These papers consist of administrative planning documents about the development of the Media Studies curriculum and programs at The New School from 1986 until 2014, compiled into binders by Media Studies professor and longtime chair of the program, Carol Wilder, mainly covering the years 1986-2006.

The School of Media Studies began as the Center for Understanding Media. Accredited through Antioch College, the program offered courses through the New School for Social Research. The New School formally absorbed Media Studies in 1975, after a four-year partnership. The records consist of curricula vitae, files, reports, syllabi, posters and other printed publicity materials, and student work.