Explaining All 12 Creative Industries Creative-Content Modules

By: Jenna Larkin

January 24, 2022

As a third-year student in the Creative Industries program, I like to say that my favourite part of this program is the selection of Creative-Content Modules. There are 12 Creative-Content Modules and each student selects two to focus on throughout their undergraduate career. All 12 modules are offered by other schools in The Creative School. The modules allow students to customize their experience in their program to the subjects that interest them. I think that makes Creative Industries an awesome, unique program. To highlight what Creative Industries has to offer, here are some explanations of all the modules in the program as well as some classes that my Creative Industries peers have enjoyed.

Acting/Dance Studies

Delivered by the School of Performance, the Acting/Dance Studies module allows students to take both theoretical and practical classes related to the performing arts. Classes that are offered as part of this module include THF 101: Elements of Production I, THA 340: Improvisation and THF 325: Musical Theatre.

The Art and Business of Film

My friend and fellow third-year Creative Industries student Sarah says that “The Art and Business of Film module gives students a general understanding of the film industry and how it intersects with other creative industries. It’s been a really fun module and I’ve watched so many interesting films! My favourite course so far is MPF 301: Business of Film. In that course, I got to propose my own film idea and even design a lookbook for it!”

The Business and Practice of News

This was the first module I pursued in the Creative Industries program! Delivered by the School of Journalism, The Business and Practice of News module offers a variety of courses about different kinds of journalism and how to practice it in our world. My favourite class I’ve taken as part of this module is NNS 500: Journalism and the Arts, but I’m also really looking forward to taking NNS 419: Journalism in Comedy this semester.

A microphone for radio production stands out against a background of screens and control panels in a radio studio.

Professional Communication

The Professional Communication module is offered by the School of Professional Communication. In this module, students learn how to effectively communicate in a variety of manners for different audiences and situations. There is no shortage of classes to be taken in this module, including CMN 288: Communication and Social Media and CMN 324: Strategic Storytelling in Industry.

Concept to Reality: Publishing and Printing

My friend Lauren and third-year Creative Industries student says “In this module, you have the opportunity to learn about the graphic communications industry through theoretical and hands-on classes that cover printing processes and workflows, graphic design, and innovative trends such as 3D printing and sustainability.” She has shown me some really cool projects she’s made over the years, including designing a children’s book and a 3D-printed mug.

Curatorial Practices

I personally think that this is one of the most unique modules Creative Industries offers! In Curatorial Practices, students learn about art and the role it has played in society throughout history, especially when it comes to curation and display. Students can take classes about art such as NPF 506: Art and Modernism and classes about photography, like NPF 548: Modern Movements/Issues in Photography.

A man in a trench coat stares closely at a framed photo at a photo exhibition. There are square black and white framed photos against a light grey wall.

The Fashion Industry: Markets, Aesthetics & Creativity

Featuring classes by the School of Fashion, students in the Fashion Industry module learn about the behind-the-scenes of the fashion industry and how to succeed in the field. There are a lot of classes to take in this module, including a course where the students help plan, develop and produce a large fashion event called Mass Exodus.

Interior Design: Human-scale for Creative Thinkers:

In the Interior Design module, students take courses from the School of Interior Design to learn about the basics of design and the industry through theoretical and hands-on classes. Classes offered in this module include CRI 520: Design Management and IDF 200: Introduction to the World of Design.

Media Business

Christina, a third-year Creative Industries student and one of my friends explains this module as “The one module where the name is pretty much exactly what it's made up to be. We take classes like RTA 915: Legal Issues in Media and RTA 908: Business of Producing where people get close-up looks into how media productions are operated in a business sense. We learn about the rules and regulations of creating media, and how to turn something from idea to something on screen.”

The Music Industry

This is my second Creative-Content Module! I always loved music, so when I had the opportunity to learn more about working in the music industry, I had to take it. Delivered by the RTA School of Media, students learn about the history of music and the behind-the-scenes roles in the music industry and how to work in them successfully. In RTA 927: Business of Music I, we created a marketing plan for an upcoming artist. However, I have to say my favourite class I’ve taken for this module so far is CRI 530: Talent Management.

Two women sit beside each other on a leather couch while smiling and looking at papers. On the wall behind them there are colourful, framed records.

Storytelling in Media

Christina (who is also in Media Business) explains that “Within this module we take on a lot of RTA classes focused on the history and aesthetics of media. There are some courses available that are more hands-on than other modules offer. Examples include RTA 920: Visual Storytelling: Video Production Class, which offers an introduction to video production where we are able to create our own films.”

Visual Culture

Delivered by the School of Image Arts, the Visual Culture module focuses on all things visual art, including digital media, photography and film. In this module, students can take the required MPC 210: Introduction to Visual Culture course, but then can pick classes like CRI 450: Appreciating Creativity in Practice and NPF 504: Technology, Culture and Communication.

The Creative Industries modules cover so many fields of interest, allowing for the opportunity to meet so many different, creative people. I have yet to meet someone in every module even though it’s my third year, but I hope to do so soon.