University Catalog 2015-2016

University of Colorado Boulder
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Critical Media Practices (DCMP)

    DCMP addresses the changing landscape of electronic media making by developing both analytical and production skills across a wide range of platforms, practices and technologies while simultaneously placing them within the broader perspective of culture and history. The department explores cross-platform media production, computational media and creative ethnography, as well as other time-based media arts practices such as locative media and performance art. Our convergent approach to media spans a variety of media tools including digital photography, audio/video editing and single camera video production, open source programming and digital single lens reflex cameras, as well as emergent tools under development. With an emphasis on the interaction between critical theory and media production practices, students are encouraged to not only thoughtfully engage with the diversity of media cultures but to also become active entrepreneurial media producers, directors, writers, editors and scholars at the forefront of emerging cultural industries. Critical Media Practices prepares students to make productive use of the tools to engage creatively with the future trajectories of media, wherever they may lead.

    Students of Critical Media Practices will be exposed to a variety of approaches concerning the study of media, information and communication through core CMCI classes. The undergraduate program is designed to provide basic hands-on grounding in production theory, aesthetics, techniques and approaches emphasizing innovative approaches to media making. As such, the department provides a rich and varied resource for cross-pollination and collaboration. At the graduate level, the program features a terminal MFA. The department also supports a practice-based PhD in Emergent Technologies and Art Practices. This innovative merger of theory and praxis, spanning undergraduate through graduate education, places CU on the cutting edge of institutions exploring innovative models for educating twenty-first-century students as well as publishing and disseminating scholarship. 

    Course code for this program is MDPD.

    Bachelor's Degree Program(s)

    Bachelor's Degree in Media Production 

    Students complete the foundational courses in theory and practice before proceeding to advanced courses in media production and critical studies. Once the basic requirements are completed, students in this major may elect to focus on a specific area of concentration. Students may also elect to follow a comprehensive approach to media production provided by a 9-credit-hour elective structure. Students from within or outside CMCI can pursue course work within DCMP, provided they meet course prerequisites, though seating priority is given to declared majors. With advisor and faculty guidance, DCMP majors may elect to design a 12-credit-hour concentration derived from areas within the CMCI.

    Digital Media Cultures concentration

    Students follow the basic major requirements described above, but instead of taking electives they complete the 12-credit-hour certificate offered through the ATLAS Technology, Art and Media program. This provide students with an opportunity for an in-depth exploration of contemporary digital media cultures.

    Documentary Practices concentration

    Students follow the basic major requirements described above, but instead of taking electives they complete 12 hours of prescribed course work within DCMP focusing on documentary storytelling.

    Music Technology concentration

    Students follow the basic major requirements described above, but instead of taking electives they complete 18 hours of prescribed course work within DCMP focusing on Music Technology.

    Performance Media concentration

    Students follow the basic major requirements described above, but instead of taking electives they complete courses that develop a performance vocabulary and explore the historical and cultural contexts of performance through project-based courses exploring the design and implementation of media installations. The capstone project will be a large-scale performance or installation.

    Required Courses and Semester Credit Hours

    Students will take the foundational courses in theory and practice, DCMP 1400: Introduction to Contemporary Media Cultures (3 hours) and DCMP 2500: Introduction to Media Practices (4 hours) before proceeding to advanced courses in media production. Critical studies courses require that students take DCMP 1400. In addition to the basic requirements, students in this major may elect to focus on a specific area of concentration. Students may also elect to follow a comprehensive approach to media production provided by a nine credit hour elective structure. Students from within or outside the college may pursue course work within DCMP, provided they meet course prerequisites, though seating priority is given to declared majors. With advisor and faculty guidance, DCMP majors may elect to design a 12 credit hour concentration derived from areas within the college. All students will be required to take the capstone course Concepts and Practices of New Media (3 hours) in their final year. Credit distribution for BA in Media Production: Critical Media Practices courses (12 credit hours); Interdisciplinary Media Production requirements (13 credit hours); and Production electives (9 credit hours) or an DCMP concentration (12–18 credit hours).

    Required Studio Courses  (13 credit hours):

    • DCMP 2500: Introduction to Media Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 2600: Creative Media Making (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3500: Digital Photographic Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4900: Concepts and Practices of New Media (3 hours)

    Studio Electives Courses (Rotating Electives):

    • DCMP 2510: Critical Media Practices Workshop I (1-3 hours)
    • DCMP 2710: Media Production Methods and Ideas (3 hours)
    • DCMP 2720: Animation (3 hours)
    • DCMP 2810: Documentary Media Poetics (3 hours)
    • DCMP 2860 / MUSC 2081: Performance Audio Recording (2 hours)
    • DCMP 2870 / MUSC 2091: Recording Design (2 hours)
    • DCMP 3510: Critical Media Practices Workshop II (1-3 hours)
    • DCMP 3610: Contemporary Image Making Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3620: Images and Stories (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3720 / ENGL 3856 / ATLAS 3519: Multimedia Composition (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3810: Engaged Documentary Media Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3820: Introduction to Performance Media (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3830: Performance Design for Media (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3840: Sound Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3860 / MUSC / MUEL 4081: Introduction to Electronic Music (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3910: Media Production Topics (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3990: Media Professional Seminar (2 hours)
    • DCMP 4610: Small Screen Storytelling (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4620: Media Installations and Environments (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4630: Fundamentals of Computational Media (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4640 / ENGL 4116 / ATLAS 4519: Multimedia Sound (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4810: Advanced Documentary Media Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4820: Ethnographic Media (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4860 / MUSC 4111: Composing at the Computer (2 hours)
    • DCMP 4870 / MUSC / MUEL 4121: Sound Practices Topics (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4905: Independent Study (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4920: Media Production Internships (3 hours)

    Required Media Production Critical Studies Courses  (9 credit hours):

    • DCMP 1400: Introduction to Contemporary Media Cultures (4 hours)
    • DCMP 2100: Approaches to Historical Media Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 2400: Media Aesthetics (3 hours)

    Media Production Critical Studies Electives

    • DCMP 3210: Interactive Digital Cultures (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3350: Modes of Documentary Media History (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3410: Topics in Media Studies (3 hours)
    • DCMP 3450: Critical Perspectives in Media Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4110: Cultures of Digital Sound (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4220: Digital Archives in Media Practices (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4310: Screen Culture and Globalization (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4320: Media Engagement in Digital Diasporas (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4410: Topics in Contemporary Screen Technologies (3 hours)
    • DCMP 4450: Contemporary Issues in Documentary Media (3 hours)

    Graduate Degree Program(s)

    Graduate Study in Critical Media Practices

    The department offers programs of study leading to the MFA in interdisciplinary documentary and PhD in emergent technologies and media art practices. Interested students should contact the department for current admission and degree requirements.