Senate Document Number 4499S

Date of Senate Approval 4/08/99

Statement of Faculty Senate Action:

APC Document #28 Catalog Copy for Multimedia Arts and Sciences

Add: on page 142, before the section titled "Minor in Multimedia Arts and Sciences" and after the faculty listing the following

The Multimedia Arts and Sciences program emphasizes the learning of how to present new ideas through the use of computer manipulation. This is a process specifically designed for students to explore scripting, presentation, and differing visual and aural environments in order to attain specific interactive objectives. Students will have opportunities to hone their computer skills and apply theory learned in the classroom. Ultimate applications may apply to interactive presentations, either web based or with CD-ROMs. The program objectives are:

1. To teach students the technical considerations and skills involved in the computer-based manipulation of image and sound.

2. To prepare students to make aesthetic choices in computer-based manipulations of image and sound.

3. To involve students in a collaborative creative and technical process that will lead to careers in industry, the arts, and education.

4. To link students' understanding of the applied areas to an awareness of interdisciplinary needs of industry, the arts, and education.

5. To help students understand the moral, ethical, historical, and theoretical dimensions of creative decision-making across disciplines.

Major in Multimedia Arts and Sciences

I. Required courses for the major--36-45 hours, including ART 100, MMAS 107, 121, 221, 490, MCOM 490 (program core), and 18-27 hours (one-half of which must be at the 300-400 level) chosen from the following units:

a. Aesthetics Unit--3 hours from DRAM 123; MCOM 380; MGMT 384 (required prerequisites include PSYC 202 or STAT 185 or 225); PHIL 310.

b. Graphics Unit--3 hours from ART 101; MCOM 341; MMAS 310.

c. Media Unit-- 6-9 hours. Students must choose one of the options listed below:

1. Media Option (6)-- MMAS 439 and 440.

2. Music Option 1 (6)--MUSC 131 and either MUSC 335, or MUSC 384 and 385.

3. Music Option 2 (9)--MUSC 131, 384, 385, 386, 387.

4. Mass Comm Option 1 (6)--MCOM 205 and either 343 or 492.

5. Mass Comm Option 2 (6)--MCOM 205 and either MMAS 439 or 440.

d. Programming Unit--6 hours from CSCI 201, 346 (prerequisites include CSCI 202); MMAS 340, 348 (prerequisites include CSCI 202) or 401.

III. Other program requirements--Oral competency is satisfied in MMAS 221 by delivery of a formal presentation judged satisfactory by the program faculty. The senior demonstration of competency is satisfied by completion of MMAS 490 with a grade of C or better.

Declaring a major in Multimedia Arts and Sciences requires the student to complete a Declaration of Major form that must be signed by the program director. Before declaring the major a student must have completed both the LANG 102 and Library Research requirements, in addition to MMAS 107.

ADD: on page 142 between the section titled "Requirements for the Minor" and the course listing for "Special Topics in Multimedia Arts and Sciences" the following course titles and descriptions.

107 Introduction to Computers and Multimedia (CSCI 107) (3)

A survey of computer hardware and software, networking and the Internet, the convergence of personal computers and consumer electronics, digital representation of sound and images, multimedia presentations and authoring. Includes formal labs to develop skills in useful computer applications such as spreadsheets, databases, Internet browsers and multimedia design tools. Fall & Spring.

121 Networking and Hypertext (CSCI 121 ) (3)

Design and development of networked hypertext documents such as Internet home pages. Digital representation of images and sound for computer documents. Search strategies for computer networks. Prerequisite: MMAS 107. Fall & Spring.

Skills of multimedia authoring, including techniques for the manipulation of text, sound, and visual images. Construction of a card-based "story-board" for multimedia presentations: use of "time-line" -based programs to author a multimedia project. Prerequisite: MMAS 107. Spring.

310 Computer Animation (CSCI 310 ) (3)

Introduction and study of the principles of traditional animation, 2D and 3D computer animation, and computer modeling and rendering. Concepts including color theory, shading, lighting, keyframes, particle systems, raytracing and radiosity will be presented in lectures and explored during demonstrations and hands-on labs. Prerequisites CSCI 201 and ART 100, or permission of instructor. Even year Fall.

Survey of multimedia hardware and software. Topics include compression, signal processing, user interfaces, and intellectual property issues. Homework and lab sessions explore hardware and software used to generate and edit images, sound, video and animation. Prerequisite: MMAS 107, or permission of instructor. See program director.

A study of the design and development of graphical user interfaces for computer applications. Window layout, menuing systems, interface standards, event-driven and object-oriented programming techniques. Prerequisite: CSCI 202 or permission of the instructor. See program director.

