Fall 2015 Courses

The following courses offered during the Fall 2015 semester meet elective requirements of the Minor in Digital Studies.

Please note: some of these courses have only been approved recently so they may not show up in catalog listings as approved DGST courses, even though they are. If you have any questions, please ask.

Also note that DGST 395: Applied Digital Studies is a new course — an elective for the Minor and a requirement for the new Communication and Digital Studies major.

 Art and Art History

ARTS 104: Digital Approaches to Fine Art

Jason Robinson; 12:30 – 2:15 or 3:30 – 4:45; Melchers 209

This course introduces basic tools and techniques of computer generated art in the context of studio theory and practice.

ARTS 341: Multiple Imaging

Rosemary Jesionowski; 9:30 – 12:15; Melchers 209

Course expands upon skill and techniques learned in Photography I and/or Printmaking I, focusing on the idea of creating images in small editions. A variety of photographic, printmaking, and digital media techniques are explored. Reading, writing, research, and speaking assignments accompany studio work.

Prerequisites: ARTS 241: Photography I OR ARTS 224: Printmaking I.

ARTS 454: Approaches to Video Art

Jason Robinson; 6:00 – 8:45 TR; Melchers 207

A comprehensive look at the developement of video and other time-based media as valid art forms in contemporary art; explores the formal development , content and format of various multia media art forms.

Communication

COMM 353: Visual Rhetoric

Jessy Ohl; 1:00 – 1:50 or 3:00 – 3:50 MWF; Combs 349

Study of the rhetorical use of visual texts with an emphasis on the development and use of visual arguments.

COMM 370F: Social Media

P. Anand Rao; 9:30 – 10:45 TR; ITCC 327

This is an intensive special topics class in which we will explore the theory and practice of social media with a focus on the use of social media by both individuals and groups. Students will explore the theories and concepts of online social networking, and develop an understanding of how social media strategies can be applied in a variety of settings.

Computer Science

CPSC 106: Digital Storytelling

A. Dean; Jennifer Polack-Wahl; Paul Bond; Online or 5:00 – 7:57 M

People have been telling stories since the beginning of time., but how is story telling evolving in the digital age? This course explores how computers are being used to tell stories. We’ll study text-based technologies-blogging, the web- and how those models have changed the way we publish and disseminate narratives. Well also study the roles of audio, video, and images in narrative: computer animation, the ethics of altering digital images, and the Story Corps project. Students will use technology including blogs, virtual worlds, and computer games to create and tell their own stories.

Digital Studies

DGST 395: Applied Digital Studies

Zach Whalen; 9″30 – 10:45 TR; ITCC 329

Applies the skills and methodologies developed in the Digital Studies curriculum toward larger-scale, self-designed digital projects that contribute meaningfully to some cultural field, academic discipline, social issue, or other research question.

This course has DGST 101 as a prerequisite, but it is possible to work around that 101 requirement in specific circumstances such as impending graduation plans and availability of courses in sequence. If you find yourself in one of these circumstances, please get in touch ASAP.

DGST 483: Digital Studies Consulting Practicum

Martha Burtis; TBD

Students in the course will develop their skills with a variety of digital tools and technologies used at
the University for the purpose of providing peer support on digital projects. Students will also receive
instruction in effective tutoring techniques and creating technical documentation and support materials.

English

ENGL 245: Intro to Cinema Studies

Antonio Barrenechea; 6:00 – 7:15 PM TR; Combs 139

Equips students to analyze and understand the art of narrative cinema within the Anglophone tradition.

ENGL 314: Literary Journal

Elizabeth Wade; 2:00 – 2:50 MWF; Combs 349
Requires ENGL 302

A study of the contemporary national literary journal. Students also design and produce an online journal, The Rappahannock Review.

ENGL 345: Film, Text, Culture

Antonio Barrenechea; 3:30 – 4:45 PM TR; Combs 139

Advanced study in narrative and non-narrative films, focusing on the analysis of films as texts and in relation to other texts (literary, visual, musical, etc.). Consideration of film text as they originate in, and express, human society.

ENGL 386: Graphic Novel

Zach Whalen; 2:00 – 2:50 or 3:00 – 3:50; Combs 111

A study of the graphic novel form, including the analysis of graphic novel texts, the integration of related critical theory, and experimentation with producing graphic narrative. Specific topics and themes may include formal approaches to the medium, as well as issues of race, class, and gender as represented in graphic novels.

Music

MUTC 370: Electronic Music

Mark Snyder; 11:00 – 11:50 MWF; Dupont 207

An emphasis on historical developments, current status, physical, concepts, language, and compositional techniques as they apply to synthesized music. Project required.

Political Science

THEA 433: Lighting Design

Julie Hodge; 12:30 – 1:45 TR; du Pont 321

Theories and techniques of lighting stage productions; lighting instruments and equipment.