Program Overview

Digital Communication Arts Undergraduate Major

The Digital Communication Arts undergraduate major is available at Oregon State University, with options for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Honors Bachelor of Arts (HBA), Honors Bachelor of Fine Arts (HBFA), and Honors Bachelor of Science (HBS).

Overview

This program focuses on the intersection of media and social life, providing students with a theoretical and practical understanding of the nature of changes in human interaction due to new media technologies. It prepares students to anticipate and manage future changes in the media landscape.

Locations

The program is available at the following locations:

• Corvallis
• Ecampus (BA, BS, HBA, HBS only)

BA/BS/HBA/HBS

The BA/BS/HBA/HBS in Digital Communication Arts studies the intersection of media and social life. It provides a foundation for careers in media research and criticism, graduate studies in media, media policy, and media communications enterprises.

BFA/HBFA

The BFA in Digital Communication Arts focuses on media production, providing a foundation in media aesthetics, story conceptualization, and preproduction planning. It encourages students to explore their creativity within a carefully constructed curriculum.

Major Code

The major code for this program is 473.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Appraise the relative merits of media technologies
• Select media appropriate to a given task
• Evaluate and recommend public policy regarding media
• Manage change in the media environment
• Criticize media content using historic and emerging standards
• Communicate effectively in a variety of media

Requirements

• The major requires a 2.0 GPA for admittance and a 2.3 GPA for graduation.
• Students must receive a C or better in all degree coursework.
• Courses for the major must be AF grading (not S/U).
• Transfer students may apply a maximum of 12 credits of lower-division NMC credits toward a degree.

BA/BS/HBA/HBS in Digital Communication Arts

The BA/BS major is 51-63 credits, with a minimum of 180 credits required to earn the degree.

Course List

• NMC 100: NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE (3 credits)
• NMC 101: INTRODUCTION TO NEW MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS (3 credits)
• NMC 260: NEW MEDIA FUTURES (3 credits)
• NMC 301: WRITING FOR THE MEDIA PROFESSIONAL (3 credits)
• Intermediate Level: Select six NMC courses at the 200 or 300 level (18-24 credits)
• Advanced Level: Select five courses at the 400 level (15-20 credits)

BFA/HBFA in Digital Communication Arts (Production)

The BFA major requires 105 credits, with a minimum of 180 credits required to earn the degree.

Course List

• ART 121: DIGITAL CORE STUDIO (4 credits)
• NMC 100: NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE (3 credits)
• NMC 101: INTRODUCTION TO NEW MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS (3 credits)
• NMC 260: NEW MEDIA FUTURES (3 credits)
• NMC 301: WRITING FOR THE MEDIA PROFESSIONAL (3 credits)
• Foundation Coursework: ART 101, ART 115, ART 131, ART 263, NMC 322, NMC 351, TA 242, TA 346, WR 407
• NMC Electives: Select three courses from the list (9 credits)
• Production Coursework: Select 11 courses from the list (35-41 credits)

Plan of Study

Degree plans are subject to change, and students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them.

Bachelor of Arts

The plan of study for the BA includes:

• First Year: NMC 101, Language 111, Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General, Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society, Core Ed: Transitions
• Second Year: NMC 260, WR 121Z, Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis, Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis
• Third Year: NMC 301, NMC Intermediate Course, CLA Core: Fine Arts, CLA Core: Non-Western Culture
• Fourth Year: NMC Advanced Course, NMC Advanced Course, Elective, Elective

Bachelor of Science

The plan of study for the BS includes:

• First Year: NMC 101, WR 121Z, Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis, Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General, Core Ed: Transitions
• Second Year: NMC 260, Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis, Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society, Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis
• Third Year: NMC 301, NMC 418, CLA Core: Additional Course, NMC Intermediate Course
• Fourth Year: NMC Advanced Course, NMC Advanced Course, Elective, Elective

Bachelor of Fine Arts

The plan of study for the BFA includes:

• First Year: ART 115, NMC 101, WR 121Z, Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General, Core Ed: Transitions
• Second Year: ART 121, NMC 260, Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis, Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis
• Third Year: NMC 301, NMC 351, NMC 418, NMC Production
• Fourth Year: WR 407, NMC Production, NMC Production, Elective