NOTICE OF INTENT
Joint Major in Communication and Interactive Arts and Technology
SIAT Undergraduate
Curriculum Committee
Comm Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
Simon Fraser University
March 27, 2007
Executive Summary
A BA/B.Sc. Joint Major in Communication and Interactive Arts and Technology, is proposed by the School of Communication and School of Interactive Arts and Technology to be administered under the Faculty of Applied Science.
The intent of this proposal is to bring together the expertise from these two areas and to allow for a broad and comprehensive undergraduate education at the rapidly growing area at the intersection in the new media, technology and design with communication.
The majority of graduates will obtain BA degree. To obtain the BSc degree additional requirements must be met as specified in the Interactive Arts and Technology major program.
The proposed program addresses the following university goal as stated in the President’s Agenda 2005-2009 (Michael Stevenson, June 2005)
“ we must continue to increase the diversification of our programmes, increasing the number of professional and quasi-professional programmes, as well as creating new interdisciplinary specializations.”
Based upon existing courses, this program can be mounted immediately with minimum requirement for new resources.
The program will be directed by an undergraduate Coordinating Committee, comprised of two representatives from each of the School of Communication and the School of Interactive Arts and Technology.
Students will be enrolled from existing students in Communication, Interactive Arts and Technology, or TechOne programs. We are confident the program has a potential to attract new students to SFU.
Graduates of this degree will be well-prepared to move on to jobs in the growing area of new media with the broader set of skills
Approval History: SIAT Undergraduate Curriculum Committee: 16 Jan 2007
SIAT School Meeting: 25 Jan 2007
Communications Undergraduate Program Committee: 10 Jan 2007
Communications School Meeting: 14 Feb 2007
Background
Simon Fraser University has committed to expand its programming in new and prospective areas. The Interactive Arts and Technology program is one of such areas providing an interdisciplinary view on design at the intersection of new media, technology and arts. On the other side, a well established program in Communication sees enormous opportunities in the study of both new media and old media transformed by new political, social, technological and economic forces. The meeting point of these two programs covers the area where the challenges of new media and technology are the most profound. The intent of this proposal is to bring together the expertise from these two areas and to allow for a broad and comprehensive undergraduate education at the intersection in the new media, informatics, and design with communications.
Credential to be awarded:
Joint Major, Interactive Arts and Technology/Communication, B.A.
Joint Major, Interactive Arts and Technology/Communication, B.Sc.
Joint Major, Communication/Interactive Arts and Technology, B.A.
Location:
SFU, Surrey and Burnaby Campuses
Faculty/Department/School offering the new program:
School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, and
School of Communication, Faculty of Applied Sciences
Anticipated program start date:
January 2007
Description of proposed program:
The intent of this proposal is to bring together the expertise from these two areas and to allow for a broad and comprehensive undergraduate education at the intersection in the new media, technology and design with communications, with minimal requirement for new resources.
The proposed program meshes well with one of the the important dimensions in which our academic programmes should be improved as stated in the President’s Agenda 2005-2009 (Michael Stevenson, June 2005)
“ we must continue to increase the diversification of our programmes, increasing the number of professional and quasi-professional programmes, as well as creating new interdisciplinary specializations.”
The proposed curriculum will graduate Communications and Interactive Arts and Technology majors with both a new media, technology and design and social science background together with sufficient concentration in field to be gain a special competitive advantage in this new challenging and growing area.
This joint program is responding directly to the growing demand of the current students, recent graduates, and new industries for the specialised design and technical skills in the covered areas while positioned in the broader context of the social and media awareness skills. In addition to the opportunities in the new media industry the graduates will be well prepared for the advanced degrees in areas covering both social and technical aspects of the new media.
Communications LD Requirements: 24 required credits
Interactive Arts and T18 required credits
Total Lower Division Requirements: 6 General Science + 24 Com + 18 IAT = 48 credits
Communication UD Requirements: 18 required credits plus 4 additional credits (total 22 credits)
Total Upper Division Requirements: 22 Communications + 21 IAT = 43 credits
Subtotal: 48 Lower Division + 43 Upper Division = 91 credits
LD or UD Electives: Students will supplement the specified courses to satisfy WQB graduation requirements
UD Electives: 3 credits selected from any university UD courses
Total: 120 credits
Note: Students must obtain a grade of C or higher in all required courses.
