Media

RTA 101 - Introduction to Media Theory and Practice
Course DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to major media and new media theories, art movements and creative practices of the 20th and 21st centuries. Students learn to think critically about artworks, creative experiments and media. The course culminates in a major assignment where each student delves deeply into a specific theory to examine artworks, current creative practice or the audience's relationship to media.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 2 hrs. Tutorial 1 hr.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 102 - Creative Process for Media Production
Course DescriptionThis introductory course focuses on the design and creation of media messages through processes of audience research, media platform analysis, and ideation. Students apply creative strategies to develop pre-production materials such as scripts, pitches, social media campaigns, and other iterations for creating and distributing content across a variety of media platforms.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:RTA 107, RTA 108
Custom Requisites:Available to Media Production students only.
RTA 103 - Intro to Digital Media
Course DescriptionThrough a combination of lecture and hands-on workshops, students will broaden their understanding of digital media, develop a critical understanding of the role of digital media in contemporary life, and become conscious consumers and creators of technology and digital media content. Students will be introduced to principles of visual design and communication, and will learn how to use digital media production software for graphic design, web-native production and time-based media.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 1 hr. Lab 2 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Custom Requisites:Available only to Media Production, New Media, and Sport Media students.
RTA 104 - Introductory Audio Production
Course DescriptionThrough a combination of lecture and in-studio workshops, students develop foundational skills in audio production: recording, editing, and mixing. Students apply these skills through the creation of a personal podcast that includes components of studio recording, field and studio interviews, sound design, and music editorial.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 1 hr. Lab 2 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Custom Requisites:Available only to Media Production, New Media and Sport Media students.
RTA 105 - Sport Media Theory and Practice
Course DescriptionThis course will examine the impact of sport in culture. By way of lectures, students will examine issues utilizing social theories to explain the role of sport in society. How has sport infiltrated everyday life and what is the impact of the commercialization of sport by media? Analysis of the socio-negative attributes associated with professional athletes will also be examined.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 2 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 106 - Introduction to Video Sport Production
Course DescriptionStudents will gain an introductory knowledge of both single camera (EFP) and multicamera (studio and live production) sports broadcasting operational techniques, including hands-on equipment training. Emphasis in this lecture/lab is placed on crew roles and responsibilities. Production planning and control room protocol will be taught as well as organizational skills for program preparation.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 108
Antirequisites:RTA 243, RTA 920, FCD 920
Corequisites:RTA 211
RTA 107 - Creative Processes - New Media
Course DescriptionThis introductory course focuses on principles, theories and practices of creative idea development for a variety of New Media forms. Students explore the development of concepts by exploring processes such as research, brainstorming, rapid prototyping and iterative design.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:RTA 102, RTA 108
Custom Requisites:Available to New Media students only.
RTA 108 - Sport Media Message Design
Course DescriptionThis introductory course focuses on principles, theories and practices of content development for a variety of media genres, formats and distribution platforms, and primarily in the sport media industry. Students explore the development of creative and fact-based content by using processes such as rapid prototyping, iterative design, story-chasing and script writing. Students emerge from the course with an understanding of how to take their creative ideas from inception to the creation of compelling content.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:RTA 102, RTA 107
Custom Requisites:Available to Sport Media students only.
RTA 111 - Introduction to New Media
Course DescriptionThis course provides an introduction to fundamental New Media theories, art movements and creative practices. Students learn to think and write critically about a range of artworks, creative experiments and media forms, drawing from a range of seminal works in New Media fine art, interactive design and video games.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 120 - Video Games and Culture
Course DescriptionThis course explores the intersection of video games and culture. Students will analyze video games as cultural artifacts, studying their evolution and impact on society, and examining the historical, social, and cultural contexts in which video games are created, consumed, and interpreted. Topics covered may include representation and diversity in games, gaming communities, and the relationship between video games and other media. Students may also engage in hands-on activities such as game design and analysis.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Liberal Studies:LL
RTA 180 - Music and Film
Course DescriptionThe use of music with film has evolved from early stereotyped borrowing of nineteenth century classical European repertoire to newly created scores that enhance and support the dramatic themes of the film. This course explores the relationship between music and film, the functions and effects of music and how the music supports or plays against the visual images. Analysis of selected film genres will demonstrate how music can strengthen the film's dramatic themes. (Formerly MUS 110)
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Liberal Studies:LL
RTA 183 - Rhythm, Beat and Groove
Course DescriptionLatin America's music spans nightclub salsa, Brazilian samba, Latin jazz, African-derived carnival music, Haitian voodoo, and urban hip-hop, among others, and reflects dynamic cultural fusions of past and present. Through hands-on musical exercises, lecture, and examination of audio-visual media, this course explores the socio-cultural and aesthetic impact of Latin American musical genres, with a particular focus on Latin rhythm, beat and groove. (Formerly MUS 403).
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 201 - Video Art Production
Course DescriptionThis studio/lab course approaches video as a unique artistic and standard production medium. Students learn about video art and production through making creative video works. Field trips, screenings, readings and critiques augment hands-on learning. Students will familiarize themselves with the concepts, tools and techniques of basic video making. Project development, production and public presentation strategies are aimed at creating a strong foundation in making moving media for broadcast, narrowcast, and virtual spaces
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:FCD 920, RTA 243, RTA 920
RTA 210 - Media History
Course DescriptionThis course traces the history of media from the first radio broadcast to today's transmedia storyworlds. Students consider the main forces which shaped our media industry: technological change, commercial imperatives, creative aspirations, demographic trends and government policy and regulation. By looking at the past, students gain a greater appreciation of the current media landscape and, perhaps, the ability to adapt quickly to the future.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 211 - Production Theory
Course DescriptionThis lecture course will introduce analog and digital audio systems, an overview of visual media technical concepts, and computer hardware and networks with an emphasis on understanding the use of technology in audio and digital media production. The course will be taught at a non-engineering level. Lectures will include samples of technology, demonstrations and application of technical knowledge in production.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 212 - Media Writing
Course DescriptionThis course focuses on writing factual and fictional content for a variety of platforms with an emphasis on fictional storytelling. Students consider major theories and schools of writing which will inform students' work and how they tell stories. Students then build on those theories to develop a script in collaboration with their peers.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 102 or RTA 107 or RTA 108
RTA 213 - Production: Introduction to Multi-Camera
Course DescriptionStudents will gain a practical working knowledge of operational techniques, including hands-on equipment training in a multi-camera television studio with cameras, sound and lighting. Emphasis will also be placed on crew roles and responsibilities. Theory lectures will analyze the process of communicating information and emotion through visuals and sound. Production planning techniques and control room protocol will be taught to help students organize and execute their creative ideas.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 102 and (RTA 103 or RTA 104)
Corequisites:RTA 211
RTA 220 - New Media Art History
Course DescriptionThis course locates contemporary art practices within the historical frameworks of analogue and digital cultures. Students consider the digital movements that underpin current new media art culture. The course also explores the influence of digital cultures on 21st century art practices as well as hybrid forms of aesthetics. The historical, theoretical, and practical aspects of the transformation of author and viewer in new media are also investigated.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 221 - Experiential Media/Interdisciplinary Practice
Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to fundamental theories from a range of disciplines that illuminate how the senses, identity, social context, and physical environment shape our experience of art, design, and popular culture. Students learn how to use theories to examine contemporary art and reflect on relevant issues such as how new media's computational and networked technologies inform and transform our experience of cultural content.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 101 or RTA 111
RTA 222 - Intro to Computational Arts
Course DescriptionThis studio class introduces students to fundamental concepts, techniques and strategies of computer programming as an art form by teaching how to code interactive programs. The course investigates the interplay between creative expression and technological capability. Emphasis will be placed on computational literacy as well as constructing and evaluating algorithmic creative forms and artefacts.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 1.5 hrs. Lab 1.5 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:FCD 222, FPN 513
RTA 223 - Designing Material Experiences
Course DescriptionThis foundational design course introduces students to experience design using a variety of fabricating techniques and materials. Students will gain the necessary skills to model, design, and build physical entities as a pathway to understanding how materials shape and inform experience. Projects will challenge students to develop personal and team-based production skills and to work at a variety of scales and contexts.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 231 - Sport Marketing and Promotion
Course DescriptionThis course provides marketing fundamentals with specific focus on major professional sports marketing as well as for amateur sports and the Olympics. This course will utilize theories and give them practical application.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 105
RTA 232 - Sport, Media and Society
Course DescriptionThis course addresses the convergence of sport, media and society. Applying central theoretical frameworks, students will critically assess the integral role of sports in society, while simultaneously examining its relationship with the media and various socio-cultural factors (i.e. race, gender, sexuality, violence, deviant behaviours, and politics).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 105
RTA 233 - Sport Journalism
Course DescriptionThis course combines the history, practice and technique of sport journalism with extensive practice. The theory covers the style and substance of sport journalism, cross-platform reporting, written and visual story-telling, shaping language for the ear, interview techniques and the legal impacts of sport reporting. Students are introduced to various sport journalism roles in order to build a repertoire of practical experiences.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 102 or RTA 108
Antirequisites:NNS 512, JRN 512
RTA 234 - Intermediate Multi-Camera Sports
Course DescriptionIn this lab students will gain a more advanced understanding and practice in multi-camera/studio sport production techniques. Through studio production exercises and a final project, students develop their knowledge of production tools and an understanding of the teamwork and interpersonal skills, both in front of the camera and behind, that are necessary to create successful sport programming.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 106
RTA 235 - Sport Media and Programming
Course DescriptionThis course examines the history, philosophy and production of sports programming. The relationships between the various players in the sports broadcasting environment will be surveyed. Writing for sports broadcasting, social media and the Web will be explored. The roles and special skills of the on-air talent will be characterized and discussed. The past, present, and future of women in sportscasting will be examined.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 234
Antirequisites:RTA 955
RTA 236 - On-Air Sports Presentation
Course DescriptionIn this course, students develop on-air presentation skills particular to sports broadcasting: reporter, anchor, sideline, host, play-by-play and analyst. They will write pieces in sports broadcast style and do research into sports teams and statistics, using those pieces during exercises to develop interviewing, stand up and hosting skills. Students will also do research into the performance life of a professional sports broadcaster.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 1 hr. Lab 2 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 234
Antirequisites:RTA 951
RTA 243 - Production: Introduction to Single Camera
Course DescriptionThis course will provide an introduction to the technical and aesthetic elements of electronic field production. Students will learn basic skills in single camera production techniques, and will begin to develop an aesthetic understanding of creative composition, production design, and editing. Working in teams, students will learn about production values and working to deadlines, while becoming familiar with how to use a camera, lights, microphone, and non-linear editing equipment to create video productions.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:FCD 920, RTA 201, RTA 920
Corequisites:RTA 211
Custom Requisites:Available to Media Production students only.
