The Book and Media Studies program is an interdisciplinary and historical investigation of the role of printing, books, reading, and electronic and digital media in cultures past and present. It includes both print and electronic media, covering topics like manuscript and book production, internet publishing, book illustrations, advertising, censorship, and reading and entertainment alongside the development of mass media, the advent of radio, the emergence of television, global telecommunications, social media, and the World Wide Web.
The program prepares students for vocations in journalism, publishing, editing, communications and graduate programs in information and library science. The program also introduces them to topics in the Book History and Print Culture Graduate program at the University of Toronto.
- Special to our Program
Book and Media Studies Student Association
The Book and Media Studies Students Association (BMSSA) represents all students within the University of Toronto in the Book & Media Studies program as well as students who are taking a course from the program. BMSSA holds academic and professional development events, advocates for new courses and advancements to the program, as well as provides social opportunities for students to connect with the Book & Media Studies community.
For more information, please visit our office in Brennan Hall Room 101, email us, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @bmssa_uoft.
The Foolscap
The Foolscap is the official Book & Media Studies program academic journal. This journal is an annual interdisciplinary undergraduate publication, which is written and edited entirely by Book & Media Studies students. Its goal is to encapsulate the core tenets of the Book & Media Studies program by delivering exemplary academic essays and creative pieces to the student body.
Internships
Book and Media Studies Majors have the opportunity to earn course credit while doing an internship with a media organization formally recognized as a partner of St. Michael’s College and the Book and Media Studies program.
Past Book and Media Studies students have interned at Canadian Living Magazine, the Marilyn Denis Show, Sony Entertainment, the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, University of Toronto Press, Novalis, Glow Magazine, Between the Lines Books, Jack Communications, Bell Media, Omni TV, and St. Joseph Media.
Current students can find the application form and more information in the SMC386 course description.
St. Michael’s Print Room
The St. Michael’s Print Room houses a collection of antique presses and other printing artifacts, including binding equipment and an extensive collection of type.
The Print Room gives Book and Media students a hands-on experience in support of their courses in book history and material bibliography. The program takes advantage of the extensive human and physical resources already in place at the University of Toronto, including the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, the Robertson Davies Library (Massey College), the Centre for 19th Century French Studies, the Pontifical Institute for Mediaeval Studies, the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies, and the Department of Fine Arts exhibition catalogues’ collection.
The McLuhan Centre for Culture and Technology
The McLuhan Centre for Culture and Technology is a gathering place for critical scholars of all disciplines to meet, share, and develop scholarly interests on the impact of digital technologies on culture. Students are invited to attend free events and workshops at the Centre.
- Program Requirements
Major
The Book and Media Studies Major is a Type 2, limited enrolment program. To enrol, students must complete at least 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCE) at the 100+ level and may be admitted if they have completed any 100+ level course and attained a grade of at least 67% in that course.
To complete the Major, students must complete 6 FCE, including at least 2 FCE at the 300+ level, 0.5 FCE of which must be at the 400-level. These include:
SMC155H1/SMC165H1/SMC188H1/SMC188Y/ SMC189H1/SMC203Y1/ SMC210H1/SMC212H1/SMC255H1/SMC291H1/ SMC300H1/SMC301H1/SMC305H1/SMC314H1/ SMC315H1/SMC316H1/SMC317H1/SMC318H1/ SMC319H1/SMC358H1/SMC364H1/SMC367H1/ SMC374H1/SMC382H1/ SMC386H1/SMC387H1/SMC388Y1/SMC392H1/SMC397H1/SMC398H1
- 1.5 FCE from:
Second year offerings: ANT253H1/ARC232H1/CDN221H1/ENG232H1/ENG234H1/ENG235H1/ENG287H1/FCS291H1/HIS241H1/HPS201H1/HPS202H1/SLA203H1/SLA254H1/SMC203Y1/SMC210H1/SMC212H1/SMC255H1/SMC291H1/VIS206H1/WGS271Y1
Third and fourth year offerings: CIN389H1/ ENG322Y1/ FAH319H1/ FRE308H1/ FRE310H1/ FRE324H1/ GER310H1/ HIS302H1/ HIS316H1/ HIS374H1/ INI301H1/ INI305H1/ INS300Y1/ INS302H1/ JAL328H1/ MUS300H1/ SMC300H1/ SMC301H1/ SMC305H1/ SMC314H1/ SMC315H1/ SMC316H1/ SMC317H1/ SMC318H1/ SMC319H1/ SMC355H1/ SMC358H1/ SMC364H1/ SMC374H1/ SMC382H1/ SMC386H1/ SMC387H1/ SMC388Y1/ SMC392H1/ SMC397H1/ SMC398H1/ SMC463H1/ INI413H1/ VIC345H1/ EAS467H1/ FAH424H1/ HIS477H1/ PSY427H1
- 0.5 FCE from:
SMC406H1/SMC425H1/ SMC430H1/SMC431H1/SMC435H1/SMC457H1/SMC462H1/SMC463H1/SMC464H1/SMC465H1/SMC466H1/SMC467H1/SMC470H1
6. SMC385H1
For the most up-to-date requirements and current course offerings, please see the University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Science 2020-2021 Timetable and Faculty of Arts & Science Calendar.
