October 28, 1998
To: The University Senate
From: Jeffrey Huberman
Re: Subcommittee on Curriculum
The Subcommittee on Curriculum reviewed and approved the requests noted below. These were forwarded to the Curriculum and Regulations Committee for appropriate action. The following summary is provided for your action/information.
Major addition
Minor addition
Multimedia
Capabilities for a new era of effective communication are presented by expanding electronic technologies. Interchange of information is being reconceptualized with the ability to integrate text, still images, video, and sound into non-linear, interactive computer-mediated environments. The College of Communications and Fine Arts is proposing a multimedia major and minor to equip students for this arena. Multimedia is defined as the artistic and strategic communication of text, audio, graphics, photography, video, animation, and other media, combined in an interactive non-linear, computer-mediated format.
The program will be marketed to two particular groups of students. The first target group consists of students preparing to be professional multimedia producers including multimedia designers, web designers, developers of education/motivational/training products. The second group includes students who are consumers of multimedia; those whose purchasing and political decisions are greatly influenced by multimedia communication packages.
CFA faculty have expertise in the following areas of communication important to this proposal: communication and rhetorical theory and analysis, graphic design, photography, music, video, and drama. The proposed program is an integrated sequence leading to a major or minor.
A committee was charged with study of multimedia programs found in other institutions as well as opportunities on campus. The committee recommends the following components for the multimedia major and minor.
Multimedia Major Requirements (52 semester hours)
Core (40 semester hours)
ART 105, Two dimensional Design 3 sh
ART 205, Basic Graphic Design or
ART 227, Basic Graphic Design 3 sh
ART 240, Design History Survey 3 sh
COM 204, Audio Production 3 sh
COM 335, Introduction to Video: Field Production 3 sh
COM 365, Digital Photogaphy* 3 sh
MM 113, Introduction to Media Production* 3 sh
MM 213, Basic Multimedia Authoring* 4 sh
MM 250, Introduction to New Media Theory* 3 sh
MM 313, Intermediate Multimedia Authoring* 3 sh
MM 413, Advanced Multimedia Authoring* 3 sh
MM 450, Building Multimedia Theory* 3 sh
MM 460, Design for the World Wide Web* 3 sh
40 sh
*proposed courses
Specialization (Select 12 semester hours)
ART 260, Basic Graphic Design 3 sh
ART 225, Photography I 3 sh
ART 226, Photography II 3 sh
ART 305/6, Graphic Design Studio 3-6 sh
ART 405/6, Graphic Design Studio 3-6 sh
CFA 302, Cooperative Education/Internship in
Communication 0-6 sh
CS 121, Introduction to Data Structures 3 sh
CS 500, Multimedia, Internet and Applications 3 sh
COM 200, Communication Writing 3 sh
COM 399, Communication in Computer-mediated
Environments 3 sh
MM 470, Digital Animation* 3 sh
MM 490, Independent Study 1-3 sh
MM 491, Special Topics in Multimedia* 1-4 sh
MUS 161, Music Theory 2 sh
MUS 250, Introduction to Music Technology 3 sh
SOC 421, The Culture of Cyberspace 3 sh
Suggested Electives
ART 142, Survey of World Art II 3 sh
ART 245, Survey of Art History IV 3 sh
BUS 210, Team Dynamics 1 sh
COM 207, Communication in Small Groups 3 sh
COM 314, Introduction to Video: Studio Production 3 sh
COM 491, Topic in Communication-Media Management 3 sh
COM 492, Seminar in Communication 1-3 sh
MUS 109, Music Appreciation 3 sh
MUS 350, Intermediate Music Technology 3 sh
THE 498, Interactive Theatrical Performance 1 sh
Multimedia Minor
16-19 semester hours
ART 105, Two-dimensional Design 3 sh
ART 227, Basic Graphic Design 3 sh
COM/MM 113, Introduction to Media Production** 3 sh
COM/MM 213, Basic Multimedia Authoring 4 sh
MM 250, Introduction to New Media Theory* 3 sh
MM 313, Intermediate Multimedia Authoring* 3 sh
19 sh
* proposed courses
** Students can get credit for COM/MM 113 through credit by exam.
Students may request admission to the major upon completion of the following requirements and a successful portfolio review:
Students will submit a portfolio when they are requesting admission to the major which can be done once the above requirements are met. The portfolio will contain representative works for faculty review. If unsuccessful, students will have one more opportunity to resubmit the portfolio for reconsideration in the next semester enrolled. Fifteen new students are anticipated each year in the major.
