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Interactive Media

Draft Version
This is a DRAFT catalog for review and advising purposes. Items in this catalog draft are subject to change until the catalog for 2024-2025 academic year will be officially published on August 19th, 2024. The statements set forth in this catalog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as the basis of a contract between a student and this institution. Should changes in a program of study become necessary, those changes will be applied liberally by the institution while the catalog is in draft mode.

FACULTY Associate Professor Cavanah (Chair); Assistant Professors Dines, Ford, Wiley; Assistant Professor in Residence Lynn; Instructors in Residence Abbott, Abzug, Fernandes, Gore, Hazlip, Marlow.

The Interactive Media program offers majors in:

Minors in Game Design and User Experience Design are also available. The Game Design minor is open only to Animation, Game Art, User Experience Design, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, and Music for Video Games majors. The User Experience Design minor is open only to Animation, Game Art, Game Design, and Interactive Media Majors.

Mission

Bradley University’s Interactive Media Program prepares its learners to be critical thinkers in a continually evolving field that requires interdisciplinary, theoretical, and application knowledge in the design, development, and production of interactive media.

The Department of Interactive Media at Bradley University maintains a strong focus on creative and conceptual problem solving in the authoring of material for aspiring new-media professionals within a sound theoretical framework. Students will learn the importance of content research and project planning while becoming familiar with aesthetic conventions and the production environment within each of the component media types. Interactive Media majors incorporate the various media items into stand-alone projects with authoring tools designed for the Internet and modern media devices.

Admission Requirements

  1. Bradley students transferring into the program must have a 2.25 grade point average for at least 12 hours of coursework in order to declare a major in the Department of Interactive Media.
  2. Students transferring from other institutions must have a 2.25 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale to be admitted to one of the department's majors. External transfer students not having a 2.25 overall grade point average must earn a 2.25 at Bradley for at least 12 hours of coursework before declaring one of the department's majors.
  3. Courses taken at other institutions must be evaluated by the Admissions Office and then by the department chair. Due to the fast pace at which technology changes, Interactive Media courses considered for required or elective transfer credit must have been completed within four years from the proposed admission date for the student.
  4. Current Bradley students and external transfer students who meet program admission requirements and who wish to change to or add an Interactive Media major must first meet with an advisor or the department chair for an initial academic advisement session and orientation to the department.
  5. Students who wish to apply courses taken at other institutions to a major's requirements must submit a portfolio and complete a technology‐based assessment so that the Department of Interactive Media can determine proper course placement. Please contact the Department of Interactive Media for details.
  6. Internal and external transfer students may need at least one extra semester to complete graduation requirements because of prerequisites and core course requirements in the major. Students choosing to switch between majors may also need at least one extra semester to complete graduation requirements.
  7. Due to the strong technology component of this major, all students are required to meet current department hardware and software requirements. These requirements help ensure that majors are immersed in current technologies and become fluent in standards required to be successful in Interactive Media.
  8. Students choose one major within the department. Students may not major in more than one major within the department.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Students majoring in Animation, Game Art, Game Design, Interactive Media, or User Experience Design must have a grade point average of 2.50 for all required courses that are used to fulfill the major's requirement. Students must also earn a C or better in each course necessary to fulfill the requirements of the major. Both requirements include courses required for the concentration and courses outside the Department that are required for the major.
  2. Students may not enroll in Interactive Media courses for which a required course is a prerequisite unless they have earned a C or better in the required course.
  3. The Department reserves the right to retain some student work for the University permanent collection. Works produced by the Department are retained by the Department at the discretion of the instructor.

Majors

The Department of Interactive Media offers five majors:

  • Animation
  • Game Art
  • Game Design
  • Interactive Media
  • User Experience Design

Animation Major

Students must earn a grade of C or better in each required course for graduation as an Animation Major. Students must also have a 2.50 GPA (cumulative) in all required courses.

Major Requirements (total 59 hrs.)

Required courses - 53 hrs.