RTA 310 - Media Aesthetics and Culture
Course DescriptionThis course is designed to broaden understanding of the relationship between culture and media. Students tackle theories and ideas of visual studies, gender, fandom, transmedia, heroism and representation in all different media from TV to webisodes to gaming to comics and music. Students will learn about historical and current examples of boundary-breaking storytelling, and analyze and critique the work of storytellers from the past and present.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 311 - Intermediate Audio Production
Course DescriptionThis course builds on the foundation of audio production skills honed in RTA 104. Students engage in a combination of lecture, demonstration, and workshop sessions that expand their competency and confidence in complex audio production scenarios. Students advance their skills in music, dramatic narrative, audio for video, and live audio production. As a prerequisite for several RTA audio courses, this course scaffolds students' specific explorations in advanced production courses.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 2 hrs. Lab 4 hrs.
GPA Weight:2.00
Billing Units:2
Count:2.00
Prerequisites:RTA 104 or BPM 202
RTA 312 - Motion Graphics
Course DescriptionThis course offers intermediate-level skills in digital content production with a focus on motion graphics, animation, and the web. The course includes group-critiques, in-class workshops, production exercises and tutorials, and requires students to have a basic familiarity with computers and digital tools.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 103
RTA 313 - Production: Intermediate Multi-camera
Course DescriptionThis course provides students with more advanced understanding and practice in multi-camera/studio production techniques. Through skill-based workshop rotations, studio production exercises and a major project, students develop their knowledge of production tools, operation and care of equipment, and an understanding of the teamwork and interpersonal skills necessary to create successful programming. As well, the skill set and talent necessary to use the visual medium to tell effective and evocative stories is further developed.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 1 hr. Lab 5 hrs.
GPA Weight:2.00
Billing Units:2
Count:2.00
Prerequisites:RTA 211 and (RTA 213 or RTA 243)
RTA 314 - Production: Intermediate Single-Camera
Course DescriptionThis course advances the student's knowledge and applications of lighting, framing, composition, location constraints, sound, and the editing involved in single camera shooting. Students will review the camera/recorder and nonlinear edit suites, the planning techniques derived from scripts, lighting techniques and audio recording. Students will develop story, scripts and production planning paperwork for one short and one longer form production, which they will shoot and edit. New Media students must complete core competencies.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.
GPA Weight:2.00
Billing Units:2
Count:2.00
Prerequisites:RTA 211 and {(RTA 201 and [RTA 103 or RTA 104]) or (RTA 213 and RTA 243) or RTA 106}
RTA 315 - Business of Creative Media
Course DescriptionAn introduction to business practices and issues within the creative industries. Students are introduced to the business, operational and legal practices of the media in Canada. Students explore how these diverse businesses function within the Canadian regulatory environment and internationally. Students learn about business applications, as well as the legal/regulatory framework that media professionals operate in, and will explore ethical issues for media and business in general.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 316 - Concepts in Narrative
Course DescriptionFrom memory to conversations to scripted stories, narrative is a profound part of the human experience. How and why do we tell stories? This course examines how stories are told through different media and across different technological platforms. We explore how contemporary writers, theorists, artists and media-makers come to terms with narrative in the digital era, as new technologies impact how we communicate and create new narrative forms that transcend traditional media boundaries.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 212
RTA 317 - Media For Participatory Audiences
Course DescriptionAs social practice, technologies and media content change in the 21st century, our understanding of the types of stories we can tell and our relationship with an active, participatory audience has radically shifted. This course introduces students to the ideas of transmedia narratives and cross-media projects, discusses the properties of various content-platforms for interaction, and examines the dynamics of participatory audiences.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 103
RTA 320 - Interactive Storytelling
Course DescriptionThis studio course introduces students to the fundamental concepts and strategies for creating interactive and nonlinear narratives. Students learn classic theories of storytelling and editing, as the foundation to crafting compelling interactive narratives. Through a series of projects, students are introduced to different methodologies for creating interactive narrative experiences, including the creation of storyworlds and narrative maps, and the use of character, perspective and time to build choice and viewer agency into the narrative experience.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 321 - Intro to Tangible Media
Course DescriptionUsing the human body and its senses (vision, acoustic, touch, taste, smell, proprioception - physical sense of self movement) as an organizing model, this course introduces students to Physical Computing practices. Students will learn about digital and analog sensor systems, be introduced to micro-controllers, computer sensor systems and ubiquitous computing. Basic programming skills are an important part of this course.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 322 - Technology, Identity and Creativity
Course DescriptionThis course examines how media technologies relate to racialized, gendered and sexualized bodies. Students consider scholarly and popular works ranging from the cinematic representation of Frankenstein to current studies of cyborgian bodies in order to produce creative work that responds to modern and postmodern ideas about the body.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 323 - Contemporary Strategies in New Media
Course DescriptionThis course develops student awareness and fluidity in key terms, concepts, and strategies of practices and theories related to approaches to new media and criticism. As part of the fine arts curriculum, students will explore ways that new media contributes to an ongoing reformulation of the dynamics of contemporary society and culture, by examining exemplars of new media practices, artists, and associated texts. Topics explored will include the changing concepts and narratives of new media.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 330 - Advanced Live Sport Production
Course DescriptionThis course will concentrate on the aesthetic and production values of live production. Students learn advanced cutting edge technologies and the logistics involved in live production. This class will combine lectures with the production of a professional quality remote simulated live event, utilizing remote production equipment.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.
