Digital studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison explores the relationship between communication and digital forms of media by asking four questions:
- How do digital media affect the ways we communicate?
- How do we use digital tools to best communicate with each other?
- What roles do the visual, sound and interactive elements of digital media play and how can we use them?
- How do digital technologies affect the way we access and understand information?
It forges new connections across disciplinary boundaries by addressing distinct yet overlapping areas of intellectual activity:
- Digital information structures—the consideration and assessment of how we use and create digital archives, databases, and other digital information architectures
- Digital media—the consideration of how we consume and assess communication that is mediated by digital technologies such as Internet, mobile, and smart devices including digital video and audio content as well as games and simulations produced both in everyday discourse and by media professionals
- Digital forms—the analysis and assessment of both mechanical and aesthetic elements of design in digital content including visual, audio, interactive, and other components
- Digital practices—the acquisition of skills that allow us to create expressive and strategic communication content using digital tools such as digital video and audio equipment as well as software for video and audio editing, web design, database and information architecture design, app design, computer simulation, and digital gaming
The digital studies certificate brings together departments from across campus and allows students to choose from over fifty courses to create their own individualized digital curriculum, where students have the opportunity to both produce digital content and critically assess the digital content they encounter.
Declaring the digital studies certificate
Students are eligible to declare the certificate at any point in their undergraduate career. They should declare it as early as possible to plan the required coursework. Students are encouraged to meet with the Digital Studies advisor to discuss certificate requirements and ensure it fits with their academic and career goals. Students who are ready to declare the certificate now may complete this form.
Requirements for the Certificate
The certificate requires a minimum of six courses and 16 credits. The courses must be distributed as follows:
Core Courses
One course from:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 200 | Introduction to Digital Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 178 | Digital Media, Literature, and Culture | 3 |
| JOURN 175 | Media Fluency for the Digital Age | 3 |
| L I S 201 | The Information Society | 4 |
distribution
One course from each of these areas:
Digital Information Structures (I) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 345 | Online Communication and Personal Relationships | 3 |
| COM ARTS 377 | Topics in Digital Studies (Communication Science & Rhetoric) | 3 |
| COM ARTS 472 | Rhetoric and Technology | 3 |
| COM ARTS 478 | Rhetoric and Power on the Internet | 3 |
| COM ARTS/JOURN/LSC 617 | Health Communication in the Information Age | 3 |
| CURRIC 209 | Digital Media and Literacy | 3 |
| GEOG 572 | Graphic Design in Cartography | 3-4 |
| L I S 202 | Informational Divides and Differences in a Multicultural Society | 3 |
| L I S 301 | Information Literacies in Online Spaces | 3 |
| L I S 340 | Topics in Information Studies - Social Aspects | 3 |
| L I S 341 | Topics in Information Studies - Technological Aspects | 1-3 |
| L I S 350 | History and Future of Books | 3 |
| L I S 351 | Introduction to Digital Information | 3 |
| L I S 440 | Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science | 3 |
| L I S 500 | Code and Power | 3 |
| L I S 510 | Human Factors in Information Security | 3 |
| L I S/NURSING/OCC THER 517 | Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | 3 |
| L I S 661 | Information Ethics and Policy | 3 |
| L I S/LEGAL ST 663 | Introduction to Cyberlaw | 3 |
| LSC 460 | Social Media Analytics | 3 |
Digital Media (M) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 345 | Online Communication and Personal Relationships | 3 |
| COM ARTS 346 | Critical Internet Studies | 3 |
| COM ARTS 377 | Topics in Digital Studies (Communication Science & Rhetoric) | 3 |
| COM ARTS 449 | Sound Cultures: Podcasting and Music | 3 |
| COM ARTS 459 | New Media and Society | 3 |
| COM ARTS 472 | Rhetoric and Technology | 3 |
| COM ARTS 478 | Rhetoric and Power on the Internet | 3 |
| COM ARTS 509 | Digital Media and Political Communication | 3 |
| COM ARTS 547 | Digital Game Cultures | 3 |
| COM ARTS 577 | Dynamics of Online Relationships | 3 |
| ENGL 271 | Writing with New Media | 3 |
| ENGL 571 | Remix, Mashup, and Digital Design | 3 |
