Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media
Miguel Gandert, Director, Distinguished Professor of Communication and Journalism
2414 Central Ave SE
MSC04 2575
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Phone: (505) 277-2286
Fax: (505) 277-2221
Email: ifdm@unm.edu
Web site: http://ifdm.unm.edu/
Affiliated Faculty
Dorothy Baca, Theatre and Dance
David Bashwiner, Music
Holly Barnet-Sanchez, College of Fine Arts
Joel Castellanos, Computer Science
Tim Castillo, Architecture, ARTS Lab
Thomas Caudell, Electrical and Computer Engineering
David Dunaway, English
Charles Fleddermann, School of Engineering
Nick Flor, Anderson School of Management
Deborah Fort, Cinematic Arts
Miguel Gandert, Communication and Journalism
Peter Gilbert, Music
William Liotta, Theatre and Dance
Lee Montgomery, Art and Art History
Andrea Polli, Art and Art History, School of Engineering
Vladimir Reche, Theatre and Dance
James Stone, Cinematic Arts
Mary Tsiongas, Art and Art History
Bill Walters, Theatre and Dance
Introduction
The Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media Program (IFDM) at the University of New Mexico recognizes the evolution of cohesive collaboration among the worlds of art, science and technology and leads the way as a model of interdisciplinary education. IFDM gives students necessary critical, creative and technical skills to apply digital technologies in innovative and productive ways. Sony Imageworks named the University of New Mexico as a partner in its Imageworks Professional Academic Excellence (IPAX) Program because of the interdisciplinary breadth and focus on collaborative learning reflected in the IFDM curriculum. Students whose goal is to become an artist, writer, game developer, entrepreneur, audio engineer, critical thinker, filmmaker, animator, graphic designer, computer scientist or educator using or developing digital media, will find a path in this program. Students may pursue their degree in one of four different colleges within the University: College of Fine Arts, Anderson School of Management, School of Engineering or College of Arts and Sciences.
All students admitted to the program have to complete a University Core curriculum. Students also have a set of common core courses for the IFDM program listed below. A grade of "C" or better (grades of "C-" are not accepted) must be earned in all IFDM common core courses. These core classes are taken in order from the time a student is admitted as a pre-major into the program. Additional specific courses are required for selected degree majors, minors, and concentrations, which are determined by the partnering college where the student receives his or her degree. Students must be accepted into those Schools and Colleges after being accepted to the IFDM Program. Please see IFDM requirements in each school and college section of the catalog or visit the IFDM Web site. The final courses of the program include capstone courses, in which students work in interdisciplinary teams to complete projects relevant to their IFDM curriculum.
Admission Information
The IFDM Program requires a three-tier admissions process:
- Apply to the University of New Mexico
Whether the student is an incoming freshman or a student transferring from another institution, all prospective IFDM students must first be admitted to the University of New Mexico. Prospective students can learn about UNM’s academic admission requirements, tuition rates, financial aid options, and apply online by visiting the UNM Admissions Web site. This site provides links to the various colleges within the university, and contains contact information for general UNM admissions questions.
- Apply to IFDM as a Pre-Major
In order to be accepted as a pre-major student in the IFDM program, students must apply in early spring. If accepted, the student becomes part of a cohort that begins in the fall immediately following admission. Each group continues through the program together. This portion of the application process is designed to allow the students to demonstrate their ability to perform to a high artistic and academic standard. Applicants are asked to submit a written essay and samples of creative work. At this point, the screening committee reviews ACT and SAT scores, and reviews transcripts as well. This is a separate application from the general UNM Admissions application. Separate deadlines apply. More information on the IFDM pre-major application process, including an online application, can be found on the IFDM Web site.
- Apply for Admission to UNM IFDM Host College/School
The final stage of the IFDM application process is to apply to the individual college or school that houses the IFDM degree in which you are interested. This should occur between the student’s sophomore and junior years, depending on the College/School within UNM from which the student is pursuing the IFDM program. The four colleges offering IFDM curriculum are the College or Fine Arts, the School of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences and the Anderson School of Management. Each college or school has its own application requirements and process.
