The BA program in Media Production educates future media artists and creators by developing their professional production skills in a constructive and collaborative environment. Students learn to engage creativity as a way of knowing and a means through which to communicate complex ideas. Critical Studies courses help majors develop critical perspectives that place media practices within a broad cultural and historical continuum of innovation. Studio classes enable exploration of a diverse range of production topics, offering hands-on experience with a variety of media tools. Concentrations enable students to specialize in a particular practice area – documentary media, immersive media or sound – or create a blend through the integrative media option.

Program Tracks

Documentary Media Practices

The documentary media concentration provides students with the foundation to engage with their communities and find their voices as nonfiction artists and media producers. This concentration focuses on hands-on instruction and encourages collaboration, introducing students to the theories, practices and technologies associated with contemporary documentary media production. Students will learn how to implement techniques in the field to produce creative documentary projects and to develop an ethically informed, critically aware practice that harnesses the power of documentary media to build a better world.

Immersive Media Practices

We see the future of immersive storytelling as an active, connected, social and presence-inducing experience. The immersive media concentration is designed to introduce students to technologies and mediums of the future while providing a foundation for creative thinking, considerate design, aesthetic sensitivity and engaging storytelling. This concentration introduces students to new learning experiences through instruction and hands-on experience with the technologies and techniques necessary for producing meaningful and engaging immersive content. Students will learn to question and intervene in the designed spaces of immersive media with the goal of bringing critical awareness to their cultural, social and political impacts and significance.

Sound Practices

Students in this concentration learn the tools, techniques and technologies of sonic practices ranging from sound art to electronic music to podcast production. A focus on creating a practice of deep and critical listening and exposure to a diversity of sound practitioners challenges students to think creatively and conceptually about sound in order to broaden both their technological and conceptual understandings of sound and to enable them to engage constructively and creatively with sonic worlds.

Integrative Media Practices

This option allows students to build their own concentration blending aspects of multiple practice areas. This focus teaches students to engage an audience through visual storytelling using a variety of media tools, techniques and technologies.

Requirements

General Requirements

The entry point to the Media Production major is CMDP 1400 Introduction to Critical Media Practices, a foundational course in theory and practice. Students must earn a grade of C- or above in CMDP 1400 to move forward in the program.

CMDP 1400 is the prerequisite for all subsequent critical studies courses, including two additional required courses: CMDP 2100 and CMDP 3400.

CMDP 1400 is also the prerequisite for the first required studio course: CMDP 2500. Immediately after completing CMDP 2500 (with a grade of C- or above), majors are required to take the second Studio core course: CMDP 3600. Both courses are restricted to CMCI majors and minors.

CMDP 3600 is a corequisite for concentration gateway courses (CMDP 3750, CMDP 3800 and CMDP 3840) and the prerequisite for all upper-division studio courses, including the capstone.

Majors should declare their concentration no later than the end of the semester in which they take CMDP 3600.

Concentrations consist of three upper-division studio courses and one critical studies course. The documentary media, immersive media and sound concentrations begin with a required “gateway” course, which serves as the prerequisite for advanced studio courses in the concentration area. Students in the documentary media and sound concentrations must take a designated critical studies course. Students in immersive media and integrative media have an open critical studies elective.

Majors conclude the program by taking CMDP 4900 Media Practices Capstone. The Capstone course is restricted to majors only and should be taken in a student’s final semester.

Required Courses and Credits

Required Studio
CMDP 2500Media Practices I3
CMDP 3600Media Practices II3
CMDP 4900Media Practices Capstone3
Studio Elective Courses (Rotating Electives)
Select 6 credit hours of studio elective coursework (in addition to concentration requirements)6
Critical Media Practices Workshop I
Exploring Culture and Gender Through Film
Critical Media Practices Workshop II
Contemporary Image Making Practices
Images and Stories
Digital Photographic Practices
Audio/Vision 360
Multimedia Composition
Media Production Methods and Ideas
Introduction to Immersive Media
Documentary Media Poetics
Performance Media Practices
Advanced Performance Media Workshop
Sound Practices
Sonic Arts I
Hearing Image, Seeing Sound
Sound Art
Media Production Topics
Media Professional Seminar
Small Screen Storytelling
Media Environments
Introduction to Computational Media
Multimedia Sound
Collaborative Performance Media Making
Dance for Camera
Projection Practices
Installation and Performance Media
Digital Art and Emergent Technologies
Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality
Topics in Immersive Media
Advanced Documentary Practices
Topics in Documentary Media Practices
Undergraduate Independent Study
Sonic Arts II
Interactive Audiovisual Design
Sound and Technology
Topics in Sound Practices
Internship
Required Media Production Critical Studies Courses
CMDP 1400Introduction to Critical Media Practices4
CMDP 2100Approaches to Historical Media Practices3
CMDP 3400Media Aesthetics3
Concentration Courses
Select a 12 credit hour concentration (descriptions below)12
Total Credit Hours37

Secondary Area of Study

In addition to coursework required for the major, all students in MDPD must complete a secondary area of study outside of MDPD. This secondary area of study can be met by any of the following: a minor, a second major within CMCI, a double degree or any credit-based certificate program of at least 12 credit hours.

