Category Archives: IMA Electives (Legacy Structure – Media & Entertainment)

Courses that count in IMA’s Media & Entertainment category

Fall 2021

What Happens Next? (ITPG-GT 2352)

Project-based development studio incorporating dramaturgy techniques, user/audience planning, and social/contextual awareness. You bring in a project. We explore how to make it more engaging through paying close attention to medium, context, and details. Students bring existing project ideas and we investigate various methods and ways to make and direct experience within the infinite combinations of contexts of the present moment together. This particular studio is just as appropriate for projects in the areas of interactive art, programming, physical computing, XR as it is in the areas of performance, sculpture, and sound walks (everything). Everything you make is time-based the moment a user interacts with it (even a painting). All time-based work can be thought of in terms of how a user is led (or not led) through it. I call this directing. We will apply various techniques of story-telling and world-building equally to seemingly “non-narrative” projects as we do to traditional-narratively structured projects. No matter what you are working on, I believe that you are a maker / director of experience. You are making / directing with intent (whether you know it or not). Your user (audience, tester, public, patron) brings with them the entirety of their life’s experience. Your intent cannot possibly meet every user’s lived experience. It is your job as the maker / director to draw a circle that encompasses both. This is the studio’s lens. Students will be directed to make using placeholders instead of waiting for perfection to manifest. Step one will tell you what step two is. We will pay rigorous attention to detail, while holding close to the notion that art-making thrives in adaptability. We will critique using various, structured, co-facilitated methods. Let’s pay close attention. Let’s learn through failure. Let’s listen to what we are making. And let’s listen to each other. Here we go.

Interactive Telecommunications (Graduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2021)

ITPG-GT 2352-000 (23986)09/02/2021 – 12/14/2021 Mon3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Late afternoon)at Brooklyn CampusInstructed by

Graduate IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment)
Fall 2021

Interactive Storytelling for Liberation (ITPG-GT 2349)

If social change begins in the imagination, how then can creators better envision and render the more just and beautiful worlds we want to make? Storytelling has the power to be an alchemical force for revolutionary change. Together, we seek to interrogate and apply interactive storytelling as a technology we can deploy in service of our collective liberation. In this course, we pair a study of story as liberatory praxis with a hands-on grounding in emerging tech tools that allow viewers/players to take an active role. Interactive storytelling technology in video, audio, and text powerfully situates viewers inside constructed narrative worlds. Creators in these emerging media gain the capacity to design choices and respond accordingly, propelling imagination toward agency and enhancing empathic connections between viewers/players and characters. What will it mean to use these tools to tell deeper stories that ask urgent questions about how we want to live in the world? “Part of being a revolutionary is creating a vision that is more humane. That is more fun, too. That is more loving. It’s really working to create something beautiful.” —Assata Shakur

Interactive Telecommunications (Graduate)
2 credits – 8 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2021)

ITPG-GT 2349-000 (23983)09/02/2021 – 10/26/2021 Thu6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Evening)at Brooklyn CampusInstructed by

Graduate IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment)
Fall 2021

Streaming Against the Current (ITPG-GT 2344)

Live streaming is so seamlessly embedded into our online experience. We lay in bed, on our phones watching hearts flicker across the screen as the person we’re watching greets all of the competing messages in the chat, asking for birthday shout outs and follow-backs. While the ability to live stream feels more accessible than ever, it feels very tied to corporate structures, branding and self promotion. How can we push the concept of a live stream in a new direction and rethink what a live stream can be?

Interactive Telecommunications (Graduate)
1 credits – 16 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2021)

ITPG-GT 2344-000 (23976)

Graduate IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment)
Fall 2021

Big Spaces (ITPG-GT 2342)

So much of life is circumstance, being in the right place at the right moment in time. Can we shape a life or at least a few brief moments of one by designing a space for it to inhabit? In this course, we will treat space as a time-based medium and ask how experiential spaces can generate narratives that are lived rather than told. We will look to a broad range of storytelling traditions to interrogate four so-called “space-narrative” forms: Wandering The Desert, Processions, Circles and Territories. Through play, discussion and technical and conceptual workshops, we will ask and attempt to answer some of the following questions: What constitutes a space? How do we experience a space over time? How does space shape our experience of time? How can space shape both a personal and collective narrative? We will build spaces with lighting, projection, sound and physical objects. Class time will be split between group improvisation exercises, playing-testing and critiquing projects. The class will culminate in a showing of work at the end of the semester.

