<p>I’m planning to double major in theater and film studies. All the schools I’m applying to offer the two majors except Brown.
Could someone provide me with more information about the Modern Culture and Media program? How do I apply? Is it a major or do we have to major in something else and choose this as a concentration?</p>
<p>[Modern</a> Culture & Media | Brown University](<a href=“Modern Culture and Media | Brown University”>Modern Culture and Media | Brown University)</p>
<p>Above is the link to the department. It’s a very interesting department; my daughter has taken several courses through the department and has enjoyed each one. You don’t apply to a department at Brown, you apply to the school. You can indicate your interests, but those are not binding; you have plenty of time to choose your major, which at Brown is called a concentration. So, a concentration and a major are the same things. You can certainly concentrate in MCM and you can double concentrate as well.</p>
<p>Thanks a ton 
!</p>
<p>Also, there are no majors at Brown. They’re all called concentrations. Granted you accepted to Brown and graduate as a MCM concentrator, you will get your B.A.</p>
<p>You “apply” for the major as if it was any other major. It’s nothing special compared to other concentrations (i.e. extra application). Most likely, on the supplement, there will be a short response asking why you chose the concentration, which is standard for all applicants to Brown.</p>
<p>^ The semantics of Brown’s degree requirements are confusing. Some concentrations (i.e. CogSci, IR) actually have sub-concentrations within their programs, but these sub-concentrations are called concentrations. For example, I am concentrating in CogSci, but I am (sub-)concentrating in type of CogSci.</p>
<p>Also, there are no B.A.'s at Brown, just A.B.'s and Sc. B.'s. Except no one really cares.</p>
<p>^ Okay. Sorry I messed up the A and B 
lol. Does MCM have subconcentrations? I didn’t think they did, but I’m not very knowledgeable on that specific concentration. </p>
<p>I was just trying to clarify the major-concentration thing at Brown, in case he/she didn’t know. hahaha. :)</p>
<p>@swim: sorry, I didn’t mean to be accusatory! Just clearing up confusion. I was lost at first, too.</p>
<p>MCM has two tracks with different specializations and focus areas. Depending on your language ability and interests, you can do an MCM degree in conjunction with German, Italian, or French (semiotics). I’m not too knowledgeable about the concentration either, but there are people on the boards who can definitely fill you in. And if not, wait until you get here!</p>
<p>[Modern</a> Culture & Media | Brown University](<a href=“Modern Culture and Media | Brown University”>Modern Culture and Media | Brown University)</p>
<p>Oh I know. I was apologizing for the confusion and I thank you for clearing it up Point of this is to help the OP</p>
<p>Thanks everyone!
@ thefunnything- I’d prefer MCM Track 1 or 2 (taught in English).</p>
<p>MCM at Brown is not your typical film studies department. It’s very theoretical; has its</p>
<p>Oops on a phone so can’t edit. MCM has roots in Brown’s old Semiotics department. You should do some research on whether that approach works for you. MCM is a very strong department at Brown – but it does have a very specific approach to film studies.</p>
<p>I don’t know why anyone has said this yet. But.</p>
<p>I (and a lot of other Brown students) think MCM is a whole lot of BS. And I do not mean Sc.B. if you get my meaning.</p>
<p>For example: read Foucault and then understand that he was one of the clearer thinkers contributing to theories in MCM.</p>
<p>hollyert, could you elaborate a little bit? Why do they think it’s a whole lot of BS? I’ve heard nothing but good things about it from current MCM concentrators, so I’m interested to hear an opposing perspective.</p>
<p>Also, I only have cursory knowledge of Foucault, so I’m not sure what you mean by your last statement. Is it an objection to their theoretical approach, or a comment about the esotericism of the department? I would really appreciate if you could explain, since I’m considering MCM as a concentration.</p>
<p>Really the esotericism. If you like theory, debates, etc about, yes, semiotics and cultural meanings, then MCM might appeal to you.</p>
<p>It is as far from pre-professional as Brown gets, and that includes Philosophy.</p>
<p>I know that this is my personal preference regarding the subject, and I do know of nice people who are <em>very</em> enthusiastic about the MCM department. </p>
<p>That said… MCM is at times the source of derision. Be warned. If you’re passionate about it, though, I can’t imagine other universities have better resources in that area of scholarship.</p>
<p>My challenge to read Foucault stands: he’s interesting… a little crazy, but interesting. If you can make it through.</p>
<p>Eh, among my CS friends MCM gets a lot more respect than, say, gender studies. Although that could be because there’s a lot more overlap in people interested in CS and MCM vs. people interested in CS and gender studies. Personally, I think pre-professionalism is not what you should be focusing on in your undergrad years: philosophy, training your thoughts and learning to analyze/create solutions seems more important. Brown’s not here to teach us how to do a specific job.</p>
<p>I would love to see a CS-MCM joint concentration. Any capstone project out of that is guaranteed awesome.</p>
<p>Actually, a CS - MCM double concentration was something I had in mind. Either that or CogSci - MCM.</p>
<p>I’m not really in it for pre-professional training. The plan is to go to law school, which is plenty professional for me, and I think MCM would be a good way to wrinkle my brain before going to work for The Man.</p>
<p>Do you know if the department is transfer-friendly? I did a few courses that approximate MCM intro courses at my old school, but I’m not sure if the realm of knowledge MCM engages is so specific that getting transfer credit would be impossible.</p>
<p>Eh, MCM’s only 11 courses. Meaning if you’re transferring, that’s 2/semester. But probably you’d need to just talk to your advisor, or the MCM advisor, because your circumstances are likely to be unique. If it’s sort of like CS, you may not have to take certain classes if you can do well in certain upper division courses. But really, just ask an advisor.</p>
<p>Lol I love the term “wrinkle my mind.” Gonna keep that one handy. I feel like MCM is the perfect major to wrinkle one’s mind (as long as one can straighten it out at the end of it all… I met an unfortunate senior MCM major last semester who seemed, uh, stuck. He was a little scary.)</p>
<p>Coming to Brown I was all about the liberal education… and now all I wanna do is Econ/Finance/Business/Policy. What happened to me!!!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the information, everyone!
@fireandrain- Well, I was trying to decide between Comparative Literature and MCM for Brown, and I chose the latter. Both the concentrations have great courses, but I guess MCM goes well with Theatre Arts and Performance Studies.</p>