Minor
The Book and Media Studies Minor is a Type 2, limited enrolment program. To enrol, students must complete at least 4 full-course equivalents (FCE) at the 100+ level and may be admitted if they have completed any 100+ level course and attained a grade of at least 67% in that course.
To complete the Minor, students must complete 4 FCE, including at least 1.0 FCE in 300+ series courses. These include:
SMC155H1/SMC165H1/SMC188H1/SMC188Y/SMC189H1
Second year offerings: ANT253H1/ARC232H1/CDN221H1/ENG232H1/ENG234H1/ENG235H1/ ENG287H1/FCS291H1/HIS241H1/HPS201H1/HPS202H1/SLA203H1/SLA254H1/SMC203Y1/SMC210H1/SMC212H1/SMC255H1/SMC291H1/VIS206H1/WGS271Y1
Third and fourth year offerings: CIN389H1/ ENG322Y1/ FAH319H1/ FRE308H1/ FRE310H1/ FRE324H1/ GER310H1/ HIS302H1/ HIS316H1/ HIS374H1/ INI301H1/ INI305H1/ INS300Y1/ INS302H1/ JAL328H1/ MUS300H1/ SMC300H1/ SMC301H1/ SMC305H1/ SMC314H1/ SMC315H1/ SMC316H1/ SMC317H1/ SMC318H1/ SMC319H1/ SMC355H1/ SMC358H1/ SMC364H1/ SMC367H1/ SMC374H1/ SMC382H1/ SMC386H1/ SMC387H1/ SMC388Y1/ SMC392H1/ SMC397H1/ SMC398H1/ INI413H1/ VIC345H1/ EAS467H1/ FAH424H1/ HIS477H1/ PSY427H1For the most up-to-date requirements and current course offerings, please see the University of Toronto Faculty of Arts & Science 2020-2021 Timetable and Faculty of Arts & Science Calendar.
- Program Contacts
Faculty
Mark McGowan, Professor & Program Coordinator, Principal & Vice-President
Odette Hall, room 127
mark.mcgowan@utoronto.caIris Gildea, Associate Professor
Odette Hall, room 016
iris.gildea@utoronto.caMichael O’Connor, Associate Professor
Odette Hall, room 132
michael.oconnor@utoronto.caFelan Parker, Assistant Professor
Queens Park Building (PIMS), room 30
felan.parker@utoronto.caSimon Rogers, Archivist
Kelly Library, room 215
simon.rogers@utoronto.caJames Roussain, Archivist – Outreach and Instruction
Kelly Library, room 129
james.roussain@utoronto.caSilvia Vong, Collaborative Learning Librarian
Kelly Library, room 129
silvia.vong@utoronto.caVisiting Lecturers, Fellows & Instructors
Paolo Granata, Guest Lecturer, Faculty of Arts & Science
paolo.granata@utoronto.ca
Kelly Library Liaison
Kelly Library, room 129
416-926-1300 ext. 3322
james.roussain@utoronto.caContact James with any library-related questions, including using online resources, arranging library instruction, ordering new titles, and getting help with research.
SMC Programs
For more information about the program, including queries about enrollment and completion, contact smc.programs@utoronto.ca.
Courses
- SMC219Y1Y — Media in Culture and Society
- SMC228H1F — Book History and Print Culture
- SMC229H1S — Readers and Readerships
- SMC301H1F — Special Topics in Book and Media Studies II: Trump and the Election
- SMC300H1S — Special Topics in Book and Media Studies I: TBA
- SMC301H1F — Special Topics in Book and Media Studies II: #MeToo and the Media
- SMC301H1S — Special Topics in Book and Media Studies II: The Media Franchise
- SMC314H1F — Media Revolutions
- SMC316H1F — Social Technology and Networks
- SMC319H1S — Media Ethics
- SMC386H1F/S — Book and Media Internship
- SMC387H1F — Advertising and Media
- SMC388Y1 / SMC398H1F / SMC398H1S — Independent Study Courses
- SMC392H1S — Media Identities
- SMC430H1S — Advanced Topics in Book and Media Studies: Games and Culture
- SMC431H1F — Advanced Topics in Book and Media Studies: Media, Art and Justice
- SMC457H1F/S — Directed Research
- SMC462H1F — Contemporary Issues in Media and Music
- SMC465H1S — McLuhan
- SMC155H1S — SMC One: The McLuhan Seminar in Creativity and Technology
- SMC165H1S — SMC One: The Boyle Seminar in Scripts and Stories
- SMC188H1S — SMC One: The Gilson Seminar in Faith and Ideas
- SMC189H1S — SMC One: The Gilson Seminar in Faith and Rome
- SMC203Y1Y — Christianity and Society through the Ages
- SMC210H1F — The Early Mediaeval Tradition
- SMC212H1S — The Later Mediaeval Tradition
- SMC305H1F — Christianity and Popular Culture: Literature
- SMC305H1S — Christianity and Popular Culture: Science Fiction
- SMC374H1F — The Celtic Book
- SMC355H1S — Contemporary Celtic Cinema
- SMC364H1S — The Christian Book
- SMC406H1F — Mediaeval Seminar: Apocalypse
- SMC406H1S — Mediaeval Seminar II: Jus Commune
- SMC435H1F/S — Independent Studies in Mediaeval Studies
- SMC457H1F/S — Directed Research