New Media Communications (NMC)
NMC 100, *NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE, 3 Credits
Provides students with the basic critical skills to analyze the cultural, social, and political impact of new media technologies, new media texts, and new media institutions. Students will be exposed to a variety of social scientific and humanistic conceptual approaches to analyzing new media and culture. Special emphasis will be placed on historical analyses of how new media have shaped culture, as well as how culture has shaped new media.
Attributes: CPSI – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Social Processes & Institutions
Available via Ecampus
NMC 101, *INTRODUCTION TO NEW MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS, 3 Credits
Principles of new media communications. Perspectives on the communications media. How the communications media operate and how they interact with society.
Attributes: CPSI – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Social Processes & Institutions
Equivalent to: NMC 101H
Available via Ecampus
NMC 101H, *INTRODUCTION TO NEW MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS, 3 Credits
Principles of new media communications. Perspectives on the communications media. How the communications media operate and how they interact with society.
Attributes: CPSI – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Social Processes & Institutions; HNRS – Honors Course Designator
Equivalent to: NMC 101
NMC 199, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 240, SURVEY OF SOCIAL MEDIA, 3 Credits
Explores history, business, and current social research in social media, especially the cultural logic of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest and beyond. Establishes critical context for advanced study of platforms and professionalization.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 241, APPLIED MEDIA AESTHETICS, 4 Credits
Foundational elements and principles of art and design in relation to visual media production and the communicative arts. Topics include composition, layout, color theory, typography, image manipulation, graphics creation and design in visual media. Provides core competencies digital visual communication arts tools.
Recommended: NMC 101
Available via Ecampus
NMC 245, CULTURAL ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE, 3 Credits
Computational approaches to cultural research have changed what it means to work with media today. This course provides a foundation in data science tailored for work in social and cultural research including basic work in natural language processing, social network analysis, and information visualization.
NMC 255, APPLIED SOUND DESIGN, 4 Credits
Foundational elements and principles of sound design in relation to audio production and the communicative arts. Topics include elements of sound, technical terminology, types of equipment and digital audio workflows. Provides core competencies in audio recording, editing and manipulation in sound media.
Recommended: NMC 101
Available via Ecampus
NMC 260, NEW MEDIA FUTURES, 3 Credits
Covers historical context and current perspectives on the various aspects of new multimedia communications, including linear and nonlinear or time-based and interactive media. Primary topics include digital cinema (compositing and nonlinear access), visual music, information visualization, interactive narrative, and virtual space.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 280, GLOBAL MEDIA, 3 Credits
Explores theoretical and practical concepts of global media. Both historical and contemporary perspectives on the topic are addressed, particularly as they relate to cultural autonomy, political rights, social justice, communication flow debates, media systems of different world regions, global representations in U.S. media, and developments in global technology and economic media developments.
NMC 299, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 301, ^WRITING FOR THE MEDIA PROFESSIONAL, 3 Credits
Fundamentals of gathering information, evaluating information, writing information of the media and editing media content in written form.
Attributes: CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Course
Recommended: NMC 101
Available via Ecampus
NMC 302, REPORTING, 3 Credits
An introduction to the practices, procedures, techniques, and organizational structures of basic news gathering and writing.
Recommended: WR 201
Available via Ecampus
NMC 305, COPYEDITING, 3 Credits
Copyreading, headline writing, newspaper layout and design.
NMC 306, ART AND CULTURE CONTENT CREATION, 3 Credits
Explores various forms of the arts and culture using criticism/reviewing/feature writing's forms, principles and ethics. Encourages students to be artful in response, given certain time and space boundaries, but also to discuss pushing the boundaries, exploding those boundaries and doing excellent, artful creation in response to the arts that affect our lives.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 311, INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT, 3 Credits
Introduction to the principles of effective nonprofit management and lays a foundation for future leaders and managers in the nonprofit sector. Focuses on historical perspectives, ethics, governance and leadership, legal structure and standards, financial management, strategic planning principles, fundraising principles, volunteer management, marketing and communications, and the future of the nonprofit sector.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 321, HISTORY OF BROADCASTING, 3 Credits
The technological, economic and corporate, legal and political, artistic, and social developments that shaped American broadcasting in the 20th century are examined. Implications for the future of broadcasting are addressed as well.
Prerequisite: NMC 260 with C- or better
Recommended: WR II completed with a passing grade.
