SUNY Oswego Programs Background
About The Center for Communication and Information Technology (CCIT)
The Center for Communication and Information Technology (CCIT) is an evolutionary concept for the collaborative study of graphic arts, cinema studies, communication studies, human computer interaction, journalism and information sciences. The Center provides an opportunity for the interdisciplinary study and application of new media and their impact upon society. The concept behind CCIT was to offer a common space where students and faculty from a variety of programs could work together in both creative and research centered activity.
About The Graphic Design Program
The Art Department of the State University College at Oswego offers a BA, BFA, and MA degree with options for study in graphic design. The Graphic Design Program of the Art Department is currently serving over 200 undergraduate and graduate students yearly in study of computer-assisted graphic and interactive media design and production. Program offerings include intensive training in graphic design and related coursework including print, web and multimedia design as well as the illustrative and photographic arts. In addition to this, students study 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional design, and drawing. Elective study includes options for broadcasting, set design and 3-dimensional modeling and animation.
The program is highly regarded and student interest continues to rise yearly. Many of these students are BFA Graphic Design majors or BA Studio Art majors with a graphic design emphasis. Others include students in studio art, journalism, computer science, information science, technology, communication, cognitive science, education, and human computer interaction.
About the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) Program
The HCI program at SUNY Oswego was designed around the interdisciplinary foundation of the field. This program provides students with both the background in computer science and cognitive psychology that is required for the design of effective human-computer interactions. The design of the SUNY Oswego program also reflected the significant advances that have recently been taking place in the field of visual media design. Rather than approaching art and technology as independent, unrelated fields, the SUNY Oswego HCI curriculum was designed so students would be able to experience the synergy that exists, particularly in the design of interactive visual information. This synergy is promoted through the incorporation of graphic design courses into the curriculum as well as the participation of the HCI program in the larger Center for Communication and Information Technology at SUNY Oswego. It is expected that, in addition to experience gained through course work, the exposure of the HCI and Graphic Design Students to each other will allow them to see how their work within their own disciplines can be enhanced by each others work.