Full-Time Faculty: Barbara J. Irwin, Chair, Barry Berlin, John S. Dahlberg, Erik Day, Benjamin J. Dunkle, Catherine Foster, Jamie O’Neil, Melissa B. Wanzer, Charles J. Wigley III.
The Communication Studies Department offers a bachelor of science degree through the Digital Media Arts program. As new and more powerful communication technologies in the digital age transform ways in which we communicate and interact, students will have a vast array of new career options. Students can position themselves to take advantage of these new opportunities by gaining cutting-edge practical and theoretical skills to create and design content using digital tools.
The Digital Media Arts degree in the Communication Studies Department focuses on design for web and print, video production/post-production, and 3D modeling and animation, in a 13-course, 39-credit major. State-of-the-art facilities are featured at the Digital Media Arts’ home in Lyons Hall.
Admission
Prospective Digital Media Arts majors must have a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00, including a minimum grade of C- in all digital media arts courses taken to date. Because of the highly competitive nature of the program, the performance of all majors is subject to review relative to their continuation in the program. It is expected that students in the program must have a much higher GPA than 2.0 to continue as a DMA major.
Review of Prospective Majors
The Communication Studies Department has adopted a program to review the academic progress of prospective digital media arts majors.
Every freshman class will be evaluated for progress within the major when they are second-semester sophomores and have accumulated 45 credits. This evaluation reviews the overall GPA, the student’s GPA in DMA 201 and at least two other DMA courses, as well as a portfolio of the student’s work.
In regard to transfers and students who change their major to DMA, the department will review each after he/she has taken three DMA courses at Canisius.
The Digital Media Arts curriculum:
Digital Media Arts majors select an academic sequence within the major. They need at least 39 hours (or 36 hours for dual majors) but are limited to a maximum of 54 hours in digital media arts.
A minimum overall average of 2.00 in all coursework is required of all Digital Media Arts majors to be certified for graduation.
Digital Media Arts Curriculum
| 1. ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) | (12 credits) | |
| 2. Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: I, III, IV, V, VI, VII , VIII (Area II is automatically fulfilled because this program is in the social sciences) (14 courses) | (42 credits) | |
| 3. Major course requirements: (13 courses) | (39 credits) | |
| DMA 201 Introduction to Digital Media Arts | (3 credits) | |
| DMA 202 Digital Media and Culture | (3 credits) | |
| DMA 203 Digital Design Concepts | (3 credits) | |
| DMA 204 Digital Media Law and Ethics | (3 credits) | |
| DMA 205 Digital Graphics | (3 credits) | |
| DMA 206 Interactive Multimedia | (3 credits) | |
| DMA 207 Digital Media Programming | (3 credits) | |
| DMA 408 Capstone | (3 credits) | |
| A minimum grade of C- is necessary in all required courses. Students receiving a grade of D or F must repeat the course. All eight courses must be taken by all majors. | ||
| DMA electives (See list below) (5 courses) | (15 credits) | |
| DMA major electives fall into three categories: Design, Technical and Critical. With the guidance of their advisors, DMA majors select 5 courses from among major electives to create a coherent program of study. At least 2 of the courses selected should be in design. | ||
| 4. Electives (9 courses) | (27 credits) | |
| TOTAL (40 courses) | (120 credits) | |
DMA Electives
(*=Fall Even, **=Fall Odd, ***=Spring Even, ****=Spring Odd)
Design
DMA 316: Intro to 2D Animation*
DMA 317: Intro to Motion Graphics**
DMA 342: Intro to Web Design*
DMA 363: Print Design****
DMA 384: Digital Typography**
DMA 351: 3D Modeling, Texturing & Lighting**
DMA 352: 3D Character Animation****
DMA 353: 3D Dynamics*
DMA 354: 3D Graphics for Electronic Games***
DMA 393: Advanced Digital Design***
DMA 395: Digital Illustration*
DMA 413: Advanced Motion Graphics DMA 442: Advanced Web Design****