NMC 322, LANDMARKS IN MEDIA CONTENT, 3 Credits
Introduces students to media content that represents advances in the art and science of creative use of media technology. Some of these advances were recognized immediately, some only after time had passed.
Prerequisite: (NMC 101 with C- or better or NMC 101H with C- or better) and NMC 260 [C-]
Recommended: WR II completed with a passing grade.
NMC 330, THE MEANING OF VIDEO GAMES, 3 Credits
Examines approaches to understanding the experience of playing video games, including the role of storytelling in diverse games, the relationship between the player and the game, the game as art, and intersections between games and real life.
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
Recommended: NMC 101
NMC 340, SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY, 3 Credits
Designing systems of interaction is important for understanding how people come to be a part of social networks. Students will participate in a series of simulation games that will explore the dimensions of the interaction between publics and social networks, culminating in an original research project.
Prerequisite: NMC 240 with C- or better and NMC 260 [C-]
Recommended: NMC 301
NMC 341, MEDIA SPIN AND DECEPTION DETECTION, 3 Credits
Examines common ways media is used to deceive, and how media scholars and creators can avoid falling prey to spinners, platformed prevaricators, and purveyors of "fake news" using knowledge of production techniques, logic, and other skills.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 349, VIDEO ART, 4 Credits
Studio course in video art and time-based media projects. Emphasis on experimental approaches to video art in a contemporary art context, linear and non-linear video production and the projection and screening of video art projects. Introduction to the history of video art as an art form. CROSSLISTED as ART 349/NMC 349.
Prerequisite: ART 222 with C- or better and ART 263 [C-]
Equivalent to: ART 349
This course is repeatable for 8 credits.
NMC 350, DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION AND DESIGN, 4 Credits
Explores several techniques for communicating narrative through pictorial design with digital arts tools. Builds a digital drawing skill set including vector based drawing, digital painting, 3D illustration, collage, typography and photographic compositing. Covers illustration in editorial content, publishing, advertising, social media and the entertainment industry. Emphasis on visual research, creative workflows, concept development through the creation of illustration and design content.
Prerequisite: NMC 241 (may be taken concurrently) with C- or better
NMC 351, NEW MEDIA VISUALIZATION, 4 Credits
Explores principles of spatial design, interactive design and immersive storytelling as they relate to Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality (collectively referred to as Extended or X-Reality). Additional topics include the history and current applications of X-Reality technology.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 355, SOUND DESIGN FOR VISUAL MEDIA, 4 Credits
Explores creative application of sound design for linear narrative, interactive and experimental visual media. Topics include evolving sound aesthetics for visual media in a historical and technological context. Emphasis on post-production synchronization, sound effect creation and manipulation, music underscoring and expressive experimentation in the audio visual story.
Prerequisite: (NMC 101 with C- or better or NMC 101H with C- or better) and NMC 255 [C-]
Available via Ecampus
NMC 356, PODCAST PRODUCTION, 3 Credits
An intermediate-level production class in which we will develop, launch, distribute, and maintain professional-quality podcasts and use podcasting tools and resources for other storytelling enterprises.
Prerequisite: NMC 255 with C- or better
Available via Ecampus
NMC 380, PRE-PRODUCTION, 4 Credits
Focuses on pre-production or the planning phase of various audio/visual storytelling media. Explores creative application of visualizing a text narrative into a audio/visual media production. Topics include story structure, concept development, visual research, cinematic language, shot composition, storyboarding, animatics and editing.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 382, STUDIO AND MULTICAMERA PRODUCTION, 4 Credits
Proficiency in organizing, producing, directing, and evaluating television programs using multicamera studio techniques, including graphics, set design, audio for television and digital video production, and lighting. Emphasis on bringing ideas from conception to realization in a studio setting.
Recommended: NMC 101
NMC 383, FIELD PRODUCTION, 4 Credits
Development of the technical abilities and conceptual approaches to audio, film, video and multimedia production. Emphasis on single-camera production techniques and concepts. Students will begin the study of post-production process. Students will also begin to study lighting and audio as they relate to single-camera field production.
Prerequisite: NMC 380 with C- or better
Recommended: NMC 351
NMC 385, MOTION DESIGN FOUNDATIONS, 4 Credits
Explores foundational elements and principles of animation for motion design. Topics include introductory animation techniques, history of motion graphics, the production process and workflows. Concept development, visual research, asset creation will be exercised through the creative development and execution of motion design projects.
