The Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Major Academic Plans page or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses.  The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Course Requirements for the Major: 60 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Major Core Program: 42 units

15 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
MADT 101	Introduction to Communication		3.0	FS
This course is also offered as JOUR 101. This course teaches the concepts, history, and applications of communication. The implications and ethical issues of media and the communication process are covered. 3 hours lecture. (001636)
MADT 102	Design Thinking		3.0	FS	GE
An introduction to design thinking, a human-centered approach to innovation. Using methodologies or user-centered design, observational research, rapid prototyping, collaboration and system, this course explores creative problem solving. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (001637)
MADT 103W	Writing for Screen Media (W)		3.0	FS	W
Prerequisite: ENGL 130W. An introduction to the styles, formats and creative approaches used in writing for radio, television, film, and new media. Writing and pitching exercises include radio and television commercials, public service announcements, news, journalism, and long form screenwriting. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. This is an approved Writing Course. (001638)
MADT 104	Media Arts Symposium		1.0	FA
This introductory symposium offers an overview of the media arts program and explores the latest developments in the media industries across a wide variety of professional paths. 1 hour lecture. (021931)
MADT 141	Media Aesthetics		3.0	FS
This course will explore the elements of visual design as they apply to the production of video and film. An overview of visual literacy will be given, and the application of these elements to the critical analysis of video and film productions will be discussed. Successful completion of this course for majors requires a grade of C or higher. 3 hours lecture. (001649)
MADT 146	Introduction to Media Production		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MADT 141. An introduction to audio and video preproduction, production and postproduction. Students apply concepts learned in lecture with a weekly activity in video production and post production. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (021043)
MADT 206	Introduction to Commercial Photography and Digital Imaging		3.0	FS
This course is an introduction to the fundamental vocabulary and techniques of commercial digital photography. Emphasis is placed on developing visual competence in the creation and consumption of lens-based imagery. Course content includes the basics of camera and digital production techniques for color and black and white photographs that are produced as exhibition-quality prints and on-screen imagery for commercial use. Includes a broad-based survey of photo history, contemporary theory, and current issues related to the practice of photography. Open to non-majors. 2 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001654)
MADT 216	Introduction to Digital Audio in Media		3.0	FS
This course provides a theoretical and practical knowledge of digital audio productions techniques for radio, video, and multimedia. Particular emphasis is placed on audio for video and production strategies for effective communication in audio. 3 hours discussion. (001652)
MADT 222	Basic Web Design		3.0	FS
Introduction to hypertext markup language (HTML), Web standards, and the Web publication process. Includes practical exercises in the creation and publication of Web pages and the construction of coherent Web sites. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (001660)
MADT 303W	Communication Criticism (W)		3.0	FS	GW  W
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement. Study of various approaches to the critical examination of communication. Application of principles to selected texts. This course is required for all majors in the Department of Media Arts, Design, and Technology. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (001668)
MADT 307	Technology and Communication		3.0	FS	GE
Students acquire a qualitative understanding of how various information and communication technologies work, the social needs that drive technology developments, and the future impact of new information technologies on work and society. This course is required for all majors in the Department of Communication Design. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (001659)
MADT 344	American Cinema		3.0	FS
The course offers a survey of American film from historical, industrial, cultural, and stylistic perspectives. In Fall, the content of the course focuses on the beginnings of cinema until the 1950's; in Spring, the content of the course focuses on the 1960's to the present. Readings and screenings explore key American directors, genres, film movements, and technological advancements in relation to industrial and cultural shifts. Open to non-majors. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (001677)
MADT 350	The Art of Cinema and Television		3.0	SP
This course is designed to foster appreciation for the art of cinema and television among students. Every year the course covers a different theme (a genre, a director, a TV series, a specific subject matter as explored in American TV and/or cinema). Through the study of cinema and television, the course explores stylistic, narrative, and cultural phenomena. The course also considers various critical approaches to film and television studies in order to examine media representations, artistic forms, and industrial practices. Through screenings, lectures, written assignments, and exams students become familiar with a variety of genres, auteurs, and TV texts. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (021613)
MADT 461W	Media Industry Career Workshop (W)		3.0	FS	W
Prerequisite: Senior standing. This is the capstone course for all students in the Media Arts Option. Students prepare a professional portfolio of work, a resume and learn about other employment issues. Students also complete an advanced collaborative media project. 3 hours lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 3.0 units. This is an approved Writing Course. (020556)
MADT 489	Communication Design Intern		1.0 -12.0	FS
Prerequisite: MADT 285 or faculty permission. This course is an internship offered for 1.0-12.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. The internship is a program designed to provide the student with occupational experience within the industrial environment in the information and communication profession prior to graduation. The internship is designed as a transition to professional practice wherein the student will work full-time within an industrial firm for a length of time to be established between the cooperating firm, the intern, and California State University, Chico. The student will experience a wide range of industrial situations, conditions, and practice. Students will serve their internship under the direct supervision of a practicing member of the profession. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (001788)

MADT 489 must be taken for 2 units.

