Hi there, my name is Inna Arzumanova and I am a professor of Media Studies at the University of San Francisco. I want to welcome you to Media Studies. We are thrilled that you have decided to join our department and are really looking forward to meeting you in the Fall. The Media Studies Department at USF is a dynamic, multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary place. Over the next couple of years with us, you can look forward to taking classes in film, in journalism, in cultural critique, in media analysis and research, in popular music, in digital culture, just to name a few topics.  We have classes that focus on media making, classes like investigative journalism, or documentary production as well as classes that focus on media analysis, classes like race and ethnicity in the media or politics in the media.  We have classes that take a wider look at all media platforms and mechanisms, as well as classes that focus on narrower units of study like pop music or feminist technologies.  Most of all, the Media Studies department at USF is a tight knit supportive community of scholars, creatives and media makers and we are delighted to welcome you to it.  The following video will help you figure out how to choose your classes for your very first semester at USF.  During the summer, we will also be contacting you for more formal advising, but in the meantime, if you have any questions we are here to help. My own contact information, as well as the contact information about our program assistant Lydia Fedulow will be provided here.  Good luck, we are looking forward to meeting you soon.

A student typically registers for 16-18 credits per semester.  4, four credit courses in the Core and your major and perhaps 1 or 2 credits of elective courses. 

Of these 4 classes, we recommend that you register for a Rhetoric and Composition course first. Developing good writing and speaking skills is absolutely essential to your success in all the classes you will take at USF. Additionally, all students must complete Core A2 to graduate. ThereÕs a Directed Self-Placement process for first years and a different one for transfer students. When you complete this process, you will be given advice about which writing courses to take, and then you will select the course you want to take. 

Consider, also, starting your Media Studies major coursework. The first two courses in the Media Studies major are: Introduction to Media Studies and Multi-Media Storytelling. 
Please note that our Introduction to Media Studies fulfills Core E, the Social Science core requirement.

Here are some options for your remaining classes. 

Consider taking a First-Year Seminar or a Transfer Year Seminar. These seminars are a great introduction to the academic environment at USF and to the city of San Francisco. Plus, these seminars will fulfill a core requirement. 

I also strongly recommend you take a foreign language course. As a Media Studies major, you need to demonstrate third semester proficiency in a language and you should start early to complete this requirement. 

Another option is a course in Public Speaking. This is an important course to take early since the training you receive in this course will be useful throughout your college career, both inside and outside your major. It also fulfills one of your core requirements.

You can also choose one or two Core courses from one of the following areas:
Math, Natural Science, History, Literature, Philosophy, Ethics, Theology or Visual & Performing Arts. 


There are also many 1-2 credit courses that you may want to consider.
USF 101 or a College success course
A Physical activity course
A Computer Science course

You could also get involved in a play production
Or join a choir or vocal group

Once you have selected your classes, your schedule should resemble something like this, for first-year students:

a Rhetoric and Composition class, a First Year seminar or one of the first Media Studies courses (Introduction to Media Studies or Multimedia Storytelling), a foreign language course and a course from the other Core offerings. 

Or this, for transfer students:

a Rhetoric and Composition course, Multi-media Storytelling or Introduction to Media Studies, a Foreign language course and a course from the other Core Offerings. 

If you are a transfer student, you may have completed some of these courses. It is important for you to review your degree evaluation to determine which courses you need to complete.  We also offer two minorsÑFilm Studies and Journalism. 

Spend some time navigating the Schedule of Classes to familiarize yourself with the layout of the website.  Look for courses that you would like to register for, including specific sections. Spend some time doing this to find a schedule that works for you. You should also keep a back up list in case some classes are closed. If you need help, please contact us!

At the end of this tutorial you will be asked to complete a quiz.  Once you have completed the quiz, you will be eligible to sign-up for classes when registration opens. After you register, we will review the classes youÕve selected. If necessary, we will recommend course adjustments.

During Orientation, we will review the major requirements and you will have the opportunity to meet faculty and fellow students.

Welcome to USF!