<p>how similar is a media studies major to a communications major...are they essentially the same thing?</p>
<p>In no way shape or form. </p>
<p>Communication is much more theoretical than Media studies. </p>
<p>Communication is a degree where you learn the different theories of communication, how people communicate, symbolic meanings and artifacts used for communication. It teaches rhetoric and argumentation as well as persuasion and persuasive speaking / writing. It teaches about communication in organizational situations, conflict resolution, nonverbal communication, research methods in communication, intercultural communication, Public speaking, interviewing and leadership. All this with a heavy focus on writing similar to that of an English major. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Media studies is much more focused on advertisement, selling, how the media works, the types of media i.e New Media vs traditional media. Media’s role in society, how to pitch a story, how to format a story.</p>