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Arts & Media Major with tracks in Arts and Media[1]

In our increasingly interconnected world, emerging media and artistic expressions interweave, shaping not only our communities but also the industries of the future. The Arts & Media major fosters practical and analytical abilities in students, equipping them to navigate and innovate within these evolving landscapes. Our major has a dual structure, enabling students to concentrate on either Art, as reflective and creative intervention, or Media, as the processes and industry of communication. A shared core of interdisciplinary classes fosters an exchange of ideas and analytical perspectives between these tracks. 

With a firm foundation in theoretical and historical principles, students proceed to specialize in one of three practical concentration areas of inquiry: 1) Film & Documentary, 2) Studio & Performance, or 3) Digital Culture & Communication. These concentrations afford students the opportunity to hone their practical skills within a specific domain, while maintaining a broad comprehension of their chosen track, be it Arts or Media. Whether their career aspirations lie in film and documentary, studio and performance arts, or digital culture and communication, graduates from this major will be well-prepared to pursue further study and assume leading roles within contemporary arts and media. 

 

Film & Documentary 

The Film & Documentary concentration offers a foundation in visual storytelling and documentary filmmaking, with a focus on both video and audio-based practices as well as scriptwriting. Students will gain comprehensive knowledge of various aspects of the film industry, including directing, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and production. Graduates will be well-prepared for further studies in film school, having developed an initial portfolio in their chosen field.  

 

Studio & Performance 

The Studio & Performance concentration provides students with a platform to explore diverse forms of artistic expression and cultivate their creative potential. Encouraging a free-spirited and innovative mindset, this track fosters experimentation and pushes the boundaries of conventional artistic practices. Students are empowered to express themselves through multi-sensorial mediums, allowing them to transcend traditional artistic conventions and explore new avenues of creativity. 

 

 

Digital Culture & Communication 

The Digital Culture & Communication concentration combines insights from critical media studies, visual culture, and digital art history to deliver an immersive exploration of digital practices. Students delve into the role of digital media in society and creatively engage with diverse media formats. Hands-on experiences foster a deep understanding of media production and consumption, along with their socio-cultural implications. Graduates emerge equipped to innovate and pioneer transformative strategies within the media and creative industries. 


Major Requirements 

(Not every course listed is offered every term, and the course list will be updated periodically. Please refer to the online Course Catalog for Courses offered in 2023-2024.)

Arts and Media/Arts 

Divisional Foundation Courses 

Course Code 

Course Name 

Course Credit 

ARHU 101 

The Art of Interpretation: Written Texts 

4 

ARHU 102 

The Art of Interpretation: Images and Sound 

4 

 

Interdisciplinary Courses 

Course Code 

Course Name 

Course Credit 

MEDIART 101[2] 

Introduction to Arts and Media 

4 

MEDIART 209 

Introduction to Visual Culture 

4 

MEDIART 210[3] 

Arts and Media Practicum 

4 

MEDIART 490 

Senior Seminar: Advanced Topics 

4 

Choose 4 Creative Practice Elective courses from within the same concentration, two at the 100-200 level and two at the 300-400 level.

  

Disciplinary Courses

Course Code 

Course Name 

Course Credit 

HIST 207/ARTS 207[4]

History of Art and Science 

4 

HIST 210/ARTS 211

Global Art History 

4 

 And choose two 4-credit courses from the list below 

ARTS 106/HIST 106[5] 

European Art History 

4 

ARTS 201[6] 

Introduction to Film Studies 

4 

ARTS 202[7] 

Contemporary Documentary Film 

4 

GCHINA 203/ ARTS 203 

Visual China 

4 

HIST 217/ ARTS 217[8] 

Arts of China 

4 

HIST 218/ ARTS 218[9] 

Women in East Asian Art 

4 

LIT 208/ARTS 208 

From Cool Japan to the Korean Wave: Popular Culture from East Asia 

4 

MEDIART 211 

Media, Arts, and Critical Theory  

4 

MEDIART 224 

Animation: From Anima to Anime 

4 

PHYS 105 /ARTS 105[10] 

The Science of Traditional Asian Music 

4 

 

