2017-2018 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Digital Studies Minor
Website: www.gvsu.edu/ds
Digital studies is the exploration and analysis of how data and contemporary technologies are used, as well as how these technologies are creatively applied. The program in digital studies enables students to evaluate social and political consequences of the flow of data in our lives, gain insight through information literacy, learn how computational and visualization tools are used, and apply these concepts in technologically rich environments.
There are two overarching goals of the minor, both oriented toward helping students navigate the increasingly digitized world that we inhabit. The first is to teach students the skills necessary to use digital skills and tools foundational to their careers, including data literacy, visualization, multimedia production, visual rhetoric, and design. The second is to gain the knowledge to critically assess digital culture, including the interrogation of social media, digital identity and representation, and exploring the ethical implications of digital access.
The minor in digital studies requires 21 credits and is designed to serve students from all disciplines since we are all connected within our digital world.
Requirements for a Minor in Digital Studies
Core Courses
All students minoring in digital studies are required to complete the following two courses:
- DS 201 - Digital Identities and Communities Credits: 3
- DS 202 - Digital Data and Design Credits: 3
Module Courses
All students minoring in digital studies are required to complete two courses from each of the following modules. Students must take two courses from different disciplines in the Digital Tools and Production module. Students must take at least one digital studies designated course in the Digital Culture module. With approval from the director of digital studies, students may complete DS 490 - Digital Studies Internship* in place of one of the two required module courses.
Module 1: Digital Tools and Production
- ART 109 - Graphic Design Basics Credits: 3
- ART 321 - Digital 3D Credits: 3
- CFV 125 - Media Production I Credits: 3
- CIS 231 - Problem Solving Using Spreadsheets Credits: 3
- CIS 238 - Internet Media and Programming Credits: 3
- CIS 320 - Visualization of Data and Information Credits: 3
- CMJ 260 - Multimedia Journalism Workshop Credits: 3
- CPH 175 - Understanding Still Photography Credits: 3
- DS 310 - Digital Preservation and Archiving Credits: 3
- DS 490 - Internship in Digital Studies Credits: 3
- GPY 307 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Credits: 3
- MKT 360 - Marketing on the Internet Credits: 3
- PA 311 - Public Sector Information Technology Credits: 3
- STA 216 - Intermediate Applied Statistics Credits: 3
- WRT 351 - Writing for the World Wide Web Credits: 3
- WRT 455 - Multimodal Composing Credits: 3
Module 2: Digital Culture
- CIS 358 - Information Assurance Credits: 3
- DS 330 - Game and Culture Credits: 3
- DS 340 - Identity and Representation in Digital Culture Credits: 3
- DS 350 - Social Media in Culture Credits: 3
- DS 360 - Ethics of Digital Culture Credits: 3
- DS 490 - Internship in Digital Studies Credits: 3
- ENG 314 - Digital Literacies Credits: 3
- PLS 340 - Mass Media and American Politics Credits: 3
- SOC 366 / LIB 366 - American Society and Media Credits: 3
- STA 340 - Statistics in the Media Credits: 3
Capstone Requirements
All students minoring in digital studies are required to complete the capstone course:
- DS 495 - Digital Studies Capstone Credits: 3