  • ART 101 Drawing I - 3 hrs.
  • ART 102 Drawing II - 3 hrs.
  • IM 140 Storytelling for Animation - 3 hrs.
  • IM 141 Principles of Animation - 3 hrs.
  • IM 150 Foundations of Interactive Design - 3 hrs.
  • IM 162 Introduction to Scripting for Animators - 3 hrs.
  • IM 226 Interactive Media Practicum I - 4 hrs.
  • IM 240 Two-Dimensional Animation I or IM 347 Experimental Animation- 3 hrs.
  • IM 241 Two-Dimensional Animation II - 3 hrs.
  • IM 243 History of Animation - 3 hrs.
  • IM 340 Three-Dimensional Animation I - 3 hrs.
  • IM 341 Three-Dimensional Animation II or IM 345 Two-Dimensional Rigging for Animation - 3 hrs.
  • IM 349 Pre-Production for Animation - 3 hrs.
  • IM 426 Interactive Media Practicum II - 4 hrs.
  • IM 440 Animation Capstone I - 3 hrs.
  • IM 441 Animation Capstone II - 6 hrs.

History & Theory Requirements (Choose 2) - 6 hrs

  • IM 191 Appreciating Comics - 3 hrs.
  • IM 355 New Media Theory - 3 hrs.
  • IM 380 Critical Game Studies - 3 hrs.
  • IM 450 Critical Issues in Interactive Media - 3 hrs.
  • CFA 250 Film History - 3 hrs.
  • CFA 320 Film Theory and Criticism - 3 hrs.
  • CIS 300 Computers & Society - 3 hrs.
  • COM 101 Survey of Communications - 3 hrs.
  • COM 300 Communication Theory -3 hrs.
  • COM 386 Media Race & Gender - 3 hrs.
  • COM 393 Small Group Communication - 3 hrs.
  • HIS 352 Introduction to Digital Humanities - 3 hrs. 

    Game Art Major

    In addition to their coursework for the major, Game Art majors are highly recommended to obtain a minor in Studio Art. This could Be Option 1 (Two Dimensional) or Option II (Three Dimensional) within the Studio Art Minor.

    A grade of “C” or better is required in each of these courses for graduation as a Game Art Major. Students must also have a 2.50 GPA (cumulative) in all courses that are used to fulfill the major’s requirements.

    Major Requirements (total 59 hrs)

    Required Courses (53 hours)

    • IM 110 Introduction to Game Development or IM 140 Introduction to Animation - 3 hrs.
    • ART 101 Drawing 1 - 3 hrs.
    • ART 102 Drawing 2 - 3 hrs.
    • IM 130 Game Art Fundamentals - 3 hrs.
    • IM 150 Fundamentals of Interactive Design - 3 hrs.
    • IM 226 Practicum – 4 hrs.
    • IM 230 Game Art Development - 3 hrs.
    • IM 233 2D for Game Art - 3 hrs.
    • IM 235 Environment Art - 3 hrs.
    • IM 289 Game Production I - 3 hrs.
    • IM 333 Character Art - 3 hrs.
    • IM 335 Advanced Game Art - 3 hrs.
    • IM 389 Game Production II - 3 hrs.
    • IM 426 Practicum – 4 hrs.
    • IM 459 Game Capstone Project I - 3 hrs.
    • IM 489 Game Capstone Project II - 6 hrs.

    History & Theory Requirements (Choose 2) - 6 hours

    • IM 191 Appreciating Comics - 3 hrs.
    • IM 243 History of Animation - 3 hrs.
    • IM 344 Environmental Storytelling - 3 hrs.
    • IM 355 New Media Theory - 3 hrs.
    • IM 380 Critical Game Studies - 3 hrs.
    • IM 450 Critical Issues in Interactive Media - 3 hrs.
    • CFA 250 Film History - 3
    • CFA 320 Film Theory & Criticism - 3 hrs
    • CIS 300 Computers & Society - 3 hrs.
    • COM 101 Survey of Communications - 3 hrs
    • COM 300 Communication Theory
    • COM 386 Media Race & Gender - 3 hrs
    • COM 393 Small Group Communication - 3 hrs
    • HIS 352 Introduction to Digital Humanities - 3 hrs

    Game Design Major

    A grade of “C” or better is required in each of the courses for graduation as a Game Design Major. Students must also have a 2.50 GPA (cumulative) in all courses that are used to fulfill the major’s requirements. 

    Major Requirements (total 53 hours)

    Required Courses: 47 hours

    • IM 110 Introduction to Game Development - 3 hrs.
    • IM 150 Fundamentals of Interactive Design - 3 hrs.
    • IM 160 Introduction to Game Scripting - 3 hrs.
    • IM 180 Survey of Games - 3 hrs.
    • IM 226 Practicum – 4 hrs.
    • IM 288 Game Design I – 3 hrs.
    • IM 289 Game Production I – 3 hrs.
    • IM 380 Critical Game Studies - 3 hrs.
    • IM 388 Game Design II - 3 hrs.
    • IM 389 Game Production II - 3 hrs.
    • IM 426 Practicum – 4 hrs.
    • IM 459 Game Capstone Project I - 3 hrs.
    • IM 488 Prototyping for Capstone - 3 hrs.
    • IM 489 Game Capstone Project II - 6 hrs.

