New Media

OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: New Media majors must have a “C-” or better in each required major course taken.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 in the major.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: NMD 498 and NMD 499

Contact Information: Larry Latour, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Chair of New Media Department, 5713 Chadbourn Hall, (207) 581-4433

The New Media Department offers an interdisciplinary course of study in how advances in expressive technologies and networked communication are changing how we relate to each other and to the world around us. The curriculum’s melding of critical perspective with hands-on practice enables students to become articulate and creative thinkers who are proficient with a range of technologies.

UMaine New Media is taught by a core faculty with expertise in art, design, computer science, engineering, cultural studies, creative writing, and journalism. Cooperating professors from fine art, computer science, music, psychology and English add further dimensions to the Department’s offerings.

All pre-portfolio majors share a common experience studying applied process and theory in New Media foundation courses as well as in other related disciplines. This three-semester experience is caped off by a portfolio review conducted by the program faculty.  In subsequent years, majors focus on three of the following five areas of concentration:

• Digital Reporting and Documentary Production —  content-based media production and dissemination using cameras and recorders.
• Information and Interaction Design —  the intersection of information design, interaction design and sensorial design in development and creation user experiences.
• Digital Narrative and Hypertext —  the analysis, design and production of digital narrative, storytelling and performance.
• Time Art and Design -  creative expression in mediums such as installation, digital cinema, animation, audio, enhanced environments, and real-time performance.
• Networks and  Creativity-  harnessing the Internet to build, share, and preserve digital culture, from Web design to emulation.

New Media majors are encouraged to complete a minor in another field. New Media students also may apply to work in the New Media and Internet Technologies Lab. This is a collaborative environment that designs and produces sophisticated prototypes and projects ranging from Web sites and interactive CD-ROMs to kiosks and video documentaries.

In the spring semesters students are brought together in Project Design Workshops that integrate knowledge from the various sequences and explore the collaborative process. A two-part, six-credit senior capstone experience completes the BA. Here, students design and produce advanced projects that incorporate such media as innovative Web projects; experimental forms of animated, feature or documentary video; social, cultural and creative networks; and interactive games.

New Media majors are encouraged to apply new media strategies and techniques to other fields, including their Minor concentration. New Media students also may apply to work in the New Media and Internet Technologies Lab (commonly known as ASAP). This is a collaborative environment that designs and produces sophisticated prototypes and projects ranging from Web sites and interactive CD-ROMs to kiosks and video documentaries.

Each New Media major is required to have a personal laptop capable of performing essential functions that are taught in core New Media courses. Purchase of additional hardware and software may be necessary depending on the student’s specialized interests. Minimum specifications for new media computers are available by writing or calling the New Media program office, 426 Chadbourne Hall, (207) 581-4358.
 
Requirements
New Media majors must complete a total of 48 New Media courses. A “C-” or better is required in all courses that satisfy New Media major program requirements. ENG 317 (Business and Technical Writing) or equivalent is a required course outside the major.