Arts Technology Communication and Media

ATCM 6000 ATEC Colloquium (0 semester credit hours) Introduction to research directions and creative practice at the intersection of arts, technology, and emerging communication. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit. Corequisite: ATCM 6300 or ATCM 6301. (0-0) S

ATCM 6001 Graduate Critique Culture (0 semester credit hours) Introduction to critique culture, including presentation, feedback, and iteration, for creative scholars in arts, technology, and emerging communication. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit. (0-0) S

ATCM 6300 Approaches to Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Introduction to the interdisciplinary study of mutual interactions between technology, emerging communication, and the creative arts. Establishes basic theoretical concepts and principles underlying the graduate program in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication. Corequisite: ATCM 6000. (3-0) Y

ATCM 6301 Aesthetics of Interactive Arts (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of aesthetic principles underlying the interactive electronic arts, as well as their relation to and divergence from aesthetic principles underlying traditional forms of artistic expression. Corequisite: ATCM 6000. (3-0) Y

ATCM 6302 Theories and Histories of Semiotics (3 semester credit hours) This course examines the role of Semiotics in emerging media arts, science, design, technology, communication, and culture by exploring the histories of semiotic theories and their entanglements with linguistics, post-structuralism, aesthetics, and so forth to understand how sign systems function in narration, story, experimentation, and innovation. (3-0) R

ATCM 6304 Computer Processing for Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Advanced study of technology and programming methods appropriate for research design and creative practice in arts, technology, and emerging communication. (0-3) R

ATCM 6305 Animation Creative Practices (3 semester credit hours) An examination of storytelling methodologies and practices used to develop animated content. Topics include ideation, story simplification, evaluation techniques, storyboarding, story reel creation, and communication skills. (0-3) Y

ATCM 6306 First Year Seminar (3 semester credit hours) Introduction to critique culture, including presentation, feedback, and iteration, for creative scholars in arts, technology, and emerging communication. (0-3) Y

ATCM 6307 Second Year Seminar (3 semester credit hours) Continued engagement in the critique process, to include opportunities for interaction with various artists in the field. Emphasis will be placed on thesis preparation. (0-3) Y

ATCM 6310 Animation Studio I (3 semester credit hours) Studio-based course where students work individually and in teams to develop creative and varied animated solutions to assigned topics. A variety of animation methods will be explored. Prerequisite: ATCM 6313 or instructor consent required. (0-3) R

ATCM 6311 Animation Studio II (3 semester credit hours) This course is a continuation of Animation Studio I. Studio-based course where students work individually and in teams to develop creative and varied animated solutions to complex assignments. A variety of animation methods will be explored. Prerequisite: ATCM 6310 or instructor consent required. (0-3) R

ATCM 6313 Animation Project Development (3 semester credit hours) An investigation into various methods and practices necessary for developing and producing successful animation related projects. Topics include team dynamics, time management, budgeting, scheduling, and presentation skills. (3-0) Y

ATCM 6314 Technical Direction (3 semester credit hours) This course examines the application of scripting languages and various technical approaches to animation related problems. Topics include tool development, pipeline usability, and procedurally driven solutions for routine tasks. Prerequisite: ATCM 6305 or instructor consent required. (0-3) R

ATCM 6315 History of Animation (3 semester credit hours) An in-depth examination of the growth and evolution of animation styles and techniques from the early 1900s to today. Topics will include animation technologies, cultural influences, and future animation implications. Critical analysis of a variety of pioneering commercial and experimental animation artists will be included. (3-0) Y

ATCM 6316 Motion Capture (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of advanced methods and techniques in motion capture animation. Students will explore traditional production methods as well as experimental technologies and new research in the field. (0-3) R

ATCM 6317 Procedural Animation (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of advanced methods and techniques for procedurally generated graphics, animation, and other visual imagery through digital media. A variety of animation methods will be explored. (0-3) R

ATCM 6318 Special Topics in Animation (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in animation procedures and practices. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). (0-3) R

