The Digital Arts and Culture (DAC) BA is an interdisciplinary degree program, combining courses in the areas of arts, humanities, social sciences, and information studies. The major aims to empower learning communities by leading students to a variety of opportunities: to develop skills and understanding of new knowledge production and research methods; to operate with confidence as media practitioners and global communicators with a diverse range of media literacies; and to collaborate and contribute as creative problem solvers using digital media in a networked culture.
Students who complete the Digital Arts & Culture major will be able to:
- Analyze digital and electronic media systems, explaining what these platforms do and how they do it.
- Engage with complex digital issues: online, offline, via ubiquitous computing hardware and software.
- Organize information, both architecturally and visually, structuring software, websites, advertisements, social media, and more.
- Demonstrate hands-on, collaborative, and cross-disciplinary, media production with artists and designers.
Coursework is drawn from three colleges at UWM: College of Arts & Architecture (specifically the Peck School of the Arts within the College), College of Letters and Science, and the College of Community Engagement & Professions (specifically the School of Information Studies within that college), with an overarching interest in the study and practice of Arts, Information, and Media.
Five categories of courses define the themes of the major:
- Core Culture, introducing students to essential cultural and historical dimensions of Digital Art and network practices.
- Media Systems, providing an overview of media industries.
- Digital Composition, building on the foundations of the 100-level core culture courses, encompassing courses that set out competencies in composing with concepts and tools of digital media for students to achieve.
- Understanding Digital Culture, engaging at the upper levels to analyze more complex systems and issues.
- Practicing the Digital Arts, also engaging at the upper levels, as a means of gaining practical experience organizing and collaborating in media production processes.
Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Complete 120 credits including 90 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 90 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.
To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.
University General Education Requirements (GER)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| Part A | ||
| Achieve a grade of C or better in the following course: | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research (or equivalent) | |
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as OWC-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Part A | ||
| Earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course, or achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) | ||
| Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | ||
| Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to College Algebra | ||
| Algebraic Literacy II | ||
| Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | ||
or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| College Algebra | ||
Or equivalent course | ||
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as QL-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits (at least two courses including one lab) | 6 | |
| UWM Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| Complete Foreign Language Requirement through: | ||
Two years (high school) of a single foreign language | ||
Two semesters (college) of a single foreign language | ||
Or equivalent | ||
| UWM Cultural Diversity Requirement | ||
| One course from the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences must also satisfy UWM's Cultural Diversity requirement | ||
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Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
College of Letters & Science Requirements
I. English Composition Requirement
Students must satisfy the English Composition Requirement with one of the following options:
1) Completing ENGLISH 102 with a grade of C or higher; or
2) by placing beyond ENGLISH 102 on the English Placement Test (EPT) (or other assessment as determined by the English Department); or
3) transferring a course of at least 2.5 equivalent credits from another institution that is equivalent to English 102, or a UWM higher-level expository writing course, with a grade of C or higher.
Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part A. The College of Letters & Science does not have a specific requirement for a writing course beyond English 102, but students must complete the university-wide requirement for Oral and Written Communication Part B listed above.
II. Mathematics and Formal Reasoning
To satisfy the Mathematics and Formal Reasoning Requirement, students must satisfy the following two requirements:
1. Achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) or earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 102 | Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | 3 |
| MATH 103 | Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | 3 |
| MATH 105 | Introduction to College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 108 | Algebraic Literacy II | 3 |
| MATH 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | 3 |
| or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| MATH 116 | College Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 175 | Mathematical Explorations for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
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Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
Note: This requirement is the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part A, listed above.
2. Complete one course (at least 3 credits) at the 200 level or above chosen from courses in Mathematics, PHILOS 211, or Letters and Science statistics courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | ||
3 or more credits in any 200-level or above Math course | ||
| Introduction to Statistics in African and African Diaspora Studies | ||
| Introduction to Anthropological Statistics | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Economic Statistics | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Geography | ||
| The Quantitative Analysis of Historical Data | ||
| Elementary Statistical Analysis | ||
| Elementary Logic | ||
| Political Data Analysis | ||
| Survey Research | ||
| Psychological Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistical Thinking in Sociology | ||
Note: This requirement is NOT the same as the University General Education Requirement for Quantitative Literacy Part B. To complete the BA, students must take one of the L&S approved courses. Not all of the courses listed here will satisfy the QL-B requirement.
III. Foreign Language Requirement
Placement testing may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work.
