The Undergraduate Certificate program emphasizes the critical understanding and practice of new media through interdisciplinary perspectives. The certificate introduces students to the changing new media landscape that is transforming the way we think in the fields of art, technology, the humanities, and social sciences. Our students learn to innovate as they question the impact of new media on the human experience. The certificate program will serve as a pilot and a portal for undergraduate engagement in new media. The certificate is not an official program offered by Undergraduate Education and will not be noted on a student’s transcript.
Requirements
Core Class
Students should take an undergraduate seminar at NWMEDIA with learning goals that will include new media theory, new media tools, prototyping, evaluation methods, and collaboration methods. Courses that we have offered in the past include an instrument-building studio, a mobile applications development course, a hands-on social practice lab, as well as theoretical seminars. Students must receive a grade of B or higher for the class to count for the Certificate.
New Media Engagement
Help organize and manage a BCNM conference, lecture, hackathon, or workshop. Students will have the opportunity to interact extensively with new media faculty, and will be immersed in the subject. Students can also propose a new media event to the BCNM. These applications will be considered by the Executive Committee.
Either
Enroll in a New Media Graduate-Level course
Students will be challenged to think critically about new media in the graduate-level courses the BCNM offers. They will produce either a design project or a substantial paper depending on the class, showing their thorough appreciation for transformations in new media. Since these courses are intended for graduates, students will need to seek instructor approval to enroll in the class. Students must receive a grade of B or higher for the class to count for the Certificate. Currently, the BCNM offers the following graduate courses:
- NWMEDIA 200 History and Theory of New Media
- NWMEDIA 201 Questioning New Media
- NWMEDIA 202 New Media Methods
- NWMEDIA C203 Critical Making
- NWMEDIA 204 Critical Practices
- NWMEDIA C262 Tangible User Interfaces
- NWMEDIA C263 Technologies for Creativity and Learning
- NWMEDIA C265 Interface Aesthetics
- NWMEDIA 290 Special Topics in New Media
or
Produce a final project during an independent study on a new media topic
Students may enroll in an independent study with a BCNM faculty member to produce an extended paper or final project on a new media topic of their choice. Topics must be pre-approved by the BCNM Director. The paper should exhibit the student’s thorough command of new media concepts.
Applications
Applications for Fall 2023 are now closed. To apply for the undergraduate certificate in New Media, fill in this form by November 1, 2024.
Decals
More information here!
Research Opportunities
We also strive to offer our undergraduates direct mentoring and research opportunities. Our students have preference on our undergraduate research fellowship, which offers undergraduates $1000 to work on one of several selected graduate research projects over the course of the Spring semester. You can learn more about the projects students have collaborated on in the past here.
Eugene Jarvis Scholarship
The Berkeley Center for New Media is proud to host the Eugene Jarvis Scholarship for Innovation in New Media. The endowment offers one student on financial aid $6,000 towards tuition. Read more about the scholarship here.