College: Media and Visual Arts

This interdisciplinary major combines the study of media and visual arts with a focus on creating, analyzing, and distributing visual content across different platforms. Students explore major areas such as digital media, graphic design, film, photography, and interactive media. The program emphasizes creative expression, technical skills, and applying artistic principles to communicate ideas effectively. Graduates are prepared for careers in graphic design, filmmaking, photography, digital media, and related creative fields.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of media and visual arts.
• Develop skills in digital media production, graphic design, filmmaking, and photography.
• Learn techniques for creating and editing visual content.
• Explore the role of media and visual arts in communication and storytelling.
• Understand ethical considerations, cultural contexts, and professional practices in media and visual arts.
• Analyze challenges and opportunities in the field of media and visual arts.
• Develop teamwork and creative problem-solving skills for media and arts projects.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Media and Visual Arts
   • Overview of media and visual arts, their history, and applications.
   • Basics of visual communication, artistic principles, and media techniques.
2. Digital Media Production
   • Principles of digital media production, including video, audio, and multimedia.
   • Techniques for creating, editing, and distributing digital media content.
3. Graphic Design
   • Fundamentals of graphic design, including typography, layout, and branding.
   • Techniques for creating effective visual communications and design solutions.
4. Film and Video Production
   • Principles of film and video production, including cinematography, directing, and post-production.
   • Techniques for creating narrative and documentary films and video content.
5. Photography
   • Essentials of photography, including composition, lighting, and digital photography.
   • Techniques for capturing and editing photographic images for various applications.
6. Interactive Media
   • Principles of interactive media, including web design, user experience, and interactive storytelling.
   • Techniques for creating engaging and interactive digital experiences.
7. Art History and Criticism
   • Explore art history and criticism and theoretical frameworks in media and visual arts.
   • Techniques for analyzing and interpreting visual content and artistic movements.
8. Ethical Considerations and Professional Practices
   • Understand ethical considerations, cultural contexts, and professional practices in media and visual arts.
   • Techniques to ensure ethical behavior and professionalism in creative projects.
9. Emerging Trends in Media and Visual Arts
   • Analyze innovations such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and data-driven storytelling.
   • Techniques to adapt to new trends and technologies in the field.
10. Capstone Project in Media and Visual Arts
    • A real-world project to apply acquired skills in creating a media or visual art project.
    • Techniques to present comprehensive and impactful creative work.

Assessment Methods:

Digital media productions, graphic design projects, film and video projects, photography portfolios, interactive media designs, research papers, group projects, and internships.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Digital Media: Tools and Techniques" by Stephen Morris.
• "Graphic Design: The New Basics" by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips.
• "Film Art: An Introduction" by David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson.
• "Photography: The Quick Guide" by Tom Ang.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of visual arts, media techniques, and creative software. Suitable for students interested in media, visual arts, graphic design, film, photography, and related fields.

Duration of the Major:

Typically 4 years to earn a bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, and internships. Advanced degrees may take additional years.

Certification:

Graduates may earn a degree in media and visual arts and pursue professional certifications or further specialization in graphic design, filmmaking, photography, or digital media.

Target Audience:

Aspiring graphic designers, filmmakers, photographers, digital media producers, and artists seeking specialization in media and visual arts. This major equips students with the creative, technical, and practical skills needed to excel in media and visual arts, supporting advancements in visual communication, storytelling, and artistic expression.