Programs
The Department of Visual and Media Arts offers a curriculum designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in various media arts, including screenwriting, film, TV, sound design, interactive new media, game design, photography, and others. The department offers two tracks within its Bachelor of Arts (BA) curriculum: Media Arts Production and Media Studies, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Media Arts Production.
Media Studies Track
The undergraduate faculty of Visual Media Arts is committed to the following learning objectives for the BA in Media Studies program.
Students will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history, theory, and practice of media arts.
- Demonstrate basic skills in media arts production.
- Generate and conduct their own research in the history and theory of media arts.
- Apply ethical principles in the research and analysis of media arts.
The Media Studies Track is designed for students whose focus is the scholarly study of the media arts, especially those students desiring preparation for careers in media criticism, publishing, industry research, or advanced studies in media arts or law.
Curriculum
Visual and Media Arts Foundations (12 credits)
The Visual and Media Arts Foundations offers students a broad theoretical, historical, and practical introduction to the visual and media arts.
Required Courses
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VM 100 | History of Media Arts I | 4 |
| VM 101 | History of Media Arts II | 4 |
| VM 120 | Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Production | 4 |
Students are required to attend the Production Safety Workshop, VM 110, while enrolled in VM 120.
Visual and Media Arts Theory and Practice (8 credits)
Required Courses
| Number | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| VM 200 | Media Criticism and Theory | 4 |
| One 200-level production or writing and concept course | 4 |
Visual and Media Studies (16 credits minimum)
Required Courses
VM 402, 403, 409, or 410 Seminar in Visual and Media Arts Course
In addition to a seminar, students are required to complete at least three additional advanced visual and media studies courses numbered 300–315, 400–418, or 500.
Visual and Media Arts Electives (8 credits)
Required Courses
Two Visual and Media Arts elective courses
