Courses
Requirements for completion of the Digital Media Art BFA degree can be found on the San José State University course catalogue located here: https://catalog.sjsu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=2&poid=481&returnto=96
Download the DMA Major Form, DMA BFA application and advising guide here: http://www.sjsu.edu/art/documents/forms/
The below course descriptions provide a general overview of DMA course content. Actual course content will vary from semester to semester based upon the instructor and current course syllabus.
Art 74/ Introduction to Digital Media Art
This course will explore the fundamental concepts and methods of Digital Media. It provides an introduction to software applications and web development. We will explore both conceptually and technically what it means to manipulate images digitally. Students will produce artworks using currently available imaging, composition and web design software. The class will focus on current methods, trends and conceptual frameworks for artistic production of digital media. The course emphasizes creative and critical thinking, problem solving and computer literacy.
Art 75/ Introduction to Digital Video
This course will focus on digital video techniques and processes. The course will address development of appropriate conceptual strategies for production of digital video, as seen through contemporary critical and theoretical perspectives. The course explores online uses of video and internet distribution for this rapidly evolving medium.
ART 101/ Digital Media Art
Applications of digital media art practice, with a focus on interactive concepts, methods and systems. Course content includes experimental approaches and techniques for digital media systems, and the development of aesthetic criteria for the evaluation of digital media. Fundamentals include: an introduction to programming and the nature of code, process, data mapping, digital media formal aesthetics, interactivity, exploration of interface and simulation.
Art 102/ 3D Modeling and Printing
Introduce to experimental 3D methods with a focus on conceptual and creative processes using Maya software and 3D printing technology while addressing contemporary uses for artistic production.
Art 103/ Art as System
This course is an exploration of art as the experience of an information system, including methods and techniques for simulation, networks and information mapping. This course addresses art as the experience of an information system. The class will develop and program software to explore issues and problems involving graphic visualization, mapping, database and networks. The course emphasizes artistic production informed by contemporary issue in science and philosophy. A primary goal of the class is to look at alternative conceptual frameworks for art. One of the goals of the class is to look at how the term art and the role of the artist are redefined by the increased use of networked information systems. Conceptual content includes: surveillance: privacy vs. openness, information mapping - collecting, organizing and interpreting/translating data, collective intelligence, intelligent environments/AL, hypertext theory, complexity.
Art 104/ Interdisciplinary Seminar in Digital Media Art
An investigation of theoretical topics in digital media art and analysis of contemporary technology research issues. This course offers an exploration of aesthetic, cultural and social implications associated with new information technology. This seminar reviews historical and contemporary theoretical topics shaping the discourse in digital media art. A cross section of creative and research activities are reviewed. Topics to include: privacy, surviellance, artificial intelligence, artificial life, simulation, networks, telepresent, ubiquitious computing, knowledge engineering, bio-technology.
Art 105/ Advanced Digital Video
As a time-based medium, digital video is a technically sophisticated and powerfully expressive medium. YouTube has thrown open the doors of database-driven social video, while developments in large-scale video projection mapping and mobile technology are transforming our world. Yet the vast visual landscape, rich storytelling capabilities and immersive capacities of the medium can be elusive, requiring time and dedicated focus. Advanced Digital Video is a series of workshop intensives focused on the technical, aesthetic, and creative uses of digital video as an artistic medium. The course addresses the use of video expressively across art, film/ cinema, and the Internet, while teaching advanced production technique. Workshop intensives address best practices and industry-standard software for editing and motion graphics while opening doors to richer and deeper narrative, non-narrative, architectural, live and installation uses of digital video.
Art 106/ The Human Machine Interface
Introduction to the issues, techniques and methods of human-machine interaction as defined in the different cultural, political, and scientific contexts. Exploration of advanced concept development, software and interface design and methods, using mobile computing and telepresense related platforms, fabrication techniques and authoring methods used for interactive media/systems. The goals of this course are to introduce students to issues and problems associated with creating human machine interfaces and to provide students with a broad range of knowledge and skills used in the development of network and digital media related software design. Students investigate the different issues and techniques in the fields of telepresense, surveillance, robotics, and mobile computing.
Art 107/ Advanced Topics in Digital Media Art
Advanced issues and applications of digital technology and critical thinking in art. Conceptual utilization of both theoretical thinking and studio art practice, with emphasis on video art, video streaming technology, emerging technology, installation, programming and robotics. Student work both individually and as a collaborative on projects that can involve video, sound, space, time, objects, film, robotics, programming or any other appropriate media. Collaborative projects may involve a creative project, curating a screening, holding a discussion group on reading, etc.
Art 108/ Introduction to Game Studies
Introduction to the systems, design, history, and cultural analysis of games with emphasis on critical studies, development, technological literacy, markets and impact on society. Prerequisite: Upper division standing or instructor consent.
Art 109/ Web Development in HTML, CSS and JavaScript
Tracing the emergence of networked, online, and screen-based contexts for the exhibition of new media art, this course explores programming, tools and methodologies for the creation of websites, web applications and net-based digital media artworks. Students develop website architectures, user interfaces, style sheets, animation and web-optimized content using industry-standard tools and techniques. Development of a collaborative networked installation environment and/ or online gallery for the exhibition of culminating work. (prerequisite: Art 101)
ART 193/ Digital Materials
Technical skills to facilitate the realization of projects conceptually rooted in an analysis of computational media and its relationship to the physical world. Introduction to video and computational outputs integrated with tangible presentation methods. Material survey, exhibition strategies, and introductory fabrication techniques that facilitate projects bridging computation, architecture, objects, and the body. (not offered every semester)
ART 198/ BFA Seminar
This course addresses the specific needs of students graduating with a degree in Digital Media Art. Students will explore options for graduate study and examine professional and artistic opportunities. Students will learn fundamental skills for proposal development and grant writing. Preparation for BFA project and postgraduate career planning. This course includes field trips, class discussions and studio visits with art professionals. Prerequisite: Prior acceptance in the B.F.A. program. 3 units. Pre-requisites: Senior status, acceptance into BFA Digital Media Art program. (take the semester before you graduate)
Art 195/ BFA Project in Digital Media Art
Students develop individual approaches, methodologies, and practices in the creation of art and participate in a final group show demonstrating professional competence in the students area of concentration. Participation in the final exhibition with the approval of the student’s advisory committee is required. (take the semester you graduate)