GPA Weight:2.00
Billing Units:2
Count:2.00
Prerequisites:RTA 234 or RTA 313
RTA 331 - Advanced Transmedia Sports Marketing
Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to the fundamental concepts, principles and strategies utilized in the marketing of sport on multiple platforms. Covering both theoretical and practical aspects of sport marketing, the course will explore new and innovative means by which sports are marketed on television, radio and the Internet.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 108 and RTA 233 and RTA 231
RTA 332 - Legal and Business Aspects of Sport
Course DescriptionThis course will concentrate on the intersection of sports, law and business. Topic areas will include collective bargaining, amateur and professional sports organizations, team and league discipline, drug testing, sports and criminal law, collusion and tampering amongst sports teams.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 231
RTA 406 - Chinese Instrumental Music
Course DescriptionThis course explores the traditions and practice of Chinese instrumental music through score study, analysis of instrument technique and historiography, examination of pedagogy and transmission, and ensemble performance. Traditional folk, classical, and contemporary nationalized musical forms will be studied, with a particular emphasis on the stylistic differences of once discrete regions. Instruments studied may include: dizi, xiao, erhu, yanqin, ruan, sanxian, liuqin, guzheng, and Chinese percussion. (Formerly MUS 406).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Liberal Studies:LL
RTA 430 - Sport Media Capstone
Course DescriptionThis capstone course provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their summative knowledge gained in sport media. Students will complete an in-depth research paper, critically assessing a significant area of interest in the sport and/or media industries, synthesizing their practical skills developed with their theoretical knowledge honed through previous coursework.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 431 and RTA 433
RTA 431 - Sport Media Practicum
Course DescriptionStudents self-select into groups to produce professional quality audio, television or multimedia sport media projects. Students engage the support of industry mentors as well as RTA faculty and pitch production ideas to a Sport Practicum Management Committee. Sport Practicum ideas must meet professional industry standards. Students must present sixty hours of documented internship or employment in the media industry or a contribution to RTA Productions or the equivalent contribution to the community accumulated during the student's second, third or fourth year fall terms.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.
GPA Weight:2.00
Billing Units:2
Count:2.00
Prerequisites:RTA 331
RTA 433 - Issues in Sports
Course DescriptionThis upper level course critically examines current issues in sport and their relationship to media. Advanced theoretical frameworks will be introduced and applied to critically analyze issues through a media lens.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 232 or PHL 214 or NNS 400 or JRN 400 or SOC 505
RTA 440 - Sport Media Internship
Course DescriptionStudents will be given the opportunity to find themselves a sport media internship position. Students will develop personal contracts with both industry mentors and their faculty advisors to carry out significant research or production work off-campus. Students will study the sport media and management operations of professional and/or amateur sport broadcasters and organizations. This course is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 331 or RTA 332
RTA 441 - Music of India
Course DescriptionIndian tradition holds that the world was created from a single primordial sound. Music is understood to impact mood, health, environment, and even physical matter. Each musical mode (raga) was traditionally to be performed only at a particular time of day and in a specific season. Examining popular and classical traditions through hands on exploration and traditional lecture, this course surveys the unique and sophisticated melodic, rhythmic and cultural traditions of Indian music. (Formerly MUS 107).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Liberal Studies:LL
RTA 474 - Gospel Music: Songs for the Spirit
Course DescriptionEvolving from syncopated African spirituals, field hollers, and Christian hymns, gospel singing has influenced musical traditions from the blues, to rock and soul. Through group singing, lecture, and audio-visual examples, this course will explore the vocal tradition of gospel music through a socio-cultural, historical, and aesthetic lens, and in so doing trace the development of one of the most exuberant and exciting vocal genres of North America. (Formerly MUS 108).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Liberal Studies:LL
RTA 484 - Music of the African Diaspora
Course DescriptionAfrican traditions have fed into and shaped many genres of popular music around the globe, including funk, soul, reggae, son, salsa, zouk, rap, house and grime. This course explores the transnational flows through which the sonic practices and cultural traditions of African peoples have infused a succession of musical styles. Students will gain an understanding of the global history of Black musical innovation and its social, political and aesthetic implications.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Liberal Studies:LL
RTA 501 - Studio Practice
Course DescriptionThis course provides an opportunity to experience the entire life cycle of New Media project production including brainstorming, research, planning, proposal writing, building, testing, presentation, and documentation. Through written proposals and oral presentations, this course will teach how to develop creative concepts and explain their relevance in a broader social and technological context.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 520 and (RTA 103 or RTA 104)
RTA 503 - Project Development - Media Production
Course DescriptionThrough lectures, workshops, and seminars, students forge a foundation of creative and practical processes that shape an idea from inception to the point of execution, culminating in a detailed production document. Students opt to develop a creative idea in a media genre and format from previous years of study or develop a service that focuses on an element of media production. Projects that meet current professional standards are approved by faculty to proceed in RTA 701.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 315, RTA 310, RTA 912
RTA 520 - Public Practice
Course DescriptionPublic Practice introduces students to the rigour and demands of the public presentation of creative works, as well as the level of refinement expected of thesis projects. In this lecture course, students will be introduced to the project management cycle from proposal to funding to project delivery. Issues regarding presentation contexts, professional identity, portfolios, timelines, contracts and artist obligations will be discussed and incorporated into the flow of the term.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 886
RTA 521 - Media for Social Change
Course DescriptionThis course will examine how media technologies inform social change, with a specific focus on the forms of participatory culture that have transpired since the advent of social media. Students will learn about the fundamental cultural shifts of the late 20th century and early 21st century and examine how artists have responded to the changing media landscapes of that period.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 530 - The Music of East Asia
Course DescriptionThis course examines various historical, cultural, and political issues that have impacted the flow and transmission of music across East Asia (China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Mongolia) throughout the centuries. Students will gain an overview of the forces that have shaped the music of the region, with a focus on developments leading up to today’s popular music (C-pop, J-pop, K-pop, Cantopop).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Liberal Studies:UL
RTA 701 - Thesis: Production Project
Course DescriptionLeveraging the projects and teams established in RTA 503, students collaboratively execute a capstone project based upon previously approved and fully-developed planning documentation. The execution of this project provides students the opportunity to further advance and demonstrate their understanding of creative processes via storytelling, production techniques, and craft specialization. The expectation is that the final production will meet or exceed industry media production quality standards.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.
GPA Weight:2.00
Billing Units:2
Count:2.00
Prerequisites:RTA 503
RTA 702 - Thesis: Major Research Paper I
Course DescriptionStudents engage in empirical research and synthesis of a relevant topic from media or the creative industries. Examples include: media effects, impact of new technologies, media use in a social, historical and/or economic context. Working independently and guided by a Thesis Supervisor, MRP candidates will prepare preliminary components of a major scholarly paper including: formal research proposal, outline, table of contents, and annotated bibliography. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 703 - Thesis: Media Writing Project I
Course DescriptionStudents will develop an original Media Writing project within a realistic setting. Projects undertaken include the development of an original series or feature film, but other media writing projects will also be considered. Students will experience a professional writing environment through a combination of independent work and collaborative story sessions with faculty and their peers. Course work will culminate in students completing a major development milestone such as a feature film outline or series bible.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 808 or RTA 941 or RTA 943 or RTA 944 or RTA 945
Antirequisites:RTA 75A/B
RTA 704 - Thesis: Major Research Paper II
Course DescriptionFollowing development work completed in RTA 702, students synthesize research and data and write a culminating major research paper. Working independently and guided by a Thesis Supervisor, MRP candidates will prepare the final components of a major scholarly paper including: abstract, first, second and final-polished drafts. Students will also orally present their completed work in a formal Thesis Defence.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 702
Antirequisites:RTA 71A/B
RTA 705 - Thesis: Media Writing Project II
Course DescriptionBuilding on the work completed in RTA 703, students will utilize advanced development techniques to improve and enhance their media writing projects. Individual and group feedback sessions with faculty and peers will support creative goals and provide a framework for refining projects through multiple drafts of the students' work. The expected result is a final, well-developed media writing project for each student's portfolio.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 703
Antirequisites:RTA 75A/B
RTA 711 - Master Class
Course DescriptionThis course provides students with a culminating and integrative experience in media production. Students analyze and discuss the current and future overarching issues within the creative and cultural industries, placing them in context within the Canadian milieu. Senior representatives of various media and faculty members will present and discuss topics from their respective fields of expertise. Students will gain insights into opportunities and challenges in the workplace, trends and the impact of emerging technologies on all sectors with particular focus on content creation.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 801 - Discoverability and Distribution
Course DescriptionUnderstanding how to make creative content accessible to an audience is key to any media production success. In this class, students learn about the various channels of media dissemination including streaming, broadcast, and theatrical, and how content is monetized and success measured within each. Students learn to develop strategic plans for specific content, which can include their own practicum projects.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 912 or FCD 912
RTA 802 - Production: Advanced Live Multi-Camera
Course DescriptionStudents plan and execute a professional-level live media event, such as an award show, fashion show, live music performance, or e-sport competition, using their combined skills in remote and in-studio single and multi-camera production, sound mixing, graphic design and animation, and set design.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.
