Comparative Media Studies MIT
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Major: Requirements

There are four ways for MIT undergraduates to major in Comparative Media Studies:

It is also possible to Minor (6 subjects) or Concentrate (4 subjects) in CMS.

CMS Class List

Requirements for the CMS Full Major

The Comparative Media Studies full major (21L-CMS) requires ten subjects, mapped out as follows.

Two Tier I Subjects

21L.011 The Film Experience

CMS.100 Introduction to Media Studies

One of the following Tier II Subjects

CMS.400 Media Systems and Texts

CMS.403 Media and Methods: Performing

CMS.405 Media and Methods: Seeing & Expression

CMS.407 Media and Methods: Sound

One of the following Tier III Subjects

21L.706 Studies in Film

21L.715 Media in Cultural Context

Six Restricted Electives

Six additional classes from the list of CMS required classes or electives.

Additional unrestricted electives to total 180 units beyond the GIRs.

Requirements for the CMS Joint Major

The Comparative Media Studies joint major (21E or 21S) requires eight CMS subjects, mapped out as follows, plus 6 subjects from an Engineering or Science major. In addition, the joint major requires a filed petition with SOCR (PDF).


One of the following Tier I Subjects

21L.011 The Film Experience

CMS.100 Introduction to Media Studies

One of the following Tier II Subjects

CMS.400 Media Systems and Texts

CMS.403 Media and Methods: Performing

CMS.405 Media and Methods: Seeing & Expression

CMS.407 Media and Methods: Sound

One of the following Tier III Subjects

21L.706 Studies in Film

21L.715 Media in Cultural Context

Five Restricted Electives

Five additional classes from the list of CMS required classes or electives.

6 subjects in an Engineering or Science Major
Students choose 6 subjects in an Engineering or Science Major in consultation with an advisor from the major

Additional unrestricted electives to total 180 units beyond the GIRs.
File a petition with SOCR (PDF)

Requirements for the Second Degree and Double Major in CMS

Both the Second Degree and the Double Major in Comparative Media Studies (21L-CMS) require ten subjects (the same requirements as the full major), mapped out in the chart below.

The Second Degree, available to students entering MIT during the 2007-08 academic year or earlier, requires 270 units beyond the GIR. More information and an application form can be found here.

The Double Major, available to students graduating in Sept 2009 or later, requires 180-198 units beyond the GIRs, depending on the requirements of the primary major. More information and an application form can be found here.

Information on the transition from Two Degrees to the Double Major can be found here.


Two Tier I Subjects

21L.011 The Film Experience

CMS.100 Introduction to Media Studies

One of the following Tier II Subjects

CMS.400 Media Systems and Texts

CMS.403 Media and Methods: Performing

CMS.405 Media and Methods: Seeing & Expression

CMS.407 Media and Methods: Sound

One of the following Tier III Subjects

21L.706 Studies in Film

21L.715 Media in Cultural Context

Six Restricted Electives

Six additional classes from the list of CMS required classes or electives.

Second Degree: Total units beyond GIRs=270
Double Major: Total units beyond GIRs=180-198

Major Advisors

Students with questions about the Major in Comparative Media Studies, how to declare a CMS Major, or how the Major requirements can be fulfilled, should make an appointment with any of following individuals.


Ian Condry
Director of Undergraduate Studies
condry [at] mit.edu
E15-320A


Edward Barrett
Major Advisor
ebarrett [at] mit.edu
E15-325
Office Hours Mon 3:15-4:15 and by appointment


Becky Shepardson
Academic Coordinator
bshep [at] mit.edu
E15-325


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