Major in Media Arts and Design

Students wishing to major in Media Arts and Design should meet with the MADD Program Director early in their second year to help construct their course plan going forward. By Spring Quarter of their third year, all students will be required to file a major course agreement form with the department. Participation in the major must be declared to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, and the subsequent approved paperwork must be sent to the student's College adviser for official registration.
 

Curriculum changes apply for any students declaring in Autumn 2024 and beyond.

The major in Media Arts and Design requires a total of twelve courses with the following distribution:

• 2 Media Theory courses;
• 2 Media History courses;
• 2 Media Practice and Design courses;
• 4 electives in theory, practice, or design;
• 2 Capstone course, taken during the student’s final year.

Previous requirements for students declaring in Spring 2024 and prior:

• 2 Media Theory courses;
• 2 Media History courses;
• 2 Media Practice and Design courses;
• 5 electives in theory, practice, or design;
• 1 Capstone course, taken during the student’s final year.

These requirements aim to give students a well-rounded foundation in theoretical and historical aspects of media and design while also affording them opportunities for creativity. These courses will also prepare them for a multitude of media professions and fields, whether they aim to study media further in graduate school or become practitioners and artists.

Courses in the major program may not be counted toward general education requirements. Students may double count up to four courses with another major, with approval from both departments. Courses in the major must be taken for quality grades, and more than half of the requirements for the major must be met by registering for courses bearing University of Chicago course numbers.

The majority of MADD courses are cross-listed with other departments, often in Cinema and Media Studies, Visual Arts, Art History, Computer Science, Literature, Music, and Theater and Performance Studies. 

MADD courses and cross-lists are distributed across Media Theory, Media History, Media Practice and Design, and Electives according to their course number. 

Media Theory (10000 - 14999)
Media History (15000 - 19999)
Media Practice & Design (20000 - 24999)
Electives (25000 - 28999)

Media Arts and Design Electives

Students may choose their electives from any category, enabling them to customize their educational experience in alignment with their personal interests and academic trajectory. The only stipulation is that elective courses must originate from MADD or hold a MADD crosslist. 

Course Petitions

Students may find themselves in a situation where a non-MADD listed course aligns closely with MADD approaches or subject matter and they wish to include it in their course plan. To address such situations, students have the option to petition for the inclusion of non-MADD courses. To initiate this process, students are required to complete a course petition form. Along with the form, students should provide relevant course materials or coursework that demonstrates the alignment of the non-MADD course with MADD approaches. Each petition will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine its suitability for inclusion in the student's program of study.

As part of the Capstone Colloquium, students will work on creating a culminating capstone project and a portfolio. This comprehensive two-part sequence spans the Autumn and Winter Quarters of their fourth year, encompassing 'Methodologies' and 'Production'.

Students declaring their MADD major as of Autumn 2024 will be required to take both capstone courses. For students who declared in Spring 2024 or prior, it is strongly recommended that they take the full sequence. However, if scheduling constraints arise, they can arrange a meeting with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to explore alternative options.

As part of the Capstone Colloquium, students will work on creating a culminating capstone project and a portfolio. This comprehensive two-part sequence spans the Autumn and Winter Quarters of their fourth year, encompassing 'Methodologies' and 'Production'.

Students declaring their MADD major as of Autumn 2024 will be required to take both capstone courses. For students who declared in Spring 2024 or prior, it is strongly recommended that they take the full sequence. However, if scheduling constraints arise, they can arrange a meeting with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to explore alternative options.

Capstone I: Methodologies

The 'Methodologies' course is a cornerstone of the Media Arts and Design program, designed to equip students with essential skills and strategies for creative project development. This course explores the intricacies of ideation, effective research, goal setting, design, and project scoping. Students learn to adapt and adjust their approaches, tackle challenges, and embrace diverse methods, fostering an environment of nimble experimentation. 'Methodologies' serves as the foundation for students to conceptualize and iteratively evolve their ideas, setting the stage for successful project execution and portfolio development.

Capstone II: Production

The 'Production' course is the culmination of the Media Arts and Design program, offering students hands-on experience in bringing their creative concepts to life. In this course, students delve into practical project execution, guided by experienced instructors and equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technologies. From video game design to Internet art, this studio course provides the opportunity for students to apply their skills, refine their projects, and focus on craftsmanship and articulation, preparing students for the Capstone exhibition and beyond.

Capstone Projects

The major capstone project must include one substantive work or a constellation of smaller related pieces designed for public presentation. These works can take the form of a developed video game or software art, an interactive, generative or networked object, a media performance, a series of video essays, or other hypertext or hypermedia works. It can be a revision of a project initiated in a previous Media Arts and Design course or a new endeavor. Given the collaborative nature of Media Arts and Design, students have the option to work collaboratively. In addition to the practice-driven project, students are also required to theoretically and historically contextualize their work through documentation and portfolio development.