Advanced techniques of authoring multimedia texts, including but not limited to three-dimensional morphing, VRML, automated hyperlink construction, sprite animation, and more sophisticated 'time-line' programming techniques. Prerequisites: MMAS 107 and MMAS 221, or permission of instructor. 3 hrs. Spring.

Creation of a multimedia portfolio, showcasing the student's work. Students will receive hands-on training in the creation and display of a variety of visual, audio, textual, and graphic information in a coherent presentation. Attention will be paid to structural, aesthetic, authoring, digitizing, and copyright concerns. Prerequisites: MMAS 107 and MMAS 221, or permission of instructor. See Program Director.

Supervised work in a community setting. Students will receive hands-on training in the creation of multimedia projects in an applied setting. Prerequisites: MMAS 107 and either MMAS 221 or 340, or permission of instructor. See Program Director.

A study of the effects of new media upon culture, with particular emphasis on the manner in which new media may change the democratic process, consumer behavior, and social norms. Students will consider the theoretical impact of new media from a psychological, sociological, and cultural viewpoint. Prerequisites: completion of other core courses, or permission of instructor. Spring.

Replace: with the following

107 Introduction to Computers and Multimedia (3) (MMAS 107)

Delete: on page 92, the course title for CSCI 121

Replace: with the following

121 Networking and Hypertext (3) (MMAS 121)

Delete: on page 93, the course title for CSCI 310 (see APC Document #21)

Replace: with the following

310 Computer Animation (3) (MMAS 310)

Delete: on page 93, the course title for CSCI 340 (see APC Document #21)

Replace: with the following

340 Multimedia Technology (3) (MMAS 340)

Delete: on page 94, the course title for CSCI 348 (see APC Document #21)

Replace: with the following

348 Graphical User Interface (3) (MMAS 348)

Delete: on page 100, the course title for DRAM 439 (see APC Document #20)

Replace: with the following

439 Multimedia Portfolio (3) (MMAS 439)

Delete: on page 142 under Participating Faculty, the phrase

C. Bennett (Physics)

Impact Statement:

The multimedia arts and sciences degree program will use much of the existing curricular, personnel, and equipment resources of several participating departments. In addition the General Administration has funded the program so as not to put financial strains on existing programs at UNCA. The entire UNCA community will benefit from such funding as computer labs will get upgrades in equipment and software. Additional labs that are being built will have support from the multimedia program as well.

Faculty in other departments will teach classes that are cross-listed as multimedia as well as classes that contribute to the major. An additional full time faculty position was approved and funded with the program and will assume the directorship and teach many of the multimedia-listed classes.

The multimedia task force will examine the minor and re-evaluate upon Senate confirmation of the proposed major.

Rationale:

With our entrance into the 21^st century, it becomes increasingly clear that new technologies change our perceptions of how we think, how we learn, and how we communicate with each other. In the midst of the digital revolution we have become increasingly dependent on computers in order to communicate and express our ideas. Computers have the ability to manipulate images and sound to the point of rewriting history and our perceptions of one another. With this awesome ability must come a sense of responsibility, both ethically and aesthetically. It is with these concerns and ideas that the multimedia major was founded.

Unlike a trade school where only skills are taught, this inter-disciplinary program places equal importance on theoretical, ethical and aesthetic concerns. Within the core of the program, emphasis is placed on law and ethics, design, and skills necessary in this new media. Outside of the core classes, students choose different areas of expertise within units that comprise multimedia: graphics, aesthetics, media, and programming. In a truly liberal arts approach to inter-disciplinary learning, courses are offered from art, computer science, drama, management, mass communication, music, and philosophy.

Digital information is so precise that replication has no deterioration. The material is preserved for the life of the storage media. The ease of which copyrighted material may be duplicated has never entered such a tumultuous period since the invention of the Xerox copy machine. This is one of many reasons why ethics are an important element of the major. People are tempted to duplicate music, art, and programs without concern for the originator. We hope to instill a sense of honor within the student's value system.

A brief journey on the fiber optic highway is all that is necessary to understand why aesthetics are an important ingredient to the program. Principles of composition and elements of design and invention are a backbone of any art form and someday this technology may become a technology art, much as photography or film.

In this ever-changing technological environment, it becomes increasingly apparent that flexibility is an important aspect of this major. The software and hardware are constantly changing and influencing the skill level by which one is considered proficient. With diversified student interest, it is important to offer students a multitude of choices that stimulate their interests and challenge their skills.

This is the first new major at UNCA in the last 12 years. To that end, it typifies an effort from many different disciplines that came together as a task force and designed a program that is flexible, theoretical, analytical, and covers the broad spectrum that is multimedia.

The rational for the program itself is contained in the document that was submitted to General Administration by the multimedia task force and endorsed by the University Planning Council and Faculty Senate. It details the compatibility of the program to UNCA's mission and its impact on existing academic programs.