New Media Studies

Faculty List
  • R. Bai, B.A., M.A. (Beijing Foreign Studies), Ph.D. (Illinois), Assistant Professor
  • M. Petit, M.A., Ph.D. (Colorado), Lecturer

Program Director: M. Petit Email: new-media@utsc.utoronto.ca

New Media Studies critically analyzes the social, cultural, economic and political dynamics of new media; how new forms of cultural representations are created, consumed, and shared through digital media; and the effects of digital technology on traditional media forms. The Joint Program in New Media studies allows students to combine critical study and interdisciplinary academic research at UTSC, with the technical education and industry experience offered at Centennial College's Centre for Creative Communication.  Students in the program learn the theory, critical history, and practice of digital media as preparation for future careers in media industries. Students also have the option of qualifying for a certificate from Centennial College by enrolling in one additional summer session, that includes a field placement and a professional practice course.

Because of overlaps in required coursework, students admitted to the Joint Program in New Media cannot also minor in Media Studies. Students should consider instead a Major (or Minor) in Studio.

Program Admission:
Limited enrolment
Admission is by competitive application after the completion of 4 full credits, typically at the end of a student's first year. Students must have a minimal 2.0 cumulative GPA to apply; to be competitive, students should have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 or higher GPA in Media Studies courses. Students must request the program through ROSI and submit a Supplementary Application Form directly to the program supervisor. The deadline is May 1. Students may be required to attend an interview before an admission decision is made. All applicants will be notified in early June. For more details on application procedures, see the New Media Studies section of the Joint Program website: www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~jtprogs/newMedia.html

Guidelines for 1st year course selection

Students who intend to apply to the Joint Program in New Media Studies should include MDSA01H3 Introduction to Media Studies and MDSA02H3 History of Media and Technology, in their 1st year course selection. Students who intend to apply to the Joint Program in New Media Studies at the end of their second year, should also take MDSB61H3 Critical Approaches to Digital Media and MDSB62H3 Understanding Visual Culture. The New Media Program overview is available at: www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~humdiv/prg_newmedia.html

New Media Studies Programs

MAJOR (JOINT) PROGRAM IN NEW MEDIA STUDIES (ARTS)

Undergraduate Advisor: 416-287-7184 Email: nme-undergrad-advisor@utsc.utoronto.ca

Program Requirements

Students must complete 9.0 full credits of which at least 2.0 must be at the C- or D-level, including:
1. 2.0 full credits:
MDSA01H3 Introduction to Media Studies
MDSA02H3 History of Media and Technology
MDSB61H3 Critical Approaches to Digital Media
MDSB62H3 Understanding Visual Culture

2. 1.0 additional full credit from the following:
MDSB02H3 Language and the Media
MDSB03H3 Advertising and Consumer Culture
MDSB05H3 Media and Globalization
MDSB06H3 Asian Visual Culture and Media
MDSB25H3 Political Economy of Media
MDSC01H3 Theories and Methods in Media Studies
MDSC02H3 Topics in Media, Identities and Politics
MDSC63H3 Legal and Ethical Issues in Media Studies
MDSC40H3 Chinese Media and Politics
MDSC41H3 Media and Popular Culture in East and Southeast Asia
MDSC64H3 Old Media, New: Film and New Technology
MDSD01H3 Senior Seminar: Topics in Media and Arts
MDSD02H3 Senior Seminar: Topics in Media and Society

3. 0.5 credit from the following:
CSCA08H3 Introduction to Computer Programming
CSCA48H3 Introduction to Computer Science
ECMC20H3 Economics of the Media
ENGB70H3 Introduction to Cinema
ENGC56H3 Literature and Media: From Page to Screen
SOCC44H3 Media and Society
VPAA06H3 Visual and Performing Arts Management in the Digital Age
VPAB05H3 Introduction to Contemporary Cultural Theory
VPMC97H3 Music, Technologies, Media
VPSA62H3 Foundation Studies in Studio
VPSA72H3 Introduction to Photography
VPSA73H3 Introduction to Video
VPSA74H3 Introduction to Digital Studio Practice
VPSB75H3 Photo-based Work
VPSB76H3 Intermediate Video
VPSB80H3 Digital Studio Practice
VPSB88H3 Introduction to Sound Art
VPSB89H3 Introduction to Digital Animation
VPSC70H3 Theory and Practice: New Media in Studio
WSTB13H3 Women and the Media

4.  4.5 full credits from Centennial College:
New Media Group 1.
Students will be eligible to enrol in New Media Group 1 courses after completing any 10 full credits including 2 full credits from category 1 and 0.5 credits from category 1 or 2.
NMEA01H3 Digital Fundamentals
NMEA02H3 Introduction to New Media Communications
NMEA03H3 The Language of Design
NMEA04H3 Interface Design, Navigation and Interaction I

New Media Group 2.
Students will be eligible to enrol in these courses after successfully
completing all courses in New Media Group 1.
NMEB05H3 Interface Design, Navigation and Interaction II
NMEB06H3 Project Development and Presentation
NMEB08H3 Application Software for Interactive Media
NMEB09H3 Sound Design
NMEB10H3 Design for New Media


5. 1.0 full credit:
NMED01H3 New Media Senior Project
NMED20H3 Theory and Practice of New Media

Note: The following NME courses are taught at UTSC: NMED01H3 and NMED02H3. All other NME courses are taught at Centennial College.

