E-Crit Curriculum

New Information Technologies (IT) have had a deep impact on our culture. The most successful citizens in an IT based society will need to have advanced critical skills and creative problem solving abilities that permit them to sift through an overwhelming flow of digitally mediated information. Electronic Critique (E-Crit) responds to this need with a unique, multidisciplinary degree program that stresses critical thinking about our "Electronic Culture." E-Crit is designed for students who want to combine creativity, critical thinking, and technical expertise.

Students who major in the Program take a core of IT related courses (12 Credits), a concentration in the Liberal Arts (18 Credits), and select from tracks in Web Development or Imagetext Design (15 Credits). All E-Crit Majors share their specialized knowledge in the E-Crit Design Laboratory, where they undertake real-world, digital projects (12 Credits). Majors must complete a Digital Media Portfolio in their final term to be eligible for graduation. The curriculum prepares students for careers in programming, design, advertising, marketing, business, teaching, media production, and journalism, among others; it also prepares them to be leaders in their fields and in their communities. A Certificate in Electronic Critique is available for non-E-Crit majors.

E-CRIT MAJORS MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING 5 ELEMENTS:

1) E-Crit Core (12 Credits)
All E-Crit Majors must complete the following courses:
CIS 103 Web Productivity Tools - 3 Credits
ENL 305 Freelance Writing: Print and Web - 3 Credits
HIS 336 History of American Technology - 3 Credits
PHL 140 Topics in Critical Thinking: Media - 3 Credits

2) Disciplinary Concentration (18 Credits)
E-Crit is rooted in a traditional Liberal Arts education. Therefore, all majors must pursue a disciplinary concentration from a department in the College of Liberal Arts. Each Department will recommend courses suitable for E-Crit majors.

3) E-Crit Design Laboratory (12 Credits)
ECR 491 E-Crit Design Laboratory - 4 x 3 Credits

4) Digital Media Portfolio (3 Credits)
ECR 499 Digital Media Portfolio - 3 Credits

5) E-Crit Tracks (15 Credits)
Students in E-Crit must select from one of 2 specialized tracks--Web Development or Imagetext Design--in order to develop an area of expertise related to information technology. Recommended courses are listed below, and substitutions may be made with the approval of the Program Director. In keeping with the cross-disciplinary commitment of E-Crit, majors are encouraged to combine these tracks with certificate programs in other Colleges (see below).

Web Development (15 Credits) Students may select from the following 3-credit courses:
CIS 104 Introduction to Programming: C++ or Java
CIS 115 Visual Basic CIS 220 Internet Programming (Prerequisite CIS 104 or 115) CIS 335 Interface Design (Prerequisite CIS 220)
CIS 382 Database Design (Prerequisite CIS 297)
CIS 460 E-Commerce (Instructor Permission Required)
CST 210 Video Production
CST 311 Single Camera Video Production
ENL 280 Introduction to Media Studies
ENL 375 Film Genres
ENL 467 Topics in Cultural Studies

Imagetext Design (15 Credits) Students may select from the following 3-credit courses:
CIS 102 Personal Productivity Tools
CIS 220 Internet Programming (Prerequisite CIS 104 or 115)
CIS 335 Interface Design (Prerequisite CIS 220)
ENL 280 Introduction to Media Studies
ENL 335 Post-1945 Literature
ENL 375 Film Genres
ENL 480 Literary Criticism
CST 210 Video Production
CST 241 Principles of Advertising
CST 311 Single Camera Video Production
CST 441 Advertising Campaigns (Prerequisite CST 241)
PHL 305 Aesthetics

Certificate in Electronic Critique
This is a special certification program available to non-E-Crit Majors. Students in this Program must successfully complete the courses below, and assemble a Digital Media Portfolio (ECR 499) in their final term of study. (30 Cr.)
CIS 103 Web Productivity Tools 3 cr.
ECR 491 E-Crit Design Laboratory 12 cr.
ECR 499 Digital Media Portfolio 3 cr.
ENL 280 Introduction to Media Studies 3 cr.
ENL 305 Freelance Writing: Print and Web 3 cr.
HIS 336 History of American Technology 3 cr.
PHL 140 Topics in Critical Thinking: Media 3 cr.

Other Certificate Programs
Electronic Critique provides students with the opportunity to engage in a unique, cross-disciplinary program of study. Students enrolled in the program may maximize this opportunity by combining a degree in E-Crit with Certificate Programs in other departments (e.g., Business Administration Certificate). This is best accomplished by a careful selection of electives and core curriculum courses.

Course Descriptions
ECR 491 3 Credits E-Crit Design Laboratory
Based in a multimedia computer laboratory, the E-Crit Design Lab engages students in the practices and theories of "Digital Culture" by emphasizing a critical approach to technology. Students study theoretical approaches to new media and apply their own critiques in Web projects, digital audio and video, and multimedia presentations. The Design Lab is the organizational and symbolic center of the E-Crit Program, and it provides majors with an ongoing focus and collaborative sensibility. This course may be repeated for up to 12 credits.

ECR 495 3 Credits Digital Culture Project
These projects are directed on an individual or group basis, and they should combine disciplinary knowledge with "real-world" experience. Students are advised to integrate a service component into their projects. This course may be repeated for up to 12 credits.

ECR 499 3 Credits Digital Media Portfolio Prerequisite: ECR 491 (4 sections) or permission of Program Director
In order to graduate from the E-Crit Program, students must assemble a Media Portfolio for delivery on the Web, CD-ROM, etc., which includes a student's C.V. and samples of work completed while enrolled in the Program. The portfolio is intended to prepare students for entry into the job market or graduate school. Portfolios are reviewed by the E-Crit Advisory Board, which is composed of faculty, administrators and outside consultants in technology and business.