Department of Visual & Media Arts
Experimental Media Production
The specialization is designed to develop students’ ability to create their own procedural, technical, and conceptual path for making and completing projects in a variety of media, including new media and digital media. Employing unconventional skills and techniques, students will explore alternative production strategies and modes of communication.
Credits: 44 for BA, 60 for BFA (both degrees also include 8 additional upper-level liberal arts credits)
I. Visual and Media Arts Foundations (12 credits)
The Visual and Media Arts Foundations offer students a broad theoretical, historical, and practical introduction to the visual and media arts.
Required Courses
| VM 100 | History of Media Arts I |
| VM 101 | History of Media Arts II |
one of the Following:
| VM 102 | Dimensions of Creativity |
| VM 120 | Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Production |
II. Introduction to Disciplines (16 credits minimum)
At the Introduction to Disciplines level, students explore one or more of the department’s main discipline areas.
Required Courses
| VM 200 | Media Criticism and Theory |
At least one of the following:
| VM 202 | Critical Listening |
| VM 220 | Writing the Short Subject |
| VM 221 | Writing the Feature Film |
| VM 222 | Writing for Television |
At least two of the following:
| VM 204 | Topics in Media Arts: Practice |
| VM 230 | Introduction to Film Production |
| VM 231 | Intermediate Film Production |
| VM 240 | Introduction to Video Field Production |
| VM 241 | Introduction to Studio Television Production |
| VM 250 | Introduction to Sound Principles and Audio Production |
| VM 251 | Location Sound Recording |
| VM 260 | Introduction to Interactive Media |
| VM 261 | Computer Animation |
| VM 331 | Topics in Visual and Media Arts: Practice |
| VM 371 | Alternative Media Production: Out of the Box |
III. Specializations
At least two of the following:
| VM 261 | Computer Animation |
| VM 335 | Alternative Production Techniques for Filmmaking |
| VM 360 | Film Animation |
| VM 362 | Motion Graphics |
At least one of the following:
| VM 402 | Seminar in Media Arts Topics |
| VM 409 | Seminar in Western Art |
| VM 410 | Seminar in Non-Western Art |
Required Courses
| One additional advanced visual and media studies course numbered VM 300-315, 400-418, or 500-519. |
In addition to the General Education and major requirements, all students are required to complete at least two courses at the 300 or 400 level from the following Liberal Arts areas:
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Recommended Electives
| VM 305 | History of Experimental / Avant-Garde |
| VM 452 | Art of Noise |
Advanced Visual and Media Arts Workshop
Students may apply to take the Advanced Visual and Media Arts Workshop. Two semesters are mandatory for BFA. Optional for BA.
For specific course prerequisites, please consult the Undergraduate Catalogue.
Martin Zaharinov
Directing major Martin Zaharinov explains the amount of hands-on opportunities that are available to you—even as soon as your first semester on campus.
Equipment Distribution Center
The Equipment Distribution Center's State-of-the-Art Equipment
The Emerson College Equipment Distribution Center (EDC) loans professional, state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to faculty and students to fulfill class assignments. Professional staff and student employees are available to provide technical support when needed. It includes the Film Equipment Center and the Video, Audio, New Media Equipment Centers.




