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The Visual Culture and Communication program at the University of Toronto
at Mississauga (UTM) is already making waves across North America. VCC is a part of Communication, Culture, and Information Technology program at UTM. Students who are looking for a foundation in both visual cultural and communication studies (history, theory and criticism) and practical digital communication practices which is taught in conjunction with Sheridan College's Institute of Advance Learning and Technology in Oakville. Currently sixty five students are enrolled in this highly competitive specialist program. The VCC program is addressing the changing demands of today's workforce by enabling students to acquire the advantages of studying at both a research university and Polytechnical Institute. Internship opportunities further push practical digital communications into the real world by providing insights into a company's every day operations and to establish networking circles and future employment contacts from companies in their area of expertise. Graduates of VCC are highly employable and are receiving jobs in a multitude of sectors including leading advertising firms and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The successes of VCC are widespread, not only are employers happy to hire graduates but other educational institutes are already recognizing it as one of the best in Canada. A recent invitation to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s “Trans” conference has placed UTM's VCC program alongside ten other top American Universities.
"We are very pleased to be recognized as one of the leading programs in Visual Culture and Communication in the English speaking world," said Professor Louis Kaplan, the founding coordinator and now director of the Institute of Communication and Culture. "It is very fitting that the conference is dealing with “Trans-effects” in visual culture because our joint program transits between the two worlds that are necessary for our students to be successful in today's market."
Zainah Alsamman, a fourth year VCC student, finds the wide array of practical and theoretical courses helps provide a solid foundation for post-graduate study. "I really appreciate the ability to learn in an environment which fosters practical learning methods, cutting edge technology, and where it’s easy to talk to professors.” Students are reacting positively to the new spin on more traditional theoretical based degree programs.
“CCIT students have the opportunity to build a unique balance of hands on application, critical creative skills, and conceptual knowledge, in turn developing a fluency and ability to transition between these often separate spheres of knowledge,” said Kathleen Hearn, talented professor and artists.
Sheridan's Institute of Advanced Learning and Technology allows for the exploration of digital media practices and video production. Some courses include, The Still Image (CCT357), Digital Media Movement and Sound (CCT353), and Theory and Practice in Animation (CCT351). "Our goal is to prepare students to critically intervene in the current visual mediascape, by offering them a program that combines the latest theoretical debates in visual studies, historically-informed perspectives on modern and contemporary issues and events, and internships and research initiatives that afford opportunities for creative experimentation and practical training," said Professor John Ricco, the new program coordinator of VCC.
Students who are seeking innovative methods to engage in the development and study of media and techno-culture should look out for some upcoming launches. The Institute of Culture and Communication (ICC) and Knowledge Media Design Institute has launched the new Media Generator at UTM. (www.mediagenerator.com) “The Media Generator and at UTM will be a part of an experimental lab, part broadcast/pod casting facility, and part production studio. It will give students the chance to participate in a co-curricular activity that is geared to the digital media age,” according to ICC director Louis Kaplan and KMDI director Gale Moore. |
