Fall 2025 Courses
Storrs Fall 2025 DMD Student Advising Guidelines
DMD students - Below is information regarding the following:
- Variable topics and other special courses to be offered in Fall 2025.
- Courses that require a PERMISSION NUMBER.
- Courses that have a special reserve cap
The descriptions of all DMD courses can be found in the UConn Course Catalog.
To request permission numbers for DMD classes that require them, you must complete this form WITH YOUR ADVISOR during your advising session. Use THIS form: https://forms.office.com/r/nRsKsB3CEd
- Any questions regarding requests should be directed to Rossy.Pichardo@uconn.edu
Variable Topics / Specialized courses:
STORRS CAMPUS:
ALL MAJORS:
DMD 3610 / 5998.010 / HIST 3103 Collaborating with Cultural Organizations I: Methods**
STORRS In Person, (M/W 3:35 - 4:50pm), taught by Dr. Ceglio
Museums, archives, and other nonprofit cultural organizations are mission-driven institutions with complex, sometimes fraught, histories. Today, many such organizations seek to explore new ways to communicate ideas, make collections accessible, inspire learning, connect people, and build community. In addition to learning about the histories, structures, and functions of mission-driven cultural organizations, we will explore methods of collaborating meaningfully and effectively with them and their communities. This will include consideration of the ways in which digital media, from apps to virtual reality (VR) to hashtags, are being used to critically engage publics in questions about the past, present, and future. We will explore, too, the place of digital public history within contemporary debates about cultural organizations’ histories and responsibilities with regard to social justice, activism, and inclusivity.
Learning Objectives
- Gain understanding of cultural institutions as mission-driven service institutions
- Explore principles and methods of community-focused collaboration
- Build competency in Omeka, an open-source software for building online collections and exhibits
- Conduct research on the past, present, and future prospects of a topic relevant to the concerns of contemporary cultural organizations and express that research as an online exhibition
- Acquire familiarity with basic approaches to background research, project planning, and strategic foresight methods
NOTE: Upper-level BA students who have hit (or who are approaching) the maximum allowed number of 54 total DMD course credits may register for this class using HIST 3103.
NOTE: Required for all Digital Culture majors and Digital Public History minors (https://digitalpublichistory.programs.uconn.edu/ ) and serves as recommended preparation for Spring 2026 DMD 3620 Collaborating with Cultural Organizations II: Practice
DMD 3640 / 5998.006 / HRTS 3640
Human Rights Archives I: Documenting & Curating Community Memory
STORRS In Person, (Fri 12:20 - 3:20pm), taught by Professor Masud
Prerequisites: Open to Digital Media Design majors and Human Rights majors or minors only; open to juniors or higher; instructor consent required. Recommended preparation: DMD 2200, 2210, or HRTS 3149W.
This is the first part of a two-semester practice-based unit. Designed to introduce students to the use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling, Human Rights Archives Part I will focus on methods and best practices of collecting and managing digital image and audio-visual archival assets. Students will engage with existing human rights-related archival collections, both private and institutional, to develop an appreciation of the “living” archive and its importance both as a repository of witnessing and memory and as a vehicle for the continuous retelling of history in the present moment. A series of relevant readings, films, and response assignments will help to provide context and connections. Later in the semester, students will apply what they’ve learned about human rights archives, digital asset management, and storytelling by documenting and digitizing the family stories and artifacts of an immigrant community that bears the multi-generational scars of genocide and displacement. The assets collected through this collaborative community-centered project will form the basis of an important new collection that students will be involved in processing, organizing, and cataloging. This collection will be a primary resource for the visual storytelling work in the second course of the unit. Part I, however, is not considered a prerequisite for Part II.
DMD 3998.001, Collaborative Narrative with AI, Zhenzhen Qi, perm # required
Storrs In person, (Tue/Thu 9:30a – 12:00p), Taught by Zhenzhen Qi
Open to Digital Media & Design juniors and seniors and graduate students.
Generative AI is reorienting storytelling, opening up opportunities for dynamic, user-driven narratives in games, web platforms, interactive films, and comics. This course equips artists and designers to harness the creative potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) while critically addressing their technical and ethical challenges. Through creative writing exercises, critical discourse, and hands-on workshops, students will learn to transform linear narratives into interactive, open-ended, generative experiences and publish them across web, mobile and desktop platforms. No prior background needed. Open to college junior and seniors, and graduate students.
DMD 3998-002, Digital Drawing, Dennis Recchia, perm # required
Storrs In person, (Mon/Wed 3:35p – 6:05p), Taught by Dennis Recchia
Prerequisites: ART 1030, Open to all DMD BFA students | Satisfies the DMD Basic Studio Art class requirement
This course introduces students to the principles and techniques of digital drawing, leveraging large size digital drawing screens for creative professionals. Through engaging, hands-on projects, students will refine their skills in digital art and visual communication, emphasizing both creative expression and technical proficiency.
DMD 3998-003, Advertising/ Commercial Spots, Justin Liberman, perm # required
Storrs In person, (Mon/Wed 3:35p – 6:05p), Taught by Justin Liberman
Prerequisites: ART 2810, open to all DMD BFA students | Satisfies the Studio Art requirement
This advanced course focuses on the technical and creative processes of producing high-quality commercial spots. Students will explore advanced camera techniques, lighting setups, and compositions tailored for advertising while mastering storytelling strategies that align with brand messaging. Coursework includes pre-production planning, on-set practices, and post-production workflows for commercial campaigns.
