USC School of Cinematic Arts

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Entertainment is granted through the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts. Students study within a framework that combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in a profession. Undergraduate students take their pre-professional courses in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, including the general education requirements. Major courses are selected from the curriculum of the School of Cinematic Arts. The degree requires 128 units, including a minimum of 48 units in the major.

General Education Requirements

The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing, foreign language and diversity requirements, which comprise the USC core. See the USC Core/General Education and General Education Program pages for more information.

Required Production Courses

Undergraduates admitted to the Interactive Entertainment Program are required to take CTPR 241 Fundamentals of Cinema Technique and CTPR 290 Cinematic Communication. These introductory production courses are taken concurrently (see description below).

CTPR 241 is an experimental course dealing with the technical and aesthetic principles of directing, cinematography, editing, sound and the development of ideas through a cinematic vocabulary.

In CTPR 290 each student makes four digital video movies, executing all the creative roles personally, and takes a crew position on a group project. Exploration of personal expression and diverse genres is encouraged, with emphasis on visual and sound patterns, with limited dialogue. Approximately $1,000 should be budgeted for miscellaneous expenses, lab and insurance fees.

Required Courses		Units
CNTV 101	Reality Starts Here	2
CSCI 101L	Fundamentals of Computer Programming, or	3
CTIN 400	Fundamentals of Procedural Media	2
CTCS 190	Introduction to Cinema	4
CTIN 309	Introduction to Interactive Entertainment	4
CTIN 483	Introduction to Game Development	4
CTIN 484L**	Intermediate Game Development	2
CTIN 488	Game Design Workshop	4
CTIN 489**	Intermediate Game Design Workshop	2
CTPR 241*	Fundamentals of Cinema Technique	2
CTPR 290*	Cinematic Communication	4
*Enrollment in CTPR 241 and CTPR 290 is concurrent
**Enrollment in CTIN 484L and CTIN 489 is concurrent

At least 6 units of the following are required:
CSCI 102L	Data Structures	3
CSCI 200L	Object Oriented Programming	3
CTAN 330	Animation Fundamentals	2
CTAN 443L	3-D Animation and Character Design	2
CTAN 452	Introduction to 3-D Computer Animation	2
CTIN 401L	Interface Design for Games	2
CTIN 403L	Advanced Visual Design for Games	2
CTIN 404L	Usability Testing for Games	2
CTIN 405L	Design and Technology for Mobile Experiences	2
CTIN 406L	Sound Design for Games	2
CTIN 458	Business and Management of Games	2
CTIN 464	Game Studies Seminar	2
CTIN 482	Designing Online Multiplayer Game Environments	2
CTIN 485L	Advanced Game Development	2
CTIN 486	Immersive Design Workshop	2
IML 340	The Praxis of New Media: Digital Argument	2
IML 346*	Methods in Digital Research	2

At least one of the following is required:
CTCS 478	Culture, Technology and Communications	4
CTCS 482	Transmedia Entertainment	4
CTIN 462	Critical Theory and Analysis of Games	4
CTIN 463	Anatomy of a Game	4
CTWR 410L	Character Development and Storytelling for Games	4
IML 420*	New Media for Social Change	4
*Prerequisite: IML 104 or IML 140 or IML 201.

At least one of the following is required:
CTIN 459L	Game Industry Workshop	4
CTIN 491L	Advanced Game Project I	4
CTIN 492L	Experimental Game Topics	4

Four additional elective units must be taken from any of the courses listed above.

Grade Point Average Requirements

A minimum grade of C, 2.0 (A=4.0), must be earned in all required and prerequisite courses. A grade of C- (1.7) or lower will not fulfill a major requirement.

Students who do not earn the minimum grade of C (2.0) in CTIN 309, CTIN 483, CTIN 484L, CTIN 488 or CTIN 489 after repeating these requirements will be disqualified from the program.

Limitations on Enrollment

Registration in graduate-level courses (numbered 500) for undergraduate credit requires prior approval of the School of Cinematic Arts.

Curriculum Review

Cinematic arts majors are expected to meet with an advisor every semester to review their progress. Contact the Interactive Media Program Office, SCA 223, (213) 821-4472, for an appointment.