Media Arts and Sciences Department
One Technology credit is required for graduation.
The mission of the Media Arts and Sciences Department is to teach students how to construct, use, and interpret messages across multiple media types in order to inform, manage, relate to and influence each other within and across social contexts and cultures.
The Media Arts and Sciences Department goals are
1. Students will learn how globalization, increased interconnectedness, new communication technologies, and changing social values are reshaping patterns of social interaction, home and work experiences, domestic and international politics, and economic activity.
2. Through practical experience in three core areas - research, exploration and production - students will learn lifelong interpersonal, media, and communication skills.
3. To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of software, hardware and media through use, development and exploration, thereby empowering them with the skills necessary for lifelong learning.
DIGITAL EXPLORATION
1 credit Level 3
Digital technologies and computer software are dramatically reshaping the learning environments of today’s world. Digital literacy is essential to every student’s academic success in this rapidly changing landscape. In this course students are introduced to the vast array of software available at Burr and Burton. Students complete numerous projects using software from Open Office, the Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Apps, as well as Toon Boom Animation Studio, and Google SketchUp, to name just a few. In addition, students explore engineering, robotics and programming using Lego Mindstorms and RoboLab products. This course is ideal for all students because it provides the essential technology skills needed for success at Burr and Burton.
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER HARDWARE AND NETWORKS
1 credit Level 3
Have you ever had to pay somebody to fix your computer? Has your computer ever been so infested with spy-ware it would barely send email? Did you want to know how to fix these problems yourself? If you answered yes, this course is for you. Personal computers and the networks that connect them are as commonplace as TVs and telephones in today’s high-tech world. In this course we explore the technical side of these revolutionary machines and learn how to solve many of the problems that arise while using them. Students learn how to install and troubleshoot hardware, load and configure operating systems, build and manage computer networks, fight back against viruses and spy-ware and simply explore the world’s most ingenious invention.
E-DESIGN: DIGITAL SUITES AND WEB PUBLISHING
1 credit Level 2
In the first half of this course students explore and develop skills in digital design by experimenting with art, animation, and layout programs in the Adobe and Macromedia suites, and various open-source programs like GIMP. In the second half of the course, students learn basic and modern techniques of web publishing using a variety of tools including Notepad, FrontPage, and NVU, ultimately working into using feature-rich applications like GoLive and Dreamweaver. Students explore the technology and services behind blogs, wikis and many free publishing and document-sharing sites available on the web. Students also explore the technologies of RSS and ATOM feeds and learn how to move their information toward desktop aggregators and mobile devices. Students work on developmental projects in various venues
and combine their knowledge and skills to tackle projects on the Research Lab Project Board. Students partake in communication practices between the customer and the team, and merge those developing skills into real project work.
PREREQUISITE: Digital Exploration or permission of the instruction.
This course fulfills either the Arts or Technology requirement for graduation.
TECH RESEARCH LAB
1 credit Level 2
Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
How many times have you said, “I’d like to try that?” Do want to introduce yourself to or extend your skills in animation, digital art, programming, or web publishing but not dedicate a full semester to it? What if you had the opportunity to propose your own topic and bring that interest to fruition either working in a group or as an individual? What if you could study robotics, mag-lev propulsion, alternative energy, or technology in “green” buildings? Are you curious about some of the other operating systems like Red Hat, Solaris, or Unix? Students in the Research Lab can experiment with up to three different subjects in one semester, devote an entire semester or year to a project, take multiple sections of this course simultaneously, or extend topic tracks into successive years by repeating sections of this flexible course. How about the exposure of twenty different projects going on in the same room? If these opportunities and this learning environment sound appealing or spark your curiosity, then the BBA Research Lab is for you. Along the way, we discuss new innovations in technology across the world, look at the role of technology in the future and polish up research, methods of learning new software, project management, presentation and collaboration skills.
PREREQUISITE: Digital Exploration or permission of the instructor
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL FILMMAKING
1 credit Level 3
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
Working in small groups, students in Digital Filmmaking write, direct and edit a series of short films. Based upon the new High Definition television standard, members of this class learn how to use the latest professional gear and lighting equipment with a learning emphasis on extremely high quality. Above and beyond the technical aspects, this class holds most important the story writing process. Students write effective screenplays by learning the traditional three-act story structure, character development, script formatting and the art of realistic dialogue writing.