| JOURN 463 | Digital Media Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 464 | Public Relations Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 465 | Social Media Marketing Communications | 4 |
| JOURN 622 | The Impact of Emerging Media | 3 |
| JOURN/L I S 677 | Concepts and Tools for Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| L I S 340 | Topics in Information Studies - Social Aspects | 3 |
| L I S 350 | History and Future of Books | 3 |
| L I S 510 | Human Factors in Information Security | 3 |
| L I S/NURSING/OCC THER 517 | Digital Health: Information and Technologies Supporting Consumers and Patients | 3 |
| L I S 661 | Information Ethics and Policy | 3 |
| L I S/LEGAL ST 663 | Introduction to Cyberlaw | 3 |
| LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
| LSC 432 | Social Media for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 440 | Digital Media and Science Communication | 3 |
| LSC 460 | Social Media Analytics | 3 |
| MARKETNG 355 | Marketing in a Digital Age | 3 |
Digital Forms (F) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 428 | Digital Imaging Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| ART 529 | 3D Digital Studio II | 4 |
| ART 660 | Art and Technology | 4 |
| COM ARTS 155 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 465 | Editing and Post-production for Video and Film | 4 |
| COM ARTS 467 | Cinematography and Sound Recording | 4 |
| COM ARTS 468 | Producing for Internet TV and Video | 3 |
| COM ARTS/FOLKLORE 522 | Digitally Documenting Everyday Communication | 3 |
| COM ARTS 651 | Advanced Video Production and Direction | 3 |
| COM ARTS 659 | Advanced Motion Picture Production Workshop | 4 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| GEOG 572 | Graphic Design in Cartography | 3-4 |
| JOURN 411 | Multimedia Design | 4 |
| JOURN 417 | Magazine Publishing | 4 |
| JOURN/L I S 677 | Concepts and Tools for Data Analysis and Visualization | 3 |
| LSC 332 | Print and Electronic Media Design | 3 |
| LSC 350 | Visualizing Science and Technology | 3 |
| LSC 450 | Documentary Photography for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
Digital Practices (P) Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| ART 309 | Digital Art and Code | 4 |
| ART 409 | Digital Fabrication Studio | 4 |
| ART 428 | Digital Imaging Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| ART 528 | Digital Interactive Studio | 4 |
| ART 529 | 3D Digital Studio II | 4 |
| ART 660 | Art and Technology | 4 |
| COM ARTS 155 | Introduction to Digital Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 355 | Introduction to Media Production | 4 |
| COM ARTS 449 | Sound Cultures: Podcasting and Music | 3 |
| COM ARTS 651 | Advanced Video Production and Direction | 3 |
| COM ARTS 465 | Editing and Post-production for Video and Film | 4 |
| COM ARTS 467 | Cinematography and Sound Recording | 4 |
| COM ARTS 468 | Producing for Internet TV and Video | 3 |
| COM ARTS/FOLKLORE 522 | Digitally Documenting Everyday Communication | 3 |
| COM ARTS 659 | Advanced Motion Picture Production Workshop | 4 |
| COMP SCI 200 | Programming I | 3 |
| COMP SCI 202 | Introduction to Computation | 3 |
| COMP SCI 220 | Data Science Programming I | 4 |
| CURRIC 209 | Digital Media and Literacy | 3 |
| ENGL 271 | Writing with New Media | 3 |
| ENGL 571 | Remix, Mashup, and Digital Design | 3 |
| GEOG 370 | Introduction to Cartography | 4 |
| JOURN 411 | Multimedia Design | 4 |
| JOURN 417 | Magazine Publishing | 4 |
| JOURN 425 | Video Journalism | 4 |
| JOURN 445 | Creative Campaign Messages | 4 |
| JOURN 449 | Account Planning and Strategy | 4 |
| JOURN 463 | Digital Media Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 464 | Public Relations Strategies | 4 |
| JOURN 465 | Social Media Marketing Communications | 4 |
| JOURN 670 | Community Service Learning: Technology for Social Change | 3 |
| L I S 301 | Information Literacies in Online Spaces | 3 |
| L I S 341 | Topics in Information Studies - Technological Aspects | 1-3 |
| L I S 351 | Introduction to Digital Information | 3 |
| L I S 440 | Navigating the Data Revolution: Concepts of Data & Information Science | 3 |
| L I S 500 | Code and Power | 3 |
| LSC 314 | Introduction to Digital Video Production | 3 |
| LSC 332 | Print and Electronic Media Design | 3 |
| LSC 360 | Information Radio | 3 |
| LSC 432 | Social Media for the Life Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 450 | Documentary Photography for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 532 | Web Design for the Sciences | 3 |
| LSC 614 | Advanced Video Production | 3 |
| THEATRE 213 | Digital Design Visualization for Entertainment | 3 |
Capstone
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COM ARTS 605 | Digital Studies Capstone 1 | 1 |
- 1
The Capstone cannot be completed until students have completed or are enrolled in their final course of the certificate.
