Facebook and Social Capital: An Exploratory Study
Posted on Sep 12, 2011 in Featured Articles, Original Journal Articles | 10 comments
Democratic societies are characterized by their efforts to balance choices and bonding mechanisms, both of which are essential to a healthy democracy. Individualism and personal freedom are enhanced by our ability to make choices, whereas bonding mechanisms strengthen the social cohesiveness and stability of society. ((Durkheim, Emile. 1953. Sociology and Philosophy. Translated by D.F. Pocock. Glenco: The Free Press.)) These two elements are in constant tension. As individuals enlarge their sphere of choice, the ties that bind them together are weakened.
by Dr. Brandon C. Waite
Thoughts on the Launch of a Digital Media BFA Program
Posted on Sep 12, 2011 in Original Journal Articles | 3 comments
The development of new technologies have continually changed and challenged our perceptions of cultural contexts and their resulting representation. From Leonardo da Vinci to EAT [Experiments in Art and Technology], artists have utilized the technology and media of the day to explore, process and express their world view.
by Mat Rappaport
Revisiting “Launch of a Digital Media BFA Program”
Posted on Sep 12, 2011 in Journal Articles | Comments Off
Since the writing of this article, the DIVAS program has evolved to reflect developments in the field, practical experience with the initial curriculum, and a changing group of faculty and students. The program has been renamed Interdisciplinary Arts and Technology (or ArtsTech for short), which reinforces the interdisciplinary character of the program and includes a wider variety of artistic practices.
by Mat Rappaport and Christopher Burns
Revisiting Georgia Tech and Digital Media
Posted on Sep 12, 2011 in Journal Articles | 1 comment
In spring 2005 we were at a significant milestone in the development of our program, having just established our Ph.D. in Digital Media and our joint B.S. in Computational Media, and about to rechristen our twelve year-old MS from Information Design and Technology to Digital Media. These degrees have grown quickly: the B.S. in Computational Media is approaching 300 students, and the Digital Media graduate program enrolls over two dozen doctoral students and manages over $1.3 million in sponsored research funding annually.
by Ian Bogost, Janet H. Murray, Michael Nitsche
Conventions and Innovations:
Posted on Sep 1, 2011 in Featured Articles, Journal Articles | 12 comments
Understanding the structure of a digital game narrative is pivotal for both analysts and practitioners. Taking a structural approach, in this paper we conduct an in-depth analysis of Quantic Dream’s game Heavy Rain, an excellent example of how narrative can be inherent to the game structure, supporting the gameplay and creation of an emotionally and dramatically engaging narrative. Treating Heavy Rain as a game text, the discussion reveals how the game employs conventions from classical film storytelling and turns them into innovations for the medium of digital games.
by Huaxin Wei and Tom Calvert