FAS 110 - Two-Dimensional Foundations
FAS 111 - Studio Drawing
FAS 112 - Studio Design
FAS 339 - Digital Photography
Technical
COM 361 - Introduction to TV Production**
COM 461 - Advanced TV (Studio) Production Fall
COM 491/492- Video Institute I & II Fall, Spring
DMA 309 - Digital Music Technology****
DMA 310 - Digital Audio/Music Production***
DMA 387 - Digital Video Production*
DMA 416 - Advanced 2D Computer Animation****
DMA 480 - Advanced Digital Media Programming**
DMA 487 - Advanced Digital Video Production****
CSC 111 - Intro to Programming
ISB 455 - E-Commerce and Web Site Design
Critical
COM 311 - Principles of Advertising Fall
COM 315 - Advertising and the Creative Process Fall
COM 325 - Media Literacy Fall
COM 328 - Scriptwriting
COM 374 - Film History Fall
COM 375 - Film Classics Fall
DMA 336 - Animation: History & Technique***
DMA 337 - Cinematic Visual Effects: History & Techniques****
DMA 340 - Writing for the Digital Media
DMA 346 - Video Games: History & Technique***
DMA 347 - Electronic Game Design**
PHI 325 - Philosophy of Art and Beauty
ISB 470 - Special Topics in IS: Cybersecurity
Other
DMA 488-Internship I Seminar
DMA 498-Internship II Seminar (optional)
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall | Spring | |||||
| Freshman Year | ||||||
| ENG 101 | 3 credits | ENG 102 | 3 credits | |||
| DMA 201 | 3 credits | RST 101 | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | DMA elective | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | Free elective | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| Sophomore Year | ||||||
| PHI 101 | 3 credits | DMA elective | 3 credits | |||
| DMA 202 or 203 | 3 credits | DMA 206 | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | Free elective | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| Junior Year | ||||||
| DMA 202 or 203 | 3 credits | DMA 207 | 3 credits | |||
| DMA 205 | 3 credits | DMA 204 | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| Free elective | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| Senior Year | ||||||
| DMA 408 or | DMA 408 or | |||||
| DMA elective | 3 credits | DMA elective | 3 credits | |||
| DMA elective or | ||||||
| Internship | 3 credits | AS | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | Free elective | 3 credits | |||
| AS | 3 credits | Free elective | 3 credits | |||
| Free elective | 3 credits | Free elective | 3 credits | |||
| Total | 15 credits | Total | 15 credits | |||
| TOTAL | 120 credits |
Additional Information
The Digital Media Arts program combines design, technical and critical approaches with intensive instruction in the use of digital tools. Dual majors are available with the permission and guidance of both chairs.
Facilities
Four computer labs, digital video editing stations, an audio/music production studio and a television studio/control room are available for student use in Lyons Hall.
The Lyons Hall third-floor Mac Lab, in Lyons 312, features 26 Macintosh G5 iMac Flat Panel computers with DVD-RW drives, laser printer and one Power Macintosh G4 tower with scanner and multimedia card reader. Software available includes Adobe CS3 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks), Quark Express, Protools LE, After Effects 6.5, Cinema 4D. A scanner and a laser printer flank the room. A touch screen in an instructor’s bunker controls a VCR, DVD player and an Elmo documentation presentation system. Ports for plug-and-go setups, such as laptops and laserdisc players, are built into the bunker.
A Web and imaging lab in Lyons 325, provides five Macintosh G5 iMac Flat Panel computers with DVD-RW drives, a Quad-Processor Powermac G5, a Gateway Profile running Windows XP, two scanners, three drawing tablets, a large format color inkjet printer and a color laser printer. Software is identical to the software in LY 312.
The digital imaging lab, which is maintained by the Media Center in Lyons 413, houses: three Final Cut Pro non-linear editing stations (MAC); three i-movie non-linear editing workstations (MAC); three iMac computers for still imaging (MAC); one scanner workstation (MAC); 1 Laser printer; one audio editing workstation featuring Digital Performer, GarageBand & ProTools LE (MAC) and an audio production studio.
