2025-2026 General Catalog
Source: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/cinema-digital-media/cinema-digital-media-ab/ Parent: https://catalog.ucdavis.edu/departments-programs-degrees/#programsanddegreestext
The Cinema & Digital Media (CDM) program combines the study of audio-visual and digital media, theories about such media, and the relevant modes of artistic practice and production. CDM integrates the analysis of audio-visual and digital texts with their theoretical underpinnings and their methods of production. The program also addresses the particular impact that technology has on culture in its many forms and fields.
CDM faculty teach and research on various histories, theories, and practices of media. Current fields for teaching and research in cinema and digital media include the history and analysis of film and video, film and video production, electronic music, digital content creation and design, the digital arts, community media and activism, computer graphics, animation, and gaming—as well as the theories and politics of these various areas.
The Program
Preparatory course work involves a solid introduction to the history, ideas and current trends in cinema and digital media. For depth subject matter, students in the major select a combination of critical studies and creative production courses. Two courses will be selected from the production/programming distribution, two from the theory/history distribution and four will be elected by the student, allowing them to take up to six production courses or six studies/theory classes, should they so choose.
Major Advisor
Information on the current Academic Advisors can be obtained at the Arts Group Advising Center at 530-752-0616.
Career Alternatives
Cinema & Digital Media is designed to prepare graduates to be highly adaptable analytical thinkers, collaborative, multi-skilled and current with the latest developments in media and technology. Perhaps most importantly is self-motivation: students do best when fueled by their own passions and plot their own directions, while held to very high standards. We feel this is the best education for living and working in a complex, rapidly changing world. Final research papers and creative production portfolios will provide graduate school admissions committees, employers or clients with tangible evidence of Cinema & Digital Media graduates' track records and talents.
Course Changes
Cinema & Digital Media is working on updating all of the existing FMS, TCS, and CTS courses to the CDM course subject code. If you have any questions regarding the course subject code changes and equivalent major requirements, please contact the Arts Group Advising Center at 530-752-0616.
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