A
new age of networked information and communication technology is bringing
together three elements: the content of business, media, entertainment,
education and other endeavors; artistic and design perspectives; and multimedia
technologies as never before. Many areas of our workforce and our lives
will combine these three elements: technology, arts and media (TAM). For
example, if one is creating multimedia products in virtually any field
area today, a creative team contributes three distinctive types of talent:
the content of the particular project area, design expertise, and technical
depth in software and hardware. Ideally, team members in each area are
able to communicate effectively with each other and rely upon each others'
skills. Preparing students for these new needs and opportunities requires
a multidisciplinary approach that involves every school and college in
the university. The Technology, Arts and Media Certificate program, in
development since 1998, was formally launched in January 2000. It is open
to undergraduate students from every school and department on the CU Boulder
campus. Students are encouraged to begin the program during their freshman
or sophomore years.
The
TAM curriculum provides a broad multidisciplinary perspective that goes
far beyond simply giving students technological skills. It includes multidisciplinary,
multimedia projects courses, as well as courses that impart foundational
knowledge and a critical perspective on the role of technology in society.
Students from a wide variety of majors receive instruction in graphic
and conceptual design, media and societal analysis, and specific computer
programming, graphic interface, and digital recording skills. They learn
to engage in multidisciplinary collaboration as they acquire and apply
technical, design, and analytical skills to multimedia projects. By graduation
these students will have produced multimedia internet-based sites, digital
movies, educational interfaces, and client-based products. Many students
are using the program to prepare for careers in information technologies
and the arts. Students earn the certificate by taking six three-credit
courses.