Residence and Quality of Work
- At least 9 Certificate credits in Residence
- Minimum 2.000 GPA in all Certificate courses
Certificate Completion Requirement
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
- To understand key theories and concepts related to digital studies and the historical context surrounding the creation of digital technologies.
- To gain familiarity with methods, concepts and tools needed to research and evaluate information related to digital studies.
- To think critically about how digital technologies work and their impact on society.
- To be able to create strategic communication content and self-expression using digital tools.
- To understand the professional and ethical principles related to the field of digital studies.
Academic advising
Connecting and working with the digital studies advisor as early as possible helps you create a meaningful course plan and stay on track as you complete the certificate requirements. The advisor is available to consult on a variety of topics including: declaring the certificate, course selection, study abroad, job and internship opportunities related to digital media, and preparing for the job market after graduation. Make an appointment to talk with the digital studies advisor through Starfish.
course planning
The list of digital studies courses found on the Requirements tab is the comprehensive list of all courses that count toward the certificate. However, not all courses on that list are offered each semester. To find out which courses are offered during a specific term, please refer to the program's Courses webpage. More specific information related to the course offerings is also available there, including: specific course prerequisites, limited enrollment course information, and application requirements.
Career Exploration and advising
Career Advising
The communication and media career advisor assists students with career preparation, such as exploring career options, learning internship and job search strategies, and writing resumes and cover letters. Workshops, programs and events, as well as guest speakers ranging from alumni to employers, are all available during the year as well.
Digital Studies alumni
Since 2012, over 1,000 students have graduated with a Digital Studies Certificate. Digital Studies alumni pursue a variety of careers after completing their undergraduate degree. To learn more about what our alumni are up to, visit the Alumni Profiles page to read about the work they are doing and how Digital Studies has impacted their paths.
L&S career resources
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students leverage the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and liberal arts degree; explore and try out different career paths; participate in internships; prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications; and network with professionals in the field (alumni and employers). In short, SuccessWorks helps students in the College of Letters & Science discover themselves, find opportunities and develop the skills they need for success after graduation.
SuccessWorks can also assist students in career advising, résumé and cover letter writing, networking opportunities, and interview skills, as well as course offerings for undergraduates to begin their career exploration early in their undergraduate career.
Students should set up their profiles in Handshake to take care of everything they need to explore career events, manage their campus interviews and apply to jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers around the country.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit, targeted to first- and second-year students)—for more information, see Inter-LS 210: Career Development, Taking Initiative
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Com B General Education Requirement)
- Handshake
- Learn how we’re transforming career preparation: L&S Career Initiative
Please see the Digital Studies Certificate website for a list of certificate staff and committee members.
As an interdisciplinary certificate, students are encouraged to explore courses across disciplines and areas of interest. Once declared, students have access to unique and exciting courses where they not only study digital media, but learn to be savvy users and creators of digital media that they can use in their professional lives. Examples of work that students create include websites, videos, illustrations, posters, podcasts, and more (see examples of student work on our website).
Digital studies certificate students also have access to networking and alumni events featuring careers in digital media, internship and job opportunities emailed directly to them, technology resources through the Instructional Media Center, and design consulting services through DesignLab. Through advising, students receive tailored recommendations based on their interests and are encouraged to seek out ways to apply the knowledge they are learning in the classroom through involvement in student organizations, volunteering, and internships.