GPA Weight:2.00
Billing Units:2
Count:2.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311 or RTA 313 or RTA 314
RTA 803 - Production: Advanced Single Camera
Course DescriptionThis course concentrates primarily on developing and demonstrating high-level aesthetic and production values of the video image, using advanced lighting and cinematic techniques and technologies. The students will investigate all aspects of composition including light, perception of colour, motion and composition and how these elements impact a story. Working individually and in production teams, students will re-create and create professional-level visual content for various platforms, and develop industry level production crew competencies. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.
GPA Weight:2.00
Billing Units:2
Count:2.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 807 - Interactive Design Practice
Course DescriptionThis course introduces students to the rigour and demands of doing client-facing work, as well as the level of refinement expected of thesis projects. Students will be introduced to the project management cycle from proposal to funding to project delivery. Issues regarding stakeholder management, professional identity, timelines, contracts and obligations will be discussed and incorporated into the flow of the term.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 886
RTA 808 - First Draft
Course DescriptionIn this course, writers will develop the first draft of a chosen piece of writing: scenes, an episode, a short story, or the first few chapters of a novel. The course will help students develop their personal practice and learn to provide one another feedback within a writer's group. Story development will involve ideation, research and the use of sources, crafting outlines, creating the 'hook', and writing query letters. By the end of the term, each participant will have a highly polished first draft of their chosen project.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 814 - Interactive Design Studio
Course DescriptionThis course provides students with an opportunity to synthesize the learnings acquired from foundational New Media courses towards the development of a project for a given client design-brief. Topics include client-discovery processes, brainstorming, research, planning, client-demos and sign-offs, building, testing, presentation, and documentation. Through written communication, oral presentations and hands-on making, students learn to apply their creativity to client-driven contexts.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 807
RTA 818 - Ants, Agents and Automatons
Course DescriptionAnts, Agents and Automatons examines the human fascination with machines that behave. This studio course amplifies systems thinking as a creative process while pushing back against the dominant narratives of art history. Through the long history of machine, ecological and cybernetic theories, students will engage in creative and conceptual explorations of robotic (hardware) agents, automatons and simulated systems.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 321
RTA 820 - Game Prototyping and Testing
Course DescriptionIn this course, students will learn how to quickly prototype their own game concepts using a variety of tools and methods. Play-testing, usability testing, and quality assurance will be used to evaluate the gameplay, visuals, and user experience. Through user testing and peer reviews, students will iteratively improve their prototypes. By the end, students will have a playable prototype of their game, with refined mechanics and design, ready for production and marketing.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 997
RTA 821 - New Media Master Class
Course DescriptionThis course provides students with a culminating and integrative experience in new media. This course is an advanced level course and will feature a series of special visiting lecturers who will present and discuss topics from their respective fields of expertise. Students will gain an enhanced understanding of current issues, future opportunities, and technological advances impacting the New Media art world and industry.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 82A
RTA 822 - Interfaces for Live Performance
Course DescriptionDespite the wide variety of control options for computers and video games, digital creation typically comes back to the keyboard and a pointing device (mouse, pen, touchscreen). This production-based course explores the history of unconventional controllers and digital interfaces, examines their use in a creative context, and challenges the student to design and build their own unique controller and creation - whether it be for games, music, dance, drawing, or more.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 321
RTA 824 - Net Zero
Course DescriptionThis course gives students the opportunity to build and reflect upon processes that creatively face global environmental health. Through discussions, research and projects students will create works that strive for net zero consumption. Can we build tangible, electronic art projects without using plugs in the wall? Can we get parts for a project without a trip to the mall? Students will explore material reclamation, dumpster diving, part scavenging and alternate energy sources.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 321
RTA 825 - Global Experiential Intensive - New Media
Course DescriptionStudents travel to cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, Banff, Montreal or London where they tour studios, visit exhibitions, meet with new media artists and designers, participate in festivals, or work on collaborative projects to gain a deeper understanding of their field of practice. Coursework includes preliminary research and a post-trip analysis of a specific aspect of new media practice and the role it plays within the broader new media ecosystem. (Tuition doesn't include travel costs). See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 828 - Special Topics in Game Design
Course DescriptionThis course will allow students to explore leading-edge research, developments and projects in video game design. This workshop will respond to ongoing research or creative work of the instructor. Students will be active participants in the design, development and prediction of the accepted projects.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 928
RTA 82A/B - New Media Thesis Project
Course DescriptionStudents create innovative new media productions at an advanced level. Through lectures, workshops and labs, students gain an understanding of the contexts within which work is produced and publicly presented. Students are expected to demonstrate professional level abilities of critical thinking, proposal writing, project production, and public presentation strategy. Advanced production methods and techniques as they relate specifically to their projects are studied. In addition, students have the option to pursue more academic research interests.
Weekly Contact:Lab 6 hrs.
GPA Weight:3.00
Billing Units:2/2
Count:2.00
Prerequisites:RTA 501
RTA 830 - Co-Lab
Course DescriptionIn this advanced studio course, students partner with mentors from a cultural institution to develop real-world solutions to creative challenges. An emphasis will be placed on the collaborative strategies for team based work, iterative design processes and critical evaluation. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 832 - Cybernetics and Body Centric Technologies
Course DescriptionThis studio course will examine how emerging wearable technologies such as e-textiles and smart materials are influencing the landscape of creative inquiry. From cyborgs and space travel to fashion and fitness, students will explore creating body-centric technologies that extend and augment the human form.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 835 - Media and Museums
Course DescriptionMedia surrounds and permeates today's museum. The public discovers events and accesses collections online. The visitor uses audio and interactive digital information to guide their visit and enable accessibility. Exhibitions often feature AR, VR or special-purpose video. In short, media creates an interface between the institution and its audiences. In this course, students will learn about museum communication and develop the critical and design skills relevant to the creation of media-based projects that support it.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 837 - Live Audio Production
Course DescriptionStudents extend and develop their knowledge of live sound scenarios, technology, and workflows in this advanced audio course. Students plan and execute live sound solutions for film productions, live events, broadcasts, and installations. This course develops advanced competencies in developing front-of-house, monitoring, communication, and live-recording audio systems.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311
RTA 838 - Generative Processes
Course DescriptionThis studio course will explore the role of generative algorithmic approaches in New Media artworks. Processes of randomization, feedback, behaviour, mapping and emergence will be related to meaning and structure through the construction of New Media experiences. Students will deepen their understanding of presentation skills and professional practice through the development of individual and collaborative artworks.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 222 or FPN 513 or FCD 222
Antirequisites:RTA 959
RTA 840 - Esports
Course DescriptionThis course will explore the rapidly expanding world of Esports. By way of lectures, students will examine different elements of Esports, such as culture, multi-platform streaming, gaming development, gaming theory, online communities and the impact of Esports by and via media. Esports will emphasize the impact of the globalization and commercialization of Esports on the traditional broadcast industry.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 842 - Data as Material
Course DescriptionThis studio course will examine how data can be used as a raw material for creative expression. Notions of data capture, storage, filtering, analysis as well as representation strategies will be related to data-driven art practice and its cultural significance. Students will deepen their understanding of presentation skills and professional practice through the development of individual and collaborative artworks.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 222 or FPN 513 or FCD 222
Antirequisites:RTA 959
RTA 844 - Sport in Film
