Visual Media B.A.

Mission Statement

The Bachelor of Arts in Visual Media is a unique program in Nevada, designed to help students engage with and thrive in a culture that is increasingly visual and digital. As video-sharing sites like YouTube have revolutionized the internet, video has become a core communication strategy, allowing viewers to see and experience information dynamically. The Visual Media program equips students to understand and produce these images, giving them powerful communication tools and strategies to thrive in a media-rich culture. 

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Visual Media program can

  • Explain the historical development of visual media;
  • Analyze the role of contemporary media using a variety of critical and theoretical approaches;
  • Using multiple tools and skillsets to craft compelling visual narratives;
  • Create a final portfolio that shows an understanding of the ways in which criticism and production intersect;
  • Apply their knowledge and production skills to promote community groups or non-profit organizations.

Curriculum

Recommended Schedule

A recommended course sequences for Visual Media B.A. is provided for students as guidance to complete their major in four years.

Core Curriculum (31-45)

English (3-8 credits)

Choose one of the following courses:
ENG 100Composition I Enhanced

5.00

or

ENG 101Composition I

3.00

Select the following:
ENG 102Composition II

3.00

Study and Technology Skills (0-3 credits)

Choose one of the following:
CEP 123College and Career Success

2.00

ALS 101NCollege Success

3.00

Mathematics (3-5 credits)

Refer to the Mathematics section of the Core Curriculum

Natural Sciences (7-8 credits)

Refer to the Natural Sciences section of the Core Curriculum.

Social Sciences (3 credits)

Refer to the Social Sciences section of the Core Curriculum.

Fine Arts (3 credits)

Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum.

Humanities (6 credits)

Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum.

Constitution (3-6 credits)

Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum.

Cultural Diversity (3 credits)

Refer to the Cultural Diversity section of the Core Curriculum.

Major Requirement (57)

Foundations (12 credits)

FILM 100Introduction to Film

3.00

FILM 110Language of Film

3.00

VIS 120Introduction to Animation

3.00

VIS 150/ART 141Digital Photography I

3.00

Theory, Criticism, and History (9 credits)

Select three (3) courses from the following (if not used for Fine Arts core or Area of Specialty):

ART 475History of Photography

3.00

FILM 400Film Theory

3.00

FILM 401Animation Theory

3.00

FILM 410Major Figures in the Cinema

3.00

FILM 470Women in Film

3.00

FILM 471LGBT Film and Television

3.00

FILM 494History of the American Film

3.00

FILM 495Film & Literature

3.00

FILM 497Genre Studies in Film

3.00

VIS 307Critical Theory and Media

3.00

VIS 489Special Topics in Visual Media Studies

3.00

Credits in an Area of Specialty (24 credits)

Select either Digital Cinema Production, Animation or Photography and Documentary Filmmaking as the area of study.
Digital Cinema Production
VIS 210Digital Cinema I

3.00

VIS 211Short Format Screenwriting

3.00

VIS 212Digital Editing

3.00

VIS 213Sound Recording and Design

3.00

VIS 214Cinematography and Lighting

3.00

VIS 310Digital Cinema II

3.00

VIS 410Digital Cinema III

3.00

FILM 400Film Theory

3.00

Animation
ART 201Life Drawing I

3.00

VIS 131Storyboarding and Previsualization

3.00

VIS 213Sound Recording and Design

3.00

VIS 230Digital Animation I

3.00

VIS 235After Effects

3.00

VIS 330Digital Animation II

3.00

VIS 430Digital Animation III

3.00

FILM 401Animation Theory

3.00

Or
Photography and Documentary Filmmaking
VIS 213Sound Recording and Design

3.00

VIS 215Documentary I

3.00

VIS 216Videography

3.00

VIS 250Digital Photography II

3.00

VIS 253Photoshop

3.00

VIS 315Documentary II

3.00

VIS 355Photography Projects

3.00

ART 475History of Photography

3.00

Capstone (6 credits)

VIS 490Senior Projects

3.00

VIS 496Senior Portfolio

3.00

Visual Media Electives (9 credits)

Any ART or FILM or VIS courses not used to fulfill a major or core requirement

9.00

General Electives (16-29 credits)

Upper division electives to bring total to at least 30 credits in residence at NSC, and general electives (upper or lower division) to bring overall total to at least 120 credits.

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Visual Media

 College Core Curriculum
 31-45
 Major Core Requirements
 60
 Electives (as needed to get to 120 total credits and 30 Upper-Division credits)
 16-29
 Total Credits
 120