MAVA 395
Investigation of one or more topics of interest with the guidance of an instructor. Presentation of a research paper or project at the end of the term.
MAVA 406
Major social scientific theories and concepts that examine mass media and computermediated communication. Use of foundational and contemporary concepts to examine the role of communication and information technologies in shaping interactions among economics, politics, culture, and the broader society. Study of media and communication as objects of social scientific inquiry in relation to issues such as politics of representation, social movements, inequality, affect, and the state.
MAVA 414
Introductory course on the role and function of the film critic; core principles of film criticism including film theories and approaches; social and political implications of film. Developing skills to write insightful reviews of a specific film. Demonstrate an understanding of the socio-political implications of film-making.
MAVA 418
The study of the role of strategic media planning in the overall context of marketing and advertising decisions. Audience research and processes related to selection, evaluation, and planning of all major advertising media. Analysis of various decisions and problems that arise in the media planning process.
MAVA 422
Introduction to developing creative ideas for interaction design. Interaction Design Principles and breaking the rules in the principles. Re-reading of designs developed by ancient cultures for interpretation in interactive design. Design analysis within evolving technologies. Utilization of a workshop format: the description of the task, video-sketches presentation, individual and group practice and critique, collective overall evaluation.
MAVA 405
Continuation of ACAH 306. Examination of case studies and specialized topics.
MAVA 412
Reviews the field of digital game studies and historically situates the emergence of video games as a medium. Explores the theoretical landscape of contemporary game studies; focuses on topics such as video game theory, political economy and space, video game labor, race, gender, sexuality, design and software, globalisation, pedagogy, resistance, aesthetics, and research methods.
MAVA 417
Foundations of user experience (UX); definition of key terms and concepts. Introduction to UX research. Human factors and ergonomics for UX. An overview of user research methods used in UX design; methods for requirement gathering and evaluation. Measuring the UX; prototyping for UX research, UX metrics and usability studies. Introduction to UX design principles. Bridging UX research with UX design through extracting design implications.
MAVA 420
The purpose of this course is to survey research and theorizing on the psychology of attitudes and persuasion. The course will explore issues such as attitude formation and change; the structure, function, strength and measurement of attitudes; principles of persuasion and social influence; resistance and susceptibility to persuasion; designing persuasive communications for behavior change interventions. Applications in consumer, health, and political psychology are reviewed throughout the course.
MAVA 424
Design fundamentals of video and computer games. Practical aspects of game development. Study the components of game design process. History and type of computer games, gameplay mechanics and challenges.
MAVA 402
Application of strategic marketing planning frameworks to analysis of marketing problems, dynamic study of marketing strategy with a market customer and competitor perspective. In depth examination of strategies for building new brands as well as extending and defending the equity in established brands.
MAVA 411
Introduction to the field of political communication, conceptual approaches to analyzing communication in various forms, including advertising, speech making, election campaigns, and candidates' and office-holders' uses of news. Interplay between mass media and politics.
MAVA 416
An introduction to picturebook design and research. Evaluating the educational, cultural, social and economic impact of children's books and interactive electronic storybooks. Overview of projects in relation to language development. Understanding how picturebooks work. Analysis of multilingual, multicultural, experimental, creative, postmodern books.
MAVA 419
Student projects, which cover different stages of UX design including needs elicitation and assessing the UX of a concept or a prototype through summative studies. Delivery and presentation of a research report summarizing the results and the process.
MAVA 423
Focus on the practice, theory, and history of animation. 2D and 3D computer animation. Use of computer based editing, production via 2D and 3D animation tools. Applications for 3D web animation and web design.
