The BA in Animation emphasizes solid traditional animation and storytelling skills, while encouraging experimentation in form, content and medium.  Students are free to work in hand-drawn, stop-motion, cut-out and 3D computer animation.  They may produce hybrid forms fully integrated with live action video, draw web-based shorts inspired by Hollywood or anime, or design motion graphics for film titles and commercials. 

Students will gain a broad foundation in the rich history of the art form and prepare for the future under the guidance of faculty with professional experience in television, film, art and interactive media.

What students get from this program:

• A faculty body of experienced animators and working professionals.
• Education in the foundations of cinema, as well as in the important skills of drawing and design.
• Access to the latest in animation technology, computing systems, and software.
• Valuable production experience both in class and through internships.
• The benefit of industry connections through CDM’s relationship with Chicago’s many animation and production studios.

Please note : Students must complete 20 liberal studies courses including the eight credit hour Mathematical and Technological Literacy requirement which is both ISP 120 and ISP 121. ISP 121 will replace one course from any one of the six Learning Domains as long as the student takes at least one course in each domain.

Four-year schedule of courses:
 
First Year

Major Field Courses (6)

ANI 105 Intro to Visual Design    
ANI 201 Animation I  *  
ANI 206 History of Animation    
DC 201 Introduction to Screenwriting    
DC 205 Foundations of Cinema    
ART 218 Figure Drawing    
   
Liberal Studies Courses (6) (Required: ART 106 Beginning Drawing and either DC 233 Cinema and Art or ART 200 Art and Artists in Contemporary Culture)

*ANI 101 Animation for Non-Majors allowed for students transferring into the major.
 
Second Year

Major Field Courses (6)

ANI 220 Pre-Production Art    
ANI 230 3d Modeling for Animation and Gaming    
ANI 231 3d Animation for Cinema and Gaming    
DC 210 Digital Cinema Production I    
DC 220 Editing I    
ART 318 Advanced Figure Drawing    
 
Liberal Studies Courses (6)
 
Third Year

Major Field Courses (5)

ANI 240 Animation II    
ANI 340 Animation III    
IM 220 Interactive Media I    
DC 215 Digital Sound Design     
MCS 207 History of American Cinema, 1890-1945    
 or   MCS 208 History of American Cinema, 1946-1975    
 or   MCS 209 History of American Cinema, 1976-Present    
   
Animation Electives (2)
Liberal Studies courses (3)
Open Electives (2)

   
Fourth Year

Major Field Courses (3)

ANI 260 Motion Graphics    
ANI 350 Animation Production Studio    
DC 398 Digital Cinema Capstone  (Counts as Liberal Studies)
  
Animation Electives (2)
Liberal Studies courses (5)
Open Electives (2)  

Note: Grades for all courses in the students major (i.e. non-Liberal Studies and non-Open Elective) must be 'C' or better. Grades of 'C-' may be accepted provided the overall grade point average in the major is 2.0 or better.