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This website aggregates all of the resources you need for Capstone, a year-long course where students independently focus on a self-directed project that integrates the concepts and skills learned in the IMA program. Students research, design, and create their projects with guidance and supervision from Faculty Advisors. Capstone spans two semesters and involves two main assignments: a Graduate Research Paper (due in the Fall semester) and a Practical Media Project (due in the Spring semester).
Course Overview and Learning Outcomes
In Capstone, students embark on independent projects and develop research competencies in their chosen area of study within interactive media arts. This can encompass a wide range of media practices, including but not limited to creative coding, installation arts, video game arts, conceptual arts, performance arts, interactive fashion, physical computing, assistive technology, and other forms of art and design. Alongside their chosen media practice, students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of related historical, philosophical, social, or aesthetic debates and ideas.
Focus in Capstone 1
In Capstone 1, the primary focus is on developing research competency. This includes creating a comprehensive literature and case study database, formulating research interests, finding and analysing case studies, and outlining practical possibilities for the installation in the Spring, in relation to literature and case studies. The course is designed to guide students in autonomously conceiving and developing their research projects, with regular consultation from course instructors and advisors. Students will document and present their research in both oral and written formats, ensuring they can articulate their ideas clearly and confidently.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Conceptualize Creative Media Research: Integrate the concepts, theories, and skills learned through courses offered by the IMA program into a cohesive research project.
- Research and Write a Scholarly Paper: Formulate and articulate research findings in a well-structured paper that meets scholarly standards.
- Engage with Feedback and Criticism: Develop a sensitivity to and responsiveness toward feedback and criticism, using it to refine their work.
- Present Work in Formal Contexts: Effectively present their research and creative work in both oral presentations and written formats.
Course Structure
The course features a weekly workshop that covers key topics in interactive media arts and project management. Additionally, each student is paired with a faculty advisor who provides guidance and mentorship throughout the semester. The course may also include supplementary activities, such as screenings, artist talks, and field trips.
Course Requirements
Course Components
Throughout the course, students will complete several key assignments that build toward their final Capstone project:
- Research Database: Students will compile a database of at least relevant scholarly publications, along with detailed notes and reflections, demonstrating their engagement with existing literature.
- Literature Review Paper: This paper will focus on the student’s chosen subject, showcasing their grasp of the concepts, ideas, histories, and contexts of the technologies and subjects they are studying.
- Oral Presentations and Exams: Students will prepare and deliver a midterm presentation and participate in a final examination that contextualize their research and creative practice within broader intellectual and creative debates.
- Final Essay: The culmination of the course, this essay will integrate the research conducted throughout the semester and propose a coherent project for the Spring.
- Participation and Advisory Meetings: Active participation in weekly workshops and regular one-on-one advisory meetings are critical components of the course, ensuring continuous engagement and feedback throughout the research process.
For full details on course structure, grades and policies, please read the syllabus linked on top of this page.