ARTS 330
Digital Media Art
Summer Term 2025 |
Instructor: Staff |
Total sessions: 30 Sessions |
Office Hours: TBA |
Session Length: 145 Minutes |
Classroom: TBA |
Credits: 3 Units |
Class Length: 8 Weeks |
Language: English |
Course Overview:
This course introduces digital media theories, online practices, and digital production, exploring how digitalization has transformed politics, society, and culture. Key topics include transmedia storytelling, digital journalism, surveillance, cybersecurity, mobile media, and video games.
Through theoretical frameworks and real-world case studies, students will critically examine digital media's role in contemporary society. They will also gain practical insights into digital media production and storytelling. By the end of the course, students will have the analytical tools to assess digital media’s impact and form informed opinions on its significance.
Required Material:
Eugenia Siapera and Regina Luttrell, Understanding New Media, age Publications Inc, 2018.
Supplementary readings will be available electronically via the course site
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand and analyze digital media theories and their impact
2. Examine the role of digital media in politics, society, and culture
3. Develop critical and creative skills in digital media production
4. Formulate informed arguments on digital media and ethics
Course Outline: Week 1:
Lecture 1-4: Introduction to Digital Media
Lecture 1: What Are New Media?
o Definition and key characteristics of new media
o Differences between old and new media
Lecture 2: Why Study Digital Media?
o The impact of digital media on politics, society, and culture
o Theoretical approaches to understanding digital media
Lecture 3: The Evolution of Digital Media
o A historical overview: from print to digital
o The rise of the Internet and Web 2.0
Lecture 4: Theories of Digital Media
o Key media theories: McLuhan, Baudrillard, Jenkins
o Interactivity, convergence, and participatory culture
Week 2:
Lecture 5-8: Digital Storytelling and Transmedia
Lecture 5: Introduction to Complex TV
o The shift from traditional to digital television
o Characteristics of complex narratives
Lecture 6: Transmedia Storytelling
o Defining transmedia and its applications
o Case studies: Marvel, Star Wars, The Matrix
Lecture 7: The Role of the Audience
o Participatory culture and fan engagement
o The impact of user-generated content
Lecture 8: Digital Media and Branding
o How storytelling is used in marketing
o Case studies of successful digital branding campaigns
Assignment 1
More specific requirements (e.g., topic, formatting requirements, deadlines, etc.) will be provided in the course.
Week 3:
Lecture 9-12: Digital Media and Politics
Lecture 9: New Media and Political Participation
o The role of digital media in political activism
o The influence of social media on elections
Lecture 10: Online Movements and Hacktivism
o Understanding hacktivism and digital resistance
o Case studies: Anonymous, Wikileaks, #BlackLivesMatter
Lecture 11: Misinformation and Propaganda
o The spread of fake news and disinformation
o The role of algorithms in shaping political narratives
Lecture 12: Censorship and Free Speech in the Digital Age
o Government control over digital media
o Debates on freedom of speech and content moderation
Week 4:
Lecture 13-16: Digital Surveillance and Cybersecurity
Lecture 13: Introduction to Digital Surveillance
o The rise of data collection and tracking
o Who collects our data and why?
Lecture 14: Cyber Terrorism and Cyber Fraud
o Types of cyber threats and attacks
o Case studies: major cyber breaches and their impact
Lecture 15: The Ethics of Surveillance
o Privacy vs. security debates
o Government surveillance programs and public perception
Lecture 16: Digital Identity and Data Protection
o Protecting personal data in the digital era
o Strategies for online privacy and security
Midterm project: More specific requirements (e.g., topic, formatting requirements, deadlines, etc.) will be provided in the course.
Week 5:
Lecture 17-20: Digital Media and Journalism
Lecture 17: The Transformation of Journalism
o The decline of traditional news and the rise of digital journalism
o The role of citizen journalism
Lecture 18: Social Media and Crisis Reporting
o How social media influences real-time news reporting
o Case studies: Twitter and breaking news events
Lecture 19: Immersive Journalism and New Technologies
o The use of AR, VR, and AI in news reporting
o The ethical concerns of immersive journalism
Lecture 20: Collaboration and Audience Engagement
o The role of digital communities in news production
o Crowdsourcing and open journalism
Week 6:
Lecture 21-24: Mobile Media and Video Games
Lecture 17: The Role of Mobile Media
o The dominance of smartphones in digital culture
o The impact of mobile apps on daily life
Lecture 18: Gaming and Digital Identity
o How video games shape self-perception
o Virtual worlds and digital personas
Lecture 19: Gaming as Social Interaction
o Multiplayer games and online communities
o The psychology behind gaming engagement
Lecture 20: The Business of Gaming
o Monetization strategies in gaming
o The rise of eSports and streaming platforms
Assignment 2
More specific requirements (e.g., topic, formatting requirements, deadlines, etc.) will be provided in the course.