Major Option Course Requirements: 18 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• The Option in Criticism
• The Option in Production

The Option in Criticism: 18 units

1 course required:

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

3 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
MADT 343	Screenwriting 1		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: MADT 103W. An advanced writing course on developing and authoring original screenplays for the television and film industries. Industrial processes of screenwriting are also examined including pitching, treatments, coverage, format, style, and other aspects of dramatic narrative structure. 3 hours lecture. (001721)
MADT 363	Broadcast News		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: MADT 103W, MADT 216. Theory, practice, and techniques involved in gathering, writing, and reporting broadcast news. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (001714)
MADT 365	Media Management and Sales		3.0	SP
Prerequisite: MADT 261 (with a grade of C- or higher) or faculty permission. The programming and management principles involved in the operation of telecommunication facilities. Course content includes sales, media analytics, advertising, programming, legal and ethical management responsibilities, and other related topics. Industry professionals are frequent guest speakers. 3 hours lecture. (001717)
MADT 372	Media for Instruction and Training		3.0	SP
An introduction to the area of media for instruction and training. The course is divided into three general areas: (1) Hardware; (2) Theory; (3) Application. Students will design and carry out plans for actual use of media in teaching and learning situations. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (021976)
MADT 396	Intermediate Commercial Photography and Digital Imaging		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MADT 206 (with a grade of C or higher). This course addresses photographic perception, creative process, and a more thorough investigation of narrative editing practices and techniques related to commercial digital photography. Technical concepts include advanced systems of exposure and digital imaging processing for high-quality commercial digital output. Open to non-majors. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001737)
MADT 443	Screenwriting II		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: MADT 103, MADT 343. This advanced, writing-intensive screenwriting course focuses on the completion of an original, feature length sample screenplay. Students pitch, develop, and complete one screenplay over the semester including participation in collaborative exercises, character arcs, narrative structure, action descriptions, and dialogue seminar workshops. 3 hours seminar. (021950)
MADT 459	Media Theory		3.0	SP
Prerequisite: MADT 303W. This seminar is intended to provide students with an intensive collaborative experience in media criticism with the main goal of fostering student research and producing a strong final academic paper. 3 hours seminar. (020659)
MADT 496	Applied Commercial Photography and Digital Imaging		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MADT 396 with a grade of C or higher or faculty permission. This course addresses the development and execution of a single commercial photography project culminating in a final portfolio. Individual research on historic and contemporary photo-practices is expected. Open to non-majors. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001794)

The Option in Production: 18 units

1 course required:

5 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
MADT 342	Documentary Film		3.0	SP
Prerequisite: MADT 266. The origins and major movements in the area of the documentary film. Students produce a documentary including research, screenwriting, development, preproduction, production and post-production. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity. (001683)
MADT 343	Screenwriting 1		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: MADT 103W. An advanced writing course on developing and authoring original screenplays for the television and film industries. Industrial processes of screenwriting are also examined including pitching, treatments, coverage, format, style, and other aspects of dramatic narrative structure. 3 hours lecture. (001721)
MADT 362	Media Performance		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: MADT 103W, MADT 216. The skills and techniques of announcing in audio, slide tape, film, and video presentations. Areas covered include copy interpretation and the objective delivery of scripted and ad-lib material in a variety of audio, film, video, and live presentations. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (001715)
MADT 363	Broadcast News		3.0	FA
Prerequisites: MADT 103W, MADT 216. Theory, practice, and techniques involved in gathering, writing, and reporting broadcast news. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (001714)
MADT 396	Intermediate Commercial Photography and Digital Imaging		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MADT 206 (with a grade of C or higher). This course addresses photographic perception, creative process, and a more thorough investigation of narrative editing practices and techniques related to commercial digital photography. Technical concepts include advanced systems of exposure and digital imaging processing for high-quality commercial digital output. Open to non-majors. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001737)
MADT 443	Screenwriting II		3.0	SP
Prerequisites: MADT 103, MADT 343. This advanced, writing-intensive screenwriting course focuses on the completion of an original, feature length sample screenplay. Students pitch, develop, and complete one screenplay over the semester including participation in collaborative exercises, character arcs, narrative structure, action descriptions, and dialogue seminar workshops. 3 hours seminar. (021950)
MADT 463	Cinematography		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: MADT 266. This course introduces both the theoretical and practical applications of cinematography. Students become attuned to light and shadow, learn basic camera and lighting systems, organization of these systems, and the visual thought process of cinematography. 3 hours discussion. (021045)
MADT 464	Advanced Video Editing		3.0	SP
Prerequisite: MADT 266. Involves complicated and detailed editing of video-based materials using digital and analog linear and nonlinear video editing procedures and techniques. 3 hours discussion. (001758)
MADT 465	Directing for Film & Television		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: MADT 266. This course focuses on the theoretical and aesthetic challenges faced by the director. Strategies for preparing actors, character development and casting are addressed and workshops provide students with practical experience in staging dramatic narrative scenes. Students further their visual skills and learn to shape and craft screen performances by gaining a thorough understanding of the actor's language and technique. 3 hours discussion. (021044)
MADT 466	Studio Video Production		3.0	FA
Prerequisite: MADT 266. Theory and techniques of color video production designed to develop skills in all aspects of video production. This course includes pre-production and production elements related to the production of all video programs. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001719)
MADT 468	Video Production Workshop		3.0	SP
Prerequisite: MADT 266. Selected video production projects involving advanced techniques not covered in other production courses, including integration of other media forms into complete video programs. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001759)
MADT 496	Applied Commercial Photography and Digital Imaging		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MADT 396 with a grade of C or higher or faculty permission. This course addresses the development and execution of a single commercial photography project culminating in a final portfolio. Individual research on historic and contemporary photo-practices is expected. Open to non-majors. 2 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (001794)

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

• You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.
• You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
• Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
• Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
• Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.
• Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.

Students may apply for admission to the Honors in the Major Program in the College of Communication and Education. In addition to other specific requirements, each Honors student will conduct and publicly present an original research project. Consult the honors advisor in the College of Communication and Education for specific details.