Course description
Major in Intermedia/Cyberarts — 60 credits
Courses may include:
* Courses from areas such as Video, Electronics, Performance Art, Sound (Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced)
* Studio Art courses chosen from disciplines such as Sculpture, Ceramics, Fibres, Painting and Drawing, Print Media
IMCA 210 Introduction to Video Production (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. A studio/seminar course introducing video technology as a tool for aesthetic investigations. Students work individually and collaboratively to develop a proficiency in the medium and evolve their own thematic and formal concerns. The course introduces basic pre-production, production, and post-production skills centred on the use of Mini-DV cameras and desktop technology to present basic concepts of non-linear editing. Issues specific to video are discussed through the analysis and demonstration of video art.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for VDEO 300 may not take this course for credit.
IMCA 220 Introduction to Digital Media (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. This studio course is an introduction to the interface between the real world and the digital computer. Students learn how to get things in and out of the box by acquiring the different digitizing techniques as well as the basic communication protocols, compression formats, and numerous standards for text, sound, video, and digital data. They also learn how to create digital artworks using audiovisuals, scanning, printing, and networking.
IMCA 221 Programming for Artists (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. This studio course is an introduction to basic programming techniques used to create interactive art projects. It is centred on learning the basics of popular object-oriented programming environments such as Max and Jitter, currently used for installation and performance works in interactive music, sound art, interactive video, telematic art, robotics, and more. This course allows students to explore non-screen-based approaches to audiovisual control as well as the more traditional keyboard-and-mouse interface.
IMCA 222 Electronics for Artists (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. This studio course is an introduction to electronics as applied to artistic projects. It focuses on practical applications of basic electronic principles and techniques and the integration of electronic components and circuits in works of art. From basic electricity to motor control, from flashers and beepers to motion detectors, from analog circuits to digital technologies, it allows students to create artworks involving light, sound, movement, sensors, and interactivity.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for EART 300 may not take this course for credit.
IMCA 230 Performance Art (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. This studio course investigates performance art as a form of social and artistic intervention that crosses between the visual and performing arts. Reflecting the long-standing and historical importance of performance practices in the visual arts, students focus on the production of projects that may reflect such issues as real-time, site-specific, interventionist actions, the interrelationship between installations and performances, and the interdisciplinary interface between performance and other practices found in the performing arts. This course also examines video performance and photography as media for generating performative gestures and as documentation tools.
IMCA 310 Intermediate Video Production (6 credits)
Prerequisite: IMCA 210 and VDEO 350 previously or concurrently; or written permission of the Department. A studio/seminar course introducing video technology as a tool for aesthetic investigations. Students work individually and collaboratively to develop proficiency in the medium and evolve their own thematic and formal concerns. Non-linear editing systems such as Avid and Final Cut Pro are introduced. Discussions, facilitated by video screenings, workshops, and readings, focus on class projects, student work, and a discussion of related art issues. In addition, this course offers students an opportunity to investigate other cultural practices that inform and interrogate contemporary video art.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of materials.
NOTE: Students who have received credit fot VDEO 300 may not take this course for credit.
IMCA 320 Interactivity Studio in Electronic Arts (6 credits)
Prerequisite: IMCA 221, 222, and enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. This studio course focuses on interactive technologies in relation to contemporary art practice including installation, performance, and kinetic sculpture. An interdisciplinary and cybernetic approach to media control and expression (sound, lighting, still images, video), using computers and electronics is emphasized, allowing students to pursue individual or team work. This course is centred on programming environments such as MaxMSP and Jitter and focuses on interactivity through the use of various sensors and interfaces.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for EART 300 may not take this course for credit.
IMCA 330 Intermedia and Performative Practices (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Second-year standing* in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. A studio/seminar class designed as an intermediate-level investigation into an interdisciplinary approach to art practices. The course is structured around students’ creation of intermedia art projects with the assistance of the teacher. This development process is further supported by lectures, discussion of assigned readings, guest artists, and the viewing of slides, films, and videos.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for IDYS 200 or 300 may not take this course for credit.
*30 credits completed in degree program.
IMCA 398 Special Topics in Intermedia/Cyberarts (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Second-year standing* in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. A studio course providing an opportunity for study and practice of specialized aspects of intermedia and cyberarts.
NOTE: Specific topics, and additional prerequisites if required, will be stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule.
*30 credits completed in degree program.
IMCA 399 Special Topics in Intermedia/Cyberarts (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Second-year standing* in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. A studio course providing and opportunity for study and practice of specialized aspects of intermedia and cyberarts.
