Film Digital Media (FDM)

FDM 4313  Diffusion of Innovations  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. An introduction to old and emerging theories which explain the spread of innovative ideas and technologies among members of a society, emphasizing the role of communication processes and the special problems for diffusion in communication technology.

FDM 4314  Digital Media Technologies  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Analysis of the technical foundations of communication media, the interrelationships among the various media technologies, and the impact of these technologies on media management, content, distribution, and consumption.

FDM 4340  Media and Society  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Roles of the media in society and their relationship with other societal institutions. Impacts of the media upon society, responsibilities of the media, and restraints imposed upon them.

FDM 4341  Electronic Culture  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. An examination of the issues at the intersection of modern media technology, philosophy, and contemporary culture.

FDM 4342  Art and the Moving Image  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. An examination of the cinema as an art form in the context of other artistic media (such as painting, music, etc.).

FDM 4343  Film and Media Theory  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. The artistic potential of motion picture and television production, including major film theories and visual aesthetics. Dramatic narrative (fiction), documentary (non-fiction), and non-narrative subjects will be analyzed.

FDM 4344  Film Criticism  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

A survey of the history of film criticism and different approaches to the analysis and critical evaluation of film. The works of major critics are analyzed and their approaches use to write film criticism.

FDM 4347  Communication and Culture  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. An examination of the reciprocal functions of communication and urban culture as they continue to shape and define each other. Specific areas of inquiry vary each semester. May be repeated once with a different topic (maximum six semester hours).

FDM 4361  Audio Production  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3361 or consent of instructor  

Not open to pre-Film and Digital Media students. Advanced audio techniques for media productions, technical and conceptual aspects of sound design. Emphasis on sound/image relationships in film and video, and the interface between traditional analog and digital audio technologies. Includes recording, editing, and mixing of audio sources in the creation of original sound tracks.

FDM 4362  Short Film Production  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3361  

Not open to pre-Film and Digital Media majors. Advanced short narrative digital cinema production with emphasis on storytelling, theme, and mise-en-scene.

FDM 4363  Advanced Digital Production  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3361, FDM 4365, and consent of instructor  

Not open to pre-Film and Digital Media majors. Develops proficiency in producing, directing, and editing of advanced digital content using single camera and multi-camera studio techniques. Covers pre-visualization, visual effects compositing, digital audio, and postproduction. Emphasis on bringing ideas from conception to realization in a professional setting.

FDM 4364  Interactive Media  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3361 or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Interactive media elements and authoring systems, emphasizing the integration of computer technology in the development of interactive media messages.

FDM 4365  Lighting and Cinematography  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3361 or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Advanced film and video production with emphasis on the techniques, equipment, and theories involved in lighting and cinematography. Emphasis on the role of the cinematographer or director of photography.

FDM 4366  Post Production  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3361 or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Advanced film and video production with emphasis on the techniques, equipment, and theories involved in editing film and video. Emphasis on the use of computer-based non-linear editing systems.

FDM 4367  Film and Video Direction  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3361 or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. In-depth investigation into the history, theory, and basic concepts of film and video direction; script preparation; story-boarding; blocking actors and staging the camera; sound; and editing. Projects include directing and shooting short videos.

FDM 4369  Producing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper level standing or permission of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Current film and television industry practices, including analysis of literary material, industry structure and economics, pitching, deal-making, and distribution.

FDM 4373  Advanced Screenwriting  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3373 or FDM 3374 or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Workshop course for advanced writers of narrative fiction screenplays emphasizing discussion of student work.

FDM 4380  Topics in Media History  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. In-depth investigation of important historical eras in the development of various media, for example, cinema, television, radio, and gaming. May be repeated twice under different topic not to exceed nine credit hours.

FDM 4381  Topics in Media Management and Technology  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Examines media management issues and the impact of technological innovations on a wide range of media industries including broadcasting, Internet, telecommunication, cable, satellite, video game, and digital cinema. May be repeated twice under different topics, not to exceed nine credit hours.

FDM 4382  Topics in Media Storytelling  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Examines a selected topic in film, television, radio/audio, games, or other form of digital media storytelling. May be repeated twice under different topics, not to exceed nine credit hours.

FDM 4384  Topics in National Media  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. An aesthetic, cultural, and/or historical examination of a selected national mass medium, for example, Japanese Cinema, British Television, or French New Wave Cinema. Focuses on directors, films/programs, movements, and cultural contests of national media. May be repeated twice under different topics not to exceed nine credit hours.

