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COMM
242
Basic Video/Filmmaking ⬇
Basic Video/Filmmaking (3) COMM 242 is an introductory course that emphasizes the development of creative expression and technical skills in digital film production. Students will explore modes of moving image representation through screenings, lectures, discussions, and especially through hands-on digital filmmaking. Students are required to construct projects that have both clear intentions and technically competent execution.
The work of the course will facilitate the development of basic skills in image design, editing, and writing as they apply to single camera techniques for documentary, narrative, and experimental film modes. The course will also provide a basic cultural and historical context for the various production modes, and students will be encouraged to consider their own projects in relation to the work of other video and film artists.
Creative collaboration and group critique are essential elements of the course. Students will be required to produce some collaborative projects, and to respond critically to the work of the other students in the course. Students will make projects using digital film cameras, microphones, portable lighting, and nonlinear editing stations.
3
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COMM
481
Advanced Multimedia Production ⬇
Advanced work in multimedia production using web authoring, video editing, audio editing, image editing and animation software. COMM 481 Advanced Multimedia Production (3)This course builds on the foundations of multimedia production developed in COMM 270 giving students the opportunities to create multimedia website projects.
Students will apply advanced multimedia concepts and techniques to website production and demonstrate versatility in multimedia software. Working individually and in teams, students will develop projects for clients using multimedia software, including web authoring, video editing, audio editing, image editing and animation software. These projects will be uploaded to the World Wide Web, and will serve as portfolio materials for the students. This course emphasizes skills development in multimedia and visual media in
support of program objective to help students develop cross-media skills and versatility in media.
3
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DART
100
Introduction to Digital Arts and Media Design ⬇
DART 100 Introduction to Digital Arts and Media Design (3) This course introduces students to concepts, skills, language and principles of practice in digital arts and design. This course introduces concepts and principles of practice necessary for digital arts and media design creative research and production.
Students develop technical and critical proficiencies in design by applying problem-solving skills and exploring issues and ideas in digital arts and design; this is achieved by completing a series of individual and collaborative projects in a hands-on, digital studio setting
3
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DART
102N
Introduction to 2D Digital Art and Technology ⬇
DART 102N Introduction to 2d Digital Art and Technology (3) A General Education Integrative Studies, digital arts course introducing 2D graphics software through explorations of the 2d digital art medium. This is a General Education Integrative Studies, digital arts course introducing 2D graphics software through the creation of original digital artwork and the exploration of the 2d digital art medium. Course content explores technology, digital art, and visual culture, and concepts of identity, digital culture, and propaganda.
Students create original artwork using graphic software such as Adobe Photoshop. They acquire skills and methods of research and development, creative production, critical review, reflection, and strategies for revision. Learning focuses on problem solving, exploration of creative options, visual
communication, critique of images and ideas, and reflective writing. Students apply this process of visual research as a personal means of exploring topical issues and ideas, responding in informed ways to the images created by others, and reacting critically and creatively to the visual world around them. The course looks at topics such as the impact of technology on personal identity and community practices as they are represented in the mix of visual culture.
Methods of visual expression and graphic communication such as advertising, messaging and propaganda are examined and critically analyzed as cultural practices that serve many purposes, from education, entertainment, marketing, and politics. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the creative use of digital technologies in responding critically and imaginatively to this changing visual world of image, text and story in which they live. By developing original digital artwork, students learn
to formulate and communicate their ideas related to the course topics from a personal perspective and build an understanding of how they make an impact on a world beyond the classroom.
3
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DART
202
Digital Art and Computer Graphics ⬇
DART 202 2D Digital Arts and Computer Graphics (3) Introduces 2D digital imaging techniques and concepts for the production of original art and design using graphics software. This course will introduce 2D digital art and design concepts and computer graphics imaging techniques for artists and designers through creative exploration of the medium using industry standard software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Students look at key concepts relating to art and digital culture, identity and visual culture through the development of conceptual criticality, creativity and problem solving to better understand how to express ideas visually in interesting ways. The course also looks at the impact of technology on visual culture and the relevance to artistic creation. In developing their artwork, students will learn to formulate their own ideas
in relation to the topics and build an understanding of how they relate to them beyond the classroom.
The course provides students the requisite 2D computer graphics and conceptual skills to take more advanced new media, digital arts and media design courses in the School of Visual Arts.
3
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DART
203
3D Digital Arts and Design Fundamentals ⬇
DART 203 3D Digital Art and Design Fundamentals (3) Introduces 3D foundational skills for producing images, videos, objects, and interactive real-time virtual spaces with 3D software. This course will introduce 3D digital art and design foundational skills, concepts, and methodologies for producing images, videos, objects, and interactive real-time virtual spaces using 3D software.
