THE
MAJOR
The Media Arts and Design
major is a department within the College
of Arts & Letters.
JMU
Concentrations: Converged Media, Corporate Communication,
Digital Video and Cinema, Journalism
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSSMAD.shtml
Description
of Major:
Media Arts and Design is offered as a major at JMU. The School of Media Arts and Design incorporates the study and fields of mass communication, journalism, digital media/multimedia and mediated visual and aural expression. It offers a program of study that prepares students for careers in the media and/or a corporate environment; careers that rely on mass media and related areas of expertise or graduate study in mass communication and related areas, such as advanced visual communication or digital production. A student who has an interest in working in print journalism, (broadcast journalism) - add (print, broadcast and online) - remove television(/video – remove) production, corporate communications, or interactive (multimedia) - add (media (web design) - remove would find one of the four concentrations offered through this major to fit his or her interests. The School of Media Arts and Design also offers interdisciplinary minors in Creative Writing and Film Studies. A student who has an interest in this major must declare SMAD-Preparation, successfully complete SMAD 101, Intro to Media Arts and Design and apply formally to the major at the School of Media Arts and Design. Admission reviews are conducted once per year, during the spring semester.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
Media arts and design studies how people influence and relate to one another in written and visual symbols and through mediated communication (print, electronic and online). These communication messages are delivered through a wide range of media and design careers. Converged Media developers generate and manipulate graphic images, animations, sound, text and video into computer-based interactive products for news, entertainment, training, education and persuasive purposes. Digital Video & Cinema creators shoot, edit and assemble videos within both artistic/cinematic and corporate/educational realms. They take into account audiences and goals, then create productions that utilize proper mood, pace and context. Video, film and television camera operators set up, position and operate equipment in studios or on location to photograph people and events. Journalists write and edit news reports, commentaries and features for newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations and web sites. Corporate Communicators use print media, photography, web media and advertising principles to communicate corporate goals to employees, customers and other external publics.
Tell
me more about specializations in this major.
There are four concentrations to choose from within the Media Arts and Design major: Corporate Communication, Digital Video and Cinema, Converged Media or Journalism.
The professionally oriented program, Corporate Communications, provides students with the principles and skills needed to practice media-based communication within organizations. Class work, internships, and practical experience will help teach students principles used by corporations when communicating with organizational members and provide them with the media design and productions skills necessary for implementing strategic communication plans, both internally and externally. Emphasis is placed on understanding social, economic, and symbolic factors that influence modern corporate communications. The concentration stresses hands-on, project-based assignments in which corporate communicators utilize print and electronic resources, especially technology-based applications such as the Internet, Web 2.0 and social media tools. A student from this concentration will know how to research, write and create corporate media messages conveyed via a number of platforms and media.
The professionally oriented Digital Video and Cinema concentration helps students develop practical and analytical skills in digital video through class work, internships and experience. All concentrators are exposed to theories, design principles, legal issues and applications of film and video. Those interested primarily in the study of cinema, as opposed to production, can emphasize classes that look at filmmaking from an analytical or critical perspective. Those interested more in the actual production of films and videos can take coursework aimed at developing skills in shooting, editing, composting and disseminating. The concentration utilizes a state-of-the-art, high-definition (HD) video production facility for both field and studio-based productions, allowing access to some of the finest educational lab space available anywhere. Students shoot, edit and output entirely in HD. Students in this concentration also develop a critical understanding of how movies tell stories, convey information and affect audiences. Students will examine the narrative conventions of film and television and investigate how story materials are created for today’s convergent media. This concentration is complemented by the College’s Interdisciplinary Minors in Film Studies and Creative Writing.
Converged Media students focus on skills needed to create multimedia productions, such CD-ROMs and DVDs, but primarily for the World Wide Web. A strong emphasis is placed on hands-on opportunities such as class projects and internships. Students engage in audience/user analysis, usability research and interface design, then utilize text, images, animation, sound and video to convey a message. The concentration emphasizes both artistic and technical elements in the creation of interactive media products. Design principles and artistic applications (such as Photoshop and Illustrator) exist side-by-side with technical elements such as XHTML, XML, CSS, database design and a limited amount of computer programming. Students also learn about strategic and managerial issues including instruction on content management, domain name acquisition and management, search engine optimization, e-commerce and Web 2.0 utilization.
The professionally oriented Journalism concentration, enables students to develop writing, editing, and information-gathering skills needed to work in newspapers, magazines, websites and related fields through course work, internships and practical experiences. Students learn to research, discriminate among sources, recognize news values, apply basic news style rules and write under deadlines. They are able to articulate the role of editors and use copy editing guidelines. Basic news, beat reporting, feature and entertainment news all receive coverage. Layout and design courses are also part of the concentration. Students explore aspects of visual journalism and new media applications to lead and moderate online communities. Students are exposed to the role of corporate communicators in writing news releases and generating news coverage. The concentration also emphasizes legal and ethical issues faced by journalists.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
There are no common combinations but some examples may
be Art, Communication Studies, Creative Writing, Computer
Science, English, Film Studies, Marketing, Music Industry, Political
Communication, Political Science, Psychology, or Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Openness to understanding others and a sense of professional
drive are appropriate to this very competitive field.
Interest and skill utilizing present and future technologies
is crucial. Ability to work well under pressure is a
plus! Good grades and related experiences are essential.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated
with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated
careers that utilize skills and experiences developed
during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some
fields will require graduate study or further training.
The listing below offers examples of possible career
paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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