University Breadth Requirement:
There are adequate B-Sci and B-SocSci courses in the required courses to satisfy those breadth requirements. However, 6 B-Hum credits will be required to complete the total breadth requirements.
University Writing Intensive Requirement:
University lower division writing intensive requirement is satisfied by required courses CMNS-130 and CMNS 253-3. One elective course must fulfill the upper division writing requirement.
Optional
Administered through the Communications and Interactive Arts and Technology co-op coordinators
Since the program is based upon existing courses the standard delivery methods already in place for on campus education, Lecture/Lab/Tutorial, will be used.
The schools of Communication and Interactive Arts and Technology have some academic linkages through the study of new media and information technology but have not previously had a formal connection. The proposed new joint major will benefit students who have otherwise been pursuing their interests through major/minor combinations. These interests are better accommodated by an interdisciplinary program.
Four years.
The students will be admitted to the Joint major program from the other programs at SFU or via transfer from other post-secondary institution. The students will be primarily those who were enrolled into the Communication or Interactive Arts and Technology programs and wish to broaden their area of study through the programming in this Joint Program. Students in this category can enrol into the program anytime during their studies once they satisfy the criteria for enrolment into one of the major programs. Another pool of potential students is TechOne program – a cohort program in Faculty of Applied Sciences offered on Surrey campus. The TechOne is a home to students who were admitted directly into one of the major programs in FAS as well as those students who have not decided their major yet.
We will facilitate the enrolment of students into the joint program by providing course offering of Communications courses in Surrey as required by the joint programme (Note: SIAT courses are primarily offered on Surrey campus. To raise the awareness of the SIAT program across broader SFU student community SIAT is exploring the options of offering some of its courses on other campuses especially in the lower division.
We were monitoring an increase of interest in the programming covered by this joint program within the current student population. Based on the current enrolment of students in the respective minor versions of both programs, on the enrolment of students on the upper division courses, and increased inquiries to student advisors we estimate the initial enrolment to be at 25 students. We expect this number to reach 35-40 students.
The substantial interest of existing students indicates that this Joint Program can be a specific program offering that can target a new student audience resulting in the increases enrolment into SFU programs.
As per general regulations of the University and the Faculty of Applied Sciences.
Continuing faculty will hold a PhD or equivalent.
All academic units at SFU are subject to external review every six years.
As per SFU’s transfer credit procedures, students may transfer from BC colleges or universities to enrol into this program. There is no applicable regulatory or professional body in this field in BC.
We are monitoring an increase of interest in the Joint Program within the current student body. Based on the current enrolment of students in the respective minor versions of both programs, on the enrolment of students on the upper division courses, and increased inquiries to student advisors we estimate the initial enrolment to be at 25 students. Such students are requesting and will be attracted to the proposed program requiring only 120 credits as opposed to the greater number required in their combination programs.
The combination of the two programs is unique in the context of SFU and British Columbia.
Additional Information Required by SFU:
Contact information for the faculty member responsible for program development
Marek Hatala, School of
Interactive Arts and Technology, 778-782-7431
Richard Smith,
School of Communications, 604 291-5116
Bill Richards, School of
Communications, 604 291-4119
Summary of requirements for graduation (courses, project/thesis, etc.)
A minimum of 120 credit hours, including: at the 100-200 level, 48 credits including 6 credits of general science, 24 credits of Communication, and 18 credits of Interactive Arts and Technology; at the 300-400 level, 45 credits including at least 22 credits of upper division Communication and 21 credits of upper division Interactive Arts and Technology . Elective and breadth courses make up the balance of the University’s degree requirements.
Summary of resources (faculty members, space, and equipment) required to implement the program
Minimal additional resources are required. The program can be accommodated with present courses and faculty. No new courses are required.
Brief description of any program and associated resources that will be reduced or eliminated when the new program is introduced
None.