The program will be assigned to a program within the College rather than constructing a new department. The committee also recommends that existing programs in departments be maintained Existing programs and faculty will remain within their appropriate areas with the understanding that some faculty will be co-appointed to the new multimedia program.
Initially the following factors have been identified as critical to the initiation of the program:
Modest start-up resources have been determined and have been allocated by the CFA Dean. Substantial growth of the program will be contingent upon additional resources, including faculty, supplies, equipment, and services.
Course additions
ART 240, Design History Survey, 3 sh
Course description: History of typography, graphic communication, and design. Cause and effect analysis involving cultural forces and design as well as the exploration of major historical movements leading to the emergence of contemporary design.
ART 240 will be a required course in the multimedia major and available as an elective for other programs. The course will be taught once a year with an anticipated enrollment of 15 students. ART 240 is a fundamental component of foundation studies in both the art major and the multimedia program. It will provide context, visual awareness, and knowledge of key events in the history of graphic communication and design that are necessary to grasp concepts basic to effective communication design involving any medium. The course will study how graphic design responded and affected international, social, political and technological developments since 1450. Emphasis will be on printed work from 1880 to 1970 and the relationship of that work to other visual arts and design disciplines. The course may include a studio component where projects are integrated with research. Evaluation will be through examinations and analysis of any required projects and research papers. There are currently three qualified faculty members available to teach the course. ART 240 will become a fundamental component of studies in the proposed multimedia program and an option for history studies in the Department of Art. There were no concerns expressed regarding duplication or overlapping of other offerings when the course was reviewed by other areas.
MM 250, Introduction to New Media Theory, 3 sh
Course description: Extracts and recombines fundamental aspects of art, communication, rhetorical, and computer theories to describe, explain, and understand new multimedia interaction environments.
Prerequisites: 12 hours earned
MM 250 responds to the way that new technologies change the way that citizens think, communicate and otherwise behave in social life by preparing students to live and work in this new environment by providing theoretical/conceptual understanding. The course is knowledge-based where the behavioral objectives are in terms of material learned. Evaluation will be done through written summaries of assigned material, examinations and a term paper in which students will integrate and apply material. The disciplines of Art, Communication, Rhetoric, and Computer Science will be receiving primary treatment in this course. Dr. Edward Lamoureux is qualified and available to teach this course.
MM 313, Intermediate Multimedia Authoring, 3 sh
Course description: Multimedia design and production using scriptable authoring and animation tools. Problems in interface design. Advanced media-creation applications. Virtual reality environments.
Prerequisites: COM/MM 213. Multimedia major, minor or consent of program director
MM 313 will be a required course in the multimedia program and available as an elective to other majors. It will be offered once a year with an anticipated enrollment of 15 students. The course is intended to be the third part in a four-part multimedia-authoring sequence which will be central to the proposed multimedia major. Basic exposure to the aesthetics and software environments essential to media production are the focus of MM 113. Researching a subject, acquiring appropriate media, basic navigational interfaces, and the authoring of a final product are covered in MM 213. MM 313, using this foundation, will introduce students to a professional-level multimedia authoring tool while reinforcing the aesthetic and theoretical groundwork presented in MM 213. Macromedia Director will be the professional-level multimedia authoring tool used. Student progress through learning Director will be measured with projects, a series of quizzes and tests. Students will study and discuss various problems in the aesthetic and functional concerns of interface design. Problems will be posed based upon the student's choice of multimedia subject for a semester project. Students will also acquire competencies in additional digital media-creation capabilities. Evaluation of the student's capabilities will be through analysis of their use within the final multimedia project. There are two qualified faculty members available to teach this course. The course does not duplicate any other offering on campus.
MM 413, Advanced Multimedia Authoring, 3 sh
Course description: Problems and solutions of multimedia authoring and human interface design. Advanced scripting solutions. Project design in the professional workplace.
