New Developments in Media, Culture and the Arts Degree

Media, Culture and the Arts (MCA) degree provides new opportunities for students

Empire State Building, NEW YORK— With recent faculty changes and three new majors planned for fall 2012, it may seem that the barely-birthed MCA program has been all but forgotten. Only in its sixth semester, the program is growing consistently and is on track to graduate its first batch of seniors next May.

Though the major may be growing, it’s no doubt that some see MCA students as less than serious.  In an article published last semester by The Lewis Review, Jerron Herman highlighted this perception.

“The other two grandfathered majors think of MCA as their bohemian cousin, a never-mentioned-son, a nuisance, a waste of time, a distraction,” Herman wrote.

What those other two majors may not know is what lies on the horizon for MCA majors. Along with an expected enrollment increase, MCA is set to increase the number of skills-based courses.

“We are committed to offering skills-based courses," Dr. Bleattler, Dean of the School of MCA, said. "Beyond that it depends on student interest, student numbers. We can’t afford to offer classes with three or four people in them.”

The MCA program is already offering classes that give students some of the technical experience they need to succeed in the workforce.  Along with a filmmaking practicum taught by NYU grad Ryan Patch this semester, the MCA program is also offering a five week long musical theater workshop mid-semester. These are in addition to the Journalism/Media and theater practicums already in place. Dr. Bleatter’s vision is to take the skills courses to the next level and offer more than just “basic” courses.

With the recent faculty changes, “we can expect to have the same opportunities [King’s] had in the past,” Dr. Bleattler said. “Chris Cragin-Day, who has an MFA in directing and is a published playwright, will be taking over some theater responsibilities and helping oversee what is happening with Theater practicum,” Bleattler added.

Still not satisfied? Troubled MCA-ers, hear this: “My message to students who are frustrated is to talk to me. If I’m not aware of [a problem], there’s nothing I can do about it,” Bleattler said.