Concentration Areas 

Documentary Media Practices Concentration

In addition to completing basic major requirements, students complete an additional 9 credit hours of advanced studio coursework focusing on documentary storytelling and a concentration designated critical studies course.

Required Studio
CMDP 3800Documentary Media Poetics (required gateway)3
CMDP 4810Advanced Documentary Practices3
CMDP 4830Topics in Documentary Media Practices (3 credit hours in any topic)3
Concentration-Designated Studio Elective
CMDP 4830Topics in Documentary Media Practices3
Concentration-Designated Critical Studies Course
CMDP 3350Modes of Documentary Media History3

Immersive Media Practices Concentration 

In addition to completing basic major requirements, students complete an additional 9 credit hours of advanced studio coursework focusing on immersive media practices and complete a 3 credit hour critical studies elective of their choice.

Required Studio
CMDP 3750Introduction to Immersive Media (required gateway)3
Concentration-Designated Studio Electives
CMDP 3710Audio/Vision 3603
CMDP 4740Augmented Reality3
CMDP 4750Virtual Reality3
CMDP 4760Topics in Immersive Media3
Concentration-Designated Critical Studies Course Options
Information, Media and Technology
Research/Remix
Electronic Arts Survey
Sonic Histories
Interactive Digital Cultures
Histories of Animation
Performance Media Cultures
Modes of Documentary Media History
Critical Perspectives in Media Practices
Cultures of Digital Sound
Digital Archives in Media Practices
Screen Culture and Globalization
Media Engagement in Digital Diasporas
Topics in Contemporary Media Technologies

Sound Practices Concentration 

In addition to completing basic major requirements, students complete an additional 9 credit hours of advanced studio coursework focusing on music technology and a concentration designated critical studies course.

Required Studio
CMDP 3840Sound Practices (required gateway)3
Concentration-Designated Studio Electives
CMDP 3860Sonic Arts I3
CMDP 3880Hearing Image, Seeing Sound3
CMDP 3890Sound Art3
CMDP 4640Multimedia Sound3
CMDP 4860Sonic Arts II3
CMDP 4865Interactive Audiovisual Design3
CMDP 4870Sound and Technology3
CMDP 4880Topics in Sound Practices3
Concentration-Designated Critical Studies Course
CMDP 3150Sonic Histories3

Integrative Media Concentration 

Students follow the basic major requirements, but also select 9 credit hours of studio elective courses and an additional 3 credit hours of critical studies coursework.

Concentration-Designated Studio Electives9
Critical Media Practices Workshop I
Exploring Culture and Gender Through Film
Critical Media Practices Workshop II
Contemporary Image Making Practices
Images and Stories
Digital Photographic Practices
Audio/Vision 360
Multimedia Composition
Media Production Methods and Ideas
Introduction to Immersive Media
Documentary Media Poetics
Advanced Performance Media Workshop
Performance Media Practices
Sound Practices
Sonic Arts I
Hearing Image, Seeing Sound
Media Production Topics
Small Screen Storytelling
Media Environments
Introduction to Computational Media
Multimedia Sound
Collaborative Performance Media Making
Dance for Camera
Projection Practices
Installation and Performance Media
Digital Art and Emergent Technologies
Virtual Reality
Topics in Immersive Media
Advanced Documentary Practices
Undergraduate Independent Study
Sonic Arts II
Sound and Technology
Internship
Concentration-Designated Critical Studies Course Options3
Information, Media and Technology
Research/Remix
Electronic Arts Survey
Sonic Histories
Interactive Digital Cultures
Histories of Animation
Performance Media Cultures
Modes of Documentary Media History
Critical Perspectives in Media Practices
Cultures of Digital Sound
Digital Archives in Media Practices
Screen Culture and Globalization
Media Engagement in Digital Diasporas
Topics in Contemporary Media Technologies

