Theory of Interactive Media

What is our mission?

The Theory of Interactive Media (TIM) focuses on the study of new media art. New media art refers to a wide range of artistic works and practices that reflect a key aspect of contemporary civilization – the pervasiveness and transformative impact on culture and society of information and communication technologies (ICT). The mission of the study programme is to balance the instrumental and utilitarian approach of informatics and computer science to the study of ICT by investigating creative ways to deal with new media while using methods of media philosophy and media aesthetics or media studies; in this way, the study programme follows the humanities tradition.

What can our graduates do?

Graduates of the TIM Master’s degree study programme are well oriented in the history of new media art and they deeply understand the greater context of new media art development both as a practice and an academic discipline. They know and are able to correctly use the terminology and methodology of artistic disciplines and media theory. They know the main approaches to the study of new media art and of the new media, and they know the main ideas of the leading experts of new media art. They are able to connect knowledge of new media art history and theory with a knowledge of the new media functional features while they analyse and interpret new media art works.

What makes us unique?

This is the only study programme focusing on new media studies in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic which offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The instruction is provided by qualified professionals with rich teaching experience who are often actively involved in organizing festivals, curating exhibitions, and producing new media art.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• describe the new media art development in a deeper context, and to explain the differences between stages of new media art history;
• use the terminology and methodology of art theory and media theory during the analysis and interpretation of new media art;
• explain the main approaches to the study of new media art and the main ideas of leading experts in new media art;
• describe the specifics of audio-visual production and new media art curatorship;
• formulate a research problem and write a scientific text.

Graduates of the TIM Master’s degree study programme are eligible for independent scientific research, publishing, and creative activities in the field of new media art, which is an important part of the creative industry of the information society. As specialists in new media art, graduates can find jobs as curators and dramaturges in the creative and organizational teams of new media art festivals and exhibitions. They can work in cultural and heritage institutions, where they can apply their knowledge of the new aesthetic and communication strategies emerging in the new media environment. Many of them will use their skills to work in various kinds of media (radio, television, print, online journalism).

Practical training is a part of the type B/selective courses of the TIM study programme.

Over the course of four semesters, students can complete a course of practical training at cultural institutions of at least 40 hours, during which they gain practical experience in cultural institution workflow, festival organization, and independent art scene practice with a focus on new media in art and culture.

The Master's thesis provides proof of the student's ability to actively use the acquired knowledge from the history and theory of new media art and culture. The student should demonstrate the ability to define subject of research, hypothesis, and to choose proper methodology, as well as to critically deal with scholarly texts, to elaborate the concepts and theories found in them and to formulate relevant answers to the given question and hypothesis. The formal requirements sums up a document available on line: http://music.phil.muni.cz/media/3005217/pravidla.pdf

After completing the Master’s degree study programme, it is possible to continue further studies in a doctoral degree study programme in media studies, contemporary art, or other creative industries at the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Social Sciences, or Faculty of Education at Masaryk University or at other universities.