Exhibition

Capstone projects will be shared at an exhibition that takes place at the Media Arts, Data, and Design Center. This dynamic event happens in the Spring Quarter of students’ final year and will include both a showcase and presentations, which will give students experience displaying and discussing their work. 

Portfolio

To complete the major, students must prepare a portfolio of digital media artworks and/or historical and theoretical writing that includes an artist statement, a project statement and any supportive media documentation of their work. This portfolio requirement applies even if a student collaborates with others on certain projects, as it should showcase their individual contributions and creative growth.

Students majoring in Media Arts have the ability to specialize in a specific area while still exploring the broader field. They will join “clusters'' that reflect their main interest, and these clusters will help them achieve depth in a specific area. 

Students are free to take courses within their interests, but should be prepared to align their Capstone project with a particular concentration by their fourth year. They are welcome and encouraged to discuss their course planning and possible concentrations with a MADD advisor, especially during the major declaration process in their third year. Students should aim to take at least three courses pertaining to their cluster across their studies in preparation for the Capstone sequence. Sample study paths are available here.

The Media Arts and Design program (MADD) is an interdisciplinary program and currently offers the following clusters:

💾🎨 Creative Computing

Do you want to expand your creativity to an infinite canvas? In this cluster students will explore the expansive possibilities of the “meta-media” of computing, learning to harness its capacity to merge text, images, sound, and interactivity in blended and novel ways. The Creative Computing cluster encourages students to redefine the landscape of digital media, challenging conventional norms and crafting innovative forms of creative expression not previously possible with traditional media. Key faculty in this cluster include Nick Briz, Diana Franklin, Pedro Lopes, Ken Nakagaki, Jason Salavon, and Jon Satrom

🎛️🔊 Digital Sound and Music

Are you driven to discover new dimensions in sound and music? In the Digital Sound and Music cluster, students delve into the world of digital sound production, learning techniques to compose and score for nonlinear media such as video games. This cluster goes beyond traditional music-making, inviting students to redefine its boundaries, creating sound installations, algorithmic instruments and other innovative auditory experiences that challenge and expand our understanding of sound. Classes in this cluster are often cross-listed with the Music Department which has an Electronic Music Studio that students can take advantage of for their projects. Key faculty to note include David Bird, Nick Briz, Paula Harper, Jennifer Iverson, and Takashi Shallow.

✨🎬 Expanded Cinema 

Are you eager to take moving images beyond the traditional theater screen and narrative forms? In this cluster, students push moving images outside their typical frames exploring an assemblage of contexts including mixed reality (VR/AR), transmedia storytelling, video installation and AV performance. This cluster is a creative playground for filmmakers interested in experimental, participatory, hypermedia and other non-linear modes of storytelling that engage audiences in unprecedented ways. Key faculty in this area include Marc Downie, Ian Jones, Tom LaMarre, Daniel Morgan, AE Stevenson, and Scott Wolniak.

🕹️♟️ Games

Are you passionate about creating worlds, puzzles, and experiences that captivate and engage? In the Games cluster, students explore the vast universe of game design and development. Beyond video games, the cluster also explores the intricate design of card games, the imaginative realms of role-playing games and the innovative landscapes of alternate reality games. Here, students learn to craft not just games, but compelling experiences, mastering the art of storytelling, strategy, and design to create interactive adventures that resonate with a diverse set of audiences and themes. Key faculty for this cluster include Katherine Buse, Chris Carloy, Patrick Jagoda, Ian Jones, and Ashlyn Sparrow.

💻⚡️ Media Performance

Are you intrigued by the fusion of theater, play, and cutting-edge media technologies? The Media Performance cluster offers a unique blend of traditional performance arts with the dynamic realms of digital media. In this cluster, students dive into the world of experimental audio-visual real-time performances, exploring how technology can augment and transform the theatrical experience. Key faculty for this cluster include Heidi Coleman, Patrick Jagoda, Rasean Davonté Johnson, John Muse, Jon Satrom, and Sandor Weisz.

Students double majoring in Media Arts and Design and another major can count a maximum of 4 courses towards both majors, pending approval from both departments. However, no part of the Capstone Colloquium Sequence may be replaced by an analogous course in the other major, given the uniqueness of the MADD Colloquium and its importance to community building. Thus, double majors may have to take multiple capstone courses to fulfill both program requirements. 

In their second year, students interested in majoring in Media Arts and Design should schedule a meeting with either the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the Associate Director to collaboratively plan their future coursework. By the Spring Quarter of their third year, all students are expected to submit a major program worksheet to the department. This worksheet is designed to outline their proposed course of study and is not a binding contract. It will be reviewed and adjusted as needed.

Participation in the major must be declared to the Director of Undergraduate Studies and the subsequent approved paperwork should be sent to the student's College adviser for official registration.