New Media Studies Courses


NMEA01H3    Digital Fundamentals

This course introduces basic hardware and software for new media. Students will learn basics of HTML (tags, tables and frames) and JavaScript for creation of new media. Discusses hardware requirements including storage components, colour palettes and different types of graphics (bitmap vs. vector-based). Students will be introduced to a variety of software packages used in new media production.
Prerequisite: 10 full credits
Corequisite: NMEA02H3, NMEA03H3, NMEA04H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: Social & Behavioural Sciences

NMEA02H3    Introduction to New Media Communications

This course enables students to develop strong written communications skills for effective project proposals and communications, as well as non-linear writing skills that can be applied to a wide range of interactive media projects. The course examines the difference between successful writing for print and for new media, and how to integrate text and visual material.
Prerequisite: 10 full credits
Corequisite: NMEA01H3, NMEA03H3, NMEA04H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: History, Philosophy & Cultural Studies

NMEA03H3    The Language of Design

This course introduces the fundamentals of two-dimensional design, graphic design theory, graphic design history, colour principles, typographic principles and visual communication theories applied to New Media Design. Working from basic form generators, typography, two-dimensional design principles, colour and visual communication strategies, learners will be introduced to the exciting world of applied graphic design and multi-media.
Prerequisite: 10 full credits
Corequisite: NMEA01H3, NMEA02H3, NMEA04H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language

NMEA04H3    Interface Design, Navigation and Interaction I

This course introduces students to the discipline of user interface and software design, and in particular their impact and importance in the world of new media. The course uses theory and research in combination with practical application, to bring a user-centred design perspective to developing new media software.
Prerequisite: 10 full credits
Corequisite: NMEA01H3, NMEA02H3, NMEA03H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language

NMEB05H3    Interface Design, Navigation and Interaction II

Extends work on interface design. Students have opportunities to gain real world experience in the techniques of user interface design. Participants learn to do a "requirements document" for projects, how to design an interface which meets the needs of the requirements of the document and how to test a design with real world users.
Prerequisite: NMEA01H3, NMEA02H3, NMEA03H3, NMEA04H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language

NMEB06H3    Project Development and Presentation

This course enables the participant to understand the new media production process. Learners will develop the skills to conduct benchmarking, scoping and testing exercises that lead to meaningful project planning documents. Learners will develop and manage production schedules for their group projects that support the development efforts using the project planning documents.
Prerequisite: NMEA01H3, NMEA02H3, NMEA03H3, NMEA04H3
Corequisite: NMEB05H3, NMEB08H3, NMEB09H3, NMEB10H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: Social & Behavioural Sciences

NMEB08H3    Application Software for Interactive Media

This course builds on NMEA01H3. It enables learners to extend their understanding of software requirements and of advanced software techniques. Software used may include Dreamweaver, Flash, Director, and animation (using Director).
Prerequisite: NMEA01H3, NMEA02H3, NMEA03H3, NMEA04H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: Social & Behavioural Sciences

NMEB09H3    Sound Design

This course introduces students to the scope of sound design - creative audio for new media applications. Students will work with audio applications software to sample, create and compress files, and in the planning and post-production of new media. Students will also learn to use audio in interactive ways such as soundscapes.
Prerequisite: NMEA01H3, NMEA02H3, NMEA03H3, NMEA04H3
Corequisite: NMEB05H3, NMEB06H3, NMEB08H3, NMEB10H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language

NMEB10H3    New Media Design

This course discusses the integration of multiple media with the art of good design. The course examines the conventions of typography and the dynamics between words and images, with the introduction of time, motion and sound. The course involves guest speakers, class exercises, assignments, field trips, group critiques and major projects.
Prerequisite: NMEA01H3, NMEA02H3, NMEA03H3, NMEA04H3
Corequisite: NMEB05H3, NMEB06H3, NMEB08H3, NMEB09H3
Enrolment Limits: 35. This course is only open to students registered in the Joint Major Program in New Media.
Breadth Requirement: Arts, Literature & Language

NMED01H3    New Media Senior Project

Students in this course develop a new media project that responds to, analyzes, or furthers their research into theoretical issues around digital media practices and artefacts. Projects may focus on digital media ranging from the internet to gaming, to social networking, including websites, CD-ROMS, DVDs, mobile apps, and Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies.
Prerequisite: Completion of 15 credits including Centennial College courses listed in New Media Group 1 & New Media Group 2
Enrolment Limits: 35

NMED20H3    Theory and Practice of New Media

A seminar course providing critical reflection on digital media applications and artefacts in contemporary life, including business, information, communication, entertainment, and creative practices. Students examine the ideological, political, structural, and representational assumptions underlying much of new media production and consumption from both theoretical and practice-based perspectives.
Prerequisite: Completion of 15 full credits including Centennial College courses listed in New Media Group 1 & New Media Group 2
Enrolment Limits: 35
Breadth Requirement: History, Philosophy & Cultural Studies


Media Studies

MDSA01H3  Introduction to Media Studies

MDSB03H3  Advertising and Consumer Culture

MDSB05H3  Media and Globalization

MDSB61H3  Critical Approaches to Digital Media

MDSB62H3  Understanding Visual Culture

MDSC02H3  Topics in Media, Identities and Politics

See the Media Studies section of this Calendar for full course descriptions.