Interactive Telecommunications (Graduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2021)

ITPG-GT 2342-000 (23974)09/02/2021 – 12/14/2021 Fri3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Late afternoon)at Brooklyn CampusInstructed by

Graduate IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment)

New Interfaces for Musical Expression (ITPG-GT 2227)

The course focus is on the design and creation of digital musical instruments. Music in performance is the primary subject of this class. We approach questions such as “What is performance?” “What makes a musical interface intuitive and emotionally immediate?” and “How do we create meaningful correlations between performance gestures and their musical consequences?” Over the semester, we look at many examples of current work by creators of musical interfaces, and discuss a wide range of issues facing technology-enabled performance – such as novice versus virtuoso performers, discrete versus continuous data control, the importance of haptic responsiveness as well as the relationship between musical performance and visual display. Extensive readings and case studies provide background for class discussions on the theory and practice of designing gestural controllers for musical performance. Students design and prototype a musical instrument – a complete system encompassing musical controller, algorithm for mapping input to sound, and the sound output itself. A technical framework for prototyping performance controllers is made available. Students focus on musical composition and improvisation techniques as they prepare their prototypes for live performance. The class culminates in a musical performance where students (or invited musicians) will demonstrate their instruments. Prerequisites: H79.2233 (Introduction to Computational Media) and H79.2301 (Physical Computing). Prerequisite: ICM / ICM: Media (ITPG-GT 2233 / ITPG-GT 2048) & Intro to Phys. Comp. (ITPG-GT 2301)

Interactive Telecommunications (Graduate)
4 credits – 13 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2025)

ITPG-GT 2227-000 (11330)09/08/2025 – 12/08/2025 Mon3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Late afternoon)at Brooklyn CampusInstructed by Rios, David

Fall 2025 Graduate IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Physical Computing & Experimental Interfaces) Undergraduate
Fall 2020 Spring 2022 Summer 2019 Summer 2021

Creative Learning Design (IMBX-SHU 241)

This practical, hands-on course will explore questions such as: How can we design engaging, creative learning experiences that are relevant to the cultural goals and needs of today’s youth in China, while laying the foundation for creative learning for the workforce of tomorrow? What are engaging, effective creative learning resources, and how are they best implemented in Chinese learning settings? How can we take advantage of young people’s near ubiquitous love of the arts to facilitate creative learning?’ In this course, students will work in teams to design digital learning resources and experience designs at the intersection of music, coding, arts, and technology. The course will begin with an introduction to emerging trends in learner engagement and design-based research, especially related to web- and mobile-based musical experiences and principles of making music with new media. Innovations in and applications of musical interaction, interactive technologies, user-centered design & engagement, scaffolded learning, creative learning, pedagogies of play and making, and educational entrepreneurship will also be explored. Students will work together in teams and paired with a partner audience of learners and teachers in Shanghai drawn from local and regional international schools, ed-tech startups, and cultural partners. Together they will assess the needs and opportunities of partner students and teachers, and engage in a two-stage iterative, reflective co-design process prototyping custom learning resources and experience designs with their partner end users. At the end of the course, students will present and demo their learning resources as part of a public showcase to an external audience of partners, educators, technologists, musicians, entrepreneurs, and experience designers in Shanghai. Prerequisites: None. Fulfillment: IMA Major Electives; IMB Major Business Elective/Interactive Media Elective; Business and Finance Major Non-Finance Electives; Business and Marketing Major Non-Marketing Electives.

Interactive Media and Business (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2022)

IMBX-SHU 241-000 (17770)01/24/2022 – 05/13/2022 Wed9:00 AM – 12:00 AM (Morning)at ShanghaiInstructed by Ruthmann, Alex

IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Undergraduate
Fall 2021

Real-Time Media (IMNY-UT 285)

Real-Time Media is a 4-credit class using MaxMSPJitter to survey how real-time and reactive media can be used for art installation and performance. Classes will be a mix of coding labs, surveys and lectures on historical examples of the medium, guest artists talking about their practice, class field trips, and in-class performances and critique. While the primary focus will be on video and sound there will also be attention given to sensors, electronics, web APIs, and more. The class has coding assignments building to solo video and audio performances and final group installation project.