Course DescriptionSport is one of the most popular and commercial aspects of culture in our society. This course traces the history and aesthetics of sports in film and how it intersects with ethics, race, gender, orientation and dis/ability issues. Students will critically explore a variety of representations and topics that can be found in some of our greatest sports films to date. Analysis of selected films and themes will reflect how sport is used to examine social, political and cultural spheres.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 845 - Producing the Olympics
Course DescriptionThe Olympics are the most significant sales and marketing opportunity as well as the most complex media event in the world. Beginning with the history of the creation and evolution of the Games and exploring the process for bidding to host, produce, broadcast and participate in the Olympics, students will deepen their understanding of the players involved, areas for employment, and debates about whether projects like the Olympics can even be sustainable in the future.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 211
RTA 847 - Artificial Intelligence - Music and Audio
Course DescriptionIn this course, students will learn the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning that can be used to work with musical audio, human computer interaction, and other real time data events. This course will focus on the creation of algorithms for live performance practices which can be directly employed in creating new real time systems for the arts.Students will apply these frameworks through a series of studio lab workshops and assignments.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 848 - Esports and Online Streaming Production
Course DescriptionThis production lab course scaffolds an understanding of the online broadcast ecosystem as it pertains to the production of live content on contemporary online streaming platforms. Through the development and production of live streams for Esport and other events, students develop the skills of an online broadcast technical producer. Students develop practical skills through hands-on application of contemporary virtual studio production techniques and personal broadcast technology, allowing them to realize a fully-capable production studio in their own homes.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 850 - Long-Form Sports Feature Writing
Course DescriptionThis course will equip students with tools necessary to identify, research, plan, and create long-form feature stories that focus on critical issues from across the vast landscape of sport media. It will help students deepen their critical thinking, scholarly research, and interview skills. Course content and research assignments will explore key issues in sport, such as inclusion, diversity, hyper-masculinity, mental health and addiction.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 233
RTA 854 - Live Radio Broadcasting
Course DescriptionThis course focuses on developing content for live radio and executing live-to-air broadcasts. Through a combination of lecture, workshop, and live assignments, students hone skills in researching, writing, hosting and vocal performance, live studio operations, and delivering engaging content for various audiences and formats.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 974
RTA 855 - The Athlete's Perspective
Course DescriptionThis course explores the viewpoints of athletes as it relates to their sport, sport organization, and media from a sport media theoretical framework. As both the producer and consumer of a sporting event, athletes are a unique stakeholder. Students will examine the perspectives of athletes as it relates to media, brand development, and how media ultimately influences performances. Incorporating opportunities for experiential learning, students will critically assess the perspectives of athletes.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 856 - Strategies in Interactive Design
Course DescriptionThe field of interactive experience design includes opportunities in entertainment, advertising, education, and healthcare. Through case-studies, guest-lectures, project breakdowns, and domain-specific readings, students will explore the process and production-techniques involved in interactive design for applied project development.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 858 - Music Production
Course DescriptionBuilding on the basic and intermediate training in the first and second years of the program, this course is an advanced masterclass in music production. The course develops a foundation of recording sessions with live musicians and multi-track processes as well as digital composition and instrumentation techniques including synthesized, sampled, and virtual instruments. Beyond recording, students develop advanced techniques in overdubbing, mixing, signal-processing, and mastering.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311
RTA 860 - Selected Topics in Sport Media
Course DescriptionTopics explored in this course will be determined by available faculty expertise, student interest, and curricular need. Registration may be limited to students in a specific year of the program and may require the Instructor's permission or a pre-requisite at the Department's discretion. Enrolment numbers may also be limited. The Department will also consider student proposals for areas of study brought to the Faculty through the School Council. May not be offered every year. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 863 - Creative AI
Course DescriptionStudents learn the basic concepts of artificial intelligence and engage in hands-on AI assignments designed to deepen understanding and explore the applications of artificial intelligence in the creative industries. The course includes pitching exercises and supports students in the creation of a plan for a new venture that innovatively applies AI to an industry problem. AI assignments are designed for technical novices; supplemental exercises are provided for those interested in learning more advanced techniques.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 864 - Immersive and Interactive Audio
Course DescriptionIn this advanced audio course, students develop a foundation of mixing techniques for cinematic and broadcast surround formats. Moving beyond fixed channel configurations, students create fully immersive spatial audio experiences for fixed perspectives and six degrees of freedom. Students add a layer of interactivity, creating soundtracks that respond to the movements and actions of their audience. This course explores immersive and interactive soundtrack production for film, television, interactive, game, and XR media applications.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311 or RTA 867
RTA 865 - Exploring Virtual Environments
Course DescriptionThis course surveys the application of game engines for the creation of virtual environments both in a studio context and on screen. Students will be introduced to important issues relating to the experience of virtual spaces through evaluation of creative projects, products and related research. Students will learn to manipulate visual scripts or blueprints, model and animate objects, create environments and terrains, design interactions, manage assets and rendering.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 103
RTA 867 - Game Engines
Course DescriptionVideo game development engines have exploded in popularity and flexibility. Their systems have become so ubiquitous and dynamic that they allow for varying novel uses and adaptations. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of navigating this software and creating virtual spaces for use in a variety of industries. Students will learn to model objects, environments, and visual effects using a current game engine.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 870 - Global Experiential Intensive - Sport Media
Course DescriptionThe course offers an immersive experience for students outside of Canada. Students will study sport media and management operations of professional and/or amateur sport broadcasters and organizations hosted by a foreign university. Students will be expected to pay for travel and accommodations. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 880 - Youth and Media
Course DescriptionWhat are the roles of media and technology in young people’s lives? This course explores foundational concepts of media/cultural, educational, and childhood studies and considers topics such as identity and development, media literacy, social and cultural impacts, and youth-specific media production practices. Coursework includes analysis of media produced for young audiences; engagement with guest speakers from industry; and collaboration and experimentation to co-create more resonant and inclusive content and media experiences.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 886 - Intro to Studio Practice
Course DescriptionThis course provides students with an opportunity to synthesize the learnings acquired from foundational New Media courses towards the development of a self-directed project. Topics include brainstorming, research, planning, building, testing, presentation, and documentation. Through written communication, oral presentations and hands-on making, students develop their individual creative voice.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 867 or RTA 321 or RTA 322
RTA 888 - Media Production Internship
Course DescriptionWith faculty support, students find themselves a 120-hour intensive internship in the media, media production and related industries. Internships are subject to faculty approval. Students develop personal contracts with industry mentors to carry out significant research or gain industry work experience off campus. The internship is intended to encourage students to explore their particular career interests. Internships may be completed on a part-time basis throughout the 4th year with faculty consent (see teaching department for consent criteria).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 890 - AI and the Environment
Course Description
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence (AI), and media on the environment. By integrating the frameworks of ecomedia and metaliteracy, students will critically analyze the complex interplay between technology, culture, and the environment. Through in-depth discussions, hands-on projects, and collaborative research, students will gain a deep understanding of the ethical, cultural, and environmental dimensions of these technological phenomena.

Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 891 - Games Industry and Trends
Course DescriptionStarting with an understanding of the fundamentals of innovation in game design, this course seeks an understanding of how innovators have redefined game design throughout history. This course will take a look at some of the past and present trends in video games, and critically approach some of the trends as part of the discourse surrounding the video games industry.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 893 - Social Justice Media: Innovators, Creators
Course DescriptionMost of us are online most of the time. How do marginalized communities fare in this virtual space? This course will present an exciting roster of media artists/theorists from Aboriginal, LGBT, feminist and racialized communities, who use research and creation to forge alternate discourses and visual/virtual worlds. We will also engage with art and theory on social justice media and activism.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 902 - Social Media
Course DescriptionStudents will learn how to leverage established and emerging social media platforms for specific purposes such as marketing, storytelling, research, branding, collaboration, etc. Through case studies and hands-on practice, students will gain an understanding of social media strategy, metrics, and best practices. The effects of social media on storytelling, media production, audiences and culture will be explored.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:RTA 992
RTA 903 - News and Current Affairs Theory
Course DescriptionNews as entertainment information, satire, social instructor: audiences interact with the news in many ways. We look critically at ideas like discourse, news value and news filters, and then learn scholarly tools for analyzing news and its audiences. From radio to tabloid journals to E-zines to Twitter, we open up the idea of news in the 21st century, and think about its history, meanings, and future. War news and digital media are a particular focus.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:JRN 402 and NNS 402
RTA 905 - History and Culture of Popular Music
Course DescriptionThis course will examine the history and development of popular music in Canada, the US, and the UK, from the 1950's through to the present. Students will study popular music, along with the performers, labels, and key individuals behind the scenes who made it all happen. The goal of the course is to examine popular music through the decades in musical, cultural, political, and industrial contexts.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:MUS 505
RTA 906 - Marketing for Media Professionals
Course DescriptionIn this course, students learn the foundational skills of marketing including concepts relating to branding, the marketing mix, and integrated marketing and communication, including digital media promotional strategies and tactics. Students will learn how to take a product to market via multiple marketing and sales distribution channels. These concepts will be understood in the context of media product and thus better appreciating the importance of assuming a marketing mind set while pursuing any aspect of their media work.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 315
Antirequisites:MKT 100
RTA 907 - Sound Media
Course DescriptionFrom Edison's first recordings and Fessenden's first broadcast of the human voice to contemporary practices of mashup and podcasts, sound media are ubiquitous in our culture. This course explores historic and contemporary practice in sound media, including screen sound, radio, sound art, soundscape, music, sonic branding, sonic interactive design and noise.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 908 - Business of Producing I
Course DescriptionFrom the vantage point of the independent producer, students study the business and legal aspects of independent productions. Students examine how producers work with broadcasters, content creators, internet channels, interactive and transmedia platforms, funding agencies and financiers. Students also explore the business aspects of pitching (selling), developing, financing, producing, post-production and commercial exploitation/distribution of creative media properties.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 909 - Business of Producing II
Course DescriptionThis course builds on executive producing skills developed in RTA 908/MP 8908. Students form teams to develop the creative, financing, production, and business materials necessary for a complete series proposal for an independent production. These proposals will be competitively pitched to a panel of broadcasters and producers. This course is hands-on with creative, budgetary and business workshops and is intended for those students interested in creating and executive producing television and related transmedia projects.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 908
RTA 910 - Production Management
Course DescriptionThis course focuses on the role of the production manager in film and television. Students will become acquainted with all aspects of a production: development; pre-production; production; post-production. Topics will include legal aspects, financing, insurance, script breakdown and scheduling, budgeting, accounting and cost reports, location management, talent and crew unions, contracts, reporting mechanisms and relevant forms and paperwork as well as a review of key production personnel job descriptions and tips on getting hired.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 315
RTA 911 - Directing and Performance
Course DescriptionA general introduction to acting and directing theory and practice. Through lectures, workshops, scene deconstructions and screenings, culminating in a final production experience students learn effective strategies to bring the scripted page to the screen. Students also learn how to create and improvise characters within a limited time scale, study principles of voice, movement and basics of script break-down, blocking for actors and cameras and how lighting, audio and music contribute to mise-en-scène.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 313 or RTA 314
RTA 912 - Media Audiences
Course DescriptionThis course focuses on the relationship between popular media platforms and their audiences. It surveys the ways scholars and cultural critics conceptualise and research various media audiences and introduces students to a variety of research methods central to understanding, evaluating, and measuring audiences. Students do audience research and assess the content delivery and audience engagement strategies of existing media channels, to develop skills essential to understanding how to market their own media productions.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:FCD 912
RTA 913 - Media Entrepreneurship
Course DescriptionIn an ever changing industry media graduates must look beyond salaried employment in the corporate or public sector. This course assists media students to develop entrepreneurial options for themselves in the media industry, focusing on growth-oriented business venturing. In the first half of the course, students are introduced to entrepreneurship and business venturing. In the second half of the course, each student develops a business plan for a media startup. (Formerly BDC 913).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 315
RTA 915 - Legal Issues in Media
Course DescriptionThis course will provide students with a deeper understanding of the concepts and legal processes inherent in the business of broadcasting and communications. Topics to be covered include copyright, freedom of expression, contracts, clearance of rights, defamation, and legal drafting. Issues in entertainment law will also be reviewed, as will government regulation of the broadcasting and multimedia industries.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 315
RTA 918 - Ethics in Media
Course DescriptionThis course explores ethical and legal case studies in a business context, analyzing problems that arise in typical broadcasting and new media environments. The student's responsibility to society and the ethical choices they will be required to make are compared to the legal framework (both regulatory and statutory) within which they will be working.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:FCD 918
RTA 920 - Visual Storytelling: Video Production
Course DescriptionThis course will introduce the production techniques of single-camera video as used in television and other screen-based media. Students will build skills in designing video pieces from beginning to end: pre-production, on location shooting, and post-production editing and finishing.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:FCD 920, RTA 106, RTA 107, RTA 108, RTA 201, RTA 243
RTA 921 - Audio Technical Theory
Course DescriptionThis advanced audio course is an exploration of audio technical theory. The course covers modern audio practice as it applies to sound recording studios, live sound and sound reinforcement systems, acoustics and room and studio design, electronic and digital circuits and systems, computer applications in audio as well as digital signal processing and compression systems and technology.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311
RTA 923 - Videogame Narrative
Course DescriptionIn this course, students develop the skills and understanding needed to write sophisticated and emotionally involving video games. Students consider the strengths and limitations of the video game form, how to develop a resonant concept and deep characters, how to integrate game-play into a story, and how to write for more non-linear and abstract games.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 925 - Making Objects
Course DescriptionThis course will introduce students to basic material practices and physical object production. Students will gain the necessary skills to model, design and build physical entities. Students will be introduced to a variety of fabricating techniques as well as a range of materials. Projects will challenge students to work at a variety of scales and within several contexts. Individual and group projects will require development of personal and team based production skills. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 927 - Business of Music I
Course DescriptionThis course explores the history of the music business, music industry organization and the roles of record companies, publishers, songwriters, unions and managers. Topics include A and R, marketing, promotion, sales, business affairs, finance and the use of music in film, TV, and advertising.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 928 - Introduction to Game Design
Course DescriptionThis course offers an introduction to the core elements of game design -- game world, character, interactivity, navigation and the mechanics of gameplay. It provides students with the opportunity to develop creative ideas for personal game projects. Using an iterative design process that involves visual and audience research, paper and digital prototyping, and user testing, students will complete a game design document suitable for further development in production courses, or independently.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 929 - New Narrative Forms
Course DescriptionIn this studio course, students develop interactive, nonlinear and multi-platform narratives that push the boundaries of storytelling and audience engagement. Topics explored include dissecting and updating the classical narrative arc, user experience within narratives, rapid prototyping, playtesting and iteration, and the use of games, traditional media, and "real" space to tell compelling stories.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 930 - Social Practices in Hybrid Media Spaces
Course DescriptionThis course builds upon knowledge acquired in RTA 902 - Social Media. Students will examine and reflect upon the impact virtual environments, such as social media and VR, are having on our relationship to space and on how we experience social life. Through research projects that integrate readings, in class discussion, and field research, students will examine how our social practices are evolving within the hybrid spaces that social media and other virtual environments create.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 902
RTA 933 - Hacking, DIY and Open Source Studio
Course DescriptionIn this studio course, students will develop DIY projects that explore solutions to challenges posed by our toxic ways of life. Students will learn about circular cycles and naturally sustainable processes and experiment with ways to embed them in their work. Projects may range from exploring biodegradable materials, household waste as raw material,up-cycling strategies, or using open source technologies to develop a system that participates in solving a local problem (climate, social, mental health, etc.).