Prerequisite: NMC 101 with C- or better or NMC 101H with C- or better
Recommended: NMC 241
Available via Ecampus
NMC 388, SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, 3 Credits
Examines how individuals build and maintain close relationships through new media and social networks. Currently, scholars are seeing a shift in how individuals self-report building close relationships, as people use elements of new media more and more frequently. Designed to look into the similarities and differences of these relationships as compared to face-to-face relationships. CROSSLISTED as COMM 388/NMC 388.
Equivalent to: COMM 388
Available via Ecampus
NMC 392, WEB DESIGN AND PROGRAMMING, 3 Credits
Web apps are applications that are loaded as web pages. They can store data locally and continue to function while offline. In this hands-on class, students will create web apps that run on smart phones. No prior programming skills are required. Programming concepts that are required to create interactive web apps will be covered in this class.
Prerequisite: NMC 260 with C- or better
NMC 393, SERVER SIDE PROGRAMMING, 3 Credits
Create websites that focus on the server side. Sever side website can store or retrieve data from users. In this hands-on class, students will create server side websites. No prior programming skills are required. Programming concepts that are required to create interactive server side websites will be covered in this class.
Prerequisite: NMC 260 with C- or better
Recommended: NMC 392
NMC 394, INTERACTIVE DESIGN AND USER EXPERIENCE, 3 Credits
Explores core skills of interactive design within media communications and systems, including conceptualizing interactive systems, prototyping, iterating, and managing interactive design workflow processes. Primarily examines interactivity through the lens of app design, while considering how these principles apply to other domains such as web interactivity, digital applications, tangible products, and mixed reality. Expands interactive formats and user experiences through visual consideration. Emphasizes hands-on aspect for artists to re/create interactive designs and focuses on the practical facet of the design.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 395, VIRTUAL REALITY PROGRAMMING, 3 Credits
Teaches the fundamental programming skills to create virtual reality experiences using the Unity game engine and C# programming language.
NMC 397, INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION VISUALIZATION, 3 Credits
Applies visualization and interaction techniques to help people analyze and understand the sources of data.
NMC 399, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 401, RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 402, INDEPENDENT STUDY, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 403, THESIS/DISSERTATION, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 406, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 407, SEMINAR, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 408, WORKSHOP, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 410, INTERNSHIP, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 418, VIRAL CONTENT, 3 Credits
Online media is often filled with memes, likes, shares, tweets and even hilarious cat videos. Companies like Buzzfeed exist to create, maintain and drive traffic to content. In 2015, collectively the top 10 YouTube content creators made 70.5 million dollars. So, what’s the secret to going viral? This class is designed to look at this question by examining the culture of viral content, the social and psychological influences that shape online behavior and the business of creating and spreading viral content. Throughout the term, students will apply these principle concepts in an attempt to make their own viral content.
Available via Ecampus
NMC 419, REEFER MADNESS IN THE MEDIA, 3 Credits
Critically examines the history of hemp and marijuana prohibition, issues of propaganda and the media's role during the transition between prohibition and the current state of reform. The purpose of this course is to better understand the role media plays in shaping our political, cultural and personal experiences. For students, this knowledge is invaluable for analysis, evaluation and critical thinking skills. The framework of this class is based on four modules: "History of Marijuana Prohibition", "Marijuana, Media and Culture", "Medicinal Marijuana Movement" and "Legalizing Marijuana Campaigns".
Available via Ecampus
NMC 421, DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS, 3 Credits
An introduction to old and emerging theories that explain the spread of innovative ideas and technologies among members of a society, emphasizing the role of communication processes and the special problems for diffusion in communication technology.
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
Recommended: NMC 101
NMC 427, *DIGITAL PORNOGRAPHY, 3 Credits
Exploration of the prominent role pornography plays in digital communication innovation globally including the examination of social consequences; diffusion of technology, business models and economic impact; legal, ethical, and moral issues; and community health and well-being.
Attributes: CSST – Bacc Core, Synthesis, Science/Technology/Society
Available via Ecampus
NMC 430, MEDIA THEORY, 3 Credits
Specifies the concepts, hypotheses, and theoretical paradigms that have characterized the study of media since the early 20th century. The evolution of theory as new media has changed the media economy is emphasized, as well as the need for new concepts to describe phenomena unique to the Internet era (concepts such as "blogging" and "instant messaging").