    History & Theory Requirements (Choose 2): 6 hours

    • IM 191 Appreciating Comics - 3 hrs.
    • IM 243 History of Animation - 3 hrs.
    • IM 344 Environmental Storytelling - 3 hrs.
    • IM 355 New Media Theory - 3 hrs.
    • IM 450 Critical Issues in Interactive Media - 3 hrs.
    • CFA 250 Film History - 3 hrs.
    • CFA 320 Film Theory & Criticism - 3 hrs.
    • CIS 300 Computers & Society - 3 hrs.
    • COM 101 Survey of Communications - 3 hrs.
    • COM 300 Communication Theory - 3 hrs.
    • COM 386 Media Race & Gender - 3 hrs.
    • COM 393 Small Group Communication - 3 hrs.
    • HIS 352 Introduction to Digital Humanities - 3 hrs.

    Interactive Media Major

    A grade of “C” or better is required in each of these courses for graduation as an Interactive Media Major. Students must also have a 2.50 GPA (cumulative) in all courses that are used to fulfill the major’s requirements. The Interactive Media major requires 41 total hours. 17 hours of Core Requirements, 9 hours of History and Theory Requirements, and 15 hours of Interactive Media elective hours.

    Major Requirements (total 41 hours)

    Core Requirements - 17 hours

    • IM 150 Fundamentals of Interactive Design - 3 hrs.
    • IM 161 Intro to Web Design - 3 hrs.
    • IM 226 Interactive Media Practicum I – 4 hrs.
    • IM 426 Interactive Media Practicum II – 4 hrs.

    History & Theory, Requirements (choose 3) – 9 hours

    • IM 191 Appreciating Comics - 3 hrs.
    • IM 243 History of Animation - 3 hrs.
    • IM 355 Interactive Media Theories, Concepts, and Practices - 3 hrs.
    • IM 380 Critical Game Studies - 3 hrs.
    • IM 450 Critical Issues in Interactive Media - 3 hrs.
    • ART 332 History of Graphic Design - 3 hrs. 
    • CFA 250 Film History - 3 hrs.
    • CFA 320 Film Theory & Criticism - 3 hrs.
    • CIS 300 Computers & Society - 3 hrs.
    • COM 101 Survey of Communications - 3 hrs.
    • COM 300 Communication Theory - 3 hrs.
    • COM 386 Media Race & Gender - 3 hrs.
    • COM 393 Small Group Communication - 3 hrs.
    • HIS 352 Introduction to Digital Humanities - 3 hrs.

    Interactive Media Electives (choose 5) – 15 hours

    • Any Interactive Media Course
    • Any course from the History, Theory, & Critical Issues list of classes
    • ART 205 Typographic Design - 3 hrs.
    • ART 206 Graphic Design Methods and Processes - 3 hrs.
    • ART 228 Basic Digital Photographic Imaging - 3 hrs.
    • ART 332 Graphic Design History - 3 hrs.
    • CS 100 Introduction to Programming Concepts and Languages - 3 hrs.
    • CS 101 Introduction to Programming - 4 hrs.
    • CS 102 Data Structures - 3 hrs.

    User Experience Design Major

    Students must earn a C or better in each required course for graduation as an User Experience Design major. Students must also have a 2.50 GPA (cumulative) in all required courses.

    Major Requirements (total 53 hours)

    Required Courses: 47 hours

    • IM 150 - Fundamentals of Interactive Design (3)
    • IM 161 - Intro to Web Design (3)
    • IM 226 - Interactive Media Practicum I (4)
    • IM 426 - Interactive Media Practicum II (4)
    • ART 205 - Typographic Design (3)
    • IM 260 - User Experience Design (3)
    • IM 261 - User Research & Usability (3)
    • IM 360 - Advanced Interaction Design (3)
    • IM 361 - Advanced User Experience Design (3)
    • IM 363 - Topics in User Experience (3)
    • IM 366 - Advanced Web Design (3)
    • IM 460 - User Experience Design Capstone 1 (3)
    • IM 461 - User Experience Design Capstone 2 (6)
    • PSY 101 - Principles of Psychology (3)

