For the Bachelor of Arts in Media Production, students will first complete foundational courses in theory and practice and then take advanced courses in media production and critical studies.
Students from within or outside the College of Media, Communication and Information (CMCI) can pursue coursework within the Department of Critical Media Practices (DCMP), provided they meet course prerequisites, though seating priority is given to declared majors.
Program Tracks
Once the basic requirements are completed, students in this major may elect to focus on one of five areas of concentration:
- Integrative media
- Documentary
- Sound practices
- Performance media
- Immersive media
Requirements
General Requirements
Students will take the foundational courses in theory and practice, CMDP 1400 and CMDP 2500, before proceeding to advanced courses in media production. Critical studies courses require that students take CMDP 1400.
In addition to the basic requirements, students in this major may elect to focus on a specific area of concentration (Documentary, Sound Practices, Immersive Media or Performance Media). Students may also elect to follow a comprehensive approach to media production (Integrative Media Practices) provided by a 9-credit-hour elective structure. Students from within or outside the college may pursue coursework within CMDP, provided they meet course prerequisites, though seating priority is given to declared majors. With advisor and faculty guidance, CMDP majors may elect to design a 12-credit-hour concentration derived from areas within the college.
All students will be required to take the capstone course Concepts and Practices of Contemporary Media (CMDP 4900) in their final year. Students are encouraged to take the capstone course during their final semester.
Required Courses and Credits
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Required Studio Courses | ||
CMDP 2500 | Introduction to Media Practices | 3 |
CMDP 3600 | Creative Media Making | 3 |
CMDP 4900 | Concepts and Practices of Contemporary Media | 3 |
Studio Electives 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 | ||
CMDP 2860 | ||
CMDP 2870 | ||
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 | ||
3D for Extended Realities: Animation | ||
Introduction to Extended Realities | ||
Documentary Media Poetics | ||
Engaged Documentary Media Practices | ||
Performance Media Practices | ||
Advanced Performance Media Workshop | ||
Sound Practices | ||
Sonic Arts I | ||
Hearing Image, Seeing Sound | ||
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 | ||
Advanced Virtual Reality | ||
Topics in Immersive Media | ||
Advanced Documentary Practices | ||
Ethnographic Media | ||
Undergraduate Independent Study | ||
Sonic Arts II | ||
Sound and Technology | ||
Internship | ||
Required Media Production Critical Studies Courses | ||
CMDP 1400 | Introduction to Contemporary Media Cultures | 4 |
CMDP 2100 | Approaches to Historical Media Practices | 3 |
CMDP 3400 | Media Aesthetics | 3 |
Media Production Critical Studies Electives (Rotating Electives) | ||
Select 3 credit hours from the following or a CMDP concentration: | 3 | |
Information, Media and Technology | ||
Electronic Arts Survey | ||
Sonic Histories | ||
Interactive Digital Cultures | ||
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 | ||
Topics in Contemporary Media Technologies | ||
Concentration Courses | ||
Select a 9 credit hour concentration (descriptions below) | 9 | |
Total Credit Hours | 37 |
Concentration Areas
Integrative Media Practices Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements, but also select 9 credit hours of studio elective courses (in addition to the required core studio elective courses).
Documentary Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements and complete 9 credit hours of coursework within CMDP focusing on documentary storytelling. For this concentration students take the gateway course CMDP 3800 Documentary Media Poetics, followed by 6 credit hours of coursework selected from the following options:
- CMDP 3810 Engaged Documentary Media Practices
- CMDP 4810 Advanced Documentary Practices
- CMDP 4820 Ethnographic Media
Sound Practices Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements and complete 9 credit hours of coursework within CMDP focusing on Music Technology. For this concentration students take the gateway course CMDP 3840 Sound Practices, followed by 6 credit hours of coursework selected from the following options:
- CMDP 3860 Sonic Arts I
- CMDP 4860 Sonic Arts II
- CMDP 4870 Sound and Technology
- CMDP 3880 Hearing Image, Seeing Sound
Performance Media Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements and complete 9 credit hours of coursework within CMDP focusing on Performance Practice. For this concentration students take the gateway course CMDP 3820 Performance Media Practices, followed by 6 credit hours of coursework selected from the following options:
- CMDP 3830 Advanced Performance Media Workshop
- CMDP 4620 Media Environments
- CMDP 4650 Collaborative Performance Media Making
- CMDP 4660 Dance for Camera
- CMDP 4720 Installation and Performance Media
Immersive Media Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements, but instead of taking electives they complete 9 credit hours of coursework within CMDP focusing on Immersive Media Practices such as virtual and augmented reality. For this concentration students take the gateway course CMDP 3750 Introduction to Extended Realities, followed by six credit hours of coursework selected from the following options:
- CMDP 4750 Advanced Virtual Reality
- CMDP 3740 3D for Extended Realities: Animation
- CMDP 3710 Audio/Vision 360
- CMDP 4760 Topics in Immersive Media
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.