Creative Practice Elective Concentrations 

In addition to serving as Creative Practice Concentrations, the courses listed in the tables below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

 

 

Film & Documentary 

Course Code

Course Name

Credit

 Choose two of the following 100-200 level courses 

MEDIART 103 

Introduction to Moving Image Practice 

 4 

MEDIART 110[11] 

Audio Documentary and the Podcast 

 4 

MEDIART 207[12] 

Elements of Story: Introduction to Narrative Structure 

 4 

MEDIART 212 

Editing for the Video Essay 

 4 

MEDIART 220 

Visual Anthropology 

 4 

MEDIART 223 

Shot by Shot: Concept and Frame Composition 

 4 

 Choose two of the following 300-400 level courses 

MEDIART 301 

Experimental Filmmaking 

 4 

MEDIART 305[13] 

Advanced Documentary Practice 

 4 

MEDIART 310 

Screenwriting 

 4 

MEDIART 311 

Cinematography 

 4 

MEDIART 323[14] 

Sound Design and Music for Film 

 4 

MEDIART 498

Special Topics in Film & Documentary 

 4 

 

Studio & Performance 

Course Code 

Course Name 

Credit 

 Choose two of the following 100-200 level courses 

LIT 216 

Introduction to Creative Writing and Translation

4

MEDIART 104 

Introduction to Photography

4

MEDIART 117 

Studio Drawing and Illustration

4

MEDIART 118 

Introduction to Dance and Choreography

4

MEDIART 120[15] 

Introduction to Theatre and Performance Studies 

4 

MEDIART 198 

Special Topics in Creative Practice 

4 

MEDIART 221 

Introduction to Composition 

4 

MEDIART 222 

Electronic Sound: Sampling and Synthesis 

4 

MEDIART 225[16]  

Fundamentals of Tonal Music Theory 

4 

 Choose two of the following 300-400 level courses 

LIT  311 

Poetry in Conversation 

4 

MEDIART 301 

Experimental Filmmaking  

4 

MEDIART 322 

Installation Art 

4 

MEDIART 323[17] 

Sound Design and Music for Film 

4 

MEDIART 324[18] 

The Photographic Essay 

4

MEDIART 405 

The Curatorial: Theory and Practice 

4 

 

Digital Culture & Communication 

Course Code 

Course Name 

Credit 

 Choose two of the following 100-200 level courses 

INFOSCI 105 

Experimental Interface Design  

4 

INFOSCI 202   

3D Modelling and Animation 

4 

MEDIART 110[19] 

Audio Documentary and the Podcast 

4 

MEDIART 202[20] 

Creativity and Entrepreneurship  

4 

MEDIART 205 

Digital Imaging and Graphic Design 

4 

MEDIART 207[21] 

Elements of Story: Introduction to Narrative Structure 

4 

MEDIART 212 

Editing for the Video Essay 

4 

MEDIART 213[22] 

Web-Based Multimedia Design 

4 

Choose two of the following 300-400 level courses 

LIT 307 

Digital Storytelling 

4 

INFOSCI 305 

Virtual Museums and Digital Culture Heritage 

4 

INFOSCI 307 

Archives Alive 

4 

INFOSCI 309 

Speculative and Critical Design 

4 

MEDIART 312 

Graphic Design in Motion 

4 

MEDIART 321 

Practices in Digital Humanities

4 

MEDIART 401 

Campaigns, Marketing, and Persuasion 

4 

 

 

Arts and Media/Media

Divisional Foundation Courses 

Course Code 

Course Name 

Course Credit 

ARHU 101 

The Art of Interpretation: Written Texts 

4 

ARHU 102 

The Art of Interpretation: Images and Sound 

4 

 

Interdisciplinary Courses

Course Code 

Course Name 

Course Credit 

MEDIART 101[23] 

Introduction to Arts and Media 

4 

MEDIART 209 

Introduction to Visual Culture 

4 

MEDIART 210[24] 

Arts and Media Practicum 

4 

MEDIART 490 

Senior Seminar: Advanced Topics 

4 

Choose 4 Creative Practice Elective courses from within the same concentration, two at the 100-200 level and two at the 300-400 level.

