Computer Art
Contact Heath Hanlin, Department of Transmedia, 102 Shaffer Art Building, 315-443-1033.
Faculty Heath Hanlin
The Computer Art B.F.A. degree program at Syracuse University is dedicated to exploring the possibilities of digital media in a fine-art, experimental context. Through instruction in 3D computer animation, gaming, and interactive media, our students are encouraged to develop their vision and technical skills.
In the last 20 years, digital art has seen an unprecedented level of development, change, and growth, both in opportunities for artists working in an experimental context and for those working in industry. Digital art has moved from being a medium where every work produced was experimental due to the novelty of the medium, to a set of media that permeates our culture and the lives of almost everyone within it. In film, television, and interactive media, the computer has become an indispensable tool in the production process. Since the early 1980s, the computer art program at Syracuse University has watched these changes unfold.
Digital art has not simply replaced other media or tools, but has established a new set of media—media that could not be created using any other methods, either technical or conceptual. In 3D computer animation, gaming, and interactive media, the computer art program at Syracuse University encourages students to push the boundaries of these media in ways that are free of the paradigmatic constraints of traditional media.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
First Year, Fall Semester
| TRM 151 |
Transmedia Colloquium I |
3 |
| TRM 153 |
Studio Concepts |
3 |
| |
Academic elective |
3 |
| |
Studio elective |
3 |
| WRT 105 |
Writing Studio 1 |
3 |
| |
|
15 |
First Year, Spring Semester
| TRM 152 |
Transmedia Colloquium II |
3 |
| TRM 154 |
Interconnected Studio |
3 |
| CAR 132 |
Procedural Composition |
3 |
| |
Academic elective |
3 |
| WRT 205 |
Writing Studio 2 |
3 |
| |
|
15 |
Sophomore Year, Fall Semester
| CAR 121 |
Intro to 3D Computer Graphics
|
3 |
| TRM 251** |
Intermediate Transmedia Studio or Academic elective
|
3 |
| |
Studies in culture |
3 |
| |
Academic elective(s) |
6 |
| |
Studio elective |
3 |
| |
|
18 |
Sophomore Year, Spring Semester
| CAR 221 |
Intermediate 3D Computer Animation
|
3 |
| CAR 233 |
Intermediate Multimedia |
3 |
| CAR 240* |
Multimedia Programming |
3 |
| |
Academic elective or Studies in Culture
|
3 |
| TRM 251** |
Intermediate Transmedia Studio or Academic elective
|
3 |
| |
|
15 |
Junior Year, Fall Semester
| CAR 321 |
Advanced 3D Computer Animation
|
3 |
| CAR 340* |
Computer Gaming |
3 |
| |
Studies in culture |
3 |
| |
Academic elective |
3 |
| |
Studio elective |
3 |
| TRM 351** |
Advanced Transmedia Studio or Studies in Culture
|
3 |
| |
|
18 |
Junior Year, Spring Semester
| CAR 430 |
Computer Art Seminar
|
3 |
| CAR 530 |
Special Topics |
3 |
| TRM 351** |
Advanced Transmedia Studio or Studies in Culture
|
3 |
| |
Studies in culture |
3 |
| |
Academic elective |
3 |
| |
Studio elective or Studies in Culture
|
3 |
| |
|
18 |
Senior Year, Fall Semester
| CAR 430 |
Computer Graphics Seminar or |
|
| CAR 530 |
Special Topics |
3 |
| TRM 451 |
Transmedia Synthesis |
3 |
| |
Academic elective |
3 |
| |
Studio elective |
3 |
| |
Academic elective or Studies in Culture |
3 |
| |
|
15 |
Senior Year, Spring Semester
| CAR 432 |
Senior Project |
3 |
| |
Academic electives |
3 |
| |
Studio elective |
3 |
| |
Studies in Culture |
3 |
| |
Studiio elective or Studies in Culture |
3 |
| |
|
15 |
| Transmedia core |
21 |
| Writing |
6 |
| Depth |
27 |
| Studio electives |
24 |
| Academic electives |
30 |
| Studies in culture |
21 |
| Total |
129 |
*Must be CAR elective, and counts as studio elective.
