Faculty of Information & Media Studies (University of Western Ontario)

The Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS) is a faculty of the University of Western Ontario, located in London, Ontario, Canada. It offers three undergraduate programs (MIT, MTP, and MPI), and several graduate studies programs (Library and Information Science (MLIS and PhD), Masters in Media in Journalism and Communications, Media Studies (MA and PhD), Masters in Popular Music and Culture, and Health Information Science (MA and PhD).

History

The faculty was formed from a merger of the Graduate School of Journalism and the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies in 1996–97. Manjunath Pendakur was named the first dean of the faculty, which announced its first undergraduate program in 1997. The North Campus Building was constructed to house the faculty and was completed in 2004.[1]

The first Tor anonymity network node at a Canadian library was established at FIMS, specifically at the Graduate Resource Center.[2][3]

Undergraduate programs

Media, Information, and Technoculture (MIT)

The largest of FIMS's programs, there are approximately 900 undergraduate students enrolled in the MIT program.[4] Enrolment is limited to about 200 students per year. The MIT program offers three and four year bachelor's degrees with the option of combining that with degree programs in the Ivey School of Business (5 year program) and the Faculty of Law (6 year program).[5] The is a flexible program with an emphasis on media theory, history, research and analysis. Within this program there are multiple areas of concentration including: Media Theory and Production, Advertising and Promotional Culture, Popular Music and Society, News Reporting and Journalistic Practices, Cultural Industries, The Information Society, Media Identity and Diversity, The Political Economy of Media, and Virtual Worlds and Interactive Media. After graduating from the MIT program, many students work in advertising, journalism, marketing, public relations, publication, and production.

Media, Theory, and Production (MTP)

The MTP program provides students with a hands-on experience in production while providing them with the theoretical material that is taught in MIT. MTP is a joint program between Western and Fanshawe College. There are approximately 80 students in each year of the MTP program. MTP students will graduate with both a three-year BA in MIT and a two-year diploma from Fanshawe College. MTP students take courses at both Western and Fanshawe College, and choose a major in one of the following four categories: Interactive Media Design and Production, Broadcast Journalism, Television Broadcasting and Radio Broadcasting.

Media & The Public Interest (MPI)

The MPI program is the only of its kind in Canada. This unique program incorporates media theory with issues of social justice. MPI students examine social movements and learn how the media play a role in shaping and furthering these causes.[6] Enrolment in MPI is limited to 20 spots per year.

Graduate programs

The University of Western Ontario's FIMS is one of seven faculties across Canada offering masters level graduate study in library and information science (MLIS).[7] The Masters of Library and Information Science at Western University is considered to be accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Other graduate programs within the faculty include Journalism, Media Studies, Popular Music and Culture, and Health Information Science. The Health Information Science program has attracted some of the most accomplished faculty and promising students from Canada and around the world. On average, there are upwards of 250 graduate students enrolled in a given year.[8]

Certificate and diploma programs

Currently the Faculty of Information & Media Studies at Western University offers certificate and diploma programs in Digital Communications. The certificate/diploma in Digital Communications analyzes the environments of social media, the virtual world, and other emerging forms of online communication. Course content covers subjects such as digital content creation and the production of online communities.

References

  1. ↑ White, Janette (Summer 2004). "University of Western Ontario Faculty of Information and Media Studies" (PDF). Ex Libris Association Newsletter.
  2. ↑ "Library in FIMS joins global network fighting back against digital surveillance, censorship, and the obstruction of information". FIMS News. 2016-03-16. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
  3. ↑ ref name="Fighting the Feds on running a Tor node">Pearson, Jordan (2016-03-16). "Canadian Librarians Must Be Ready to Fight the Feds on Running a Tor Node". Motherboard. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
  4. ↑ "Facts & Figures 2013-14 - Western University". www.uwo.ca. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  5. ↑ http://www.fims.uwo.ca/acad_programs/undergrad/mit.htm
  6. ↑ Smeltzer, Sandra; Grzyb, Amanda (Fall 2009). "Critical media pedagogy in the public interest". Democratic Communique. 23 (2).
  7. ↑ Land, Brian (Summer 2004). "History of Education for Library and Information Studies in Canada" (PDF). Ex Libris Association Newsletter.
  8. ↑ "Facts & Figures 2013-14 - Western University". www.uwo.ca. Retrieved 2015-10-01.


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