ATCM 6321 Digital Fabrication (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of digital fabrication techniques and their relationship to traditional sculptural processes. Students in the course will employ digital fabrication as an intermediate tool in the process of sculpture, while examining the role that materiality plays in imbuing objects with meaning through thematic development. (0-3) T

ATCM 6322 Experimental Interactive Media (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of the theory, principles, and practice of media objects created for an experimental interactive environment, as they relate to multiple aspects of arts, technology, and emerging communication. (0-3) T

ATCM 6323 Modeling and Simulation (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of the theory, principles, and practice of modeling, including models for concepts, knowledge, geometry, and dynamics. Students will explore a variety of model types as well as their algebraic and diagrammatic representations, with a special focus on creative media design and representation of models. (0-3) T

ATCM 6325 Arts, Science, and Humanities (3 semester credit hours) Examination of current and emerging topics, approaches, and practices at the intersection of the arts, sciences, and humanities. Students in the course will advance new research questions and inquiries at multiple areas of convergence. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) Y

ATCM 6326 Research in Sound Design (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of the relationship between sound, music, and the visual arts. This course covers the history of arts, technology, and emerging communication as applied to the domain of sound, with a special focus on interactive applications. (0-3) T

ATCM 6327 Experimental Publishing (3 semester credit hours) Students in this course will examine the broad range of creative and professional activity in the arts, sciences, humanities, and engineering. The course focuses on the development of innovative methodologies for documentation, presentation, and professionalism through emerging technologies and new publishing formats. (3-0) T

ATCM 6330 Special Topics in Interactive Media (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in interactive media, focused on how interactivity defines the degree to which digital artifacts are generated and transformed by their users. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). (0-3) R

ATCM 6331 Special Topics in Sound Design (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in digital music, sonification, visualization of sonic data, and sound design. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). (0-3) R

ATCM 6335 Game Design and Development (3 semester credit hours) Advanced study of the structure, content, and design of games, with a particular focus on prototype creation and development. A variety of design practices will be explored for digital, analog, and experimental games. (3-0) Y

ATCM 6336 Critical Game Studies (3 semester credit hours) Advanced study of analog and digital games as material artifacts, cultural practices, social relations, and artistic media in historical contexts through the field of game studies. (3-0) Y

ATCM 6340 Game Production Methods (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of best practices and production techniques for game design and development, with a focus on the intersections between industry, independent, academic, and experimental practices. Course covers methodologies from multiple perspectives and field areas. (3-0) R

ATCM 6341 Game Production Studio (3 semester credit hours) This studio-based course functions as a simulation of the game development industry. Students work individually and in teams to design, develop, and produce large-scale game projects that emphasize innovation, aesthetics, mechanics, and technological achievement. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (0-3) Y

ATCM 6342 Experimental Games Studio (3 semester credit hours) This studio-based course focuses on exploring games as both the subject of and media for experimental, conceptual, and reflexive critical art. In addition to surveying existing experimental work in games, students will engage in a range of art practices to push the boundaries of current cultural understandings around gaming. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (0-3) T

ATCM 6343 Educational Games Studio (3 semester credit hours) This studio-based course focuses on the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of educational games and game based simulations. Games developed in this course are expected to contribute toward new research in pedagogy, simulation, training, and formal and informal education. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (0-3) T

ATCM 6344 Building Virtual Worlds (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in the conceptualization, creation, and application of interactive immersive environments, including research in synthetic spaces, interactive game engines, and hybrid physical/virtual worlds. Prerequisite: ATCM 6335. (0-3) R

ATCM 6345 Interactive Narrative (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in the analysis and creation of interactive narrative systems, designs, and models through various philosophical and mechanical approaches. (0-3) R

ATCM 6349 Special Topics in Game Development (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in aspects of game development, design, production, and implementation. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). (0-3) R

ATCM 6351 History and Culture of Games (3 semester credit hours) Interdisciplinary research in the historical, cultural, sociological, and technological impact of games on human society. Prerequisite: ATCM 6336. (3-0) R

