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MMAS 490
Proseminar & Portfolio

Instructor: Curt Cloninger / curt at lab404 dot com / Zeiss 211

Course Site: lab404.com/490

MMAS 490 has two components:
1. Proseminar: Students will explore the effects of multimedia on culture, art, science, and ideas.
2. Portfolio: Students will develop a portfolio of completed projects for professional and graduate school work.

In the Proseminar component, we will review new media practices and methodologies, providing a historical overview of digital theory, design, and art. We will read critical texts on multimedia by artists, scientists, and theorists; and we will respond in writing and through class discussion -- placing these text in a social, historical, political, and ethical context.

In the portfolio component, emphasis will be placed on effective visual communication, meaningful solutions, creative problem solving, and effective process. Critical analysis of student work is integral to this component.

Prerequisite: MMAS 322

This course is Writing Intensive, which means writing is an essential component of the course. In the Proseminar section of the course, you will read and be exposed to various multi-disciplinary perspectives. Writing is an integral tool which will allow you to better comprehend and assimilate these perspectives. Through your writing, you will develop and explore original insights regarding multimedia and its relation to contemporary culture. Research, thinking, and written expression are intrinsically related. In the Portfolio section of the course, you will use writing in conjunction with pre-design research as a means of crafting and justifying pragmatic visual and interactive design decisions.

In this course you will:
  • Design, implement, and present a portfolio web site of your work
  • Design a business card to accompany your portfolio site
  • Critique the design work of your peers
  • Defend your design decisions and respond to peer critique of your own work
  • Make pragmatic design decisions based on well-informed, concisely-articulated design research
  • Understand how media, technology, and culture affect each other
  • Gain insight into the historical evolution of multimedia forms
  • Develop a theoretical vocabulary with which to describe and analyze new and emergent media
  • Improve your ability to dialogue in class about topics related to the assigned readings
  • Write a research paper on the (approved) multimedia topic of your choice
  • Write several shorter responses to ongoing reading assignments

Note: The total passing score on assignments does not guarantee a passing grade for the course. Your adherence to the attendance policy, along with your participation in class critiques, presentations, and in-class exercises significantly impacts your final grade. Grades can be dropped if assignments are late. Missing more than 2 class in the semester will result in lowering your final grade. Please read both the attendance and grading policy carefully.

Required Materials:
Bulldog email account -- check regularly
Student web hosting space (for posting work)
Blank CDs, notebook or sketchbook, graph paper, pencils, and pens


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