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 934 - Virtual Identities and Communities
Course DescriptionThis survey course examines the role of virtual environments in reshaping early 21st century notions of identity, communities and organizations. Through research projects, students analyze how these practices have altered the nature of mainstream society and question the future of western culture.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 936 - The Business of Art
Course DescriptionThis course provides a framework for students to apply their creative skills to a business context. The course introduces students to the fundamentals of running a business in the creative fields by covering topics such as marketing, accounting, employment and mental health. Grounded in case studies and real world examples, strategy and operations will be considered: making choices and building the systems it takes to make your passion a business, including non-profits.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 937 - Business of Music II
Course DescriptionExpanding upon the subject matter of Business of Music I, this course continues the examination of the inner workings of the music recording, publishing and management industries. Students concentrate on business models and practices, in-depth analysis of music industry contracts with a focus on emerging marketing and promotion tools and techniques. Students work concurrently with real artists, developing various marketing artifacts, culminating in a term-end public presentation of their selected artist.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 927
RTA 938 - Digital Popular Cultures
Course DescriptionA critical look at the defining digital technologies and transmedia content of popular culture: social media; mobile media; online fandom; gaming; pirating/hacking; open source software; new audience practices for online/streaming television. Using a cultural studies approach, students will read a wide range of texts examining the everyday practices and interactive possibilities of digital popular culture, with attention to presencing, archiving, searching, and new forms of community via digital technologies.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 939 - Indigenous Media
Course DescriptionThis course explores Indigenous media art in the context of the major political and social discourses currently informing contemporary Indigenous communities. Through screenings, readings and guest artists we will examine critically engaged community-based art practices in the context of Indigenous aesthetics. Two-spirit, gender, class and race issues will be seen through the lens of Indigenous artists. The course will compare the function of art from an Indigenous worldview with that of a Western one.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 940 - Canadian Televisual Studies
Course DescriptionThis theory-based course comprises a broad-ranging and multi-genre look at Canadian media, with a particular focus on television content from the 1960s to the 21st century, including ways that audiences interact with national broadcasting. We will also examine digital technologies, global discourses of runaway production, and cross-border export /franchise, with a critical look at national myths and practices in the digital era. (Formerly BDC 924).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 941 - Dramatic Writing
Course DescriptionThis course demystifies the process of writing for the screen and encourages students to find their unique dramatic voice by writing an original script. Students analyze principles of dramatic storytelling and current dramas at the script level. Using story editing exercises, students learn how to structure a story, build dramatic tension and craft moving characters. By the end of the course, students develop an appreciation of the nature and purpose of drama.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 212
RTA 943 - Comedy Writing
Course DescriptionThis course covers the fundamentals of comedy writing with special focus on the techniques of writing comedy for television and the web with an emphasis on sketches and sitcoms. Students take part in story editing exercises, designed to simulate industry practices. This course's key goal is to develop students' creative and comic voice in their writing.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 102 and RTA 212
RTA 944 - Writing for Animation
Course DescriptionThis course is designed to cover the fundamentals of writing for animated series designed for television and other platforms. Students will learn the language and process of writing for animation and consider the rich creative history of animation. Students will be required to create a fully realized animated script by the end of the semester.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 212
RTA 945 - Writing for Factual and Reality Programs
Course DescriptionIn this course students learn the story chasing/development, writing techniques and production practices related to lifestyle, current affairs, science, business, entertainment and "reality" programming. Students learn how to shape their research, found material, interviews, narration, b-roll and stills into coherent and emotionally engaging stories while working within tight constraints of time, genre and format. Students also analyze the ethical dilemmas and social trends that fact-based and reality programming represent.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 946 - Issues in New Media Theory/History
Course DescriptionThis course will take on different historical and critical approaches to technology and creative practice, looking at mechanical, electronic and digital/interactive platforms. Potential topics to be explored: amateur versus professional practices, creative media practice and domestic space, personal history and media memory, software studies, affect theory and technology, social media and social theory.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 948 - Interactive Spaces
Course DescriptionInteractive Spaces builds upon and extends the fundamentals introduced in Intro to Computational Art. In this course, scripting and programming skills will be developed and integrated with interaction design skills. Students will produce a variety of experiences based on several modes of interactivity. Emphasis is placed on the production of interactive systems that engage participants through unique and dynamic experiences.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 222 or FCD 222 or FPN 513
RTA 949 - Directed Study
Course DescriptionThe Directed Study course makes it possible for a student to work on an independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The project should either explore a topic which is not usually covered in the curriculum or propose a more in-depth study of topic covered in an existing course. It is the student's responsibility to identify the topic, develop an appropriate research plan and obtain approval for undertaking a Directed Study. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 950 - Selected Topics in Media
Course DescriptionTopics explored in this course will be determined by available faculty expertise, student interest, and curricular need. Registration may be limited to students in a specific year of the program and may require the Instructor's permission or a prerequisite at the Department's discretion. Enrolment numbers may also be limited. The Department will also consider student proposals for areas of study brought to the Faculty through the Departmental Council. May not be offered every year. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 951 - Presentation I
Course DescriptionStudents will develop their on-air presentation skills. They will present different styles of stories on camera and learn interviewing, reporting and hosting skills both in the studio and in the field.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 243 and RTA 213
Antirequisites:RTA 236
RTA 953 - Mobility and Mixed Reality
Course DescriptionThis course engages with mobile technologies and their impact on new media art practice through a discussion of contemporary artworks as well as hands-on exercises. This course explores how mobile technologies and mixed reality blur the boundaries between physical and virtual spaces, redefining the relationship we have to interfaces and places. Emphasis will be placed on the production of new participatory experiences focused on physical or virtual locations, boundaries and topologies.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 867 or RTA 865
RTA 954 - Empathy Machines
Course DescriptionThis production course continues upon and extends the fundamentals introduced in Intro to Tangible Media. It emphasizes the role of the interface as a structure for communication. This course examines how inputs and outputs are mediated through the design of physical artistic interfaces. Students will develop, produce and reflect upon tangible works that incorporate elements of traditional, hybridized and physical systems. This course will combine electronics and embedded programming techniques.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 321
RTA 955 - Sports Broadcasting
Course DescriptionThis course examines the programming philosophy and production of sports programs. The course explores different types of programming including feature production, sports journalism, live-event coverage and interactive Web-based production. It will discuss the behind the scenes responsibilities of executives, editorial staff and technical crews, as well as on air-performance and visual presentation in both traditional and interactive environments. Using this knowledge, students will produce a sports feature and a live production. (Formerly BDC 955).
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 313 or RTA 314
RTA 956 - Children's Programming
Course DescriptionStudents examine children's developmental stages, interests and needs, and study contemporary children's television techniques and the influence media has on kids' lives. The course explores societal and regulatory forces that influence children's programming with guest speakers addressing current issues in the industry. Students conduct original research into media intended for children and adolescents and, with the instructor's permission, may produce a short creative work to demonstrate their research.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 957 - Documentary Production
Course DescriptionThis course provides an opportunity for students to produce a documentary short subject, building on key theoretical concepts and storytelling skills. Students work to produce an original documentary. Students develop basic competencies in documentary pre-production, production and post-production practices and create a trans-media strategy to develop the documentary across other media platforms.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311 or RTA 312 or RTA 313 or RTA 314 or RTA 234
Antirequisites:RTA 994
RTA 958 - Networked Art
Course DescriptionThis advanced production studio will introduce students to methods for making art using networks to construct meaning. Mail art, ubiquitous computing, the internet of things and the mobile individual serve as points of departure for creative explorations into social objects and networked spaces. This course provides students the opportunity to blend strategies from tangible media, code based and material practices.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:(RTA 222 or FCD 222 or FPN 513) and RTA 321
RTA 960 - International Media Co-production
Course DescriptionTo understand and effectively communicate stories about our world, storytellers must be able to see beyond their own borders. Students will work with partner universities from around the world to produce live, international current affairs shows that are informative, artistic and entertaining. This involves developing the theme and look of the show from research, to shooting and editing stories, finding interview guests, etc. Learn about the business of international production and co-production through lectures by professors from other universities.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311 or RTA 313 or RTA 314 or RTA 312
RTA 961 - 2-D and Object Animation
Course DescriptionThis course is an introduction to the world of 2-D animation and stop-frame object animation. It will include discussion of the history and aesthetic aspects of animation and also allow students to produce their own pieces. Equipment and software for simple animated projects will be introduced, and film, video, new media and interactive forms of delivery will be discussed.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 201 or RTA 243
RTA 962 - Interaction Design
Course DescriptionIn this course, students will learn and define modes of interactivity that are available to create experiences and the qualities required to design interesting interactions. The course will examine the history and development of the dialogue surrounding the modern idea of interaction from its influences in theatre, performance, and kinetic sculpture. Students will also explore creative applications of communication paradigms, including the design implications of alternative modalities and practices with the changing cultures of presentation-reception.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:FCD 962
RTA 963 - Web Design
Course DescriptionThis course explores graphic and web design from an aesthetic and functional point of view. Students will learn about the software and technology needed to acquire, manipulate and render effective visual images, and will experience the planning, production, and launch of a web site, using the latest web design and management software. Designing for human usability will be discussed as well as limitations of technology in order to maximize the impact of the creative material.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 103