Completion of the L&S Language Requirement also satisfies the university-wide Foreign Language GER, but not vice versa.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed in one of the following ways: | 0-18 | |
Successful completion of the 4th semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) | ||
Successful completion of the 3rd semester of college work or equivalent in one language other than English (including American Sign Language) PLUS the 2nd semester of college work or equivalent in another language other than English (including American Sign Language) | ||
IV. International Requirement
See Approved Courses for the L&S International Requirement for course options.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Completed in one of the following ways: | 9 | |
Complete 3 courses (min. 9 cr) in a single foreign language (not including literature-in-translation or American Sign Language) at the 3rd semester level and above | ||
Complete 3 non-language courses (min. 9 credits) with an international content chosen from at least 2 curricular areas. | ||
Complete 9 credits in combination of the two options above. | ||
V. Breadth Requirement
Along with completing the University General Education Requirements of 3 credits in the Arts (A); 6 credits in the Humanities (HU), Social Sciences (SS), and Natural Sciences (NS/NS+); and a course with the Cultural Diversity (CD/+) designation, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S courses with Humanities Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single subject area. * | 12 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Social Science Breadth designation; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. * | 12 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Complete 12 credits of L&S Courses with Natural Sciences Breadth designation, including at least one laboratory or field course; no more than 6 credits from a single curricular area. * | 12 | |
| Cultural Diversity | ||
| Complete 3 credits in a course with Cultural Diversity (CD) designation. ** | 3 | |
- *
Students should check their course selections carefully with the list of approved L&S Breadth Courses. Students are advised to select at least 6 credits worth of courses in each of the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Sciences areas that can satisfy both the campus-wide General Education Requirements and the L&S Breadth requirement.
- **
Students are advised to select a course that satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement as well as a Humanities or Social Science breadth/GER requirement.
VI. The Major
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Contact your major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.
Research Requirement
Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty. A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.
VII. The Minor
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work.
Digital Arts and Culture Degree Requirements
You are strongly advised to consult both the DAC advisor and your L&S advisor to ensure you stay on track towards a degree. A total of 36 credits is required for the major, of which at least 15 upper-level L&S credits must be completed in residence at UWM. No more than 21 credits from a single curricular area may count toward the submajor. Students must earn a 2.0 GPA on all UWM credits that count toward the major. In addition, the College requires that students earn a minimum 2.0 GPA on all transfer work, counting towards the major.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Culture Courses | ||
| ART 118 | Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice | 3 |
| JAMS/DAC 113 | Internet Culture | 3 |
| Media Systems Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Entertainment Arts: Film, Television, and the Internet 1 | ||
| Introduction to Information Science and Technology | ||
| Introduction to Mass Media | ||
| Digital Composition Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Creative Technologies | ||
| Moving Images and Sound in Art & Design | ||
| Introduction to Design | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture: | ||
| Web Design I | ||
| Media Writing | ||
| Publication Design | ||
| Introduction to Digital Arts | ||
| Understanding Digital Culture Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Issues in Contemporary Art: | ||
| Human Communication and Technology | ||
| Media and Society: | ||
| Human Factors in Information Seeking and Use | ||
| Media Ethics | ||
| Practicing the Digital Arts Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Web Design | ||
| Writing, Speaking, and Technoscience in the 21st Century | ||
| Introduction to Application Development | ||
| Nonprofit Information Technology (application required before open enrollment) | ||
| Media Graphics | ||
| Capstone Seminar | ||
| DAC 661 | Digital Engagement Seminar (only offered in Spring semesters) | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select at least 6 credits from the Understanding Digital Culture Expanded Electives and 3 credits from the Practicing Digital Arts Expanded Electives. The remaining 3 credits can come from either group. At least one course from each group should be numbered 300 or above. | 12 | |
| Understanding Digital Culture Expanded Electives | ||
| Games and Society | ||
| Anthropology and Popular Culture | ||
| Cultures of Online Games and Virtual Worlds | ||
| Multicultural America | ||
| Issues in Contemporary Art: | ||
| Entertainment Arts: Film, Television, and the Internet (if not selected above) | ||
| History and Theory of New Media Art | ||
| Communication in Organizations | ||
| Human Communication and Technology (if not selected above) | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Entertainment and Politics | ||
| Quantitative Research in Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication Technology | ||
| Rhetoric and the Internet | ||
| Contemporary Problems in Freedom of Speech | ||
| Contemporary Imagination in Literature and the Arts | ||
