Media Arts

Fries Hall, Room 106
201-200-3494
http://www.njcu.edu/department/media-arts

The Media Arts Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The Media Arts Department houses a full color, broadcast-quality television studio, Macintosh and PC digital media labs, radio and audio production facilities, and 16mm film production and post-production facilities. The department has a studio/classroom for multi-media production and two large projection/seminar rooms for weekly screenings. Completing the Media Arts facilities are AVID and Final Cut Pro video editing suites, and 16mm Steenbeck editing suites. Works produced in the Media Arts Department include experimental, digitally animated, documentary and narrative short subjects, and independent feature productions.

The department is the official home of The Thomas Edison-Black Maria Film and Video Festival, recognized by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an Academy Award qualifying festival for short films (documentary, animation, and live action). The department also sponsors the Urban Image media collective whose mission is to provide venues for emerging artists – current media majors and graduates of the Media Arts program – to exhibit their work through partnership with arts organizations in Hudson County. The Media Arts Department is also a co-sponsor of the New Jersey Young Film and Videomakers Festival.

Faculty members are active in the production of original films and videos. Their work has been screened at major festivals and museums including the Museum of Modern Art, the Margaret Mead Festival at the Museum of Natural History, and The Whitney Museum of American Art.

Marcin Ramocki, Chairperson
Associate Professor of Media Arts
Dartmouth College, B.A.; University of Pennsylvania, M.F.A.

Robert Albrecht
Associate Professor of Media Arts
St. Peter’s College, B.A.; University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee M.A.; New York University, Ph.D.

Roddy Bogawa
Associate Professor of Media Arts
University of California, San Diego, B.A., M.F.A.

Vera Dika
Assistant Professor of Media Arts
State University of New York, B.A.; Antioch College, M.A.; New York University, Ph.D.

Robert Foster
Assistant Professor of Media Arts (Part-time)
Rochester Institute of Technology, B.A.; Syracuse University, M.F.A.

Joel D. Katz
Professor of Media Arts
Oberlin College, B.A.; Hunter College, M.F.A.

Jane Steuerwald
Professor of Media Arts
Syracuse University, B.F.A., M.A.; Bard College, M.F.A.

Various discipline-specific concentrations that will prepare students for multiple fields of employment or areas of additional graduate study are noted below. Course requirements for each concentration are explained in detail. The requirements for graduation, in addition to completion of the major area, are listed on "Completing a Graduate Program."

Media Production, M.F.A.

MEDI 601 Intermedia Research (3 Credits)

Intermedia Research is a graduate-level course that is part of the Media Arts M.F.A. program. Taking advantage of NJCU's proximity to one of the world's foremost cities for art, this course is based on field visits to contemporary media exhibitions at museums, galleries, media arts centers. This is not topically arranged; the variation of the content is a result of variation of sites. On weeks when there is no field visit the class will focus on digestion/critique of the past visit and preparation for the upcoming one.

MEDI 602 Graduate Projects (3 Credits)

In this course students will develop their own body of work. First semester they start developing ideas and doing pre-production research for what will eventually become their thesis project; the second they start producing the project; the third they work on post-production of the project and the written part of their thesis work; the fourth they mount the final presentation and do self-critique of their work.

MEDI 606 Visiting Artist Studio (3 Credits)

Each semester four visiting artist will present their work to MFA students and will be available for the day to critique students' work. This is not topically arranged; the variation of the content is a result of having different guests. On week when there is not a guest the class will focus on digestion/critique of the past visit and preparation for the upcoming one.

MEDI 607 Graduate Seminar (3 Credits)

These change topically each semester. Distinct syllabi have been approved. Synchronism in the Avant Garde; Non-Fiction in Media; Images, Meaning and Technology, etc.

MEDI 610 Advanced Video Field Production (3 Credits)

Advanced Video Field Production is a graduate-level studio course covering all stages of single channel remote television production. Critical readings, screenings, writing and discussion will complement hands-on technical instruction. Content, expression, and communication will be emphasized as much as technical skills involving camera, lighting, audio, and editing. Careful pre-production planning and thoughtful structuring of projects are stressed.

MEDI 611 Advanced Video (3 Credits)

Advanced Video is a graduate-level studio course emphasizing the development of the directorial voice and the evolution of students as video producers. This course concentrates on ideas, conceptual issues, and storytelling as much as on technical instruction. The relationship of form to content is examined, and issues of genre, ethics, journalism, and narrative are explored.

MEDI 615 Advanced Film/Computer Animation (3 Credits)

Advanced Animation for Film and Video is a graduate-level studio course exploring the aesthetic and technical principles of 3-D modeling and animation. Techniques in modeling, lighting, texture mapping, animation, and rendering are taught.

MEDI 616 Advanced Film/TV Lighting (3 Credits)

This course offers advanced study of the functional and aesthetic applications of lighting for color and black and white interiors and exteriors in film and video. By learning technical resources and participating in practical exercises with a lighting equipment and tools, as well as by becoming aware of outstanding examples of cinematography prepares a student for professional studio and location production work.

MEDI 617 Film Practicum: Advanced Cinematography (3 Credits)

This is a graduate-level studio course designed to expand the filmmaker’s skill in budgeting, production management, lighting, cinematography, filters, gels, and various film stocks. Technical aspects from choice of lens to roles and responsibilities of the camera crew are examined.