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
Recommended: NMC 101
NMC 435, MEDIA EFFECTS, 3 Credits
Reviews the potential for media technology and media content to influence the beliefs and behaviors of individuals. The media's ability to bring about specific changes in people's attitudes, values, political agendas, purchasing habits, and jury decisions are discussed. The impact of new media's interactive technology and content on people's beliefs and behaviors is emphasized.
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
NMC 437, NEW MEDIA AND SOCIETY, 3 Credits
Traces the impact of new media--from the telegraph to the Internet--on American society. Emphasizes the way that existing social institutions (e.g., schools and churches) and opinion leaders (e.g., presidents and scholars) greeted the arrival of new media with an increasingly predictable mixture of fear and euphoria. Social changes such as the westward expansion of the U.S. in the 19th century, the arrival of immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the rise of youth culture in the mid-20th century are discussed in terms of their connection to developments in the technology and structure of media. The integration of Internet-based services into contemporary American society is the focus of one-half of the course.
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
Recommended: NMC 101
NMC 439, SONIC ARTS, 2 Credits
Create experimental sonic art projects using analog and digital technologies to make natural, artificial, and curated sound installations within an arts, design, or communication context. Apply the iterative design process to ideate, prototype, implement, reflect and then re-imagine the sound art project. Develop collaborative skills by working with people from other disciplines. Demonstrate competency through describing and applying sound art concepts including those that involve active listening practices. Explore the breadth and range of sonic-art from a historical and contemporary art practice. CROSSLISTED as ART 439/GD 439/MUS 439/NMC 439/TA 439 and ART 539/MUS 539.
Equivalent to: ART 439, GD 439, MUS 439, TA 439
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 440, MEDIA MANAGEMENT, 3 Credits
Changes in technology and in the media's role in converging technologies require creative, innovative organizational structure and strategic management and leadership techniques. Identify basic roles, principles and concepts as related to media management. Through group work, role-plays, and projects, investigate the creative and practical aspects of managing diverse teams and interpersonal dialogue, while becoming more culturally competent.
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
Available via Ecampus
NMC 441, MEDIA ENTREPRENEURSHIP, 3 Credits
Studies the entrepreneurial process as it relates uniquely to the arts and sciences of new media. Students will study the basic entrepreneurial processes of law, finance, accounting, organizational structure, budgeting, business plans, market analyses, taxes, licensing, and insurance as they relate to new media enterprises. Students will also study the sales/revenue generation side of new media ventures.
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
Available via Ecampus
NMC 457, OFF THE SCREEN - VIDEO INSTALLATION ART, 2 Credits
Create experimental video-art installations within an arts, design, or communication context. Apply the iterative design process to ideate, prototype, implement, reflect and then re-imagine the video art project. Explore the breath and range of experimental approaches to video installations, multi-screen projections, immersive visual and sound environments, and projection-mapping from a historical and contemporary art perspective. Develop collaborative skills by working with people from other disciplines. CROSSLISTED as ART 457/GD 457/MUS 457/ NMC 457/TA 457 and ART 557/MUS 557.
Equivalent to: ART 457, GD 457, MUS 457, TA 457
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 461, TRANS-MEDIA CREATION IN SCI-FI & FANTASY, 3 Credits
Develops an exploitable sci-fi/fantasy storyworld suitable for trans-media franchise development, anchors it with a novelette-length work of fiction writing, and makes preparations to utilize it as the hub of a trans-media storytelling franchise. Although a tremendous amount of writing happens in this class as part of the story-creation process, writing is used simply as a capture tool. This is not a writing class.
NMC 462, TRANS-MEDIA PUBLISHING IN SCI-FI & FANTASY, 3 Credits
Simulates a trans-media story shop. A franchise canon is selected (usually from the public domain) and student teams work on specific trans-media assets for the franchise, bringing their existing skill sets to the table and learning new ones from their peers in a collaborative setting. Examples of such assets include webcomics, short video productions, virtual-reality experiences, video games, tabletop games, interactive novels, alternate-reality games, podcasts, radio dramas, e-books, YouTube channels.
NMC 470, MEDIA LAW, 3 Credits
The relevant laws and regulations that govern the mass media; the participants in the law making process; the analytical methods and problem solving techniques used in the law making process; the laws and policies affecting journalists. Issues such as libel, privacy, obscenity, indecency, fair trail/free press and copyright are covered.
