The E-Media semester curriculum has been finalized and is now available for student review.

Beginning in the fall quarter of 2012, students will notice a lot has changed about the program. Some classes have been consolidated, combining theory and practice into one course, while other completely new classes will be introduced.

The freshman class will be required to take two new media-based classes, Media in Your Life and Integrated Media Production.

Media in Your Life will combine material from current E-Media classes: History of E-Media, Introduction to E-Media, and Research and Resources. While Integrated Media Production will be an expanded version of Digital Core.

Student Media Practicum is a new class that will require students to join groups such as Bearcast, UCast, and UpTown.

"It's important for every student to work in our student produced media at some point during their four years here," said Division Head Marjorie Fox.

In a move to familiarize students will all E-Media has to offer, sophomores will be required to take an audio, media writing and video class. Each of these classes will impart material from current theory courses, which can be further explored during their junior year.

Juniors will then be required to take Law and Issues and Ethics, allowing seniors to work on their internships and capstone project.

A new senior-level class is Studio CCM, a class that will allow for collaboration between E-Media and the performance aspects of CCM. "CCM's national and international reputation is in music and performing arts, and we want to be a part of that," said Professor Fox.

Even though a lot has changed, it should be noted that the E-Media program will continue to balance its curriculum with liberal and fine arts requirements. But don't expect requirements in the arts to be as specific as they currently are.

The goal following the conversion is to require students to carry a minor of their choice. This decision will be the determining factor in what liberal/fine arts courses need to be taken.

"It's important that the students have a broad education in something more than media skills," said Professor Fox. She believes requiring a minor will add to the students' flexibility, making them more employable in the future.

There will be much more about the semester conversion to report in the coming months, so stay tuned.  Get the FAQ's.

Written by Sarah Sachs, October 2010