Analytical Essay -What should I major in?

After studying visual arts in secondary school, I decided to continue my art journey in the coming four years. Fortunately, this dream comes true. But now, I need to make another important decision- choosing my major. There are three majors for selection: Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media (BA), Bachelor of Arts and Science in New Media (BAS) and Bachelor of Science in Creative Media (BSC).

 

By considering personal interest, I restricted my choice into two which eliminate BSC.. There is once a saying ‘You won’t feel hard when you are doing something that you love’. In the past few years of creating artworks, a more artistic presentation is the approach I called out for like painting, 3D figuring etc. And I never feel tired of this. New ideas are always like sea wave flooding from my mind. Unlike the other two majors, BSC requires students taking computing science as one of their core. This core mostly covers on the software structure and breakdown. However, when it comes to using software, there is only one concern for me – how to use them wisely to achieve optimum visual effect? This aim is totally different from the Science Department which emphasis on the technology underlying digital media. I acknowledged that there is close relationship between arts and science but I understand that I am not into exploring how a digital application can run from zero into a convenient invention.

 

Then it is time to pick and kick something out. Indeed there is similarity between rests of the two majors: they let students to discover more on new media and also know more about themselves. In fact, there are three common cores for BA and BAS. Another attractive reason is that there are plenty of supporting resources like the rich equipment and studio rooms in creative media centre, which allow students to explore more and will not be restricted by traditional media. Taking creative media studio II as example, this course will teach students about production techniques in moving-image making and sound production in order to let them to find out what they want to concentrate on in the future.

 

After reviewing the similarities, it almost feels like choosing between bread and butter. But there is one main difference between these two majors which can be observed right the way by their names- BAS still keep the scientific elements. Although based on the course outline, those science-related courses will finally link up the bridge between science and arts. Taking Mathematics and Arts as example, the syllabus covers basic mathematical concepts and techniques that artists used, including: symmetry, perspective and projective geometry. This content can relate to media arts but compare with those courses offered by Bachelor of Arts, I am definitely less interested in.

 

Lastly, there is one big difference can help me make up my mind – electives selection. There is restriction of selecting electives for BAS. They require students to choose at least 18 electives under the Arts and Sciences and Computational Arts, Visualization, and Simulation. This basically reveals the importance of balancing scientific and artistic knowledge for the undergraduates. The total number of credits required for electives is 33 that mean the restriction has already controlled more than half of the part. Personally, I don’t want to be limited as I consider electives is an effective way to broader my vision toward new media and continue developing some of my own interest for instance wearables, Art Criticism and New Media Art Theory and History etc.

 

To conclude, after considering personal interest, common core, electives selection and course aim, I decided to choose Bachelor of Arts as my major. I believed that this major can offer me a precious chance to explore more about new media arts and make me an adventurous person who is willing to face different challenges in the future courageously.