Prerequisite: MM 313, majors only or consent of program director
MM 413 will be a required course in the multimedia program and available as an elective to other majors. It will be offered once a year with an anticipated enrollment of 15 students. The course is intended to be the last part in a four-part multimedia-authoring sequence which will be central to the proposed multimedia major. MM 413 will present problems and solutions requiring advanced scripting techniques. The professional relationships between and among teams of creative professionals and their clients will also be explored. Each student will contract with a real-world client to complete a professional-level multimedia CD-ROM. Lingo, Macromedia Director’s scripting language introduced in MM 313, will be explored in relationship to particular problems encountered in the students’ multimedia projects. This course will provide advanced instruction in a professional-level scriptable multimedia authoring tool within the context of creating a CD-ROM project for an actual client. Students will be expected to analyze the relationships, strategies, negotiations, and finances which are components of the professional multimedia authoring environment. Students will be evaluated by the results of the semester-long CD-ROM authoring project as well as by analysis of the reports submitted by the project’s client. Howard Goldbaum has researched and designed this class. The class has been taught as a topics class for two years by a professional multimedia designer and programmer. Both individuals are qualified and available to teach the course. The course does not duplicate any other offering on campus.
MM 450, Building Multimedia Theory, 3 sh
Course description: Reviews multimedia theory; introduces research in multimedia environments. Students complete state-of-the-art literature review of a multimedia theory relevant to their production work, then execute a research prospectus and pilot study.
Prerequisites: MM 213, 250; junior standing
MM 450 will be a required course in the multimedia program and available as an elective to other majors. It will be offered once a year with an anticipated enrollment of 10-15 students. This class is being proposed to prepare students to live and work in an environment that results from new technologies. New technologies change the way that citizens think, communicate and otherwise behave in social life. This course will provide the theoretical/conceptual understanding for students to live and work in this new environment. This is a partially knowledge-based course containing behavioral objectives related to the material. Students are expected to demonstrate a mastery of form and content for a state of the art literature review in multimedia/new media theory as well as complete a research prospectus and pilot study. Evaluation will be done through summaries of assigned material, examination, state-of-the-art literature, research prospectus and a pilot study. Edward Lamoureux is qualified and available to teach the course. The course does not duplicate any other offering on campus.
MM 460/ART 460, Design for the World Wide Web, 3 sh
Course description: A studio course exploring typographic and visual layout principles of interactive website design. Survey of the theory, history, and methods involved in creating effective web design solutions. Discussion of transitional strategies in response to developing technologies.
Prerequisites: ART 105, ART 205, or 227; ART 250; or consent of instructor
MM 460/ART 460 will be a required course in the multimedia program and available as an elective to other majors. It will be offered once a year with an anticipated enrollment of 15 students. The course will become a fundamental component of foundation studies in the multimedia program and is also being considered for inclusion as a concentration in graphic design in the Department of Art. The course will provide an introduction to HTML (Hyper Test Markup Language) and knowledge of theory and history of the world wide web. As a design studio course, the emphasis is typographic and visual layout principles involved in website design. It will provide basic concepts necessary for effective interactive communication via the web. Students will learn to effectively communicate on the Web, browser and platform compatibility and browser-safe colors as well as be introduced to advanced Web technologies. Students will be evaluated on their projects, the design proposal and work as team members in addressing client goals. Students will participate in real-world projects to develop a complete working site. Randy Livingston, Department of Art, is qualified and available to teach this course. The course does not duplicate any other offering on campus.
MM 470, Digital Animation, 3 sh
Course description: A studio course exploring computer modeling and animation. Survey of the theory, history, and practice involved with creating quality modeling for print media and also modeling and animation for time-based audio-visual media.
Prerequisite: ART 105, 106, 240 or consent of instructor
MM 470 will be an elective course in the multimedia program. It will be offered once a year with an anticipated enrollment of 15 students. MM 470 is proposed as an area of specialization in the Multimedia program as well as being considered for inclusion as a concentration in Graphic Design in the Department of Art. The course provides theory and practice of digital animation methods and technology. Studio projects will introduce the student to digital modeling and animation principles and methods. A range of projects will offer hands-on experience with lighting, characters, motion, and color. The class will emphasize the aesthetics and techniques for building, lighting, assigning surface attributes, and rendering of three-dimensional models that will be used to design and produce three-dimensional computer generated animations. Students will be evaluated through exams as well as by analysis of projects and reports submitted by the project's client. Students will be tested individually on operating procedures, terminology and concepts. Students will maintain journals of activities including evaluation of individual projects from conception to completion. Videotape, DVD or CD-ROM presentations will receive individual and group critiques. Randy Livingston, Department of Art, is qualified and available to teach this course. Mark Wood, a professional multimedia designer and programmer, is also qualified and available to teach the course. The course does not duplicate any other offering on campus.