Student will master and apply 3D tools in exploring creative expression, design possibilities, and effective and compelling means of communication. 3D design concepts and tools extend the means by which we respond to change in a purposeful way ¿ connected to a wide range of media formats that create, communicate, and respond to new ideas, forms, and questions.
In this course, students will respond to project and exercise prompts through the production of
textured polygonal surfaces, animated 3D scenes, image and video renders, and thoughtful critique. Students will engage with readings and film screenings through discussions and writing to encourage critical understanding and reflection.
Students will come away from this course with a broad repertoire of creative design approaches and the ability to apply digital 3D production concepts, methodologies, and skills in publishing creative works in a variety of media settings including the web, film, print, and product design. The course provides students the requisite 3D computer graphics and conceptual skills to take more advanced new media, digital arts and media design courses in the School of Visual Arts.
3
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DART
204
Animation Fundamentals ⬇
Animation Fundamentals (3) Introduces time-based animation fundamentals along with core skills and knowledge necessary for producing animated work. This course focuses on creative work that is grounded in fundamentals and engages students in studio-based research methods to advance their skills and critical competence in time-based media.
Students are introduced to core skills and knowledge necessary for producing animated works that communicate ideas, enhance user interface and interaction, and inspire critical reflection. Through a series of animation exercises students apply visual digital concepts in the creation of original animated projects that are further enhanced by critical responses to screenings and discussions of key texts about animation. Initial exercises cover animation principles and tools, creating assets, production planning, layout
and composition, keyframes, transformation and deformation, and interpolation. Character animation design and development, rigging, asset preparation, cameras are covered, along with various forms of interface prototypes such as interaction design, wireframes, interface elements.
Students are also introduced to typography, sound design and Foley, motion design, color, masking, post effects, and color grading. Later in the course, students also develop a series of more ambitious animation projects using an iterative design process that further develops their digital competencies and creative and critical capabilities in time-based media.
3
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DART
314
Arts and Time Based Media ⬇
Video Art and Time-Based Media (4 per semester/maximum of 8) A digital arts studio course that focuses on video art, new media and time-based work. This digital arts course provides an in-depth studio experience in video art and time-based media production through the creative exploration of the medium.
The course will engage art and design students on the principles, methods and relevant technologies to help advance critical competencies and technical proficiencies with an emphasis on integrating digital video and time-based media into current studio practice.
4
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DIGIT
409
Advanced Digital Creation ⬇
Students will develop 3d digital creation skills in relation to their field(s) of study. DIGIT 409: Advanced Digital Creations is a problem-based learning class that uses the digital media concepts and tools introduced in Art 168 to develop an in-depth understanding of 3d digital art. They will enhance their creative and philosophical sensibilities in the technology, software, and media relevant to the field (s) of study they are pursuing. Through a series of learning problems, students will synthesize advanced skills and knowledge needed to accomplish techniques used in the creation of digital 3d imagery.
They will integrate 3d sculpting, modeling, animation, and/or painting practices with computer-based image processing for creative, and professionally oriented results. They will develop critical and conceptual sensibilities needed to discuss and
evaluate their work and the work of others using these methods. Students will identify, research, and analyze effective professional and creative practices in the field of digital creativity with emphasis on developing skillful digital processing techniques. These practices include creating mockups of concepts, art-making practices for enhanced digital workflow, and choosing the 3d processing techniques most appropriate for the end-use of the work.
The digital medium has a relatively short history, however, as the advancement of digital technology continues these techniques have entered the popular mainstream. This shift has raised challenges in graphic-reliant fields such as the arts, engineering, advertising, simulation, and gaming. This course will give students of these fields the opportunity to develop their artistic skills further than possible in Art 168. Students will analyze and assess the factors related to their fields in in order to make sound design
decisions.
3
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DIGIT
497
Special Topics
3
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GD
100
Introduction to Graphic Design⬇
A beginning level graphic design course. Instruction touches on the practice, theories, history and processes of the graphic design industry. GD 100 Introduction to Graphic Design (3) (GA) GD 100 (GA) INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC DESIGN (3) is a beginning level graphic design course. Instruction touches on the practice, history, theories, and analysis of the design industry. This course places emphasis on problem solving and observing design, while developing intuition and creativity.
Projects focus on the process of defining the parameters of a design problem, observing examples within the design industry, and critically evaluating examples of effective and ineffective design.The course will help students to: 1. Understand the graphic design industry and the responsibilities of the profession. 2. Develop an appreciation for the practice of design. 3.
Begin to develop the ability to define and solve problems. 4. Increase their knowledge of the history of graphic design and typography. 5. Refine their conceptual skills.6. Learn and understand the vernacular of the industry.
Students will be quizzed on terminology and important facts provided in the readings.