 

Disciplinary Courses

Course Code 

Course Name 

Course Credit 

CULANTH 201/MEDIA 201 

New Media and Society 

4 

MEDIART 211 

Media, Arts, and Critical Theory 

4 

And choose two of the following courses  

CULANTH 202/MEDIA 202/GCULS 201 

Culture and Industry 

4 

CULANTH 207/MEDIA 207 

Cultures of New Media 

4 

GLHLTH 202 

Media and Health Communication 

4 

LIT 204/MEDIA 204 

Online Novels and the Chinese Public Sphere 

4 

INFOSCI 104/MEDIA 104 

Digital Design 

4 

INFOSCI 201 

Interaction and Physical Computing 

4 

MEDIA 203[25] 

Global Media and Communication 

4 

MEDIART 208[26] 

Chinese Mass Media 

4 

MEDIART 224 

Animation: From Anima to Anime 

4 

 

Creative Practice Elective Concentrations 

In addition to serving as Creative Practice Concentrations, the courses listed in the tables below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

 

Film & Documentary 

Course Code 

Course Name 

Credit 

 Choose two of the following 100-200 level courses 

MEDIART 103 

Introduction to Moving Image Practice 

4 

MEDIART 110[27] 

Audio Documentary and the Podcast 

4 

MEDIART 207[28] 

Elements of Story: Introduction to Narrative Structure 

4 

MEDIART 212 

Editing for the Video Essay 

4 

MEDIART 220 

Visual Anthropology 

 4 

MEDIART 223 

Shot by Shot: Concept and Frame Composition 

4 

Choose two of the following 300-400 level courses 

MEDIART 301 

Experimental Filmmaking 

4 

MEDIART 305[29] 

Advanced Documentary Practice 

4 

MEDIART 310 

Screenwriting 

4 

MEDIART 311 

Cinematography 

4 

MEDIART 323[30] 

Sound Design and Music for Film 

4 

MEDIART 498

Special Topics in Film & Documentary 

4 

 

Studio & Performance 

Course Code 

Course Name 

Credit 

 Choose two of the following 100-200 level courses 

LIT 216 

Introduction to Creative Writing 

4 

MEDIART 104 

Introduction to Photography 

4 

MEDIART 117 

Studio Drawing and Illustration 

4 

MEDIART 118 

Introduction to Dance and Choreography 

4 

MEDIART 120[31] 

Introduction to Theatre and Performance Studies 

4 

MEDIART 198 

Special Topics in Creative Practice 

4 

MEDIART 221 

Introduction to Composition 

4 

MEDIART 222 

Electronic Sound: Sampling and Synthesis 

4 

MEDIART 225[32]  

Fundamentals of Tonal Music Theory 

4 

 Choose two of the following 300-400 level courses 

LIT  311 

Poetry in Conversation 

4 

MEDIART 301 

Experimental Filmmaking  

4 

MEDIART 322 

Installation Art 

4 

MEDIART 323[33]

Sound Design and Music for Film 

4 

MEDIART 324 

The Photographic Essay 

4  

MEDIART 405 

The Curatorial: Theory and Practice 

4 

 

Digital Culture & Communication 

Course Code 

Course Name 

Credit 

 Choose two of the following 100-200 level courses 

INFOSCI 105 

Experimental Interface Design  

4 

INFOSCI 202   

3D Modelling and Animation 

4 

MEDIART 110[34] 

Audio Documentary and the Podcast 

4 

MEDIART 202[35] 

Creativity and Entrepreneurship  

4 

MEDIART 205 

Digital Imaging and Graphic Design 

4 

MEDIART 207[36] 

Elements of Story: Introduction to Narrative Structure 

4 

MEDIART 212 

Editing for the Video Essay 

4 

MEDIART 213[37] 

Web-Based Multimedia Design 

4 

Choose two of the following 300-400 level courses 

LIT 307 

Digital Storytelling 

4 

INFOSCI 305 

Virtual Museums and Digital Culture Heritage 

4 

INFOSCI 307 

Archives Alive 

4 

INFOSCI 309 

Speculative and Critical Design 

4 

MEDIART 312 

Graphic Design in Motion 

4 

MEDIART 321

Practices in Digital Humanities

4  

MEDIART 401

Campaigns, Marketing, and Persuasion 

4 

 

 

Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences with tracks in Computer Science and Mathematics

The Computer Science track is only available to the Class of 2025 and beyond.