This course fulfills either the Arts or Technology requirement for graduation.
ADVANCED DIGITAL FILMMAKING
1 credit Level 2
This class draws from the lessons learned in Introduction to Digital Filmmaking. Students write, direct and edit a series of short films with an emphasis on refined screenplays and technical standards. We explore screenwriting beyond the traditional and spend a great deal of time on reaching high technical standards in color correction, lighting techniques, 24 frame production and image creation. The class concludes with each student producing a signature film that demonstrates his or her ability.
PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Digital Filmmaking
This course fulfills either the Arts or Technology requirement for graduation.
CINEMATOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
1 credit Level 2
In this class we survey films of the twentieth century and use their techniques, styles and technical standards to produce a series of films based on the popular film genres: Film Noir, Fantasy, Biography, Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Road Film, Comedy and Drama. Students work individually on their own projects but assist other students in the class as crew members. By the end of the course, each student takes away a show reel sampling of each genre.
PREREQUISITE: Advanced Digital Filmmaking
This course fulfills either the Arts or the Technology requirement for graduation.
AUDIO PRODUCTION
1 credit Level 2
What process is used to make a digital audio recording sound real? How is a Rock CD created? What tools are used in the recording process? These audio production questions are explored in addition to advanced mixing and mastering techniques used in the process of CD creation. Learn to manipulate audio to create realistic replications of live performance. Pro Tools software with additional plug-ins is used. No musical experience necessary.
This course fulfills either the Arts credit or the Technology credit required for graduation.
ELECTRONIC MUSIC WORKSHOP
1 credit Level 3
Interested in creating electronic music in a variety of genres: house, break beat, trance, hip hop and more? Learn how music has been influenced by technology and investigate the tools being used by contemporary musicians. We look to the past, present and future for these answers, while exploring the software and hardware that is used to create contemporary electronic music. Students of any musical ability are encouraged to enroll.
This course fulfills either the Arts credit or the Technology credit required for graduation.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
1 credit Level 3
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
This course is an introduction to creative problem solving and concepts of two-dimensional design and marketing using PC computers and Adobe Photoshop. The emphasis is on visual communication. Projects include identity development, logos, posters, brochures, and packaging design. Lab fee: $40 due at the beginning of the course to cover the costs of ink and paper.
PREREQUISITE: Art I or the permission of the instructor.
This course fulfills either the Arts credit or the Technology credit required for graduation.
ADVANCED DRAFTING
1 credit Level 3
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
Advanced Drafting is a continuation of Drafting, with an emphasis on CAD, in which students are allowed to pursue and explore a project of their choosing after completing the required work that sets the stage for the independent project. Some may want to expand their knowledge in the areas already covered by choosing to do more demanding and complex problems, while others may wish to design objects that will require research and development. These could be such things as furniture design and architecture. The importance of neatness, line quality, accuracy, and overall appearance of the drawings are stressed. Computer drafting is introduced using AutoCAD, the same software used by Vermont Technical College, Keene State College, and many businesses and industries. Text: Basic Architectural Drafting (Paul Wallach).
PREREQUISITE: Drafting
This course fulfills either the Arts credit or the Technology credit required for graduation.
ELECTIVE
MEDIA SPIN (Spring semester only)
1 credit Level 3
Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
This course examines media forms and their impact on society. Students explore print and visual media with a concentration on film. We examine various media in terms of the information they distribute, the entertainment they provide, and the influence they bring. The focus is on media messages, the institutions behind the messages and their impact on society. The course is intended for students to improve their media literacy and help them gain a better understanding of how we are all influenced by mass media. Films include Behind the Screens: Hollywood Goes Commercial, The Merchants of Cool, The Persuaders, The Truman Show, Shattered Glass, Absence of Malice and Quiz Show. Nonfiction excerpts from Unspun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation, Mediated: How the Media Shapes Your World and The Way You Live In It, Born to Buy: The Commercialized Child, Decoding Advertisements: Ideology and Meaning in Advertising, and Product Placement: A History represent some of the required readings. The course format includes in-class media analysis, group projects and presentations, short response papers, class participation activities, assigned readings, brief lectures, and two exams consisting of short answer and essay questions.
This course does not fulfill the Technology requirement for graduation.
