Get Involved
Are you a USC student? Here's how you can get involved with the Initiative
The best way to get involved with AII is by enrolling in the course COMM 494. This is a class taught by our Program Manager, Ariana Case, and our Project Administrator, Katherine Neff, here at Annenberg and will involve hands-on data collection for our research reports on diversity and inclusion in entertainment.
See below for status on Comm 494 and Research Assistant openings. You must be a USC student to work with us.
Course Credit
COMM 313
After years of shaping the entertainment industry and leading global conversations on representation, Dr. Stacy L. Smith is returning to the classroom.
COMM 313 at USC Annenberg is designed to help students understand how media influences identity, relationships, and culture across film, television, and social platforms.
In Fall 2026, join Dr. Stacy L. Smith in COMM 313 and learn about how screens shape us. Dr. Smith has prepared thousands of executives for careers in media - many who say they use what they've learned in COMM 313 in their work today. She's stepping back into the classroom to share her expertise and insights with students who want to know more about how our brains, emotions, and behaviors are impacted by what we watch.
Taught by one of the most influential voices in media research today, the course also features guest speakers actively shaping the industry, previously including Tessa Thompson, John David Washington Brie Larson, Mila Kunis, Daniel Kaluuya, and Elizabeth Banks. This is more than a class. No papers, no discussion section, just active learning and a completely new way of understanding everything you watch.
Schedule: Monday & Wednesday, 2:00–3:20 PM This isn’t just a class. It’s a new way of seeing everything you watch.
If you have any questions about COMM 313, please email aii@usc.edu.
COMM 494: Research Practicum
COMM494: Research Practicum is a flexible 2- or 4- unit course designed to provide hands-on research experience to undergraduates of all majors and academic standings.
It is one of the few opportunities for undergraduates to conduct practical research while directly engaging with questions of who is on screen and behind the camera in the field of entertainment and beyond. A huge highlight for students is the opportunity to learn how to collect data by watching some of their favorite TV shows, films, and trending short-form content all while contributing to our highly influential reports that reach a global entertainment industry audience.
This informational video is a fun high-level overview of the course content, structure, and what students can expect by enrolling in COMM 494: Research Practicum all in under 2 minutes.
If you have any questions about COMM 494, please email aii@usc.edu.
Paid Position
Creative Assistant
We are not actively hiring for this position but may do so in the future. Please check back here periodically and keep an eye out for job postings on Handshake.
Paid Position
Research Assistant
We are not actively hiring for this position but may do so in the future. Please check back here periodically and keep an eye out for job postings on Handshake.
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