ATCM 6352 Socially Conscious Games (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of the technologies, rules, and processes that shape social relations in contemporary digital culture. Students will examine digital games both as objects of study and as a lens for studying social relationships. Course includes perspectives from multiple related fields, including play and game studies, sociology, history, science and technology studies, and media studies. Prerequisite: ATCM 6336. (3-0) R

ATCM 6353 Games, Education, and Simulation (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in the application of gaming technologies, systems, and design principles toward games with applied purposes, including health and medical, social and civil, business, and academic applications. Course includes perspectives from multiple educational structures and theories. Prerequisite: ATCM 6335 or ATCM 6336. (0-3) T

ATCM 6354 Play and Culture (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of play as a fundamental aspect of culture, as it relates to aspects of art, technology, and emerging communication. (0-3) R

ATCM 6355 Narrative System Research (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in the structures, models, and procedures of narrative in interactive systems. Students in the course will forge connections between narrative, interactive media, and multiple related fields, with a focus on creating innovative experiences for audiences and users. Instructor consent required. (3-0) T

ATCM 6357 Virtual Worlds and Communities (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of the history, culture, and structure of virtual communities as they relate to interactive virtual worlds. Prerequisite: ATCM 6336. (3-0) R

ATCM 6360 History of Interactive Media (3 semester credit hours) Survey of the history of interactive media as it relates to arts, technology, and emerging communication, including analysis of potential future directions. (3-0) R

ATCM 6361 Design Research Methods (3 semester credit hours) Exploration and application of advanced digital design methods, covering multiple divergent topics in design research. (3-0) R

ATCM 6365 Design Principles (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of advanced principles and practices common to most design professions. Topics include the language of design, core design concepts, analysis of design, and specialized design practices. (3-0) T

ATCM 6366 Information Architecture and Design (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of research principles and practices for information architecture and design. Students will examine structures and strategies for content and information organization, usability and user perception, data evaluation, and the technological potential of shared information environments. (0-3) T

ATCM 6367 Human Computer Interaction (3 semester credit hours) Advanced exploration of human computer interaction as it relates to arts, technology, and emerging communication. Students in the course will examine HCI from multiple academic fields and perspectives. (0-3) R

ATCM 6368 Usability Testing (3 semester credit hours) Exploration and application of advanced testing methodologies, principles, and practices for user-based interaction design. (0-3) R

ATCM 6369 Media Analytics (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in gathering, analyzing, and understanding data to gain new insights into actional designs, as applied to arts, technology, and emerging communication. (3-0) R

ATCM 6370 Computational Design (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of the computational theory of design and the design of products and processes through digital means, such as computer graphics, animation, visualization, simulation, computer-aided design, and image processing. (0-3) R

ATCM 6371 Visualization Research (3 semester credit hours) Exploration and application of advanced techniques in animation, visualization, simulation, and interactivity. (3-0) R

ATCM 6372 Pervasive Computing and Interaction Design (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in pervasive computing and ambient intelligence as applied to the field of interaction design. Students in the course will examine a wide range of research topics in ubiquitous systems and applications. (0-3) R

ATCM 6373 Interactive Environments (3 semester credit hours) Exploration of design principles and practices for the creation of interactive experiential spaces, with an emphasis on techno-cultural impact. (0-3) R

ATCM 6374 Special Topics in Interaction Design (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in interactive media and digital design. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). (0-3) R

ATCM 6375 Critical Approaches to Emerging Media Studies (3 semester credit hours) This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary study of media and networked technologies. It examines the history of media studies and key theoretical works in the field, with an emphasis on how institutions and ideology shape cultural representation and technological production. (3-0) Y

ATCM 6376 Media and Cultural Studies Methods (3 semester credit hours) This course provides basic knowledge of hermeneutic traditions in critical media studies as well as its research methods, such as archival, practice-based, and ethnographic methods. (3-0) Y

ATCM 6377 Creativity as Social Practice (3 semester credit hours) This course explores creative production as a form of social practice. Students develop multimodal projects that use a range of rhetorical and visual tactics to engage audiences in social and collaborative exchanges. (0-3) Y