NOTE: Specific topics, and additional prerequisites if require, will be stated in the Undergraduate Class Schedule.
*30 credits completed in degree program.
IMCA 410 Advanced Video Production (6 credits)
Prerequisite: IMCA 310 and enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. A studio/seminar course that permits students to pursue an advanced investigation of the aesthetic and technical aspects of video art practices through the development of their own body of work.
NOTE: Students are required to bear the cost of materials.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for VDEO 400 may not take this course for credit.
IMCA 420 Robotic Art (6 credits)
Prerequisite: IMCA 320 and enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. This studio course is an introduction to robotics as a technology applied to artistic projects and focuses on electronics, mechanics, and programming. From the history of clockwork automatons to contemporary self-destructing machine performances, this course covers both theory and practice. Students explore the arts of artificial life and animatronics through electronic circuit design, microcontroller programming, mechanical assembly, motion control, environment sensing, pneumatics, stepper motors and servo systems in order to create robotic art objects, installations, or performances.
IMCA 421 Interactive Screen (6 credits)
Prerequisite: IMCA 320 and enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. This studio course focuses on the conception and production of interactive projects for the screen. Students learn how to structure scenarios for interaction and realize them using relevant software. Group discussion and analysis of the works produced familiarize students with the strengths and weaknesses of using different types of conceptual and programming approaches.
IMCA 430 Advanced Intermedia and Performative Practices (6 credits)
Prerequisite: IMCA 330 and enrolment in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. A studio/seminar class designed as an advanced-level investigation into an interdisciplinary approach to art practices. The course is structured around students’ creation of intermedia art projects with the assistance of the teacher. This development process is further supported by lectures, discussion of assigned readings, guest artists, and the viewing of slides, films, and videos. This course allows students to work either collaboratively or individually on one or more directed studio projects.
IMCA 470 Independent Study in Intermedia/Cyberarts (6 credits)
Prerequisite: 400-level IMCA previously or concurrently and written permission of the Department. A course of independent study in which the student explores a specific area of intermedia/cyberarts.
IMCA 471 Independent Study in Inter-media/Cyberarts I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: 400-level IMCA previously or concurrently and written permission of the Department. A course of independent study in which the student explores a specific area of intermedia and cyberarts.
IMCA 472 Independent Study in Intermedia/Cyberarts II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: 400-level IMCA previously or concurrently and written permission of the Department. A course of independent study in which the student explores a specific area of intermedia and cyberarts.
IMCA 480 Professional Internship in Intermedia/Cyberarts (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Third-year standing* and written permission of the Department. Under the joint supervision of a qualified professional and a full-time faculty member, the student is employed within industry or by a professional organization or other relevant institution. A clearly defined agreement between the Department, the student, and the artist/professional or institution involved is established before the internship is undertaken. This agreement should clearly state the nature of the student’s participation and the hours of work expected. Projects receiving approval for the internship credits must demonstrate appreciable learning potential for the student.
*60 credits completed in degree program.
IMCA 481 Professional Internship in Intermedia/Cyberarts I (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Third-year standing* and written permission of the Department. Under the joint supervision of a qualified professional and a full-time faculty member, the student is employed within industry or by a professional organization or other relevant institution. A clearly defined agreement between the Department, the student, and the artist/professional or institution involved is established before the internship is undertaken. This agreement should clearly state the nature of the student’s participation and the hours of work expected. Projects receiving approval for the internship credits must demonstrate appreciable learning potential for the student.
*60 credits completed in degree program.
IMCA 482 Professional Internship in Intermedia/Cyberarts II (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Third-year standing* and written permission of the Department. Under the joint supervision of a qualified professional and a full-time faculty member, the student is employed within industry or by a professional organization or other relevant institution. A clearly defined agreement between the Department, the student, and the artist/professional or institution involved is established before the internship is undertaken. This agreement should clearly state the nature of the student’s participation and the hours of work expected. Projects receiving approval for the internship credits must demonstrate appreciable learning potential for the student.
*60 credits completed in degree program.
IMCA 498 Special Topics in Intermedia/Cyberarts (3 credits)
Prerequisite: Third-year standing* in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. A studio course providing an opportunity for study and practice of specialized aspects of intermedia and cyberarts.
*60 credits completed in degree program.
IMCA 499 Special Topics in Intermedia/Cyberarts (6 credits)
Prerequisite: Third-year standing* in the Intermedia/Cyberarts program or written permission of the Department. A studio course providing an opportunity for study and practice of specialized aspects of intermedia and cyberarts.
*60 credits completed in degree program.