| Experiencing Literature in the 21st Century: | ||
| Literature and Film: | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Advanced Independent Study | ||
| Science Fiction: | ||
| Introduction to Film Studies | ||
| Introduction to Television Studies | ||
| Game Culture | ||
| Topics in Film, Television and Digital Studies: | ||
| Film and Literature | ||
| Media and Society: (if not selected above) | ||
| Cinema, Television, and Genre: | ||
| Entertainment Industries: | ||
| Theories of Digital Culture: | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Film and Television Studies: | ||
| Introduction to Global Studies III: Globalization and Technology | ||
| Language, Media, and Social Practice in Global Communications | ||
| Introduction to Information Science and Technology (if not selected above) | ||
| Information Technology Ethics | ||
| Human Factors in Information Seeking and Use (if not selected above) | ||
| Introduction to Systems Analysis | ||
| Legal Aspects of Information Products and Services | ||
| Advanced Topics in Information Science & Technology: | ||
| The Search Engine Society | ||
| Information Technology and Organizations | ||
| Introduction to Mass Media (if not selected above) | ||
| Gender and the Media | ||
| Internet Culture (if not selected above) | ||
| Principles of Media Studies | ||
| News Literacy | ||
| Race and Ethnicity in the Media | ||
| History of Mass Media | ||
| Media Ethics (if not selected above) | ||
| Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age | ||
| Media Studies and Culture | ||
| Practicing the Digital Arts Expanded Electives | ||
| 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition | ||
| Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice (if not selected above) | ||
| Creative Technologies (if not selected above) | ||
| Moving Images and Sound in Art & Design (if not selected above) | ||
| Introduction to Design (if not selected above) | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Creative Coding | ||
| Digital Painting | ||
| Creative Interfaces | ||
| 3D Modeling and XR | ||
| Creative Electronics | ||
| Web Design (if not selected above) | ||
| Web Design II | ||
| Digital Media Workshop: | ||
| Topics in Web, Interaction and Screen Design: | ||
| Motion Graphics | ||
| Internship in Digital Arts and Culture, Lower Division | ||
| Internship in Digital Arts and Culture, Upper Division | ||
| Technical Writing (if not selected above) | ||
| Writing in the Professions: (if not selected above) | ||
| Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture: | ||
| Writing, Speaking, and Technoscience in the 21st Century (if not selected above) | ||
| Forms of Experimental Literature: | ||
| Topics in Advanced Communications: | ||
| Rhetoric and Professional Writing | ||
| Technical Documentation | ||
| Project Management for Professional Writers | ||
| Information Design | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Digital Filmmaking for Non-Majors | ||
| Foundation Production: Fiction | ||
| Foundation Production: Nonfiction | ||
| Introduction to Digital Arts (if not selected above) | ||
| Film Art for Non-Majors | ||
| Experimental Documentary | ||
| Appropriated Media | ||
| Introduction to Geographic Information Science | ||
| Geographic Information Science | ||
| Web Design I (if not selected above) | ||
| Web Design II | ||
| Introduction to Application Development (if not selected above) | ||
| Data Analysis and Visualization for the Information Professional | ||
| Multimedia Web Design | ||
| Nonprofit Information Technology (if not selected above) | ||
| Electronic Publishing and Web Design | ||
| Media Writing (if not selected above) | ||
| Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations | ||
| Publication Design (if not selected above) | ||
| Photojournalism | ||
| Introduction To Video Storytelling | ||
| Audio Storytelling | ||
| Introduction to Digital Documentary | ||
| Media Graphics (if not selected above) | ||
| Introduction to Social Media and Search Engine Optimization | ||
| On-Campus Internship ( DAC placement) | ||
| Topics in Social Media: | ||
| Studio Techniques | ||
| Interactive Electronic Music | ||
| Special Studies in Music: (Interactivity and Improvisation) | ||
| Computer Modeling and Graphics for Live Performance | ||
| The Digital Theatre - Pocket Tech | ||
| Sound Production and Digital Editing for Stage and Studio | ||
| Sound Design and Digital Editing | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
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ARTHIST 111/ENGLISH 111/FILMSTD 111 can be used either to fulfill the Media Systems requirement, or as an elective, but cannot be used to satisfy both.
Advising
You are strongly advised to consult both the DAC advisor and your L&S advisor to ensure you stay on track towards a degree.
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors, and success coaches. Letters and Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional College Advisors and Faculty Advisors. Departmental Faculty Advisors focus on the major while L&S College Advisors advise across your entire degree program.
College Advisors are located in Holton Hall and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College Advisors will:
- assist you in defining your academic and life goals;
- help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals;
- assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures;
- provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate; and
- monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty Advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a Faculty Advisor when you declare your major. Faculty Advisors are an important partner and will:
- help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department;
- explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences; and
- serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their College Advisor and Faculty Advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.