Interactive Media Division Undergraduate Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Entertainment is granted through the college of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts. Students study within the framework which combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in a profession. Undergraduate students take their pre-professional courses in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, including the general education requirements. Major courses are selected from the curriculum of the School of Cinematic Arts. The degree requires 128 units, including 13 lower division units and 34 upper division units in cinema-television.

General Education Requirements
The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing, foreign language and diversity requirements, which are described in detail on pages 179 through 184.

Required Production Courses
Undergraduates admitted to the Interactive Entertainment Program are required to take CTPR 241 Fundamentals of Cinema Technique and CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication. These introductory production courses are taken concurrently during the junior year (see description below).

CTPR 241 is an experimental course dealing with the technical and aesthetic principles of directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and the development of ideas through a cinematic vocabulary.

In CTPR 290 students are taught the principles of filmmaking through demonstrations, hands-on production and critical analysis. Each student makes five digital video non-dialogue movies using equipment supplied by the school. Approximately $1,200 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

Required Courses		Units
CTCS 190	Introduction to Cinema	4
CTIN 309	Introduction to Interactive Entertainment	4
CTCS 101	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
CTPR 241	Fundaments of Cinema Technique*	2
CTPR 290	Cinematic Communication*	4
CTIN 483	Programming for Interactive Media	4
CTIN 484L	Intermediate Game Development**	2
CTIN 488	Game Design Workshop	4
CTIN 489	Intermediate Game Design Workshop**	2

 
*Note that enrollment in CTPR 241 and CTPR 290 is concurrent
**Note that enrollment in CTIN 484 and CTIN 489 is concurrent

At least six units of the following are required:

Course		Units
CTIN 401L	Interface Design for Games	2
CTIN 403L	Advanced Visual Design for Games	2
CTIN 404L	Usability Testing for Games	2
CTIN 405L	Design and Technology for Mobile Experiences	2
CTIN 406L	Sound Design for Games	2
CTIN 458	Business and Management of Games	2
CTIN 464	Game Studies Seminar	2
CTIN 482	Designing Online Multiplayer Game Environments	2
CTIN 485L	Advanced Game Development	2
CTAN 330	Fundamentals of Animation	2
CTAN 443	3D Animation and Character Design	2
CTAN 452	Introduction to Computer Animation	2
CSCI 102L	Data Structure	4
CSCI 105	Object-Oriented Programming	2

At least one of the following is required:

Course		Units
CTWR 410L	Character Development and Storytelling for Games	4
CTCS 464	Film and/or Television Genres	4
CTCS 478	Culture, Technology and Communications	4
CTIN/CS 462	Critical Theory and Analysis of Games	4
CTIN 463	Anatomy of a Game	4

 
At least one of the following is required:

Course		Units
CTIN 459L	Industry Workshop	4
CTIN 491L	Advanced Game Project	4
CTIN 492L	Experimental Game Topics	4

 ***Four additional elective units must be taken from any of the electives listed above***

Grade Point Average Requirements
A minimum grade of C, 2.0(A=4.0), must be earned in all required and prerequisite courses. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not fulfill a major requirement.

Students who do not earn the minimum grade of C (2.0) in CTIN 309, CTIN 483, CTIN 484, CTIN 488, or CTIN 489 after repeating these requirements will be disqualified from the program.

Limitations on Enrollment
Registration in graduate level courses (numbered 500) for undergraduate credit requires prior approval of the School of Cinematic Arts.

Curriculum Review
USC School of Cinematic Arts majors are expected to meet with an advisor every semester to review their progress. Contact the Student Affairs Office (Carson Television Center, Garden Level G-130), 213.740.8358, for appointments.