An additional lab, Lyons 122, features 15 20" Intel-based Imacs running Mac OS 10.4 and Windows XP, a laser printer and a scanner. Software includes Maya and Final Cut Pro. This computer lab is primarily used for advanced Digital Media Arts electives.
A design production lab in Lyons 328, features a 17" wide large format printer and mounting resources for presentations of printed digital work.
In the Media Center on the fourth floor of Lyons Hall, a 26' x 30' television studio features a hard cyclorama, lighting grid with dimmer control and three digital studio video cameras.
The control room has custom-built consoles to house the digital video switcher with special effects, a 16-channel audio mixing board, teleprompter, DAT audio recorder, character generator and an intercom/FB system. The digital video-mastering format is DVCAM with BetaCam SP, S-VHS and Hi-8 video transports. Four equipment racks and 83 consoles house the audio/video distribution, including patch panels and routers. The studio also has the capability to send video to the campus cable RF video system. The college’s Media Center provides the TV studio’s operational support.
Across from the TV studio, a screening room provides comfortable tiered seating, a video and DVD projector, as well as a professional sound system.
Students can also sign out equipment (various digital cameras, camcorders, etc.) from the Media Center on the 4th floor of Lyons Hall. Check out www.canisius.edu/mediacenter/equipment.asp for a complete list of available resources.
COURSES: 2007 - 2009
Note: Some communication studies courses count as DMA courses. Please refer to the Communication Studies section in this catalog for descriptions. Additional courses may be offered each semester in both the day and evening. Students should consult the department.
DMA 201 Intro to Digital Media 3 credits
Introduces the fundamentals of digital systems and technologies through class lecture and hands-on approaches. Software and hardware used for web design, multimedia, video production, graphics and audio production.
DMA 202 Digital Media Culture 3 credits
Explores how digitization impacts our personal, business, cultural, institutional and international lives. Also examines the ways in which digital media transform communication and expression.
DMA 203 Digital Design Concepts 3 credits
Introduces the conceptual, perceptual and manual skills in traditional design, as well as hypertext. Topics include typography and visual communication, color theory, the principles of form, structure, spatial design and photomanipulation.
DMA 204 Digital Media Law/Ethics 3 credits
Introduces a wide range of legal and ethical issues in cyberspace, including: the First Amendment, copyright, libel, hate speech, pornography/obscenity, privacy, commercial speech and national security.
DMA 205 Digital Graphics 3 credits
This course will familiarize students with digital graphics techniques, file formats and applications. Students will develop digital image creation skills along with effective workflow habits. Through the completion of a sketchbook, a file format review article, quizzes, weekly exercises and four projects, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of digital graphics and still image composition. The class will work with various digital image creation techniques and applications (using bitmap graphics as well as 2D and 3D vector graphics) to complete a dynamic body of digital still imagery. Utilizing a page layout application, students will then combine the four projects into a cohesive mini-portfolio ready for print. This is a required course for all DMA majors. Prerequisite: DMA 201 or permission of instructor.
DMA 206 Interactive Multimedia 3 credits
Examines the types, processes and applications of multimedia content. Emphasis will be on the production and manipulation of video, sound and animation files to create interactive computer presentations using Macromedia Director. Prerequisite: DMA 201 or permission of instructor.
DMA 207 Digital Media Programming 3 credits
Explores the structure of the Internet, its software and different programming languages. Covers XHML, Javascript, CSS as they apply to web design. Prerequisite: DMA 201 or permission of instructor.
DMA 309 Music Technology 3 credits
Explore music sequencing, midi, audio plug-ins and other tools used by professional musicians, sound designers and multimedia specialists. No music background required.
DMA 310 Digital Audio/Music Production 3 credits
Learn fundamental techniques of digital audio and music production using current technologies in digital recording, software and audio post-production. Discuss current trends in audio production and the tools used for composing and producing electronic music. No music background required.
DMA 316 2D Computer Animation 3 credits
This course is an overview of all forms of digital animation. Through hands-on exercises and projects utilizing After Effects, Cinema4D and other digital animation applications, students will explore both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional digital animation.
