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School of Media Arts

Mark Shogren, Director

The School of Media Arts has degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The undergraduate program offers a B.A. degree that consists of a uniquely integrated curriculum centered in digital technology as a storytelling and artistic medium. The course of instruction is comprehensive and combines the areas of digital filmmaking and integrated digital media. The undergraduate program also offers a B.F.A. degree with specializations in Digital Filmmaking, Integrated Digital Media, Animation, and Sonic Arts.  The graduate program offers an M.F.A., which provides an intensive, dedicated program in either Digital Filmmaking or Integrated Digital Media. The Digital Filmmaking track offers the student comprehensive training in the areas of writing, directing and editing. The Integrated Digital Media track focuses on the areas of digital compositing, digital image design, animation, and interactive digital media.  In addition, the School has a comprehensive Media Arts Minor program and a substantial number of on-line courses and elective summer classes that provide students the opportunity to enhance the artistic part of their educational experience. For more information on the academic programs and to experience the creative work of Media Arts undergraduate and graduate students please visit our website at: http://www.umt.edu/mediaarts.

Special Degree Requirements

Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.

Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts

The B.A. program provides a uniquely integrated curriculum that combines the areas of Digital Filmmaking and Integrated Digital Media.  The courses in Digital Filmmaking focus on the three primary components of pre-production, production and post-production and include directing, writing, sound design, and editing. The courses in Integrated Digital Media focus on the relationship between digital technology and aesthetics and include still image/motion graphics, compositing, 2D animation, sound design and interactive media. History and theory courses in both areas provide students with a deeper understanding of artistic principles and practices. The undergraduate program has a large production space including a green screen area, three computer labs with 60 total stations and an audio recording room. After completion of the prerequisite courses, there is a G.P.A. gate in effect for admission into the Major. For more information on requirements, please see the B.A. program heading under academics or the Media Arts website at http://www.umt.edu/mediaarts.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Arts

The School of Media Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with 4 specializations: Digital Filmmaking, Integrated Digital Media, Animation, and Sonic Arts. The Digital Filmmaking curriculum offers an all-inclusive experience in the areas of pre-production, production and post-production with specific courses designed to fully integrate students into the ever-changing digital world of filmmaking. The Integrated Digital Media curriculum focuses on still image design, 2D motion design animation, digital compositing, sound design and interactive media and provides a platform for students to maximize their artistic potential through the study of emerging digital technologies and their aesthetic application. The Sonic Arts curriculum offers an in-depth experience in the design, development and production of sonic artwork and provides a platform for students to integrate their work with both filmmaking and integrated digital media. The Animation curriculum focuses 3D modeling, character animation, motion capture, character rigging, texture and lighting, compositing, etc. Finishing classes in surface texturing, rendering, dynamics, particles and MEL scripting will combine all that students have learned into an animation portfolio that will demonstrate their ability to create professional quality assets for film, television, video games, and more. For more information please visit our website at http://www.umt.edu/mediaarts.

The Media Arts Graduate Program

The Media Arts Graduate Program is a three-year program for students pursuing the M.F.A. degree. It is an intensive program with specializations in either Digital Filmmaking or Integrated Digital Media.  For application information please visit our website at http://www.umt.edu/mediaarts.

The course of study for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Media Arts is as follows:

A. Prerequisites

Offered every term. Each student must complete the following four core classes (12 credits):

MAR 101L      Intro to Media Arts - 3 cr.

MART 102 (MAR 102)        Digital Technology in the Arts - 3 cr.

MART 111A (MAR 111A)      Integrated Digital Art - 3 cr.

MAR 112A      Intro to Non-Linear Editing - 3 cr.

B. Application to the Major

Upon satisfactory completion of the prerequisites, the student then applies to the B.A. program in spring semester.  Acceptance is based on GPA assessment using the combination of prerequisite courses, additional Media Arts courses, overall University GPA, and instructor feedback. Please see the Media Arts office for complete information on the application process.

C. Required Courses

Once accepted, the student must then complete the following courses totaling 33 credits  (for a total of 45 credits). GPA requirements continue through each assessment period with annual reviews occurring at the end of spring semester each year.

MAR 210        Creation of Media Story  - 3 cr.

MART 221 (MAR 221)        Fundamentals of Digital Image Design - 3 cr.

MAR 251        Digital Video Prod. Techniques - 3 cr.

MAR 300        Visions of Film - 3 cr.

MAR 301        Digital Film Practices - 3 cr.

MART 302 (MAR 302)        Intro to Motion Design - 3 cr.

MART 325 (MAR 325)        Fundamentals of Digital Animation - 3 cr.

MART 330 (MAR 330)        Principles of Sound Design - 3 cr.

MART 340 (MAR 340)       Principles of Web Design - 3 cr.

MART 450 (MAR 450)        Topics in Film and Media Studies - 3 cr.

MAR 456        Directing - 3 cr.

Advisement

Upon acceptance into the B.A. program in Media Arts, each student is assigned a faculty advisor. Students will not be assigned a Media Arts faculty advisor until then. Please see the School Director for details.

Media Arts Minor

The Media Arts minor program offers an integrated curriculum, centered in digital technology as a storytelling medium. The minor is meant to supplement the work of those undergraduate students whose major area of study can be enhanced through the application of Media Arts principles and technologies and fulfills the prerequisites for those interested in pursuing the B.A. The Media minor is offered both inc-class and online. For more information please visit our website at http://www.umt.edu/mediaarts.

A. Required Courses for the Minor

MAR 101L      Introduction to Media Arts - 3cr

MART 102 ( MAR 102)        Digital Technology in the Arts - 3cr.

MART 111A (MAR 111A)      Integrated Digital Art - 3cr.

MAR 112A      Intro to Non-Linear Editing - 3cr.

B. Elective Classes

Each student must complete the four core Media Arts classes for 12 credits, and 9 additional credits outside of their Major that support their work and development in Media Arts. These credits are typically drawn from the College of Visual and Performing Arts and may include eligible courses within the School of Media Arts. All elective courses need to be approved by the Director of the School of Media Arts. 

For more information on courses or on developing a curriculum plan, please contact the Media Arts office.

Courses

R- before the course description indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.

Media Arts (MART) - Course Descriptions

102, 111A, 191, 221, 222, 230, 235, 255, 256, 291, 292, 302, 305, 320, 321, 324, 325, 330, 333, 335, 340, 341, 342, 391, 392, 395, 398, 416, 422, 425, 440, 445, 450, 457, 491, 492, 495, 499, 500, 508, 509, 510, 514, 515, 520, 522, 523, 524, 525, 557, 577, 578, 579, 580, 586, 587, 591, 595, 596, 597, 598, 601, 680, 687, 688, 690, 699

Faculty

Professors

Martin Fromm, M.F.A., The University of Idaho, 1992

Richard P. Hughes, M.M., M.F.A., The University of Montana, 1999

Michael R. Murphy, M.F.A., The University of Montana, 1994

Associate Professors

Mark Shogren, M.F.A., Ohio University, 2003

Andrew J. Smith, M.F.A., University of Iowa, 1997

Gregory Twigg, M.F.A., The University of Montana, 2001

Heejoo Gwen Kim, M.F.A. , University of Illinois at Chicago, 2000

Registrar's Office

Lommasson Center 201

Phone: (406) 243-2995

Fax: (406) 243-4807