3
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INART
050
Science of Music⬇
Waves, physics of sound, hearing, musical scales, musical instruments, and room acoustics. INART 050 The Science of Music (3) (GN)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. This course explores the physical and acoustical bases of sound and music.The physics include a study of vibrating systems and simple harmonic motion, wave propagation, reflection and refraction, superposition, resonant frequencies, harmonics, phase, the relationship of speed and velocity, and spectra. The acoustics portion applies these physical properties to hearing, sound and music, covering the nature of the human auditory system, and correlations of pitch to frequency, loudness to amplitude/power/intensity, timbre to spectra and envelope. An overview of perceptual psychological studies of Gestalt organizational principles and auditory streaming explores how the auditory
system organizes sound on a primitive, unlearned level.
NOTE: there need be no specific math prerequisite for the course. Though high school algebra and trigonometry will be recommended, these topics will be integrated with the rest of the course material.With physical and physiological groundwork laid, the subject matter movea to purely musical areas: the construction of musical scales, the nature of consonance, dissonance, and harmony. Twelve-tone equal temperament, the basis of Western common practice music, is not an absolute, but a decision made to facilitate certain musical choices, and a compromise in terms of optimal consonance.
The nature of the different instruments is then discussed - strings, winds, brass, percussion, and voice. Different instruments naturally produce different scale types and different types of spectra. Students will learn to appreciate the inherent differences in different instrument types.The course then returns to acoustics,
exploring the role that performance spaces play in the propagation and reception of sound. The shape and materials of a room determine its characteristic sound.
Students learn about how sound in large auditoriums is characterized by the balance of direct and reflected sound, the distinction between specular and diffuse reflections, the absorptive properties of different building materials, and the nature of reverberation. Smaller performance spaces are subject to standing waves, flutter echo, and comb filtering.
Taking steps to avoid undesirable characteristics is often an easy matter once the nature of these characteristics is understood. The final weeks cover audio technology and the distinctions between analog and digital formats.
3
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INART
236
Integrating Music and Animation with Technology ⬇
An introduction to the theory, design and creation of musical animations.
3
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INART
258A
Fundamentals of Digital Audio ⬇
A thorough introduction to digital music production technologies, covering fundamentals of how digital musical information is stored, processed and transmitted. INART 258A Fundamentals of Digital Audio (3) (GA)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
A thorough introduction to digital music production technologies, covering the fundamentals of how musical information is stored and transmitted in digital devices.This course is meant for people who are passionate about working with sound, and who are willing to take on new technical and creative challenges in audio production.
It is the pre-requisite for many more advanced courses in music technology and audio production. Students complete a series of low-stakes audio exercises on fundamental operations, a series of written responses to questions on the underlying
theory of digital audio, and a small number of extended creative projects.The software used is at the level of professional audio production workstations. Students complete the course with a set of vocational skills in computer music and audio.
3
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MUSIC
008
Rudiments of Music ⬇
Introduction to the elements of music: notation, scales, meter, rhythm, intervals; basic chord structure, cadences. MUSIC 8 Rudiments of Music (3) (GA)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. Learning the rudiments of music can be compared to the learning of a language. Students must learn to hear melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic patterns (audiation) before they sing, play or write in notation.
In this introductory class, students are introduced to melodic, harmonic and rhythmic patterns by imitating the instructor who establishes these patterns at the piano, or by singing or as in the case of rhythm by striking a drum head. Eventually students will take turns "tossing" these patterns to teach other. Basic skills of improvisation can also be taught at this level of audiation by having students expand upon the basic patterns.
As a
result of these creative and aesthetic experiences, students will be able to translate the audiation of patterns into musical notation - moving from the smallest unit of a rhythmic motive towards the creation of a coherent rhythmic phrase. Similarly, at the melodic level, the student will begin with intervallic patterns and move towards the creation of a coherent melodic phrase. Intervals are then combined vertically to form harmonies.
At the next stage of learning, students will learn to identify and to write that which they are hearing in dictation.This course in "musical literacy" enables students: (1) to deepen their appreciation of music (2) to begin studying a musical instrument and (3) to enter the rigorous study of music theory required of music majors.
3
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MUSIC
458
Electronic Music Composition ⬇
An introduction to the art of composition in the electronic audio medium. MUSIC 458 Electronic Music Composition (3)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements.
Music 458 will focus on the creative craft of musical composition in the medium of electronic audio. Topics covered will include but not be limited to: recording, MIDI and digital audio techniques, study of literature and the investigation of the creative process in musical composition.
Students are expected to enter the class with strong fundamentals in both music theory and MIDI and digital audio. The student will be expected to complete several projects that demonstrate both their creativity and their technical competence in the medium.
3