DMA317 Introduction to Motion Graphics 3 credits
New methods of visual communication include sequences of digitally enhanced visual imagery. One of the most popular methods of enhancing the appeal of these sequences of visual imagery is through the addition of computer generated motion graphics. Through hands-on projects and exercises utilizing primarily Adobe After Effects and Photoshop students will unlock the secrets of motion graphics.
DMA336 Animation: History & Technique 3 credits
This course will explore the origins, history and techniques of animation in its various mediums, initially focusing on hand-drawn cel animation and eventually including other forms including stop-motion and 3-dimensional computer animation. The course approaches the animated film both as a distinctive art form and as a cultural and ideological text.
DMA337 Cinematic Special Effects: History and Techique 3 credits
This course will first investigate the origins of traditional visual effects, and then explore how the computer is utilized to apply these traditional processes and procedures to the modern digital techniques of visual effects.
FAS 131 Digital Photography 3 credits
Covers the basic methods used to capture, record, manipulate and exchange images both on film and through digital files. A workflow designed to merge film-based photography into editing software will be presented.
DMA 340 Writing for the Digital Media 3 credits
Intensive writing assignments employing message-design principles/style guidelines for writing for the web, CDs, DVDs, etc.
DMA 342 Intro to Web Design 3 credits
Introduction to the state of the art in on-line multimedia publishing. Working individually and in teams, students learn to publish well-designed World Wide Web documents that communicate effectively. DMA elective.
DMA346 Video Games-History/Technique 3 credits
Provides an analytical and historical approach to the advancement of entertainment software. Encompassing cultural, professional, business, and scientific and technical evolution, the History of Video Games will communicate the socio-cultural impacts of interactive entertainment on society.
DMA347 Electronic Game Design 3 credits
Covers the art, craft and business of creating electronic games. Develop your own game concept, learn the basics of interactive authoring and produce a storyboard. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the gaming industry and the languages of game design.
DMA351 3D Modeling, Texturing and Lighting 3 credits
This course is a hands-on overview of the broad and complex areas of 3D computer modeling, texturing and lighting. Different modeling approaches will be explored, including box modeling, lofting, and sculpting, Various 3D texturing techniques and lighting approaches will also be investigated.
DMA352 3D Character Animation 3 credits
A hands-on overview of the broad and complex areas of 3D computer character rigging and animation. The process of rigging the underlying structure of bone and muscle will be explored along with styles and techniques of character animation. Students will uncover secrets for rigging and animating bipeds, quadrapeds and other living creatures, real or fictional.
DMA353 3D Dynamics 3 credits
In the real world, dynamics is the branch of classical mechanics that is concerned with the effects of forces on the motion of objects. In the world of 3D computer animation, dynamics is the virtual replication of these effects of forces on the motion of virtual objects, including creating virtual waves on water, explosions, etc.
DMA354 3D Graphics for Electronic Games 3 credits
This course is a hands-on overview of 3D computer-generated content creation for electronic games. Students will explore the concepts of low-poly modeling, low-poly UV texture-mapping and the interaction between the Maya 3D toolset and state-of-the-art game engines, such as Quake and Unreal.
DMA 359 Criticism and Evaluation 3 credits
This course explores criteria for judging aesthetic quality, functionality, usability and effectiveness of digital media projects. Students will combine selected theoretical topics and research with hands-on work intended for review by real-world clients, design competitions and digital media festivals. Prerequisite: DMA 201 or permission of instructor.
DMA 363 Print Design 3 credits
Focuses on critical topics in layout, folding, binding and printing, as well as critical/creative issues in magazine, publication and high-end corporate design. Prerequisites: DMA 203 Digital Design Concepts or DMA 205 Digital Graphics.
DMA 384 Digital Typography 3 credits
Principles of typography will be presented, including popular and classic typefaces. Students can design their own typefaces for both print and screen.
DMA 386 Real-time 3D Modeling 3 credits
The course explores the complexities of low-polygon, real-time 3D graphics. Students will produce real-time graphic projects for use on-line or within a game engine such an Unreal Tournament.
