Minor in Media Arts and Design

The Media Arts and Design minor complements any major by infusing it with critical digital literacy and creative skills. It equips students to blend their primary field of study with innovative media practices, enhancing their ability to navigate and contribute to the digital landscape. Through hands-on exploration and interdisciplinary coursework, students in the MADD minor learn to articulate complex ideas creatively, bridging art and technology. This approach not only diversifies their academic experience but also amplifies their professional value in a rapidly evolving world.

The minor in Media Arts and Design is comprised of six courses. Courses in the minor program may not be (1) double counted with the student's major(s) or with other minors or (2) counted toward general education requirements. Courses in the minor must be taken for quality grades, and more than half of the requirements for the minor must be met by registering for courses bearing University of Chicago course numbers.
 

The Media Arts and Design minor requires courses in total. This includes a spread of courses covering Media Theory, Media History, Media Practice & Design, and electives.

As of Spring 2025, students interested in minoring in Media Arts and Design are required to take the Foundations course in their third year.

Press Start: Foundations of Media Arts and Design
A required course for 2nd or 3rd-year students, Foundations serves as an essential introduction to the Media Arts and Design (MADD) program. It cultivates community, introduces core program values, foregrounds portfolio development, and prepares students for advanced MADD coursework. Through lectures, discussions, and collaborative activities, students will engage with the history, theory, and practice of media arts and design. This course also offers a guided exploration of MADD’s specialized “clusters.” Students will build a shared vocabulary and practical framework to explore the intersections of media art, design, and culture, preparing them to engage critically and creatively with the field.

Portfolio
To complete the MADD major or minor, students must compile a portfolio that includes digital media artworks and/or historical and theoretical writing. Each portfolio must feature an artist statement, project case studies, and supporting media documentation. Regardless of participation in collaborative projects, students must submit an individual portfolio that highlights their contributions and creative growth. Portfolio expectations and approaches are introduced in the Foundations course.

The minor is comprised of six courses. Students must complete the following:

• Press Start: Foundations in Media Arts and Design
• 1 Media Theory course;
• 1 Media History course;
• 1 Media Practice and Design courses;
• 2 elective courses across theory, history, or practice

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.

Opt-In Capstone Colloquium Sequence

MADD minors can selectively participate in the Media Arts and Design Capstone Sequence. The sequence begins with the Methodologies course which delves into the technical aspects of creative project development. Students may choose to take this course on its own as an elective. Alternatively, those who complete Methodologies have the option to progress to MADD Production, a practice-focused course that builds upon the foundations laid in Methodologies. Upon completion of this sequence, students will have the option to exhibit in the Spring exposition. 

If a student chooses to complete a capstone project, their course of study will include the following:

• Press Start: Foundations in Media Arts and Design
• 1 Media Theory course;
• 1 Media History course;
• 1 Media Practice and Design courses;
• 2 capstone courses taken in their fourth year

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. Do note that petitions are limited for minors, since the program is only 6 courses total. 

Students interested in declaring a minor in Media Arts and Design should fill out the Consent to Complete a Minor Program form and email the Director of Undergraduate Studies or Associate Director. This form must then be returned to the student's College adviser by the end of Spring Quarter of the student's third year.