 

We live in an era where the availability of unprecedented amounts of information and computing resources is erasing the traditional boundaries between disciplines. This is creating new opportunities for multidisciplinary teams to actively engage with and to change the world around them. Experts who combine deep disciplinary knowledge in Mathematics and Computer Science with interdisciplinary skills will play a leading role in such multidisciplinary teams.

Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences is a highly interdisciplinary field which integrates concepts and principles from Mathematics and Computer Science and applies them to Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, and Business. Its distinctive character is an emphasis on modeling and computational thinking that is firmly based on solid theoretical foundations.

The vision of the major in Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences is to educate students who combine world-class disciplinary education with the leadership and communication skills to facilitate interaction with other disciplines, and who can easily adapt to changing circumstances, trends, and societal needs. The major, in coordination with the Zu Chongzhi Center for Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences, tracks the latest developments in academic and industrial research and prepares students for graduate studies and a competitive job market with a combination of skills that are not typically offered in traditional undergraduate Applied Mathematics and Computer Science programs.

The major in Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences aims to let students explore Mathematics and Computer Science at three levels. First, within each discipline, traditional courses help students acquire the necessary foundational theoretical background. Second, at an interdisciplinary level, students explore the relation between the Mathematics track and the Computer Science track through the interaction of mathematical principles and programming in courses such as Numerical Analysis. The two tracks complement each other and integrate their disciplinary perspectives into coherent and distinctive problem-solving approaches. Third, students go beyond strict disciplinary boundaries in several courses that combine mathematical or computer science foundations with applications to other disciplines and applied projects that also prepare students for Signature Work outside their disciplinary boundaries.

 

 

 

Major Requirements

(Not every course listed is offered every term, and the course list will be updated periodically. Please refer to the online Course Catalog for Courses offered in 2023-2024.)

Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences/Computer Science

The Computer Science track is only available to the Class of 2025 and beyond.

Divisional Foundation Courses

Course Code

Course Name

Course Credit

Choose one from the following two Math courses

MATH 101

Introductory Calculus

4

MATH 105

Calculus

4

And choose two of the following courses (PHYS 121 and INTGSCI 205 are strongly recommended)

BIOL 110

Integrated Science – Biology

4

CHEM 110

Integrated Science – Chemistry

4

PHYS 121

Integrated Science – Physics

4

INTGSCI 205

Scientific Methods and Communication

4

 

Interdisciplinary Courses

Course Code

Course Name

Course Credit

Choose one course from the following two courses

COMPSCI 101

Introduction to Computer Science

4

STATS 102

Introduction to Data Science

4

And complete the following courses

MATH 201

Multivariable Calculus

4

MATH 202

Linear Algebra

4

MATH 206

Probability and Statistics

4

MATH 302

Numerical Analysis

4

 

Disciplinary Courses

Course Code

Course Name

Course Credit

COMPSCI 201

Introduction to Programming and Data Structures

4

COMPSCI 203

Discrete Math for Computer Science

4

COMPSCI 205

Computer Organization and Programming

4

COMPSCI 308

Design and Analysis of Algorithms

4

And choose one from the following three courses

COMPSCI 306

Introduction to Operating Systems

4

COMPSCI 310

Introduction to Databases

4

COMPSCI 311

Computer Network Architecture

4

 

Electives

Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

 

Course Code

Course Name

Course Credit

Systems and Architecture

COMPSCI 303

Search Engines

4

COMPSCI 401

Cloud Computing

4

COMPSCI 404

Computer Architecture and Hardware Design

4

COMPSCI 405

Embedded Systems

4

Programming and Software Engineering

COMPSCI 208 /MEDIART 206

Computer Graphics

4

COMPSCI 307

Software Design and Implementation

4

COMPSCI 320

Software Reliability

4

COMPSCI 403

Programming Languages and Compilers

4

COMPSCI 406

Logic and Formal Methods

4

Machine Learning and AI

COMPSCI 204

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence

4

COMPSCI 309

Elements of Machine Learning

4

MATH 405

Mathematics of Data Analysis and Machine Learning

4

[1] Students in the class of 2026 and in previous classes could major in similar major, entitled Media and Arts, with tracks in Creative Practice and History. Please consult the Bulletin from the relevant year for the requirements of those majors. This major—Arts and Media—is offered for the students in class of 2027 and beyond, and not all students from previous graduating classes will be able to satisfy the requirements of the Arts and Media major. Consult the Major Coordinator or your advisor for more information.