** 3 hours each of
TRM 251 and
TRM 351 are required, with sections available in the fall and spring semesters.
Minor in Animation
Faculty Contact Heath Hanlin, Associate Professor of Computer Art, 315-443-1033
The VPA minor in animation creates a focus for students interested in animation production. The core requirements of this minor introduce several animation techniques, and culminate with a collaborative production course. The elective courses allow students to investigate studies that are critically related to animation, allowing for both broader and/or specific research.
Admission requirements
Students interested in this minor should meet with the faculty contact. Prospective students must submit a current transcript, a letter of interest not to exceed 1,500 words, and any work in the form of digital media files on CD or DVD that may be related to the minor. There are no absolute requirements in terms of number of works or GPA. Acceptance into the minor will be made solely by the faculty contact for the minor upon review of application materials. Students need to maintain a 3.0 GPA average in the minor curriculum; otherwise they may be expelled from the minor. Limited to 10 students.
Curricular Requirements
To complete the minor in animation, students must complete a total of 21 credits.
Required Courses
CAR 121 Intro to 3D Computer Animation
CAR 221 Intermediate 3D Computer Animation
CAR 321 Advanced 3D Computer Animation
FIL 321 Filmmaking: Animation
Elective Courses
(choose 3 for a total of 9 credits)
ART 250 Filmmaking: Cinematic Modes
CAR 132 Procedural Composition
CAR 530 Special Topics (Animation)
DRA 105 Introduction to Acting for Nonmajors
FIL 225 Problems in Film Perception
FIL 228 Film Scriptwriting
FND 112 Special Topics in Time Arts: Experimental Animation
FND 114 Special Topics in Foundation Drawing (Drawing through the Figure)
FND 114 Special Topics in Foundation Drawing (Narrative Drawing)
ILL 273 Drawing for Illustration
ILL 274 Sequential Illustration (Prereq:
ILL 273)
PTG 353 Anatomy
PTG 354 Anatomy (Prereq:
PTG 353)
Minor in Computer Gaming
Department of Transmedia, 315-443-1033
The VPA minor in computer gaming creates a focus for students interested in the practical, social, and theoretical aspects of computer/video games. The core requirements of this minor introduce the primary methods and concepts that are key to the production of computer/video games. The elective courses direct students to investigate a range of studies that are critically related to gaming, allowing for both broader and/or specific research.
Admission requirements
Students interested in this minor should meet with the faculty contact. Prospective students must submit a current transcript, a letter of interest not to exceed 1,500 words, and any work in the form of digital media files on CD or DVD that may be related to the minor. There are no absolute requirements in terms of number of works or GPA. Acceptance into the minor will be made solely by the faculty contact for the minor upon review of application materials. Students need to maintain a 3.0 GPA average in the minor curriculum; otherwise they may be expelled from the minor. Limited to 10 students.
Curricular Requirements
To complete the minor in computer gaming, students must complete a total of 21 credits.
Required Courses (12 credits)
CAR 121 Intro to 3D Computer Animation
CAR 233 2D Computer Gaming
CAR 221 Intermediate 3D Computer Animation
CAR 340 Computer Gaming
Elective Courses (choose 3 for a total of 9 credits):
Theory
IND 378 Symbology and Semiotics or
CAR 530 History and Theory for Computer Gaming
or
FIL 225 Problems of Film Perception
Interaction
IND 276 Visualization and Representation
or
IND 375 Human Factors for Designers
Programming
CPS 196 Introduction to Programming: C
or
CAR 132 Procedural Composition
Science
PHY 101 Major Concepts of Physics I
or
MAT 194 Pre-calculus
Writing
ETS 153 Interpretation of Fiction
or
CRS 339 Communication, Space, and Design
or
FIL 228 Film Scriptwriting
Art
FND 114 Special Topics in Foundation Drawing: Drawing Through the Figure