ATCM 6378 Tactical Media (3 semester credit hours) Students in this course will learn abut the history of tactical media as activist art practice. They will also develop their own tactical media interventions that interrogate dominant material, political, economic, and cultural structures, using contemporary media forms and practices such as film, advertising images, games, music and sound, and performance art. (3-0) T

ATCM 6380 Histories of Emerging Media (3 semester credit hours) This course examines the histories of emerging media by foregrounding the relationship between new media in their historical contexts and cultural, social, political, economic, and epistemological transformations. (3-0) R

ATCM 6381 Media, Culture, and Economy (3 semester credit hours) This course examines the history of and interplay among economic logics and media technologies and industries. Prerequisite: ATCM 6300 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 6382 Privacy, Surveillance, and Technology (3 semester credit hours) This course situates contemporary issues in privacy and surveillance within their historical context. It introduces students to the field of surveillance studies. Prerequisite: ATCM 6300. (3-0) R

ATCM 6383 Digital Culture (3 semester credit hours) This course examines how networked media and digital technologies shape culture and society. Topics may include but are not limited to the history of intellectual property and intellectual property law; Internet governance and regulation; transnational media flows; media as spectacle; and media activism. Prerequisite: ATCM 6300. (3-0) R

ATCM 6384 Digital Publics and Counterpublics (3 semester credit hours) This course explores key theories of publics and counterpublics and investigates their constitution within networked media. Prerequisite: ATCM 6300. (3-0) R

ATCM 6385 Emerging Media and Identity (3 semester credit hours) This course examines emerging media and identities, with a focus on gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, disability, class, age, and/or nation. Topics will include how such identities are represented in media and how people use media to reshape such representations. Prerequisite: ATCM 6300 or instructor consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 6386 Digital Textuality (3 semester credit hours) This course acquaints students with the influence of the digital on textuality. Students learn how to put theory into practice by re-creating a cultural object across multiple media forms. Prerequisite: ATCM 6300. (3-0) R

ATCM 6387 Emerging Media Studio (3 semester credit hours) Advanced workshop. Students work collaboratively to produce creative works across multiple media platforms. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Prerequisite: ATCM 6377. (0-3) R

ATCM 6388 Critical Making (3 semester credit hours) This course examines theories and practices of critical making. Topics may include the history of DIY practices and communal creativity; identity in relation to communities of practice; critical, speculative, and adversarial design; and so forth. (0-3) R

ATCM 6389 Special Topics in Networked Cultures (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in networked cultures. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R

ATCM 6390 Social Science Research Methods in Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) This course introduces the basic set of knowledge and skills required for conducting rigorous research in emerging communication. The concepts, strategies, methods, and skills that students will acquire in this course should help in understanding the implications and limitations of research reported by others, and to conduct and publish research. (3-0) R

ATCM 6391 Theories of Media Psychology (3 semester credit hours) This course will synthesize the research on the psychological aspects of production and consumption of media across different media and of content genres. Viewing media consumption through a psychological lens, this class may cover topics such as media and: social influence, motivation and emotion, unconscious processing, stereotyping and prejudice, social cognition, and group dynamics. (3-0) R

ATCM 6392 Journalism and the Digital Network (3 semester credit hours) This course will examine the ways in which the digital network has (and by extension has not) transformed the work of reporting, filtering, and creating the news. (3-0) R

ATCM 6395 Special Topics in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Advanced research in issues, methods, or practices relevant to arts, technology, and emerging communication. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R

ATCM 6396 Independent Readings in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). Department consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 6397 Independent Research in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). Department consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 6398 Thesis Proposal (3 semester credit hours) Preparatory work for the creation and development of a Master's thesis or Master's project in arts, technology, and emerging communication. This course is an independent investigation which may be team based. Department consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 6399 Master's Thesis (3 semester credit hours) Students engage in the creation of a Master's thesis focused on one or more aspects of arts, technology, and emerging communication. This course is an independent investigation which may be team based and may correspond to the development and execution of a Masters Project. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor Consent Required. (3-0) R