MM 490, Independent Study, 1-3 sh
Course description: Individual scholarly research or advanced creative production investigating aspects of multimedia communication. May be repeated under different topics for a maximum of six hours. Requires application (available from the Program Director).
Prerequisite: junior standing and consent of program administrator and faculty member.
MM 490 will be an elective course available when needed. Independent study courses provide both students and faculty with curricular flexibility. Students can pursue topics of interest, which appear only in summary in traditional courses. Independent studies should highlight student self-motivation, organization skills, overall scholarship skills, writing, and/or production. Outcomes should be easily recognizable to competent faculty as advanced, thorough, insightful, enlightening, and effective. Independent study projects are proposed by students and presented to appropriate faculty. The proposal should specify the conceptual ground, content, procedural features for the study as well as the outcome of the project. Independent studies must be completed with the cooperation of a sponsoring faculty member approved by the multimedia program administrator. The offering does not duplicate any other offering on campus.
MM 491, Special Topics in Multimedia, 1-4 sh
Course description: Topics of special interest which may vary each time course is offered. May be repeated under different topics for a maximum of 8 hours credit. Topics and prerequisites stated in current Academic Handbook. Only three hours may be applied toward MM specialization requirements.
Prerequisites: junior standing; 9 hours in MM program core or specialization courses.
MM 491 will be an elective course available when needed. Only three hours may be applied toward the MM specialization requirements. It will be offered when needed with an anticipated enrollment of 10-15 students. Topics courses provide flexibility and enable faculty to keep program curricula fresh and cutting edge by developing new courses with the topics designation for the initial offerings. The topics designations enable faculty to offer specialized courses on a one or two time only basis as a method to bring new issues, trends, and practices into the curriculum. Special Topics proposed for MM 491 must be approved by the program administrator and also be presented to the CFA college curriculum committee. Evaluation methods will be depending on the special topics course being offered.
Course modifications
COM 113/MM 113, Introduction to Media Production, 3 sh, (PC NC)
Proposed course description: Tools and aesthetics of media production: word processing, photography, audio production, videography. Visual literacy. The desktop computer interface. Desktop publishing, presentation software, multimedia documents. Internet navigation and page production. Credit by examination available. Cross-listed as XXX 113.
Current number: COM 113
Current course description: Tools and aesthetics of media production: word processing, photography, audio production, videography. Visual literacy. The desktop computer interface. Desktop publishing, presentation software, multimedia documents.
COM 113, a core requirement in the Communications Department, will also be a core requirement in the Multimedia program's major. It is appropriate that it be cross-listed as MM 113.
COM 213/MM 213, Basic Multimedia Authoring, 4 sh (NC DC PC)
Proposed course description: Acquisition and computer processing of text, photographs, video and sound files. Incorporation of processed files into documents for computer multimedia. Solving problems in visual and multimedia communications assignments. Theories and cultural effects of visual communication and new media. Cross-listed as XXX 213
Proposed prerequisite: COM 113/MM 113 or equivalent experience in computer media.
Current course description: Acquisition and computer processing of text, photographs, video and sound files. Incorporation of processed files into documents for computer multimedia. Solving problems in visual and multimedia communications assignments. Theories and cultural effects of visual communication and new media.
Current prerequisite: COM 113 or equivalent experience in computer media.
COM 213 is a requirement in the COM Photography concentration and an elective in other COM concentrations. It will now become a core requirement in the Multimedia program's major. It is appropriate that it be cross-listed as MM 213.
COM 307, News Feature Writing, 3 sh (PC)
Course description: Writing local news features and special feature stories for Sunday supplements, magazine sections, and magazines.
Proposed prerequisites: COM 101, 113, 200, and 215
Current prerequisites: COM 101, 200, 213, and 215
The prerequisite of COM 213 needs to become COM 113. COM 113, a core requirement in the Communications Department, has taken the place of COM 213 in that curriculum. Any course which lists COM 213 as a prerequisite needs to list COM 113 instead.
COM 314, Introduction to Video: Studio Production, 3 sh (PC)
Course description: Television production techniques, theories, and fundamental skills as applied to studio production and instantaneous video editing. Preproduction planning, staging, and graphic production stressed. The course may not be taken concurrently with COM 335.
