Interactive Digital Studies Major

Innovate with Digital Technology

The IDS major is a customizable program of study that can be personalized to your own interests. It consists of four foundation courses, any two digital “bundles” of your choice and an internship.

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The IDS minor is a great tech-fueled addition to any specialized major program of study. It consists of the four IDS foundation courses and one “bundle” of study.

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What is ids?

Find out More Interactive Digital Studies

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Department of Communication & Media
326 Lang Hall
Cedar Falls, Iowa
50614-0139

Phone: (319) 273-2217
Email: cm-office@uni.edu

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Why students choose IDS

“Being a major in interactive digital studies is unlike any other academic experience you will find on campus. You are able to tailor your experience using the bundles, which allows you to get the most out of your major at UNI. It’s the best choice I have made while at UNI.”

- Jacob K. Chaplin, Class of 2022

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Why students choose IDS

“I love the IDS major because it allows flexibility to suit my interests and skills with the concept of bundles. This opened my eyes to a new minor that was easily incorporated into my academic plan, and now I’m in even more classes that peak my interest.”

- Mitchell Neuzil, Class of 2021

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Why students choose IDS

“The IDS major has made it easy for me to explore different interests of mine while still working towards a worthwhile degree. Also, there are so many practical opportunities that IDS majors are given to work on real- life projects that translate directly to potential future careers!”

- Darnell Eveleth, Class of 2021

What are bundles?

Each IDS “bundle” is made up of five courses in eight different areas of emphasis. Each bundle is sponsored by a different department. There are also global bundles offered through partner institutions.

How do bundles work? IDS majors select any two bundles - creating their own personalized program of study. Minors select one bundle.

What do all ids students learn?

Digility: You will develop agile creativity through immersion in new technology.
Ideas Matter: You will be able to critically engage with the ethical, economic and social challenges of our increasingly digital world.
Collaboration is king: You will demonstrate effective collaboration competencies.
Confident Self Learning: You will develop the confidence to approach new digital interfaces, applications and programming languages to problem-solve independent of peers or instructors

What skills will I learn?

All ids majors and minors take the same four core classes to develop skills in communication, creativity, context and culture.

Communication: Digital Toolbox gives you a solid foundation in creative digital production skills and creative problem-solving. You will learn basics of video and web design.

Creativity: Interactive Digital Communication builds on Digital Toolbox and offers students a more comprehensive understanding of web tools, emerging media, and cross-disciplinary projects. You will learn to creatively articulate big ideas.

Context: Mass Communication and Society recognizes that every media industry has been drastically impacted by the Internet and the digital turn. It combines discussions about technology, history and society to show how media industries and audiences create our culture.

Culture: Digital Culture and Communication examines the Internet as a positive, social networked sphere with a thriving creative commons, as well as how our digital culture is increasingly plagued by government and corporate surveillance and data collection. Students will also explore how our reliance on digital tools affects our daily lives in complicated ways.

Bundles

What are bundles?

How do bundles work? IDS majors select any two bundles - creating their own personalized program of study. Minors select one bundle.

Core Values

What do all ids students learn?

Digility: You will develop agile creativity through immersion in new technology.
Ideas Matter: You will be able to critically engage with the ethical, economic and social challenges of our increasingly digital world.
Collaboration is king: You will demonstrate effective collaboration competencies.
Confident Self Learning: You will develop the confidence to approach new digital interfaces, applications and programming languages to problem-solve independent of peers or instructors

The 4 C's

What skills will I learn?

All ids majors and minors take the same four core classes to develop skills in communication, creativity, context and culture.

Communication: Digital Toolbox gives you a solid foundation in creative digital production skills and creative problem-solving. You will learn basics of video and web design.