[2] This course was named MEDIART 101 Introduction to Media Studies and the Arts prior to fall term 2023.

[3] This course was named MEDIART 210 Media and Arts Practicum prior to fall term 2023.

[4] This course was named HIST 207 History of Media Art prior to fall term 2023.

[5] This course was named HIST 106 Art History I prior to fall term 2022.

[6] This course was named and numbered MEDIART 105 Introduction to Film Studies prior to fall term 2023.

[7] This course was named and numbered MEDIART 302 Contemporary Documentary Film prior to fall term 2023.

[8] This course was named and numbered HIST217/MEDIART 217 Ancient and Imperial Chinese Art prior to fall term 2023.

[9] This course was named HIST 218 Premodern East Asian Female Art prior to fall term 2023.

[10] This course was named PHYS 105 the Science of Asian sound prior to fall 2023 term.

[11] This course was named MEDIART 110 Audio Documentary and Storytelling prior to fall term 2023.

[12] This course was named MEDIART 207 Creative Writing and the Elements of Story prior to fall term 2023.

[13] This course was named MEDIART 305 Producing Docu-fiction prior to fall term 2023.

[14] This course was named MEDIART 218 Music and Cinema prior to fall term 2023.

[15] This course was numbered and named MEDIART 216 Performance, Embodiment, and Cultural Memory prior to fall term 2023.

[16] This course was numbered and named MEDIART 115 Introduction to Music Theory prior to fall term 2023.

[17] This course was named MEDIART 218 Music and Cinema prior to fall term 2023.

[18] This course was numbered MEDIART 204 The Photographic Essay prior to fall term 2023.

[19] This course was named MEDIART 110 Audio Documentary and Storytelling prior to fall term 2023.

[20] The course was named MEDIART 202 Ideas, Imagination, and Creativity prior to fall term 2023.

[21] This course was named MEDIART 207 Creative Writing and the Elements of Story prior to fall term 2023.

[22] This course was named MEDIART 213 Foundations of Web-Based Multimedia Communications prior to fall term 2023.

[23] This course was named MEDIART 101 Introduction to Media Studies and the Arts prior to fall term 2023.

[24] The course was named MEDIART 210 Media and Arts Practicum Prior to fall term 2023.

[25] This course was named and numbered MEDIART 307 International Communication prior to fall 2023 term.

[26] This course was named MEDIART 208 Comparative Media Systems and Chinese Mass Media prior to fall term 2023.

[27]This course was named MEDIART 110 Audio Documentary and Storytelling prior to fall term 2023.

[28] This course was named MEDIART 207 Creative Writing and the Elements of Story prior to fall term 2023.

[29] This course was named MEDIART 305 Producing Docu-fiction prior to fall term 2023.

[30] This course was named MEDIART 218 Music and Cinema prior to fall term 2023.

[31] This course was numbered and named MEDIART 216 Performance, Embodiment, and Cultural Memory prior to fall term 2023.

[32] This course was numbered and named MEDIART 115 Introduction to Music Theory prior to fall term 2023.

[33] This course was named MEDIART 218 Music and Cinema prior to fall term 2023.

[34] This course was named MEDIART 110 Audio Documentary and Storytelling prior to fall term 2023.

[35] The course was named MEDIART 202 Ideas, Imagination, and Creativity prior to fall term 2023.

[36] This course was named MEDIART 207 Creative Writing and the Elements of Story prior to fall term 2023.

[37] This course was named MEDIART 213 Foundations of Web-Based Multimedia Communications prior to fall term 2023.