    History & Theory Requirements (choose 2) - 6 hours

    • IM 191 Appreciating Comics - 3 hrs.
    • IM 243 History of Animation - 3 hrs.
    • IM 344 Environmental Storytelling - 3 hrs.
    • IM 355 New Media Theory - 3 hrs.
    • IM 380 Critical Game Studies - 3 hrs.
    • IM 450 Critical Issues in Interactive Media - 3 hrs.
    • CFA 250 Film History - 3
    • CFA 320 Film Theory & Criticism - 3 hrs
    • CIS 300 Computers & Society - 3 hrs.
    • COM 101 Survey of Communications - 3 hrs
    • COM 300 Communication Theory - 3 hrs
    • COM 386 Media Race & Gender - 3 hrs
    • COM 393 Small Group Communication - 3 hrs
    • HIS 352 Introduction to Digital Humanities - 3 hrs

    Minors

    The Department of Interactive Media offer a minor in Game Design and a minor in User Experience Design. The Game Design minor is open only to Animation, Game Art, User Experience Design, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, and Music for Video Games majors. The User Experience Design minor is open only to Animation, Game Art, Game Design, and Interactive Media Majors.

    Admission Requirements

    1. Bradley students transferring into the program must have a 2.25 grade point average for at least 12 hours of coursework in order to declare a minor in Game Design.
    2. Students transferring from other institutions must have a 2.25 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale to be admitted to a minor in Game Design, or User Experience Design. External transfer students not having a 2.25 overall grade point average must earn a 2.25 GPA at Bradley for at least 12 hours of coursework before declaring a minor in Game Design or User Experience Design.
    3. Courses taken at other institutions must be evaluated by the Admissions Office and then by the department chair. Due to the fast pace at which technology changes, Interactive Media courses considered for required or elective transfer credit for these minors must have been completed within four years from the proposed admission date for the student.
    4. Students who wish to transfer from other institutions must submit a portfolio and complete a technology based assessment so that the Department of Interactive Media can determine proper course placement. Please contact the Department of Interactive Media for details.
    5. Internal and external transfer students may need at least one extra semester to complete graduation requirements because of prerequisites and core course requirements in the minor.

    Minor Requirements

    1. Students minoring in Game Design or User Experience Design must have a grade point average of 2.50 for all required courses taken in the minor. Students must also earn a C or better in every required course within the minor. Both requirements include courses required for the concentration and courses outside the Department that are required for the minor.
    2. Students minoring in Game Design or User Experience Design may not enroll in Interactive Media courses for which a required course is a prerequisite unless they have earned a C or better in the required course.
    3. Students minoring in both Game Design and User Experience Design may not apply the same coursework to both minors, with the exception of IM 113 and IM 285.

    Game Design Minor

    The Game Design minor teaches the design, storytelling, and production foundations of game development. The minor focuses on the game development processes and tools used in industry. Methods taught entail concept development, story narrative, and production of game audio and video.

    Minor Requirements (total 18 hours)

    Required Courses (12 hours)

    • IM 110 Introduction to Game Development or IM 111 Intro to Game Dev for Non Majors (Determined by the minor advisor based on the needs of the student) - 3 hrs.
    • IM 180 Survey of Games - 3 hrs.
    • IM 288 Game Design I - 3 hrs.
    • IM 289 Game Production - 3 hrs.

    Elective Courses (6 hours)

    Pick two of the following courses (6 hours)

    • IM 380 Critical Issues in Games - 3 hrs.
    • IM 388 Game Design II ‐ 3 hrs.
    • IM 389 Game Production II - 3 hrs.
    • IM 488 Prototyping for Capstone - 3 hrs.

    User Experience Design Minor

    The User Experience Design minor teaches the fundamental art and science of design to ensure systems meet users’ needs and goals, including the importance of physical and emotional reactions in the process. The minor focuses on the user experience processes and tools used in industry. Methods include how to develop user-and-human-centered designs.

    Minor Requirements (total 15 hours)

    Required Courses (15 hours)

    • IM 161 Intro to Web Design - 3 hrs.
    • IM 260 User Interface Design and Development - 3 hrs. 
    • IM 261 User Research and Usability - 3 hrs.
    • IM 363 Concepts in User Experience - 3 hrs.
    • IM 366 Advanced Web Design - 3 hrs.