Sample Four-Year Plans of Study
Integrative Media Practices Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements and select 9 credit hours of studio elective courses (in addition to the core studio elective courses).
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) | 4 | |
CMDP 1400 | Introduction to Contemporary Media Cultures | 4 |
Quantitative Thinking | 3 | |
Lower Division Writing | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Elective (3) | 3 | |
CMDP 2100 | Approaches to Historical Media Practices | 3 |
CMDP 2500 | Introduction to Media Practices | 3 |
CMCI Core Computing | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3400 | Media Aesthetics | 3 |
Concentration Studio Elective Course | 3 | |
CMCI Core (Natural World) | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
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 Hours | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3600 | Creative Media Making | 3 |
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 7 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 9 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 6 | |
Secondary Area | 6 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CMDP 4900 | Concepts and Practices of Contemporary Media | 3 |
CMCI Core or electives (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 8 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
Documentary Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements and complete 9 credit hours coursework within CMDP focusing on documentary storytelling. They also take CMDP 3800 Documentary Media Poetics and 6 credit hours of concentration electives.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) | 4 | |
CMDP 1400 | Introduction to Contemporary Media Cultures | 4 |
Quantitative Thinking | 3 | |
Lower Division Writing | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
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 | Introduction to Media Practices | 3 |
CMCI Core Computing | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3400 | Media Aesthetics | 3 |
CMDP 3800 | Documentary Media Poetics | 3 |
CMCI Core (Natural World) | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
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 Hours | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3600 | Creative Media Making | 3 |
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or electives (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 7 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 9 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 6 | |
Secondary Area | 6 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CMDP 4900 | Concepts and Practices of Contemporary Media | 3 |
CMCI Core and elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 8 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
Sound Practices Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements and complete 9 credit hours of coursework within CMDP focusing on music technology. Students take CMDP 3840 Sound Practices and 6 credit hours of concentration electives.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) | 4 | |
CMDP 1400 | Introduction to Contemporary Media Cultures | 4 |
Quantitative Thinking | 3 | |
Lower Division Writing | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
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 | Introduction to Media Practices | 3 |
CMCI Core Computing | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3400 | Media Aesthetics | 3 |
CMDP 3840 | Sound Practices | 3 |
CMCI Core (Natural World) | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
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 Hours | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3600 | Creative Media Making | 3 |
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 7 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 9 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 6 | |
Secondary Area | 6 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CMDP 4900 | Concepts and Practices of Contemporary Media | 3 |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 8 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
Performance Media Concentration
Students follow the basic major requirements and complete 9 credit hours of coursework within CMDP focusing on performance media. Students take CMDP 3820 Performance Media Practices and 6 credit hours of concentration electives.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) | 4 | |
CMDP 1400 | Introduction to Contemporary Media Cultures | 4 |
Quantitative Thinking | 3 | |
Lower Division Writing | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
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 | Introduction to Media Practices | 3 |
CMCI Core Computing | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3400 | Media Aesthetics | 3 |
CMDP 3820 | Performance Media Practices | 3 |
CMCI Core (Natural World) | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
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 Hours | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3600 | Creative Media Making | 3 |
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 7 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 9 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 6 | |
Secondary Area | 6 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CMDP 4900 | Concepts and Practices of Contemporary Media | 3 |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 8 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
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 Extended Realities and 6 credit hours of concentration electives.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credit Hours | |
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) | 4 | |
CMDP 1400 | Introduction to Contemporary Media Cultures | 4 |
Quantitative Thinking | 3 | |
Lower Division Writing | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CMDP 2100 | Approaches to Historical Media Practices | 3 |
CMCI 1040: Foundational Concepts and Creativity in Media, Communication, and Information (4) or CMCI Core or Elective (3) | 3 | |
CMDP 2500 | Introduction to Media Practices | 3 |
CMCI Core Computing | 3 | |
CMCI Core or electives (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3400 | Media Aesthetics | 3 |
CMDP 3750 Introduction to Extended Realities | 3 | |
CMCI Core (Natural World) | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 3 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
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 Hours | 16 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall Semester | ||
CMDP 3600 | Creative Media Making | 3 |
Concentration Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 7 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 9 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Core Studio Elective | 3 | |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 6 | |
Secondary Area | 6 | |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CMDP 4900 | Concepts and Practices of Contemporary Media | 3 |
CMCI Core or elective (P/S; H & A; Hist V; Div & Global) | 8 | |
Secondary Area | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
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.