Online/In-Class Electives
The School of Media Arts, in association with UMOnline at The University of Montana, offers an effective and comprehensive range of learning opportunities through our online course offerings. These include elective courses in the areas of film studies, digital still image, and web design, as well as all of our core pre-requisite courses, MAR 101L, MAR 102, MAR 111, and MAR 112A.
We also offer several in-class electives that range from digital photography to acting for film.
See below for a complete list along with descriptions.
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Online Course Descriptions
Please see the Course Catalog for a complete listing of Media Arts courses.
101L:50 Introduction to Media Arts
3 cr. Offered every term. Overview of the media arts and their interaction, integration and development in the creation of story beginning with early years of photography and movie-making through the introduction of radio and television up to the digital revolution. Also offered as section 51.
102:50 Digital Technology in the Arts
3 cr. Offered every term. An introduction to the relationship between aesthetics and the emerging capacities of digital technology. The course will explore the basic evolution of hardware, system software, and the internet and will present a brief history of the pioneers of both traditional and digital art. It will also look at contemporary and emerging trends in the artistic application of digital technology.
112A:50 Intro to Non-Linear Editing
3 cr. Offered every term. Study of the history, process and philosophy of narrative film/video editing and an introduction to Final Cut Pro nonlinear editing software.
220:50 Introduction to Photoshop
3 cr. Offered every term. An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of still image design and manipulation using Adobe Photoshop. This project-based course demystifies the powerful Photoshop toolsets and workspace and enables students to actualize their ideas by helping them to develop an efficient production process. Also offered as section 51. No prerequisites required.
231:50 Intro to Illustrator
3 cr. Offered every term. An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of still image design and manipulation using Adobe Illustrator, the industry leading application for creating vector-based content. This project-based course demystifies the powerful Illustrator toolsets and workspace and enables students to actualize their ideas by helping them to develop an efficient production process. No prerequisites required.
235:51 The Art of Typography
3 cr. Offered every term. Description T.B.A. No prerequisites required.
This course is designed to provide the student with a technical and aesthetic foundation in good typographic design. Through class assignments and independent creative work, the course will familiarize students with the formal and conceptual elements of the discipline. Readings, writings, formal and informal exhibitions of course work and documentation of the artistic process will be required of the student.
242:52 The Art & Science of Interactive Games
3 cr. Offered every term. This course will explore the origins, techniques and styles of contemporary interactive games. It will cover the artistic and cultural impact of both stand alone and network based games and provide the student with a solid overview of the gaming experience, including multi-player gaming and motion tracking control systems. No prerequisites required.
304:50 Intro to the Modern Horror Film
3 cr. Offered every term. This class explores the changing landscape of the horror film since 1960, studying the movies in filmic terms (Acting, Directing, Cinematography, Music, etc…) and sociological importance. Through online discussions, selected readings, multimedia projects, and online lectures, we will seek to understand the often-controversial genre of horror. No prerequisites required.
320:50 The Art of Photoshop
3 cr. Offered every term. This is an online course that provides an understanding of the use of Photoshop as an artistic tool. Exercises and projects will explore areas of customizing & combining tools, depth & perspective, and graphic elements (including text & paths), and will be based on effective production techniques, project planning, and the artistic principles of color theory, content, and layering. Interaction will consist of a student project gallery, critique and feedback areas, downloadable videos specific to the curriculum, and video conferencing (when available). Prerequisite: MAR 220:50 Introduction to Photoshop or MAR 111A Integrated Digital Art or demonstrated experience with Photoshop.
341:50 Introduction to Web Design
3 cr. Offered every term. Students will gain invaluable skills in this introduction to the fundamentals of website structure, content design and navigation. Areas of focus will be directory structure, graphic design, navigation, audio/video integration and domain management. Students will create a simple CMS website. No prerequisites required.
In-Class Course Descriptions
Please see the Course Catalog for a complete listing of Media Arts courses.
230 Intro to Still Image
3r. Offered every term. This course provides an introduction to the practices of digital still imaging as an expressive and communicative art form. This studio class utilizes creative projects based on acquisition techniques of digital still images or source material, process, concept and layering. Basic to intermediate production techniques and the integration of various forms of digital media and compositing are the fundamental components of the course.This course is for the student interested in building a digital art portfolio. Through lectures, critiques, demonstrations, and projects, students will understand the art and design foundations of form, color, composition, aesthetics, as well as technical, historical and conceptual issues of digital still image.
324 Stop Motion Animation Techniques
3 cr. Offered winter and summer sessions. Guides students through the active creation of several individual stop motion animation projects while developing their knowledge and expertise in traditional stop motion animation techniques using modern computing technology. No prerequisites required.
395 Special Topics
1-6 cr. Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Inquire within the Media Arts main office for current offerings.
443 Documentary: Theory and Practice
3 cr. Offered autumn. Designed to bring together Film Studies students (theorists) and Media Arts students (filmmakers) so they may draw from their respective fields to collaborate on the production of documentaries. After exposure to both the documentary history and criticism, students will be required to work with a team of producers in learning the basic skills involved in documentary production. No prerequisites required.
470 Advanced Acting for Film I
3 cr. Offered autumn. Introduction to acting techniques needed to work competently in realistic film work. Consists of acting in several exercises and scenes shot in the studio, as well as research into different acting styles.
471 Advanced Acting for Film II
3 cr. Offered spring. A project-based course that combines actors and directors in the collaborative creation of a short fiction film. Prerequisite: MAR 470 Advanced Acting for Film I.