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2021)

IMNY-UT 285-000 (15835)09/02/2021 – 12/14/2021 Tue,Thu9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (Morning)at Brooklyn CampusInstructed by

IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Undergraduate
Fall 2021

Fairy Tales for the 21st Century (IMNY-UT 283)

Fairy tales, myths, and stories of magic have always served as a way for both children and adults to make sense of the unpredictabilities of the world around them. How do these stories serve us today? How do new technologies allow us to reinterpret them so that they have new meaning for our times? Through readings, weekly exercises, and a final project, students in this course will explore the historic role and structure of fairy tales as well as the potential contemporary frameworks that allow us to entertain the impossible. Students will work with stories of their choosing however we will examine their implementation through traditional material and book art techniques, as well as projection mapping, 3D and VR (using Unreal Engine.)

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
2 credits – 7 Weeks

Sections (Fall 2021)

IMNY-UT 283-000 (15824)at Distance Learning/AsynchronousInstructed by

IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Undergraduate
Spring 2021

Theories and Practices of Transmedia Storytelling (INTM-SHU 286)

This course examines both the practices and the products of adapting narratives from one medium to another. Through case studies of specific adaptations, we will address some of the major formal, industrial, and interpretative questions that transmedia adaptation raises, as creators change characters, stories, settings, and narrative tropes to fit into new stories various, often multiple media: comics, radio, novels, movies, television, games (tabletop and electronic), and more. Theoretical readings will give students concepts and a vocabulary to discuss ways that narrative adaptations use and re-purpose their “source” texts. Students will write prompted response papers, an analytical essay, and an annotated bibliography; in collaboration with classmates, student teams will first propose and then develop transmedia narratives of their own. Prerequisite: Writing as Inquiry Fulfillment: IMA/IMB elective.

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2021)

INTM-SHU 286-000 (24343)01/25/2021 – 05/14/2021 Wed1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Early afternoon)at ShanghaiInstructed by Claverie, Ezra

IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Undergraduate
Spring 2021

Future Tense (INTM-SHU 236T)

Science fiction, in literature, graphic novels, motion pictures, video games, and other mass media, has been a valuable form of sociocultural expression for generations. We use it to express our concerns for humanity, as well as our relationship to technology, one another, and our forms of governance. In the first half of this course we will learn about the field of future studies as we examine a body of works across various media which explore a popular theme in science fiction, such as time travel, space exploration, robots, dystopia and utopia, or pandemic. In the second half of this course we will produce a collective work of transmedia science fiction that reflects on the past, address concerns about the present day, and forecasts possible future scenarios. The theme of this semester will be pandemic. Prereq: None. Fulfillment: IMA/IMB elective.

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Undergraduate
Spring 2021

NIME: New Interfaces for Musical Expression (INTM-SHU 287)

This course will focus on designing, creating, and performing with self-built electro-acoustic music systems to explore the limits of human musical expression. Over the semester, students are asked to research examples of contemporary work by creators of musical interfaces and discuss a wide range of issues facing technology in the performing arts. Readings and case studies will provide background for class discussions on the theory and practice of designing gestural controllers for musical performance. Students will invent and prototype a complete system encompassing musical control, mapping input to sound, and the creation of sound itself. Interaction Lab is a prerequisite, however, prior performing experience is not required. The performance discipline is inherently interdisciplinary and collaborative, so an open mind to working with others is imperative. The class will culminate in a performance where students will play their instruments live as well as a formal presentation of the students’ works at the NIME2021 conference hosted by NYU Shanghai. Prerequisite: Interaction Lab Fulfillment: IMA/IMB elective.

Interactive Media Arts (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 16 Weeks

IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Physical Computing & Experimental Interfaces) Undergraduate

Elect Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techn (MPATE-UE 1037)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Fri
Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Fri

This course focuses on electronic music synthesizer techniques. Concepts in the synthesis of music, including generation of sound, voltage control, and treatment of sound and tape techniques. Included is a short synopsis of the history and literature of analog electronic music. Students complete laboratory tasks and compositions on vintage synthesizer modules and create one or more final projects that demonstrate(s) the application of these concepts.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Fall 2025 IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Spring 2026 Undergraduate

Comp Music Synthesis: Fundamental Techniques (MPATE-UE 1047)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Mon