FDM 4388  Topics in Media Production  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): FDM 3361 or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Advanced media production with emphasis on one particular aspect of production. Topics covered may include cinematography, experimental film or video collaborative projects, documentary, studio drama, narrative, and other topics. May be repeated twice under different topics not to exceed nine credit hours.

FDM 4396  Topics in Media Genres  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. An analysis of major media genres (in film, television, gaming, and other media). Methodological issues in genre criticism will also be addressed. May be repeated twice under different topics not to exceed nine credit hours.

FDM 4397  Topics in Contemporary Cinema  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. An academic examination of current cinema. Topics covered may include contemporary world cinema, contemporary American cinema, artists/directors, philosophy, history and other topics. May be repeated once with a different topic.

FDM 4V03  Internship in Electronic and Film Media  (1-6)  
Pre-requisite(s): Undergraduate: fifteen hours in major; graduate: consent of graduate director  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. Designed to fit the needs and interests of the individual student. Interns may select activities in a broadcast station or network, wire service, film production hours, corporate communications department, advertising agency, or in other appropriate organizations. Internships must be approved by the division director (undergraduate) or graduate director (graduate) and are carried out under the supervision of the division director. May be repeated for a total of six semester hours provided the professional setting is different. Graduate students will be limited to three hours credit.

FDM 4V98  Electronic and Film Media Workshop  (3-6)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Not open to Pre-Film and Digital Media students. A directed project to a detailed individual or group radio, television, or film production including preproduction, research and concept development, production, post production, and planning for distribution. May be repeated once in a different semester for a total of six semester hours.

FDM 5199  Non-Thesis Degree Completion  (1)  

Course designated to fulfill requirements for non-thesis master's students when all other credits have been previously completed.

FDM 5303  Internship in Film & Digital Media  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Provides graduate students the opportunity for application of film & digital media skills and knowledge carried out under the supervision of a professional employer in a media-related organization.

FDM 5335  Media Psychology  (3)  

Study of the psychological effects of media on the thoughts, feelings, and actions of viewers and users. We consider the negative and positive impact of various types of media. Features a special focus on media use and well-being, as well as coverage of the usage and effects of interactive media.

FDM 5336  Seminar in Film and Electronic Media  (3)  

Selected topics in the film or electronic media. Topics may be chosen from the following: mass communication theory, film or broadcasting history, media effects, media regulation, new communication technologies, and political communication. May be repeated once with a different topic.

FDM 5346  Seminar in Corporate Telecommunication  (3)  

Selected topics in corporate telecommunication. Topics may be chosen from the following: telecommunication management, training and development, diffusion of innovations, and impact analysis. May be repeated once with a different topic.

FDM 5356  Seminar in Media Aesthetics and Criticism  (3)  

Selected topics in media aesthetic criticism. Topics may be chosen from the following: film theory, semiotic analysis, visual literacy, and approaches to film criticism (i.e., cinema). May be repeated once with a different topic.

FDM 5366  Graduate Production Workshop  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of instructor  

Advanced production-oriented workshop with emphasis on enabling students to practice their craft and work towards completion of festival-worthy productions. Particular emphasis on preproduction, research and concept development, production, and post-production. May be repeated once in a different semester for a total of six semester hours.

FDM 5376  Contemporary Film Theory  (3)  

Major issues and concepts that have been taken up by film theorists and critics in the years following World War II, with particular concentration on cultural studies, ideological criticism, race, gender, politics, spectatorship, and new digital technologies.

FDM 5377  Storytelling in the 21st Century  (3)  

Exploration of current and emergent forms of storytelling in media, including analysis of the current state of motion picture and television industries, virtual and augmented reality, interactive media, transmedia, and streaming media distribution, with an emphasis on how changes in media consumption practices are changing storytelling forms.

FDM 5V35  Problems in Film and Digital Media  (1-6)  

Designed to give individual students opportunities for additional work in their area of concentration in film and digital media. May be repeated in a different semester for up to a total of six semester hours.

FDM 5V90  Professional Paper or Project in Film & Digital Media  (1-3)  

Satisfies the non-thesis option for the master of communication studies. Under the direction of a supervising professor, a student will select a problem or topic in film and digital media and will write a substantial paper or produce a substantial project for submission to the faculty. Maximum three credit hours.

FDM 5V99  Thesis  (1-6)  

Research, data analysis, writing, and oral defense of an approved master's thesis. At least six hours of FDM 5V99 are required.