MEDI 619 Advanced Digital Media II (3 Credits)

Advanced Digital Media II is a graduate-level course on digital time-based media. Students will expand their knowledge of both the software and concepts behind the contemporary digital animation. The purpose of the class is to advance skills using the vocabulary, technology and theory behind 2-D animation. Main software examined will be Adobe After-Effects. Advanced Digital Media II is a very demanding class; learning this software can be done only through constant experimentation and exercises. Advanced knowledge of Photoshop required.

MEDI 620 Synchronism in the Avant -Garde I (3 Credits)

Course examines the history of modernist Avant-Garde movements, with a particular emphasis on photographic and cinematic media and their connection to contemporary media practice.

MEDI 623 Advanced Sound Post Production (3 Credits)

In this advanced graduate-level course students master tools and techniques required of those producing sound for motion picture synchronization in the media of film, video and animation. Sound elements are discussed, developed and employed in visuals. The building blocks of the modern soundtrack: effects, music, ambience, atmospheres, dialogue - and techniques such as Foley and ADR - are explored in depth. The course presents SMPTE time code issues and practical approaches to resolving common synchronization problems. Students must supply one original motion picture (film/video/animation) for soundtrack creation. Studio course.

MEDI 624 Advanced Post-Production Techniques in Video (3 Credits)

In this graduate-level studio course students master advanced tools and techniques required of those producing sound for motion picture synchronization in the media of film, video and animation. The building blocks of the modern soundtrack: effects, music, ambience, atmospheres, dialogue - and techniques such as Foley and ADR - are explored in depth. The course presents SMPTE time code issues and practical approaches to resolving common synchronization problems.

MEDI 1601 Intermedia Research I (3 Credits)

Intermedia Research is a graduate-level course that is part of the Media Arts M.F.A. program. Taking advantage of NJCU's proximity to one of the world's foremost cities for art, this course is based on field visits to contemporary media exhibitions at museums, galleries, media arts centers. This is not topically arranged; the variation of the content is a result of variation of sites. On weeks when there is no field visit the class will focus on digestion/critique of the past visit and preparation for the upcoming one.

MEDI 1602 Graduate Projects I (3 Credits)

In this course students will develop their own body of work. First semester they start developing ideas and doing pre-production research for what will eventually become their thesis project; the second they start producing the project; the third they work on post-production of the project and the written part of their thesis work; the fourth they mount the final presentation and do self-critique of their work.

MEDI 1606 Visiting Artist Studio I (3 Credits)

Each semester four visiting artist will present their work to MFA students and will be available for the day to critique students' work. This is not topically arranged; the variation of the content is a result of having different guests. On week when there is not a guest the class will focus on digestion/critique of the past visit and preparation for the upcoming one.

MEDI 1607 Graduate Seminar I (3 Credits)

These change topically each semester. Distinct syllabi have been approved. Synchronism in the Avant Garde; Non-Fiction in Media; Images, Meaning and Technology, etc.

MEDI 2601 Intermedia Research II (3 Credits)

Intermedia Research is a graduate-level course that is part of the Media Arts M.F.A. program. Taking advantage of NJCU's proximity to one of the world's foremost cities for art, this course is based on field visits to contemporary media exhibitions at museums, galleries, media arts centers. This is not topically arranged; the variation of the content is a result of variation of sites. On weeks when there is no field visit the class will focus on digestion/critique of the past visit and preparation for the upcoming one.

MEDI 2602 Graduate Projects II (3 Credits)

In this course students will develop their own body of work. First semester they start developing ideas and doing pre-production research for what will eventually become their thesis project; the second they start producing the project; the third they work on post-production of the project and the written part of their thesis work; the fourth they mount the final presentation and do self-critique of their work.

MEDI 2606 Visiting Artist Studio II (3 Credits)

Each semester four visiting artist will present their work to MFA students and will be available for the day to critique students' work. This is not topically arranged; the variation of the content is a result of having different guests. On week when there is not a guest the class will focus on digestion/critique of the past visit and preparation for the upcoming one.

MEDI 2607 Graduate Seminar II (3 Credits)

These change topically each semester. Distinct syllabi have been approved. Synchronism in the Avant Garde; Non-Fiction in Media; Images, Meaning and Technology, etc.

MEDI 3601 Intermedia Research III (3 Credits)

Intermedia Research is a graduate-level course that is part of the Media Arts M.F.A. program. Taking advantage of NJCU's proximity to one of the world's foremost cities for art, this course is based on field visits to contemporary media exhibitions at museums, galleries, media arts centers. This is not topically arranged; the variation of the content is a result of variation of sites. On weeks when there is no field visit the class will focus on digestion/critique of the past visit and preparation for the upcoming one.

MEDI 3602 Graduate Projects III (3 Credits)

In this course students will develop their own body of work. First semester they start developing ideas and doing pre-production research for what will eventually become their thesis project; the second they start producing the project; the third they work on post-production of the project and the written part of their thesis work; the fourth they mount the final presentation and do self-critique of their work.

MEDI 3606 Visiting Artist Studio III (3 Credits)

Each semester four visiting artist will present their work to MFA students and will be available for the day to critique students' work. This is not topically arranged; the variation of the content is a result of having different guests. On week when there is not a guest the class will focus on digestion/critique of the past visit and preparation for the upcoming one.

MEDI 3607 Graduate Seminar III (3 Credits)

These change topically each semester. Distinct syllabi have been approved. Synchronism in the Avant Garde; Non-Fiction in Media; Images, Meaning and Technology, etc.

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