DMD 3998.006 / NRE 4695 Environmental Storytelling, perm # req**
STORRS In Person, (Fri 10:10a -1:10p), taught by Professor Anna Lindemann
(Co-taught with Professor Laura Cisneros from Natural Resources & the Environment)
Prerequisites: sophomore or higher and instructor consent.
Recommended Preparation: At least one of the following courses: DMD 1070 Intro to Web Design, DMD 2200 Motion Design & Animation 1, OR DMD 2210 Film & Video Editing 1
**Fulfills concentration elective credit for BFA Digital Film/Video Production, BFA Motion Design & Animation, and BA in Digital Media Design (Generalist), and other concentrations with advisor approval.
Students in this course will experience a unique approach to environmental action! Framed in culturally sustaining strategies and focusing on environmental issues relevant to Connecticut communities, this course introduces students to participatory environmental storytelling using film, animation, digital media and geospatial technology. Throughout the semester, students will develop skills in research and data collection, effective visual storytelling, video, animation, and online mapping. Students will participate in workshops for high school student-teacher teams in the Eco-Digital Storytellers (EDS) program and collaborate on a team project that assesses environmental assets and concerns, explores possible solutions, and uses multimedia storytelling to envision an environmental future. Students enrolled in this course are eligible to apply for 5-month paid environmental education internship positions as EDS mentors during the Spring ‘25 semester. EDS is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
For more information and to see a syllabus: https://nrca.uconn.edu/eds/#course
DMD 4045.001 Digital Content Design, Creation, and Distribution Studio - AgencyX, perm # req**
Hybrid Limited (In person remote on Tuesdays, Online Sync on Fridays) STORRS , (Tue/Fri 11:00a - 1:00p), taught by Professor Dwire
Prerequisites: open only to junior/senior Digital Media and Design majors (priority to seniors that have had 4040 Agency), instructor consent required.
Do you LOVE DMD? Want to help share your passion for DMD with the world? Then join AgencyX, DMD’s student marketing team. Work with a cross-disciplinary team to develop, design, and execute an integrated marketing campaign for the Digital Media and Design Department’s Fall 2024 undergraduate recruitment efforts. Learn how to build and manage digital advertising campaigns using Meta for Business, Google Ads, Blip Billboards (Digital Outside-of-Home, OOH) and other digital ad solutions. If you are interested, email Professor Dwire at phil.dwire@uconn.edu.
** This course can also substitute for DMD 4040 Agency.
List of STORRS courses that require permission numbers:
DMD 3520 Virtual World and Simulations, Yuna Kim, perm # required
- DMD 2310 3D Modeling (previously taken or concurrently taking) and Game Design concentration students
DMD 3998.001, Collaborative Narrative with AI, Zhenzhen Qi, perm # required
- Open to all DMD students (Juniors or higher)
DMD 3998-002, Digital Drawing, Dennis Recchia, perm # required
- Prerequisites: ART 1030 and DMD 1102
DMD 3998-003, Advertising/ Commercial Spots, Justin Liberman, perm # required
- Prerequisites: DMD 2810
DMD 3998.006, Environmental Storytelling, perm # required
- Prerequisites: sophomore or higher and instructor consent.
- Recommended Preparation: At least one of the following courses: DMD 1070 Intro to Web Design, DMD 2200 Motion Design & Animation 1, OR DMD 2210 Film & Video Editing 1
DMD 4040.001/.002 Agency, perm # required
- Prerequisites: Senior in last two semesters prior to graduation
DMD 4045.001 Agency X, perm # required
- Prerequisites: open only to junior/senior Digital Media and Design majors (priority to seniors who have had DMD 4040 Agency), instructor consent required.
SPECIAL RESERVE CAP:
DMD 2200.001, Motion I, Anna Lindemann
- Reserved for motion students only
DMD 2210.002 Film/ Video Editing I, Hongchan Lee
- Reserved for motion students only
DMD 2210.001, Film/ Video Editing I, Heather Cassano,
- Reserved for film students only
DMD 3230, Cinematic Storytelling, Kelly Dennis
- 16 seats reserved for Film students
DMD 4025.001, Portfolio & Prof Dev, Brian Daley
- Reserved for senior WIMD/ Game/3D students
- Prerequisites: BFA SENIORS ONLY; BFA student enrolled in DMD 4075 Senior Project in Fall 25 and graduating in Fall 2025 or May 2026
DMD 4025.002, Portfolio & Prof Dev, STAFF
- Reserved for senior Film/Motion students
- Prerequisites: BFA SENIORS ONLY; BFA student enrolled in DMD 4075 Senior Project in Fall 25 and graduating in Fall 2025 or May 2026 '
DMD 4075.001, Senior Project, Kenneth Thompson
- Reserved this fall for Storrs senior / Game/3D students
DMD 4075.002, Senior Project, STAFF
- Reserved for Storrs senior Film students
DMD 4075.003, Senior Project, Anna Lindemann
- Reserved for Storrs senior WIMD/ Motion & Design Students
View courses for Cross Campus