Cinema & Digital Media Undergraduate curriculum

The Cinema and Digital Media (CDM) program combines the study of audio-visual and digital media, theories about such media, and the relevant modes of artistic practice and production. CDM integrates the analysis of audio-visual and digital texts with their theoretical underpinnings and their methods of production. The program also addresses the particular impact that technology has on culture in its many forms and fields.

CDM faculty teach and research on various histories, theories, and practices of media. Current fields for teaching and research in cinema and digital media include the history and analysis of film and video, film and video production, electronic music, digital content creation and design, the digital arts, community media and activism, computer graphics, animation, and gaming—as well as the theories and politics of these various areas.

The Program

Preparatory course work involves a solid introduction to the history, ideas and current trends in cinema and digital media. For depth subject matter, students in the major select a combination of critical studies and creative production courses. Two courses will be selected from the production/programming distribution, two from the theory/history distribution and four will be elected by the student, allowing them to take up to six production courses or six studies/theory classes, should they so choose. See the CDM Major checklist for complete details.

Career Possibilities

Cinema and Digital Media is designed to prepare graduates to be highly adaptable analytical thinkers, collaborative, multi-skilled and current with the latest developments in media and technology. Perhaps most importantly is self-motivation: students do best when fueled by their own passions and plot their own directions, while held to very high standards. We feel this is the best education for living and working in a complex, rapidly changing world. Final research papers and creative production portfolios will provide graduate school admissions committees, employers or clients with tangible evidence of Cinema and Digital Media graduates’ track records and talents.

A.B. Major Requirements

Preparatory Subject Matter (25 units)

Cinema and Technocultural Studies 12, 20 (9 units)

Choose two courses from the following (8 units): Cinema and Technocultural Studies 40A, 40B, 41A, 41B; Film Studies 45

Choose two courses from the following (8 units): Film Studies 1; Technocultural Studies 1 or 5

Depth Subject Matter (37-38 units)

Film Studies 127 or Cinema and Technocultural Studies 150 (5 units) 

Choose two courses from the following (8 units): Art Studio  114A, 114B, 114C, 117; Cinema and Technocultural Studies 116, 124E, 174; Technocultural Studies 100, 101, 103, 104, 111, 112, 113, 115, 121, 122, 123, 125, 130, 131, 170A-E, 175, 192, 198, 199

Choose two courses from the following (8 units): Cinema and Technocultural Studies 146A, 147A, 150; Film Studies 120, 121, 121S, 124, 125, 127, 129, 142, 176A, 189, 194H, 195H, 198, 199; Science and Technology Studies 160; Technocultural Studies 151, 152, 155, 158, 159.

Some courses are identified as fulfilling more than one requirement; a given course can only fulfill one such requirement.

Plus four additional courses chosen from the lists above for a total of at least (16 units)

Total Units for the Major (62-63 units)

*All upper division courses from CDM, CTS, FMS, and TCS can be counted towards upper division coursework for the major in Group A, Group B or electives. Please consult with a major advisor for assistance in determining which category a course not listed above may be counted.

Equivalency request process:

In order to request the substitution of a CDM major course students must have completed an equivalent course for college credit (AP credits, IB credits, or unarticulated community college or 4-year college credits. You may fill out the equivalency request form. The form will be evaluated by the CDM faculty advisor to determine if the breadth of knowledge gained is equivalent to the UCD course.