Antirequisites:FCD 362, GCM 362
RTA 965 - Advanced New Media Topics
Course DescriptionThis course will allow students to explore leading-edge research, developments and projects in new media. New media practitioners and researchers will be encouraged to submit proposals for this workshop. Collaborative and community-based projects will also be actively sought and encouraged. The particular structure of the workshop will be responsive to the nature of the ongoing projects but the students will be active participants in the design, development and prediction of the accepted projects. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 966 - Cooperative Internship
Course DescriptionThis course gives students the opportunity to work in professional production situations and settings which provide them with professional experience with the medium/media of choice. All internships are subject to departmental approval in advance. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 968 - Emerging New Media Practices
Course DescriptionThrough hands-on, participatory and practice based strategies this course will explore how DIY culture and rapidly changing technological platforms expand, alter and enhance personal practice. By focusing on strands of this new web, this course will examine how new and emerging technologies can be incorporated into creative practice. Students will develop strategies for adopting new methods and materials and reflect upon how new practices inspire or challenge them.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 321
RTA 969 - Live Event Technical Producing
Course DescriptionAn advanced course in television technical producing, this course is a continuation of technical production knowledge obtained in previous context and craft courses in television (both multicamera and EFP). Students will explore large live-event coverage (sports, elections, music specials, awards shows), and tours will be arranged to technical production facilities in the Toronto area. The course culminates with a live teleproduction at the end of the semester. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 970 - Lighting, Grip and Effects Specialty
Course DescriptionLighting and special effects technicians work behind the scenes to add realism or dramatic effect to a television production. This course will engage the student in theoretical and practical aspects of this element of production. Emphasis will be on the aesthetics, professionalism, discipline, technical ability, equipment and safety considerations necessary to achieve the desired results.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 313 or RTA 314 or RTA 234
RTA 971 - Audio Post Production and Sound Design
Course DescriptionThis course will introduce students to the creative and technical aspects of creating a soundtrack for the moving image. Through a combination of lecture, screenings, discussion, and practical workshop modes, students will learn about the audio post production process, including dialog recording and replacement (ADR), Foley and sound effects editing, music and score, and mixing techniques.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311 or (RTA 104 and RTA 985)
RTA 972 - Sound Synthesis
Course DescriptionStudents explore practices and principles of analog and digital sound synthesis, their historic origins, related audio equipment and applications, theories of sound samplers, algorithmic composition, synthesizers and sequencers, computer music, digital signal processing, computer synchronization, and MIDI applications in sound synthesis and recording production. Students apply these frameworks in studio lab workshops and assignments.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 973 - Independent Production
Course DescriptionIn this course senior students produce professional level audio, video or new media projects following a carefully designed planning process. This course is for that individual student who wishes to stretch their technical, organizational and, most importantly, creative skills on a project that does not fit within the constraints of the fourth year Master Thesis.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 311 or RTA 312 or RTA 313 or RTA 314
RTA 974 - Radio Broadcasting
Course DescriptionStudents learn about commercial radio broadcasting. Audience research, radio formats, advertising, and imaging are explored as well as programming and music scheduling strategies. Students practice their skills in these areas by planning and producing content that reflects various formats and target demographics.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 104
RTA 975 - Video Compositing and Visual Effects
Course DescriptionMany of the video images that appear on our screens are created, refined, or augmented using visual effects. In this course, students will become familiar with a range of essential image treatments used for compositing, rendering, matte painting, motion capture, and image processing.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 312 or RTA 313 or RTA 314
RTA 976 - Broadcast Journalism
Course DescriptionIn this course, students will learn foundational aspects of broadcast journalism and build hands-on skills in news gathering and reporting for radio and TV. Students will learn what makes a story 'newsworthy,' news ethics, how to write broadcast news stories, researching, fact-checking, gathering actualities and b-roll, and line-up editing. Students will prepare and execute live news reports regularly as part of the course evaluation.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 313 or RTA 314
Antirequisites:RTA 233
RTA 978 - Editing Specialty
Course DescriptionThis is an in-depth course designed to provide a thorough understanding of video editing techniques and processes. Through exercises, the process is followed from the initial planning stages to the final edit session. Topics covered include aesthetics and emotion, the importance of audio in video productions, story structure and the editing different genres. Students apply this knowledge to execute a series of projects in a professional editing environment.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 312 or RTA 313 or RTA 314 or RTA 234
RTA 979 - Colour Grading and Finishing
Course DescriptionBuilding on prior experience of video production and post production, students develop a functional understanding of digital colour correction and finishing. Through lectures, demonstrations, workshopping, and applied lab exercises, students explore colour theory and its application in video storytelling. Through the development of skills in post-production protocol, planning for post production, and advanced post workflows, the course drives towards competencies in online editorial conforming, colour correction, and final delivery.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 313 or RTA 314 or RTA 234
RTA 985 - Audio for Media Producers
Course DescriptionA great production requires great sound. In this course, designed for students primarily interested in visual and digital media, students learn various techniques for capturing sound on set and in the field, as well as post-production editing and mixing techniques for a variety of screen-based media. Creative, technical, and theoretical aspects of sound design are also explored.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
RTA 986 - Media for International Development
Course DescriptionStudents will learn about international development, and the role that media plays in it, through both classroom work and travel abroad to engage in a community development project. Depending on the proposed project, students may be expected to fund raise, create media productions, plan events, and/or teach others how to use and produce media. Enrolment in the course is strictly by permission of the RTA School of Media only. Course may not be offered every year.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 988 - International Media Storytelling
Course DescriptionThis course explores the opportunities and challenges of developing media content for the world market. The course will focus on international co-production and distribution of television, internet and other platforms. It will include an exploration of the development process of being a storyteller and media producer and executive for a global audience.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:CRI 820
RTA 989 - Emerging Media Markets/Entrepreneurship
Course DescriptionAvailability of fast and ubiquitous communications networks and the advent of powerful mobile devices such as mobile phones, tablets and wearable technologies have created new opportunities for media economics and how media is curated and consumed. The next generation of media economics and the effect of crowd sourcing, collective intelligence and role of Data Science will be discussed. Students will be exposed to new business models and will learn the importance on product design, and digital media entrepreneurship, its requirements and best practices.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 315
RTA 991 - Sport Writing
Course DescriptionThe intention of this course is to introduce students to the particulars of sport writing, building upon the theories and practice first introduced in Sport Journalism. A course in sport writing will involve learning the fundamentals of sport writing for television, radio and digital media. Students learn the language of sport writing and are required to write a number of broadcast scripts across all broadcast media.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:(RTA 102 or RTA 108) and RTA 233
RTA 992 - Social and Interactive Media for Sports
Course DescriptionIn this course students will be introduced to transmedia platforms and their application to the sport industry. By way of lectures, case studies and in-class workshops, students will learn new modes of story-telling by maintaining the overall narrative through multiple outlets. Social media, gamification techniques, digital media and other cross-platform destinations will be examined. This course will also introduce students to the creation of sports games on multiple platforms.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Antirequisites:RTA 902
RTA 993 - Sport Graphics
Course DescriptionIn this course, students will explore and create a variety of on-air and online graphics used in sport media. An understanding of and ability to develop graphics for promos, show packages, studio shows, tickers, boards, transitions, as well as digital media for online ads, contests, social and print media. Students will develop design and animation skills as it applies to the fast-paced sport media environment, using still, 2D and 3D software.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 103 and (RTA 106 or RTA 243)
RTA 994 - Advanced Sport Media and Documentary
Course DescriptionThis course builds on the content from intermediate multi-camera and single-camera field production courses (sport or media production). The course will focus on long-form storytelling presented on various media with a particular emphasis on sports documentaries. Students will produce a multi-platform long-form documentary, utilizing and expanding on critical thinking and practical skills developed in single-camera field production, pre-production, post-production, marketing, and distribution.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 234 or RTA 313 or RTA 314
Antirequisites:RTA 957
RTA 995 - Embodied Digital Media: Research/Design
Course DescriptionFew digital technologies make use of the connection between our bodies and minds to support creativity and knowledge production. This new research and design centered course will provide students with the unique opportunity to envision the shape of research-based education in digital and embodied media, while working in collaboration with peers from Georgia Tech's Synaesthetic Media Lab (Synlab) on cutting edge research projects in Tangible and Embodied Interaction for creativity and expression. See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required
RTA 996 - The Art of Podcasting
Course DescriptionPodcasting is the art of telling stories with voice and sound. Students learn about various types of podcast content and how to produce them for specific audiences. Audience research, advertising, and the changing landscape of the podcasting industry are addressed.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 104
RTA 997 - Intermediate Game Design: Mechanics
Course DescriptionVideo game mechanics are the core of any interactive experience. This course offers an expansion to the core elements of game design, focusing on the specifics of game mechanics. It provides students with the opportunity to develop game mechanics based on the core ideas for personal game projects previously explored. Using an iterative design process that involves genre and demographics research, students will begin to prototype mechanics as part of the development of their own interactive 3D creations via written or digital productions explored in the first course.
Weekly Contact:Lab 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Prerequisites:RTA 928
RTA 999 - RTA in LA
Course DescriptionStudents are given a window into business, organizational and creative practices of the Los Angeles-based media industry. The focus is on television with significant discussion of transmedia and feature films. The course culminates in an intense two weeks in Los Angeles working in small tutorial groups of lectures/case studies/workshops with current US industry professionals. Spring/Summer course which may not be offered every year. (Note: Students bear additional costs for transportation, room and board). See teaching department for consent criteria.
Weekly Contact:Lecture 3 hrs.
GPA Weight:1.00
Billing Units:1
Count:1.00
Consent:Departmental consent required