Introduction for teachers, composers, and performers to explore potentials of computer music synthesis. Basic concepts of music synthesis presented through the use of a microcomputer, keyboard, and appropriate software. System may be used as a real-time performance instrument or as a studio composition instrument. Educators may explore potentials for classroom application.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Fall 2025 IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Spring 2026 Undergraduate

Electronic Music Performance (MPATE-UE 1019)

Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed
Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Thu
Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Thu,Mon
Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Thu,Mon
Credits: 2
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed,Thu,Mon

Through weekly performing, readings and discussions, students study the conceptualization and production of live electronics ensemble performance. Students create new works, improvisations, and rehearse compositions from a growing repertoire of electronic ensemble compositions, to be performed at a semester’s end public concert.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
2 credits – 15 Weeks

Fall 2025 IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Spring 2026 Undergraduate

Digital Recording Technology (MPATE-UE 1003)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Tue

Digital recording technology & production techniques are explained & demonstrated. Lecture topics engage analog to digital conversion, digital to analog conversion, digital signal theory & filter design, digital audio effects & mixing. Studio lab assignments are performed outside of class reinforcing weekly lecture topics.

Music Technology (Undergraduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Fall 2025 IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Spring 2026 Undergraduate

Game Design (CS-GY 6553)

Credits: 3
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed

This course is about experimental game design. Design in this context pertains to every aspect of the game, and these can be broadly characterized as the game system, control, visuals, audio, and resulting theme. We will explore these aspects through the creation of a few very focused game prototypes using a variety of contemporary game engines and frameworks, high-level programming languages, and physical materials. This will allow us to obtain a better understanding of what makes games appealing, and how game mechanics, systems, and a variety of player experiences can be designed and iteratively improved by means of rapid prototyping and play-testing. The course combines the technology, design, and philosophy in support of game creation, as well as the real-world implementation and design challenges faced by practicing game designers. Students will learn design guidelines and principles by which games can be conceived, prototyped, and fully developed within a one-semester course, and will create a game from start to finish. The course is a lot of (team)work, but it’s also a lot of fun. Programming skills are helpful, but not a hard requirement. Artistic skills, or a willingness to learn them are a plus. | Prerequisite: (Graduate Standing AND CS-GY 6533) for SoE students OR (OART-UT 1600 and OART-UT 1605) for Game Center MFA students OR instructor permission.

Computer Science (Graduate)
3 credits – 15 Weeks

Fall 2025 Graduate IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Spring 2026

Live Video Performance Art (OART-GT 2567)

Credits: 4
Duration: 15 Weeks
Dates: Wed

This course will combine a history of video art and experimental film with practical training in the use of live video performance art technology. Students will explore new ways to create and edit films and videos using VJ software, projections, and multi-channel video surfaces. Workshops will demonstrate concepts and software that can be integrated into the creative process of video performance art and video art installations. COURSE OBJECTIVES At the completion of this course, the student will be able to: Draw inspiration from the recent history of incredible video and multi-media artists. Develop an understanding of audio and visual hardware used by VJ’s. Use live VJ software to manipulate digital media in real time to create Video Performance Art. Use Projection Mapping techniques to project video art onto 3D surfaces. Create original video performance art, video installations, and other performance pieces. Utilize skills to make video art in the professional market.

Open Arts Curriculum (Graduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Graduate IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Spring 2026 Undergraduate
Spring 2021

Introduction to Virtual Production (SPEC-UT 102)

Introduction to Virtual Production is a class composed of lectures, discussions, screenings, exercises, group critiques and presentations. The course is designed to expose students to the fundamental principles of storytelling through Virtual Production including writing, directing, cinematography, performance, editing, art direction, and technical direction. The course will explore emerging techniques utilizing software and technology. How do you tell a story in this new form of collaboration? How can students apply what is learned to their own creative work? History and theory of Virtual Production will be studied and used to inspire personal and creative work in order to better understand how story through Virtual Production can successfully be expressed and most effectively reach its audience.

TSOA Special Programs (Undergraduate)
4 credits – 15 Weeks

Sections (Spring 2021)

SPEC-UT 102-000 (24797)01/28/2021 – 05/10/2021 Tue10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Morning)at Washington SquareInstructed by Bae, Sang-Jin

IMA Electives IMA Electives (Legacy Structure - Media & Entertainment) Undergraduate