Proposed prerequisites: COM 113, 204
Current prerequisites: COM 204, 213
The prerequisite of COM 213 needs to become COM 113. COM 113, a core requirement in the Communications Department, has taken the place of COM 213 in that curriculum. Any course which lists COM 213 as a prerequisite needs to list COM 113 instead.
COM 325, Advertising Design and Production, 3 sh (PC)
Course description: Application of advertising principles and techniques in the design and preparation of ads for newspapers, posters, magazines, sales brochures, and direct marketing.
Proposed prerequisites: COM 113, 320
Current prerequisites: COM 113, COM 320; ART 227
The introduction of COM 113 into the core curriculum, plus the redesign of this class to include more exposure to computer-based graphic design programs and principles, has made the prerequisite of ART 227 unnecessary.
COM 335, Intro. to Video: Field Production, 3 sh (PC)
Course description: Use of portable field video production techniques (ENG/EFP) and post-production editing facilities for a variety of assignments in news, feature, and television commercial production. Aesthetics, visualization, and societal impact of the medium. This course may not be taken concurrently with COM 314.
Proposed prerequisites: COM 113, 200, 204; or consent of instructor
Current prerequisites: COM 200, 204, 213
The prerequisite of COM 213 needs to become COM 113. COM 113, a core requirement in the Communications Department, has taken the place of COM 213 in that curriculum. Any course which lists COM 213 as a prerequisite needs to list COM 113 instead. The list of prerequisites was originally designed to apply to the specific needs of COM Radio/TV majors. The new Multimedia majors required to take this class will have somewhat different needs and different preparation. Including "or consent of instructor" within the prerequisites will provide the required flexibility.
COM 365, Digital Photography, 3 sh (PC)
Course description: Photographic imaging using computers. Image acquisition by conventional means and by electronic cameras. Image scanning and digitization. Image processing using a variety of computer programs. Image enhancement, manipulation, and derivation. Technological, economic, and ethical implications of digital photographic imaging.
Proposed prerequisites: COM 113; or ART 225 and either ART 205 or ART 227
Current prerequisite: COM 213 or ART 225; COM 283 or ART 205
The prerequisite of COM 213 needs to become COM 113. COM 113, a core requirement in the Communications Department, has taken the place of COM 213 in that curriculum. Any course which lists COM 213 as a prerequisite needs to list COM 113 instead.
COM 283 has been dropped. The prerequisites are designed so the students will have exposure both to photography and to graphic arts computer applications. COM 113 accomplishes both goals. ART 225 (Photography I) and either ART 205 (Basic Graphic Design for majors) or ART 227 (Basic Graphic Design for non-majors) also provides appropriate preparation.
COM 425, Public Affairs Reporting, 3 sh (PC)
Course description: Reporting local, state, and federal administrations, courts, financing, education, boards, and commissions; urban affairs with emphasis on background and interpretation.
Proposed prerequisites: COM 101, 113, 200, 215; COM 302 or 310.
Current prerequisites: COM 101, 200, 213, 215; COM 302 or 310.
The prerequisite of COM 213 needs to become COM 113. COM 113, a core requirement in the Communications Department, has taken the place of COM 213 in that curriculum. Any course which lists COM 213 as a prerequisite needs to list COM 113 instead.
COM 483, Desktop Publishing, 3 sh (PC)
Course description: Desktop publishing on the Macintosh computer. Lecture, discussion, and hands-on projects using various software programs and techniques suitable for publications work.
Proposed prerequisite: COM 113
Current prerequisite: COM 283 or 325
The introduction of COM 113 into the core curriculum and the elimination of COM 283 mandate this change in prerequisite.
Major deletion
General Science
General Science should be deleted from the Secondary Education listing for the following reasons:
Students can still be endorsed to teach general science but must complete an approved program of study in biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.
Course deletion
SOC 230, Introduction to Criminology, 3 sh
Course description: Surveys of criminology and criminal justice: nature of crime, causes, forms of expression, perpetrators, and victims; elements of the justice system, the police, the courts, and corrections.
The content of this course is included in SOC 100. SOC 100 is a Prerequisite to all courses in Criminology. SOC 230 is no longer a required course in the new ACJ curriculum. The deletion of this course will not affect any other program.
Subcommittee on Curriculum
Richard Hartman
Howard Goldbaum
F. Eugene Rebholz
John DePinto
Rita Jensen
Jeffrey Huberman, Chair