Hi, all!
If you've been following along on my blog for any period of time, really, you'll know that I've spent my St. Michael's College career as a Media Studies, Journalism & Digital Arts major. I went in my first year having already declared the major, it turned out to be a perfect fit, and I was lucky enough to have it stay that way to the very end!
As someone who has always loved writing, reading, photography, and more recently, social media (you heard it here first...this social media obsessor wasn't even on Facebook till her senior year of high school!), St. Mike's' MJD major seemed to encompass several of my longtime interests, even as those interests evolved over the years.
For those of you who don't yet know, the Media Studies, Journalism & Digital Arts major covers a WIDE spectrum - from media analysis to media production, from journalism to photography, from video to web, from media law to communication systems around the world, from utilizing media to analyzing the ways they impact our society, and more. Not only will you build the skills to produce your own media content, but you will also build a deep understanding of media as they affect you both immediately and on a larger scale. Sounds pretty cool, right? Don't worry, it gets better.
MJD requires all of its majors to study abroad, whether for a full semester program or a two-week study tour. The summer before my junior year, I embarked with two MJD professors and a group of my MJD peers on a two-week study tour to China!
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| Just me and a couple of close, personal friends taking on the Taklamakan Desert (nicknamed by the Chinese as the "Sea of Death") in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of western China! |
This media-specific study tour was an incredible opportunity not only to experience the media culture of a country so vastly different from ours, but also to step outside our comfort zones, see things most Americans never will, and remind ourselves just how wide this world is.
I really could go on and on about how amazing MJD is and the vast array of opportunities it offers, but I don't think I can conclude with anything other than its Senior Seminar, which I've found to be the culmination of our last four years of hard work in MJD. An MJD senior has the choice of creating a documentary film, a web documentary, or a book on the topic of their choosing (approved by the professor). You'll take the Senior Seminar course over both semesters, spending the fall semester researching and conceptualizing your topic, and spending the spring semester creating your film doc, web doc, or book.
If you haven't seen my previous 5 billion mentions of my senior seminar project, I chose to write a book about hobby-jobs (hobbies pursued as a job), the people who pursue them, and their experiences in navigating through work and leisure in their lives! And for the 5 billionth time, behold my cover...
To me, becoming an independent media producer has been the perfect way to finish off my MJD career. Want to know more about my MJD senior seminar experience? Check out a previous post that goes into greater detail! Interested in reading my book? Reach out to me via the e-mail listed below for a full PDF copy! Want to know more about the major, how it might be a good fit for you, or just want to chat all things MJD? Feel free again to e-mail me!
Be sure to stay tuned for the next Sum-It-Up Sunday on the 23rd!
Let's Connect!
Instagram: @claire_cavanaugh
Twitter: @CavanaughClaire
E-mail: ccavanaugh2@mail.smcvt.edu
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