Mission Statement
The B.A. in Digital Culture and Design is designed to provide students with the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary study in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, with a focus on developing critical perspectives and practical skill sets in creating and utilizing digital media and content.
The mission of the Digital Culture and Design program is to prepare students to conduct advanced research across disciplinary boundaries, to synthesize information, and to present that information in a range of digital formats that suit the needs of a variety of audiences. Students in the B.A. in Digital Culture and Design program investigate the reflexive imbrication of technology and humanities and fine arts. They practice critical thinking skills not only on their assignments within the foundational theory and methods courses, but in the design and completion of digital projects in each of the advanced methods courses and in either an internship or practicum experience. The development of these skills culminates with their individually-designed capstone projects. They become adept at collaboration with colleagues in other fields of study; they investigate and pursue practical applications of disciplinary knowledge through digital technologies and content creation; they become more proficient in writing and in representing humanistic knowledge through other forms of media; they utilize technology for presentations, visual media and print documents; and they learn professional procedures appropriate for a variety of both public sector and private industry settings.
Students majoring in Digital Culture and Design must earn a ‘C’ or above in each course used to satisfy requirements for the Major.
Program Goals and Outcomes
Goal 1: Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the concept of and competency in the application of the methodology of critical making.
1.1 Students will create a multi-element digital or new media project that demonstrates comprehension of critical making as a methodology.
1.2 Students will demonstrate an ability to articulate clearly through writing and information literacy the principal elements of critical making within the humanities and arts .
1.3 Students will demonstrate advanced competency through exam elements in at least three digital or new media modalities (code languages; platforms; or digital or new media composition platforms)
Goal 2: Demonstrate a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive foundation that draws on the history, theory, and practice of digital studies within the humanities and arts.
2.1 Students will demonstrate advanced critical thinking skills in written summary and analysis of text, interactive, and visual media objects.
2.2 Students will be able to summarize current debates, challenges, and issues in digital arts or humanities at large.
2.3 Students will draw on a rigorous combination of theory, analysis and hands-on digital work in the development of a digital and/or new media artifact.
Goal 3: Express ability to summarize and evaluate the processes and best practices of working with users and communities in bringing ideas from concept to production
3.1 Students will articulate and evaluate the practical steps necessary for implementing digital tools and resources.
3.2 Students will demonstrate knowledge of existing digital and/or archival resources in the student’s field of study in the arts and humanities.
3.3 Students will summarize and evaluate the processes and best practices of working with users and communities in bringing ideas from concept to production.
