Comparative Media Studies MIT
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The Master's Thesis

Students choose a thesis topic no later than the first semester of their second year. The thesis may take a variety of forms, including traditional expository prose or more experimental projects that utilize additional media formats appropriate to their topic.

Representative topics have included:

  • A systematic study of the way two newspapers are redefining relations to local and national readerships as they move on-line.

  • An exploration and critique of existing computer games for girls and a proposal for designing alternative interfaces based on critical inquiry informed by feminism.

  • Development of a prototype for an interactive media project designed to help immigrant children better understand the language and culture of urban America.

  • A cross-historical examination of Zorro as a popular Mexican-American hero who has appeared in pulp magazines, comic strips, film, radio, and television.

Many of our students' theses are available as downloadable PDFs.

Thesis Timeline

Fall Semester, second year

Identify your Advisor (usually a CMS faculty member or affiliated faculty member).

Friday, October 30

Thesis Proposal Form due (download: PDF | Word).

First week of November

Thesis Committee Approval.

Last day of classes, Fall term
Thursday, December 10

Paper, outline and bibliography due.

First week of February

Evaluation Meeting.

First week of March

Evaluation Meeting 2 (if necessary).

Friday after Spring Break
Friday, April 2

Thesis Presentations.

Last three weeks of April
April 12 to April 30

Thesis Review with Committee.

Friday, May 7

Thesis Submission (deadline established by MIT each academic year).