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
Available via Ecampus
NMC 480, ADVANCED MOTION DESIGN, 4 Credits
Explores advanced techniques in motion graphics design. Builds an advanced animation skill set including complex compositing, animated textures, looping, basic rigs, hierarchies and behaviors. Emphasis on in-depth concept development, advanced asset creation and storytelling through motion. Analyze motion design content within contemporary visual culture.
Prerequisite: NMC 385 with C- or better
Available via Ecampus
NMC 481, COMPOSITING AND DIGITAL EFFECTS, 4 Credits
Explores compositing and digital effects as production techniques in digital storytelling. Explores several compositing techniques and workflow options for digital manipulation of moving image content. Topics include green screen extraction, motion and camera tracking, rotoscoping, and 2D/3D workflows.
Prerequisite: NMC 241 with C- or better and NMC 380 (may be taken concurrently) [C-]
Recommended: NMC 385
Available via Ecampus
NMC 482, DOCUMENTARY, 4 Credits
Examines theory and production of the documentary genre. Covers all stages of producing a documentary film from the idea through development, marketing, planning, shooting, editing, and post-production.
Prerequisite: NMC 380 (may be taken concurrently) with C- or better
NMC 483, NEW MEDIA 3-D, 4 Credits
Hands-on introduction to the world of 3-D computer modeling and animation, including investigations of light, texture, form, spatial design and motion. Course includes discussions of professional and artistic practice and critique of student and professional work.
NMC 484, NEW MEDIA ANIMATION, 4 Credits
An in-depth theoretical and hands-on investigation of advanced animation tools and techniques used for educational, scientific, entertainment, and expressive communication projects. Tools and techniques covered include motion capture (full body, face, hand), automated lip-sync dialogue processing, dynamic simulation, particle motion, and other simulation or performance-based animation approaches. Students will work individually and in teams to explore the communicative and creative possibilities of the described technologies.
Recommended: NMC 101
Available via Ecampus
NMC 487, VIRTUAL WORLDS, 4 Credits
Explores design of virtual space from theoretical, historical and practical perspectives. Compares and contrasts real world physical space with virtual space. Examines narrative back story, style, form, color, light, motion and sound in video games. Develops detailed cultural and environmental backs stories for virtual worlds based on research. Plans and maps layout of interactive virtual worlds that encourage exploration. Researches and applies principles of color, light, form, motion, sound and spatial narrative design. Builds interactive virtual spaces using 3D modeling and game development software. Creates cinematic trailers of virtual worlds, including complex camera moves and soundtracks. Designs logos for virtual worlds based on principles of design, and research of brand identities.
Prerequisite: (NMC 100 with C or better or NMC 101 with C or better or NMC 101H with C or better or NMC 260 with C or better) and NMC 351 [C]
NMC 488, SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES AND THE ARTS, 2 Credits
Create interactive arts, design, or communication projects using sensor technologies in combination with sound, video, lights, video games, and generative digital art. Translate gestures of the physical world into interactive control using plug and play wireless sensors. Apply the iterative design process to ideate, prototype, implement, reflect and then re-imagine the sensor technologies project. Explore the breadth and range of interactive art from a historical and contemporary art practice. CROSSLISTED as ART 488/GD 488/MUS 488/NMC 488/TA 488 and ART 588/MUS 588.
Equivalent to: ART 488, GD 488, MUS 488, TA 488
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.
NMC 490, MEDIA ETHICS, 3 Credits
Exploration of the ethical issues surrounding new media communications. Topics include professionalism in journalism, new media visual production, new media management, advertising, film, and public relations. Topics also include new media's relationship with society, violence in the media, and sex in the media.
Prerequisite: NMC 301 with C- or better
Recommended: NMC 101
NMC 493, *MEDIA AND POWER, 3 Credits
Analyzes the relationship between media and power. Media technologies like television, film, the smartphone, and GPS have been central to the analysis, governance, and control of populations. Emphasizes how media technologies have allowed for the exertion, extension, and resistance of power in the United States.
Attributes: CPDP – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Difference/Power/Discrimination
NMC 498, ADVANCED COLLABORATIVE EXPERIENCE, 3-4 Credits
Senior-level course designed to integrate the skills and knowledge obtained through NMC course work into a group research, group project, and/or group production that will be useful to students for their professional portfolio or serve as the basis for academic publication. Topic changes per term.
Prerequisite: (NMC 101 with C- or better or NMC 101H with C- or better) and NMC 301 [C-]
This course is repeatable for 4 credits.
NMC 499, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits
This course is repeatable for 16 credits.