DMA 387 Digital Video Production 3 credits
Focuses on the technical and creative processes involved in digital video field production and post-production. Topics include scripting, lighting, camera operation, audio, non-linear editing and video streaming for the web. Prerequisite: DMA 201 or permission of instructor.
DMA 393 Advanced Digital Design 3 credits
Advanced course demanding innovational, intellective, design and technical skills in multimedia and cyber-communication projects. Authoring, video and sound editing computer applications, animation, as well as cyberspace file transfer and programming are emphasized. Prerequisite: DMA 203 or permission of instructor.
DMA 395 Digital Illustration 3 credits
Don’t violate copyrighted imagery off the web - create your own! You don’t have to know how to draw to create stunning graphics. Use Adobe CS to learn approaches, techniques and current trends of professional Illustrators. Prerequisite: DMA 201 or permission of instructor
DMA 408 Capstone 3 credits
Students will develop a portfolio helpful for an entry-level position in digital media. A professional-level project will be required of all majors to demonstrate specific strengths in visual communications, web-based research, interactive CDs, DVDs, web site design, traditional print materials and the like. Service learning option.
DMA 416 Advanced 2D Computer Animation 3 credits
Expanding upon 2D Computer Animation, this production course will develop an entire animated feature from start to finish. Processes involve creating detailed storyboards, character design, background and stage imaging and motion studies. The project will be broken into a series of smaller scenes and re-assembled with animated titles and credits resulting in a complete 2D animated short. Prerequisite: DMA 389.
DMA 442 Advanced Web Design 3 credits
Concentrates on effective website design, practical web programming skills and the understanding of Flash for web development.
DMA 480 Advanced Digital Media Programming 3 credits
In this course students explore advanced server and client side programming using PHP, MySQL, XML, AS, and DHTML in order to create complex database-driven on-line systems and interactive art works. Examples include content management engines and procedural epoetry.
DMA 487 Advanced Digital Video Production 3 credits
This course focuses on advanced techniques in non-linear editing, motion graphics and digital video production. Critical analysis of micro-media digital films, important avant-garde breakthroughs, streaming video and the development of graphic design in motion will be covered. Software: Apple Final Cut Pro HD and Adobe After Effects.
DMA 488 Internship I Seminar 3-12 credits
Student experientially learns communication functions in compatibly matched professional setting, locally or out-of-town. Faculty and on-site supervision. Seminar required. Pass/fail. May be repeated as DMA 498; 12-credit limit for DMA 488/498 combined. Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior majors with G.P.A. of at least 2.50 Digital Media Arts average of 2.70 and approved by department faculty. Applications on Communication Studies Department website. Fall, Spring
DMA 491/492 Video Institute I & II 3 credits
Students develop individual, original video projects in service to Canisius College and community/ humanitarian agencies. Travel may be involved for some projects. Registration by permission only. Fall, Spring
DMA 498 Internship II Seminar 3-9 credits
Sequel to DMA 488 for students taking a second internship. Each student is limited to a combined total of 12 credit hours for DMA 488 and 498. Prerequisite: Same as for DMA 488. Fall, Spring
DMA 499 Independent Study 3 credits
Student conducts original project or self-designed course of study under the tutelage of Digital Media Arts faculty member. Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior majors in good standing with consent of instructor and chair. Fall, Spring
Note: Students may also earn Digital Media Arts credit for the following courses offered through other programs. Please see course descriptions in the respective major/program pages in this catalog.
FAS 110 - Two-Dimensional Foundations
FAS 111 - Studio Drawing
FAS 112 - Studio Design
FAS 339 - Digital Photography
COM 361 - Introduction to TV Production
COM 461 - Advanced TV (Studio) Production
CSC 111 - Intro to Programming
ISB 455 - E-Commerce and Web Site Design
COM 311 - Principles of Advertising
COM 315 - Advertising and the Creative Process
COM 325 - Media Literacy
COM 328 - Scriptwriting
COM 374 - Film History
COM 375 - Film Classics
PHI 325 - Philosophy of Art and Beauty
ISB 470 - Special Topics in IS: Cybersecurity