IFDM Required Core Courses
|
|
Credit Hours |
CS 105L -or- CS 152L |
Introduction to Computer Programming
Computer Programming Fundamentals |
3 |
IFDM 205L |
Studio I: Activating Digital Spaces |
3 |
IFDM 210 |
Introduction to Modeling and PostProduction |
3 |
IFDM 300 |
Critical Intermediations |
3 |
IFDM 310 |
Studio II: Writing Digital Narrative |
3 |
IFDM 400 |
Ethics, Science and Technology |
3 |
IFDM 410 |
The Business and Law of Film and New Media |
3 |
IFDM 450 |
Capstone I |
4 |
IFDM 451 |
Capstone II |
4 |
|
Total |
29 |
Refer to the Fine Arts - Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media section of this Catalog for further information on this program.
Courses
IFDM 105L.
Introduction to Film and Digital Media [Inter and New Media Studies I].
(3)
The history of methods and practices of art, science and technology in the development of new media, with surveys from a historical perspective. Studies the practices, careers and disciplines involved with film and digital media.
IFDM 205L.
Studio I: Activating Digital Space.
(3)
This studio course explores critical, technical and creative elements of digital space. By translating the process of seeing and conceptualizing into visual forms, students use technical knowledge to conceptualize, create and collaborate on projects.
Prerequisite: CS 152L.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 210.
Introduction to Modeling and Postproduction.
(3)
An introduction to computer graphics and animation that mixes theory and application using a standard animation software package to teach the use of the tool and to demonstrate key concepts. Involves collaborative projects.
Prerequisite: 205L.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 250.
Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
Study in topics related to digital media.
IFDM 300.
Critical Intermediations.
(3)
Examines new media technologies from a transdisciplinary perspective by exploring how the use of new media is affecting academic practice across disciplines. Proposes the development of a critical analytical framework for approaching new media.
Prerequisite: 210.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 310.
Studio II: Writing Digital Narrative.
(3)
The goal of this course is to offer students an overview of issues on writing for digital media; its objective is to create successful, media-savvy writers, who work across digital platforms.
Prerequisite: 300.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 311.
Fundamentals of Music Technology.
(2-3)
(Also offered as MUS 311 / 511)
A hands-on introduction to various computer applications useful to musicians in all areas of specialization. Various computer programs aiding in music notation, arranging and MIDI composition will be presented and explored.
IFDM 400.
Ethics, Science and Technology.
(3)
Ethical issues arising from the impact of science and technology on the personal, social and political dimensions of culture or what happens and who takes responsibility when the genie is out of the bottle?
Prerequisite: 310.
Corequisite: 450.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 410.
The Business and Law of Film and New Media.
(3)
This course will introduce students to the business and legal aspects of creating a new digital media venture including: concept formation; marketing; budget development; finding financing; forming a company; hiring and managing employees; and sales.
Prerequisite: 400.
Corequisite: 451.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 412.
Fundamentals of Audio Technology.
(2-3)
(Also offered as MUS 412 / 512)
Audio editing and equipment and basics of recordings through lab experiences and creative projects. Includes fundamentals of the physics of sound and analysis.
IFDM 450.
IFDM Capstone I Senior Projects Course.
(4)
Students are required to form interdisciplinary collaborative teams that will develop and plan project ideas.
Prerequisite: 310.
Corequisite: 400.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 451.
IFDM Capstone II Senior Projects Course.
(4)
Collaborative teams execute projects and give open demonstration of the results.
Prerequisite: 450.
Corequisite: 410.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 491.
Topics in Film and Digital Media.
(1-3, no limit Δ)
This course allows permanent or visiting faculty to develop a course based on a topic related to digital media, and may include courses in career development for media industries.
IFDM 492.
IFDM Internship.
(1-12 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Real-world experience for IFDM students to build digital media skills in the context of the organization's products or services. IFDM internships are arranged with IFDM faculty council members and IFDM instructors.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
Prerequisite: 105L and CS 152L; minimum overall grade-point-average of 2.5; and at least 9 hours in IFDM, with at least one IFDM 300-level course.
Restriction: permission of IFDM faculty council member.
IFDM 497.
Independent Study in Film and Digital Media.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
This course allows IFDM student to study individually, under direction of IFDM instructor. Study area to be approved by instructor, and be related to film and digital media.
Restriction: permission of IFDM advisor.
IFDM 499.
Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media Honors.
(3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
The purpose is to expand and strengthen knowledge through intense focus, to correlate it in related fields, and to bring students under closer guidance of, and acquaintance with faculty and instructors in their field.
Restriction: permission of department.