Sample Four-Year Plans of Study

Documentary Concentration 

Students follow the basic major requirements and complete the 3 credit-hour Documentary Concentration Gateway course CMDP 3800, 6 credit hours of Documentary Concentration Studio courses, and 3 credit hours of Documentary Concentration-designated Critical Studies CMDP 3350.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) 4
CMDP 1400 Introduction to Critical Media Practices 4
Quantitative Thinking 3
Lower Division Writing 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) 3
CMDP 2100 Approaches to Historical Media Practices 3
CMDP 2500 Media Practices I 3
CMCI Core Computing 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall Semester
CMDP 3400 Media Aesthetics 3
CMDP 3600 Media Practices II 3
CMCI Core (Natural World) 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
(CMDP3800) Documentary Concentration Gateway 3
(CMDP3350) Critical Studies Elective 3
CMCI Core (Natural World w/Lab) 4
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Three
Fall Semester
(CMDP4810) Documentary Concentration Required Studio 3
CMDP Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or electives (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 7
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
(CMDP4830) Documentary Concentration Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 9
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall Semester
CMDP Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 6
Secondary Area 6
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
CMDP 4900 Media Practices Capstone 3
CMCI Core and elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 8
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours120

Immersive Media Concentration 

Students follow the basic major requirements and take 9 credit hours of CMDP coursework focusing on immersive media practices such as virtual and augmented reality. Students take CMDP 3750 Introduction to Immersive Media and 6 credit hours of concentration electives.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) 4
CMDP 1400 Introduction to Critical Media Practices 4
Quantitative Thinking 3
Lower Division Writing 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
CMDP 2100 Approaches to Historical Media Practices 3
CMDP 2500 Media Practices I 3
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) 3
CMCI Core Computing 3
CMCI Core or electives (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall Semester
CMDP 3400 Media Aesthetics 3
CMDP 3600 Media Practices II 3
CMCI Core (Natural World) 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
(CMDP3750) Immersive Concentration Gateway 3
CMDP Critical Studies Elective 3
CMCI Core (Natural World w/Lab) 4
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Three
Fall Semester
CMDP Immersive Concentration Studio Elective 3
CMDP Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 7
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
CMDP Immersive Concentration Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 9
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall Semester
CMDP Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 6
Secondary Area 6
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
CMDP 4900 Media Practices Capstone 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 8
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours120

Sound Practices Concentration 

Students follow the basic major requirements and complete the 3 credit hour Sound Concentration Gateway CMDP 3840, 6 credit hours of Sound Concentration Studio courses, and 3 credit hours of Sound-designated Critical Studies CMDP 3150.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) 4
CMDP 1400 Introduction to Critical Media Practices 4
Quantitative Thinking 3
Lower Division Writing 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
CMDP 2100 Approaches to Historical Media Practices 3
CMDP 2500 Media Practices I 3
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) 3
CMCI Core Computing 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall Semester
CMDP 3400 Media Aesthetics 3
CMDP 3600 Media Practices II 3
CMCI Core (Natural World) 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
(CMDP3840) Sound Concentration Gateway 3
(CMDP3150) CMDP Critical Studies Elective 3
CMCI Core (Natural World w/Lab) 4
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Three
Fall Semester
CMDP Sound Practices Concentration Studio Elective 3
CMDP Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 7
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
CMDP Sound Practices Concentration Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 9
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall Semester
CMDP Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 6
Secondary Area 6
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
CMDP 4900 Media Practices Capstone 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 8
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours120

Integrative Media Practices Concentration 

Students follow the basic major requirements and select an additional 9 credit hours of studio electives that are approved for their Integrative Media Practices Concentration individualized plan of study.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) 4
CMDP 1400 Introduction to Critical Media Practices 4
Quantitative Thinking 3
Lower Division Writing 3
 Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
CMDP 2100 Approaches to Historical Media Practices 3
CMDP 2500 Media Practices I 3
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Elective (3) 3
CMCI Core Computing 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall Semester
CMDP 3400 Media Aesthetics 3
CMDP 3600 Media Practices II 3
CMCI Core (Natural World) 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
CMDP Integetative Concentration Approved Studio Elective 3
CMDP Critical Studies Elective 3
CMCI Core (Natural World w/Lab) 4
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 3
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours16
Year Three
Fall Semester
CMDP Integrative Concentration Approved Studio Elective 3
CMDP Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 7
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
CMDP Integrative Concentration Approved Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 9
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall Semester
CMDP Studio Elective 3
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 6
Secondary Area 6
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
CMDP 4900 Media Practices Capstone 3
CMCI Core or electives (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) 8
Secondary Area 3
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours120

Learning Outcomes 

Upon completing the program, students will have:

  • Knowledge of, and the ability to use, the creative process as a way of knowing.
  • Understanding of how to critically engage media making as experience, cognition and world-making.
  • The ability to self-reflect on their roles within communication networks.
  • The ability to collaborate on the conception and production of innovative works.
  • Appreciation of their role as they engage with their communities, carefully considering how their work shapes society and culture.
  • The ability to initiate conversations about pressing issues that transcend cultural and national divides, and communicate with diverse audiences to bring about systemic change through media, communication and information.