ATCM 6698 Master's Project I (6 semester credit hours) Students engage in the creation of an advanced creative and/or research project focused on one or more aspects of arts, technology, and emerging communication. This course is an independent investigation which may be team based. Instructor consent required. (6-0) R

ATCM 6699 Master's Project II (6 semester credit hours) This course is a continuation of ATCM 6698 Master's Project I. Students engage in the creation of an advanced creative and/or research project focused on one or more aspects of arts, technology, and emerging communication. This course is an independent investigation which may be team based. Instructor consent required. (6-0) R

ATCM 6V90 Internship in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (1-3 semester credit hours) The ATEC internship is designed for experiential learning in professional contexts such as museums, non-profits, the culture industries, and other workplace sites that are relevant to a student's course of study. Internships can provide an opportunity for students to explore some topics and techniques in a professional environment. To qualify as an intern, the student must be working in a professional environment that includes a supervisor/manager that will support them through the process, and an ATEC faculty member to oversee the internship's academic requirements. To qualify for academic credit, the student will report to a supervising faculty member throughout the semester, with a final objective to be turned in at the end of the semester. May be repeated for credit as internships vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Department consent required. ([1-3]-0) S

ATCM 6V99 Advanced Master's Thesis (3-6 semester credit hours) Students engage in the creation of a Master's thesis focused on one or more aspects of arts, technology, and emerging communication. This course is an independent investigation. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor Consent Required. ([3-6]-0) R

ATCM 7330 Advanced Topics in Complex Digital Interactive Systems (3 semester credit hours) This course focuses on the analysis, design and production of complex digital interactive systems applied to domains such as learning and training, entertainment, and scientific experiment. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R

ATCM 7331 Research Methodology in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) This course presents students with a variety of research methods that are appropriate for advanced research in Arts and Technology. Methods will include ethnographic, experimental, descriptive, historical, and philosophical. (3-0) R

ATCM 7332 Creative Practice Research Methods (3 semester credit hours) This course explores creativity as a research methodology in the advanced study of arts, technology, and emerging communication as well as its research methods, including applied, performance-based, and experimental methods. (3-0) R

ATCM 7335 Advanced Topics in Digital Multisensory Representations and Simulations (3 semester credit hours) This course explores the technical, conceptual, sociological, and artistic dimensions of digital multisensory representations in various contexts, domains and applications: entertainment, communication, education and training. Focus of the course may vary to deeper address specific questions in visual, auditory, kinetic, and olfactive representations and simulations. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R

ATCM 7340 Advanced Studies in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Advanced studies in the theoretical and/or practical interactions of arts and technology. May be repeated for credit (9 semester credit hours maximum). (3-0) R

ATCM 7390 Advanced Special Topics in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Independent study course that may count toward minimum course requirements for the PhD degree. May be repeated for credit (9 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 7620 Advanced Projects in Simulation and Game Design (6 semester credit hours) Students will engage in the creation of advanced creative and/or research projects exploring simulation and game design. (0-6) R

ATCM 7V81 Advanced Doctoral Project Workshop (3-6 semester credit hours) Students will engage in the creation of an advanced creative and/or research project exploring the interaction of the arts with digital technology. May be repeated for credit (6 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. ([3-6]-0) R

ATCM 7V82 Advanced Projects in Interactive Media (1-9 semester credit hours) Students will complete an advanced creative and/or research project exploring the interaction of communication and digital technology. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (9 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. ([1-9]-0) R

ATCM 8303 Independent Readings in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit. Instructor consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 8305 Independent Research in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit. Instructor consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 8306 Qualifying Exam Preparation in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Independent readings in preparation for PhD qualifying examinations. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit (18 semester credit hours maximum). Instructor consent required. (3-0) S

ATCM 8307 Dissertation Proposal in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (3 semester credit hours) Independent research to support the development of the dissertation proposal. Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit. Instructor consent required. (3-0) R

ATCM 8V99 PhD Dissertation (1-9 semester credit hours) Pass/Fail only. May be repeated for credit. Instructor consent required. ([1-9]-0) R