• MDST 8004

    Master's Thesis Development
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     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    Students meet as a cohort to translate their intellectual interests into a specific thesis project through iterative development, critique, and refinement of their research questions and proposed methods. Students will read and critique published work, gaining a sense of best practices in research design. This course is heavily reliant on peer feedback and collaboration. The culmination of this class is a thesis proposal.

  • MDST 8026

    Tutorial in Media Theory
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     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    Examines foundational and contemporary developments in media and cultural theory.

  • MDST 8212

    Social Studies of Media and Technology
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     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.87

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    This seminar introduces graduate students to the Social Studies of Media and Technology (a sub-field of Science and Technology Studies (STS)) and its major ideas and texts. We will address how it differs from other fields and the advantages and limits of our unique interdisciplinary approach.

  • MDST 8600

    Media Studies Pedagogy
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     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    Focuses on strategies for teaching media (screenings, using media in class, production). Uses pedagogical strategies like backwards course design, universal design for learning, and enhancing diversity. Covers FERPA, Title IX, and other university policies. Assignments include designing, presenting, feedback on lesson plans, assignments, and syllabus design.

  • MDST 8991

    Introduction to Digital Humanities
     Rating

     Difficulty

     GPA

    3.89

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    Introducing the history, theory, and methods of Digital Humanities. Students will learn the interdisciplinary origins of DH, debate contemporary issues, and explore opportunities at UVA. The course will cover a range of specializations including humanities computing and critical code studies, data visualization, mapping and spatial analyses, and digital archives and preservation. This course is a requirement for the Graduate Certificate in DH.

  • MDST 8998

    Non-Topical Research
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     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    This is a variable credit course that gives students the opportunity to do supervised or unsupervised research toward their degree. These hours fulfill enrollment credits but do not count toward graded credit requirements.

  • MDST 9000

    Colloquium
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     Difficulty

     GPA

    Last Taught

    Fall 2026

    The graduate colloquium builds an intellectual community and offers professionalization opportunities. Students learn the field, norms of scholarship, and the variety of research topics and approaches through presentations by faculty and visiting faculty. Advanced students will have the opportunity to present and hone research projects, course plans and lectures, and receive feedback on teaching and application materials, formal research talks, and interview practices.