EMU Board Approves New Entertainment Design And Technology Program
YPSILANTI -- Students interested in working in the entertainment industry will have a new program to choose from when Eastern Michigan University offers its new Entertainment Design and Technology program.
The Eastern Michigan Board of Regents approved the new academic major and minor program at its regular meeting Tuesday. The multidisciplinary curriculum will be offered on campus and housed in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre Arts.
The arts, entertainment and recreation industry is predicted to grow 15 percent by 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The technologies associated with the industry have opened up opportunities for careers in design and technology in theatre, television, film, dance, fashion shows, virtual environments, theme parks, and conventions to name a few. All of these venues require significant design and technical support.
"Our students will experience a quality education that prepares them for working in a number of disciplines in the entertainment industry and, most importantly, will allow them the flexibility to craft a program of study specific to their individual career goals," said Jeromy Hopgood, associate professor in communication, media and theatre arts and also in entertainment, design and technology. "In the coming years, this progressive program will offer a wide range of opportunities to a number of young designers and technicians."
The approach of the new program will be to combine the traditional academic areas of theatrical design and technology with interrelated programs of study across Eastern's campus. By creating a multidisciplinary major such as this, Eastern is ensuring that students will be prepared for professional work, teaching, or continuing their studies at the graduate level in a number of fields.
The curriculum is designed to give a wide range of knowledge customized for and by students based on their personal needs. In addition to the coursework toward their major area of study – students will be required to choose a minor in one of the following areas: electronic media and film studies; art; graphic communication; music; apparel, textiles and merchandising; marketing; and management.
A cornerstone of the program is "learning by doing," with an emphasis on a student's participation in the department's active co-curricular production programs, along with engaging in diverse training opportunities such as runway shows, dance concerts, or event design outside of the department. Since all jobs in this field require an applicant to display a level of proficiency in design and technology skills, students will have the opportunity to create work to fill their portfolios, aiding them in job placement after graduation.
The new program will be available starting Fall 2013. For more information, visit www.emich.edu/cmta/media/ or email Jeromy Hopgood at jhopgood@emich.edu.