Week 7:
Lecture 25-28: Digital Media Production and Creativity
Lecture 25: Digital Imaging and Graphic Design
o Tools and techniques for digital media creation
o Understanding color, composition, and typography
Lecture 26: Sound and Video in Digital Media
o Principles of digital audio production
o Basics of video editing and motion graphics
Lecture 27: Interactive Media and Web Development
o The role of UI/UX in digital experiences
o Building engaging digital environments
Lecture 28: Ethics in Digital Media Production
o Copyright, fair use, and digital ethics
o The responsibility of content creators
Week 8:
Lecture 29-30: Future Trends and Course Conclusion
Lecture 29: The Future of Digital Media
o Emerging trends in AI, VR, and blockchain media
o Predictions for the next decade
Lecture 30: Course Review and Final Project
o Recap of key concepts and theories
Final Project: More specific requirements (e.g., topic, formatting requirements, deadlines, etc.) will be provided in the course.
Grading Assessment:
Assignment 1 |
10% |
Assignment 2 |
10% |
Midterm project |
30% |
Final project |
40% |
Seminar Participation |
10% |
Total |
100% |
Assignments:
Students will complete two in-depth case study analysis essay (each 1000 words) on different aspects of digital media, applying key theories from the course. For the first analysis, students will examine a digital media phenomenon such as a social media campaign, digital activism, or a transmedia project, evaluating its impact, audience engagement, and effectiveness. The second analysis will focus on a different digital media topic, such as digital surveillance, online
journalism, or video games, assessing its cultural, political, or social implications. Each analysis must incorporate academic sources, provide a critical perspective, and demonstrate a clear understanding of digital media theories.
Attendance:
Students are required to attend a weekly seminar led by TA to focus on the week's topic and deepen understanding. Seminar time assigned by TA. Seminar attendance counts toward the final grade.
Midterm Project:
For the midterm project, students will select a significant digital media phenomenon—such as a political movement, viral online trend, media platform, or emerging digital technology—and analyze its social, cultural, or political implications. The analysis should critically engage with relevant digital media theories, supported by real-world examples and academic research.
Students will explore questions such as: How does this phenomenon shape public discourse,
identity, or engagement? What are its broader effects on media consumption, power dynamics, or policymaking? The project consists of two options for submission: students can either deliver a 5-minute recorded presentation summarizing key findings with visual support (slides,
multimedia, etc.) or submit a 1500-word written report providing an in-depth analysis, argument, and theoretical framework. Regardless of the format chosen, the project must
demonstrate a clear structure, critical thinking, and engagement with scholarly sources to support the analysis.
Final Project:
For the final project, students will create an original digital media piece that demonstrates their understanding of digital media concepts and creative production techniques. The project can take various forms, such as a short video, interactive media project, digital storytelling experience,
multimedia artwork, or another approved format that aligns with course themes. The work should incorporate key elements of digital media design, such as visual storytelling, interactivity, or audience engagement. Projects will be submitted during the final week of class, where students will showcase their work and discuss their creative process, including their conceptual and technical choices and how their project relates to digital media theories.
Final Evaluation:
Letter Grade |
Percentage (%) |
Letter Grade |
Percentage |
A+ |
≥95 |
C+ |
64-67 |
A |
89-94 |
C |
60-64 |
A- |
84-88 |
C- |
56-59 |
B+ |
79-83 |
D+ |
54-56 |
B |
73-78 |
D |
50-53 |
B- |
68-72 |
F |
≤50 |
General Policies:
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is the cornerstone of academia and requires students and researchers to
maintain honesty, fairness, trust and responsibility in all academic activities. It includes not only avoiding dishonest behaviors such as plagiarism, cheating, and falsifying data, but also requires taking responsibility for one's own academic actions and ensuring that all work is done
independently and accurately cites the research of others. Violations of academic integrity can result in severe academic penalties, such as zero grades, suspension or even expulsion, and can cause serious damage to an individual's reputation and future career. Upholding academic
integrity is therefore essential to promoting a fair academic environment and facilitating the authentic dissemination of knowledge.
Accessible Resources Policy
The policy ensures that all students, especially those with disabilities, are able to participate equally in school learning and activities. The school provides a wide range of accessibility resources including, but not limited to, specialized classrooms, hearing aids, Braille textbooks, assistive technology, and flexible testing arrangements. Students are required to apply to the school in advance and provide appropriate medical or psychological evaluations so that an
individualized support plan can be developed for them. This policy is designed to remove barriers in the academic environment and to ensure that every student has access to equitable learning opportunities.
Withdrawal Policy
Students may choose to withdraw from a course within a specified period of time, and may not be able to do so after the expiration date. When withdrawing from a course, students are required to fill out a withdrawal form with a reason, which will be reviewed and processed on a case-by- case basis. Withdrawal from a course may not affect the student's academic performance. If a student withdraws from a course with incomplete requirements, a “W” may be assigned instead of a grade, depending on the course.
