Master of Arts in Media Studies

at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee USA

At UWM, students with a passion for nature and the environment can obtain a solid education in the natural sciences that are central to environmental science - biology, geosciences, and chemistry - and the social sciences of geography, economics, and politics which guide the application of conservation and environmental science in the real world.

Students at UWM can focus their conservation and environmental science work around land resources, water resources, biological resources/biodiversity, or environmental analysis. Internships and field work complement classroom learning. These opportunities can be found locally at UWM's own Field Station, on Lake Michigan aboard UWM's R/V Neeskay vessel, and at local agencies, or abroad in places as far flung as Iceland, Africa, Romania and the Caribbean.

The Milton and Lillian Peck School of the Arts offers the Master of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts, an interdisciplinary degree program encompassing graduate studies in film and dance. The curricula in this program include intensive professional training in an individual performance area plus significant interdisciplinary experience in related performance and scholarly fields. All curricula are dedicated to maintaining the most rigorous professional and artistic standards in their disciplines.

The programs currently offered are: film and video production in the Department of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres; and choreography and performance in the Department of Dance.

Many students are already familiar with Geosciences through what is commonly called "earth science" in high school. Geosciences covers our Planet Earth - its soil, minerals, climate change, magnetic fields, earthquakes, water, plants, fossils, volcanoes and more.

The BA degree in Geosciences requires fewer math, physics, and chemistry prerequisites and upper-level courses than the BS degree. It is designed for students who expect to use the earth sciences in preparation for a career in law, business, government, primary or secondary schools, or natural resources, or for those who start the Geosciences program later in their college careers. The BA degree in Geosciences is more easily combined with complementary majors for students to pursue a double or a triple major.

Geosciences majors at UWM can organize their electives around a particular area of interest if they wish:

• Hard Rock - the study of structural geology, mineralogy, petrology, volcanology and tectonics
• Hydrogeology - the study of water resources
• Paleontology - the study of evolutionary patterns in history
• Sedimentary Geology - the study of rocks, fossils, and landforms in the context of the biological and chemical make-up

Geosciences touches on all aspects of the other natural sciences including chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics, so the ideal student for Geosciences loves all types of science and is curious about how they interrelate. Most Geosciences students also love the outdoors and traveling off of the beaten path.

Political science is the study of governments, political processes, public policies and political behavior by groups or individuals and is an ideal major for students with a passion for current events.

At UWM, students take coursework from four broad areas of political science in order to obtain a well-rounded education in the field: American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Along with exploring these substantive areas, students strengthen their research, writing, and critical thinking skills.  With this background, students leave UWM ready to enter graduate school or the world of work in government, international organizations, campaigns, business, consulting, nonprofits, and many other industries. This broad major is available entirely online, or students can mix-and-match and take a some online and some traditional classes.

Students of history do not just memorize the past. They ask questions about the past in order to solve problems of the present.

History is an original liberal arts field and is designed to prepare students for any type of profession that emphasizes critical analysis, reading of dense texts, creative problem-solving, and oral and written communication. History majors collect and analyze evidence to construct arguments, propose new interpretations, formulate conclusions, test hypotheses, and communicate new ideas.

There is no typical job for a history major. Our graduates can be found in all types of companies and in all types of roles, as well as graduate programs in history and other related humanities and social science fields. A student's career choices after college is often guided by how they applied their coursework to real world applications during college. Internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer experiences will help a student network during college and shape their career choices after graduation. The possibilities are numerous, and all students are encouraged to gain practical experience that complements the major.

At UWM, undergraduates can work on research projects such as the Encyclopedia of Milwaukee. The opportunity to participate in research as an undergraduate is a distinct advantage for UWM students. At most large, research universities, research opportunities for undergraduates are limited; there are fewer of them and they often are reserved for juniors or seniors. At UWM, you can get involved as early as freshman year. Students work directly with faculty and graduate students on their current research projects, and sometimes find themselves published in a peer-reviewed journal right alongside the faculty member. Participating in undergraduate research is an excellent way to enhance your resume for graduate school or employment.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language. Students of linguistics do not necessarily seek fluency in a second or third language. Instead, they study the components that make up any given language - the syntax, the grammar, the regional differences, the slang, the pronunciations, the symbols, the changes over time, how people learn a language, and more.

At UWM, Linguistics students can opt for a broad linguistics major which will touch on all aspects of language development and learning. Or, students can choose an applied linguistics major which will focus more on using the principles of linguistics in a business setting such as in the classroom to help students learn a second language, in a social service agency that deals with illiteracy, or at a software company working on search engine optimization terms.

The Bachelor of Science, Architectural Studies (BSAS) is a four-year undergraduate pre-professional program that prepares students for graduate studies in architecture and related design and construction fields. The primary goal of the BSAS program is to introduce students to architecture as both a technical and cultural practice. Students accrue skills in architectural thinking, design, visualization, fabrication, prototyping and simulation. The program lays a foundation of unique problem-solving skills empowering students to change the world.

The four-year BSAS program is comprised of a three-year core, followed by one year of specialized and individualized study. Over the course of their studies, BSAS students enroll in a variety of design studios, lectures and seminars to accrue skills in architectural making, thinking, design, visualization, digital fabrication, prototyping, and simulation. In addition to learning essential analytical and creative-problem solving skills through design, students are required to complete courses in architectural systems (structures, construction and environmental/building technology), behavioral, social and cultural factors in design, and the role of criticism in contemporary architecture and urbanism. In their fourth year, students select from a wide range of architectural electives and advanced studios, allowing them the opportunity to craft a curriculum based on their areas of interest.

The charge of the Voice Area is to teach skills for future success in music, to offer solid vocal technique and knowledge of vocal health. This training is built upon a foundation of history, theory, and a varied repertoire of vocal music. A spirit of genuine collaboration both within and outside of the voice area offers experiences in many musical styles, fostering future performers, pedagogues and leaders in the arts.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre provides intensive specialized coursework for students seeking professional training in one of two separate tracks:

Performance

• The Performance BFA has two 130-credit tracks in either Acting or Musical Theatre.

Production

• The Production BFA is a singular 120-credit track embracing all the areas of production including design, costume, prop, scenery, lighting, sound, and stage management.

The BFA focuses on uncovering the potential of the individual student in the development of personal performance and/or production practices. The BFA curriculum supports student exploration of theatrical processes including new works as well as the established canon of dramatic literature. The program approaches the work in fresh and innovative ways, giving students a wide range of tools to speak to the contemporary moment both as actors on stage and as artists in production studios, rehearsal halls, and backstage.

The BFA in Music History and Literature program focuses on the historical and critical study of music, and prepares the student for further study in musicology, ethnomusicology, music librarianship, or music criticism.   Students enjoy access to an extensive music library, including printed & digital scores, CDs, LPs, books about music, and streaming audio. In addition, students experience training in librarianship skills through work with the Coordinated Program in Music Librarianship – a joint degree between the School of Information Studies and the Peck School of the Arts Department of Music.