancouver to offer degree programs in both media studies and media production.
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Media Studies Meet Your Faculty
Why Study Media Studies at the University of Regina?
The Department of Film teaches film and digital media in an interdisciplinary environment. Through our commitment to quality education, we shape dynamic graduates by exposing students to a wide range of learning experiences and practices in studies and production. Our programs prepare students to realize their paths as critics, historians, educators, curators and craftspeople in the media industries.
The Master of Arts in Media Studies is taught by faculty members who are actively engaged in scholarly and creative projects.
The Media Studies graduate program is part of the legacy of one of the Department of Film’s founders, the legendary German-American editor, film historian, and Oscar winner Jean Oser (1908-2002), who played a key role in the birth of German Expressionism.
Professional placement
The professional placement course offers a practical opportunity for experiential research or case study investigation. Students work on-site at arts and culture organizations, such as galleries, cinematheques, theatres, and government offices.
Expert professors and instructors
All of the professors in the Faculty of Media, Art, and Performance are recognized scholars, artists and professionals in their fields, including:
Film Studies, National and International Cinemas, Film Production, Media Studies, Visual Arts, Theatre, Music, Indigenous Studies, Interactive Media and Performance, Communication Studies, Curatorial Studies, and Popular Culture.
Media Studies Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants to the Master of Arts in Media Studies must hold a BA Honours degree in Film or Media Studies or the equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 75 per cent.
Applicants must submit a proposal of three to five pages stating clearly the degree to be obtained and describing the intended focus of their thesis. The proposal should provide a synopsis of the thesis topic and provide the background, rationale, and a review of the relevant literature. Applicants must provide scholarly writing samples, such as an essay from an undergraduate course, an honours thesis, or a blog, etc.
For more information about admission requirements, please refer to the graduate calendar and the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
FILM 804 Critical Investigations in Film
This course focuses on theoretical approaches to cinema and new media from aesthetic, cultural, anthropological, psychological and sociological viewpoints. It provides an understanding of the interrelationship between film/film-making and reality, other media arts, and the audience. Topics include Post-Colonialism, Art/Film Installation, Expanded Cinema, Narrative Theory, Arab/African Cinema, Censorship, Propaganda/Surveillance, and Psychoanalysis.
FILM 810AA-ZZ Topics in Film Studies
Selected topics in Film Studies.
MAP 800 Seminar in Theory and Methods I
Seminar exploring and questioning the history, theory and aesthetics of Fine Arts, and the diverse and shifting conceptions of Fine Arts disciplines in relation to other social and cultural forms.
MAP 804 Seminar in Media, Art, and Performance
This seminar course addresses thematic research strengths in the Faculty in order to provide students with a deeper exploration into topics within media, art and performance. Thematic seminar topics will relate to Popular & Visual Culture; Gender, Sexuality, and Culture; Social and Community Engagement; Indigenous Arts and Culture; or Curatorial Studies and Cultures of Display.
FILM 901 - Thesis Research
Research supporting media studies resulting in the writing and defence of a graduating thesis of 60-100 pages.
MAP 899: Graduate Level Professional Placement
The Professional placement course offers a practical opportunity for experiential research or case study investigation.
- National Scholarships (including Tri Council funding)
- Awards to Study Abroad
- FGSR Funding/Special Awards
- Funding for Indigenous Students
- Funding for International Students
- Other Awards and Scholarships
- External Scholarship Opportunities
- External Student and Faculty Awards
- Living Skies Student Film Festival
- MAP Presentation Series
- DRS Doctoral Research Showcase
- Music ensembles
- Humanities Research Institute events, seminars and conferences
- Art for Lunch
- 5th Parallel Gallery activities
- Theatre Productions
- Living Heritage Speaking Series
- Conferences and symposia on contemporary themes organized by faculty
What Can You Do With a Media Studies Degree?
Upon successfully completing your graduate program in media studies, you will be ready for the next step of your career. Our graduates have careers as festival programmers, researchers, archivists, educators and web designers. Some graduates have pursued doctoral degrees. These graduates have found employment at the University of Regina, the University of Nottingham Trent, the University of Waterloo, the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative, Sakêwêwâk Artists Collective, and Sask Culture.
The jobs our graduates go on to include:
- University professor
- University instructor
- Film programmer
- Curator
- Gallery director
- Cultural policymaker
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