Stephanie Edge, assistant professor of computer science, walks
students through the basic steps of computer programming.

As the world of technology explodes, jobs in multiple disciplines are requiring an understanding of how to best utilize digital media. This fast growing area includes every-thing from web site development to interactive CD/DVD design to PowerPoint presentation creation. To meet the demands of technology’s advance, Union began to offer a new major last fall called Digital Media Studies (DMS).

Interdisciplinary in concept and rare in its approach, the new degree program is one of the first to be started in the country and is run jointly by three of Union’s departments within its College of Arts and Sciences – Art, Communication Arts and Computer Science.

“Any reasonable-size business today has to have a web presence,” says Jan Wilms, chair of Union’s computer science department. “The DMS degree allows a student to concentrate on his or her specific niche, such as computer programming, while at the same time, equipping the student with the background in communications and art.”

With a current 10% shortage in IT personnel, Wilms says that the digital media field has much to offer a potential graduate from any discipline, but he goes on to say that those who are well rounded in several areas will be the most marketable. Yet very few schools are providing students with knowledge from all three of these fields.

Sara Phillips, a senior Digital Media Studies major, declared her major last fall when the program was first offered and believes that it is the most useful major in the university because of its diversity in fields of study. Phillips is formerly a public relations major and now feels better prepared for what the future has in store for her.

“Digital Media Studies will allow me to use my creativity in the work force,” says Phillips. “The hands-on learning and art aspect of it is interesting and will be beneficial in any environment I choose to work in.”

Paul Farmer works on a project for his graphic design class that requires
attention to detail while using computer software and hardware.

All DMS majors take a group of core classes from each of the three disciplines, while emphasizing one of the department tracks. The purpose of the program is to produce a student that is aesthetically, theoretically and techno-logically trained and capable of excellence in the relatively new area of the design, production and implementation of digital communications media.

Some of the courses that will be covered include computer-mediated communication, web building and site management, media production, programming, and digital imaging.

Amy Edge, a junior who also declared a major in the digital media program last year, said she chose this major because it integrates three areas in which she is interested.

“I think that it’s advantageous to be skilled for basically any market or field,” says Edge. “The great thing is that there are plenty of options for the future.”

For more information on the new digital media studies program at Union, contact your area of interest: communication arts, call (731) 661-5502, in the area of arts and graphic design, call (731) 661- 5253, and in the area of computer science, call (731) 661-5267.