Program Elements
Given the nature of Intermedia as a non-disciplinary bound, research-based creative activity it is central that the program be structured as well as flexible to allow for varieties of student approaches, choices and areas of study. The standard conceptual and structural elements of the program consist of the following areas or categories:
- Basic creative approaches, history and theory
- Ongoing individualized research and creative production
- Praxis production and research studio work
- Individualized technical and theoretical areas
Intermedia Program Curricula
Area One Basic creative approaches, history and theory; consists of two foundational classes, IMD 500 Creative Concept Development and IMD 501 Histories and Theories of Intermedia. These two classes are required of all first year MA and MFA students and will give them strong foundations in diverse approaches to creative and research work as well as historical and theoretical foundations in Intermedia.
Area Two Ongoing individualized research and creative production; will be facilitated through Intermedia Studio Critique classes (IMD 570, IMD 571 and IMD 572). These classes will consist of further exploration of history, theory, tools and technology as appropriate to each student’s research projects. Additionally students will gain practical experience in conceptualization of work, design implementation, physical production, and presentation of research/creative work. The development of textual, visual and digital analytical/critical tools related to research and creative production in Intermedia will also be stressed. For MA students these classes are required in their first year and for MFA students they will be taken every semester for the first two years with the possibility of additional sections in the third if the student so chooses.
Area Three Praxis production and research studio work; consist of three primary areas taken in three different classes: IMD 560 Research Studio I – Critical Research Methods for Arts Production , IMD 561 Research Studio II – Projects in Collaborative production, and IMD 562 Research Studio III – Professional Practices for Creative Producers.
Area Four Individualized, technical and theoretical areas; will give students the opportunity to personally select classes that will allow them to develop specific technical and production skills based in traditional disciplinary areas. Through the course of study in these classes students will have the opportunity to select four technical and/or theory based courses important to their specific areas of Intermedia in order to develop skills and knowledge specific to their individualized directions in Intermedia research and production. Many of these classes will be selected from existing areas of advanced and graduate study on campus, and could range from New Media, Art, Journalism and Communications, Theater, and English, to Engineering Technology, Computer Science, and Business.
Area Five Field experience/study abroad experience; is intended to broaden and deepen the interdisciplinary nature of the program. This component, required only for MFA students, is aimed to offer flexible possibilities to the students allowing them to choose either continuing study at a collaborating institution or other institutions as arranged by the student, or to spend a semester doing in-depth study in an appropriate discipline outside the arts and related to their primary interdisciplinary pursuits. This could consist of history, research economics, computer science, business management, or engineering technology. For study abroad possibilities we currently have commitments or interest from Universities and Schools in Canada, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Slovenia, Australia and Taiwan.
Course of Study for the MFA in Intermedia – 60 credits (minimum)
The Intermedia MFA is a three year program – 18 credits per year with 6 credits in summer of the third year for Thesis Exhibition preparation and presentation.The curriculum for the Intermedia MFA is a combination of elective classes, core classes, field research and thesis research and production. Here are the specific divisions and classes required for each area.
Core Classes 15 Credits (5 x 3)
- IMD 500 Creative Concept Development
- IMD 501 Histories and Theories of Intermedia
- IMD 560 Research Studio I – Critical Research Methods for Creative Production
- IMD 561 Research Studio II – Projects in Collaborative Production
- IMD 562 Research Studio III – Professional Practices
Core Creative Production 15 credits (5×3)
- IMD 570 Intermedia Critique I
- IMD 571 Intermedia Critique II
- IMD 572 Intermedia Critique III (optional)
Field Research or Study Abroad: 3-9 Credits (1-3 x 3)
Electives: 12 Credits (4 x 3)
- IMD 520 Topics in Media Production
- IMD 530 Topics in Technical Development
- IMD 540 Topics in Intermedia Theory / History
Thesis work 12 Credits (4 x 3)
- IMD 600 Readings for Thesis Conceptual Development – independent study with advisor/committee
- IMD 699 Thesis research, preparation and production (x2)
- IMD 670 Without Borders Exhibition – Development, installation and presentation.
Course of Study for the MA in Intermedia – 33 credits
The MA in Intermedia degree is a 33 credit non-thesis, project-based Master’s of Arts degree that draws from the core classes of the Intermedia MFA, while establishing a new 2 year degree that is structured around a multi/interdisciplinary core. The four core classes drawn from Intermedia are as follows:
- IMD 500 Creative Concept Development
- IMD 501 Histories and Theories of Intermedia
- IMD 561 Research Studio II: collaborative and social engaged praxis
- IMD 562 Research Studio III: professional practices for creative producers
Additionally students will take 6 credits in individualized research and creative production IMD 570/571, 9 credits in Elective course relative to their focus or area of research/creative production, and a final 6 credit on an individualized creative/research final project. Here are the specific divisions and classes required for each area.
Core Classes 12 Credits
- IMD 500 Creative Concept Development
- IMD 501 Histories and Theories of Intermedia
- IMD 561 Research Studio II – Projects in Collaborative Production
- IMD 562 Research Studio III – Professional Practices
Core Creative Production 6 credits
- IMD 570 Intermedia Critique I
- IMD 571 Intermedia Critique II
Electives: 9 Credits selected from:
- IMD 520 Topics in Media Production
- IMD 530 Topics in Technical Development
- IMD 540 Topics in Intermedia Theory / History
Thesis Project Work 6 Credits (3, 2 and 1 credits)
- IMD 699 Thesis research, preparation and production (5 credits)
- RCR course (1)
The above courses will normally be taken in the following sequence:
Year 1 – 15 credits
- Fall: IMD 500; elective 1
- Spring: IMD 501; IMD 570: Elective 2
Year 2 – 18 credits
- Fall: IMD 571; Elective 3
- Spring: IMD 561; IMD 562; Final Project
- Summer: Final Project