Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication (BA) with Critical Media Studies Concentration
This Concentration provides a thorough grounding in thinking critically, analytically, and creatively about media, their use, and their historical development. CMS Concentration students have the opportunity to perform critical media research and engage in the critical creative production of media. The CMS Concentration examines the ethical and social dimensions of media and applies that knowledge in the creation and analysis of digital media texts. By selecting courses from a variety of School elective headings, students are able to infuse other areas of interest into their focus on Critical Media Studies.
Unless otherwise noted, courses in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication are open to all students in the University. However, students majoring in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication may be given preference in certain course enrollments.
Major Honors
ATEC seniors in the CMS concentration who have completed at least 30 graded upper-division semester credit hours and have a major GPA of 3.67 may elect to participate in Major Honors. These students can either complete a thesis or project under the supervision of an AHT faculty member and a second reader, or enroll in an advanced labs or topics course and complete a thesis related to the course content under the supervision of an AHT faculty member.
Students should consult their AHT academic advisor for further details.
Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication with Critical Media Studies Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Professors: Anne Balsamo
Associate Professors: Heidi Cooley, Josef Nguyen, Hong An Wu
Associate Professors of Instruction: Laura Imaoka
Assistant Professors of Instruction: James Fraley, Audra Heaslip
UT Dallas Affiliated Faculty: Christina Nielsen, Christine Veras
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
Choose one course from the following:
MATH 1306 College Algebra for the Non-Scientist
MATH 1314 College Algebra
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses (see advisor)
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from American History Core courses
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 24 semester credit hours
Foundations
ATCM 2300 Introduction to TechnoCulture
ATCM 2301 Digital Art and Design Foundations
ATCM 2302 Design I
CS 1335 Computer Science I for Non-majors2
Fundamentals
ATCM 2320 Critical Media Research Foundations
ATCM 2330 Digital Art and Social Practice
Choose two from:
ATCM 2321 Reading Media Critically
ATCM 2322 Media Histories
ATCM 2325 Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ATCM 3320 Critical Media Theories
ATCM 3321 Networked Identities
ATCM 3325 Global Media Cultures
ATCM 3331 Critical Making
ATCM 4320 Political Economy of Digital Media
ATCM 4326 Mediated Textuality
ATCM 4330 Culture Jamming
Choose one of the following during either of your last two semesters:
ATCM 4332 Critical Media Studies Lab I3
ATCM 4333 Critical Media Studies Lab II3
ATCM 4334 Topics in Critical Media Studies3
ATCM 4399 Senior Honors in Arts, Technology, and Emerging Communication
IV. Elective Requirements: 30 semester credit hours
Prescribed Electives: 15 semester credit hours
Choose any five courses from the following: (At least 2 must be 4000 level)
ANGM 3315 Animation Studies
ATCM 3323 Reading in a Networked Era
ANGM 3366 Game Studies I
ATCM 4322 Disability, Technology, and Media
ATCM 4323 Feminism, Technology, and Media
ATCM 4325 Race, Technology, and Media
ATCM 4327 Privacy and Surveillance
ATCM 4332 Critical Media Studies Lab I
ATCM 4333 Critical Media Studies Lab II
ATCM 4334 Topics in Critical Media Studies
ANGM 4366 Game Studies II
ATCM 4384 Ethics in New Media, Technology, and Communication
Free Electives: 15 semester credit hours
Both upper-and lower-division courses may be used as electives.
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of AHTC 1100.
1. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
2. Students who are ATEC/CS double degree or who plan to minor in CS must enroll in CS 1436 and/or CS 1337 (if placed out of CS 1436).
3. Students who are eligible for major honors and enroll in one of these options can enroll in ATCM 4099 as a co-requisite to pursue major honors.