School of Media Studies

Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Study at The New School

This post is part of the SMS Advising Series for New Students. All posts are designed and curated to make the lives of newly admitted students much easier. From academic resources to having a social life in NYC, we want to make sure that our students get the best of ALL worlds!

Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Study at The New School

The New School offers a host of ways you can broaden the horizons of your study and work. Whether you are a filmmaker, researcher, or entrepreneur, there are routes for you to augment your coursework and work with instructors from across the university. Below we have included five opportunities, by no means an exhaustive list, we think speak to our students here at the School of Media Studies. Enjoy! 

Co-Cinema Project: For filmmakers in the School of Media Studies, the Collab Cinema Project offers a unique experience working with students in the School of Drama, Mannes, Jazz, Parsons and Lang in the production of a short film project. Students take up a myriad of on-set jobs such as producer, cinematographer, editor, 1st assistant director, sound designer, composer, art director and production crew. The films are written by MFA Drama playwrights, directed by MFA Drama directors and feature performances by MFA Drama actors. The class is normally held during the Spring semester, talk to your advisor about availability.

Graduate Minors: The New School offers graduate students the option to pursue a graduate minor in fields such as Capitalism Studies, Designs and Urban Justice, or Transmedia and Digital Storytelling as a way to broaden their field of study, or even expand their career options. These minors allow students to explore complementary disciplines to their work in the Media Studies program, investigate an emerging field, or further hone and direct their creative work. The graduate minor is made up of three courses (9 credits) and can be completed within a two-year degree program if begun in the first year of study. If you are interested, talk to your advisor to learn how you can integrate the minor into your degree coursework. Keep in mind that some graduate minors require an application. 

Transdisciplinary University Electives: Every semester The New School offers a variety of electives available to graduate students across the university and taught by some of our most accomplished instructors on a range of topical subjects ripe for exploration. The courses require no prerequisites and can vary in their structure and form, but all work toward the same goal of connecting scholars and students from a range of different disciplines to work together in exploring the subjects and problems which define our time. Courses being taught in Fall 2020 include The Right to the City, Human Observation, Child and Adolescent Global Mental Health, and many more. 

International Affairs Opportunities: The International Affairs program offers two opportunities, the International Field Program and the United Nations Summer Study Program. First, the International Field Program unites a student with a community-based NGO abroad to conduct work or research outside of the classroom. From subjects ranging from citizen journalism, to urban development, to policy advocacy. The IFP is open to Master’s and Ph.D. students, undergraduates (rising juniors and seniors), and continuing education professionals from all fields and areas of study across The New School. 

The United Nations Summer Study (UNSS) program, offered by The New School’s Julien J. Studley Graduate Program in International Affairs, immerses students who are interested in understanding the United Nations system or preparing for a career in international affairs. The course connects students with experts in fields of development, human rights, humanitarian action, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and environmental reform issues as they spend a summer working for the United Nations.

Parsons Entrepreneurship Lab: For the business minded among us the Parsons Entrepreneurship Lab offers a space where students are supported in bringing to life their business or research project. The 12-month fellowship helps students in incubating a non-profit, for-profit, or alternative business model project with a focus on sustainability, experimentation, and social impact. The program maintains The New School’s legacy of promoting progressive values, while helping students in converting their academic knowledge into a material set of practices. This program is perfect for students in the MS Media Management program who are looking for the spaces, resources, and mentorship to grow their business concept. Applications are accepted in the Fall and are aimed at final semester or newly-minted alumni graduate students.  

Check out How to Make the Most of Your First Semester at The New School.

Written and Curated by: Daniel Pemberton

Daniel Pemberton is an MA Media Studies student at The New School. He has worked in copywriting, videography, music journalism, and even directed a few short films. His main passion is in research, working at the intersection of digital media, film studies, visual culture, and critical theory. His work has been recognized at numerous conferences across the United States and around the world. He is currently the Graduate Student Advisor with the School of Media Studies.