This course provides an overview of media in historical, current and future contexts. Incorporating lectures and discussion with hands on work involving written and interactive media assets, students examine the role of written and visual media from theoretical as well as practical perspectives. The course also provides an introduction to interactive media development techniques, including digital media components and delivery environments. Students will be required to write formal analysis and critique papers along with digital modes of writing including collaborative editing and effective presentation design.

This course provides students the opportunity to continue the exploration of Web technologies as they relate to the creation of media rich applications and experiences. Topics include backend server development, creation of Web APIs, modern web ecosystems, practical application of database management systems, Internet communication protocols, and investigations of large-scale full-stack Web development. These skills are portable to a wide variety of applications including interactive Web experiences, desktop applications, video games, and real-time communications.