Honors in Multimedia Scholarship is an innovative program for undergraduate students from across the USC campus who are interested in exploring new forms of scholarship and research. Working closely with leading USC faculty, students develop critical and creative abilities in the use of images, video, sound, text and interactivity, crafting media-rich forms of scholarship.

In their first year, students develop a conceptual and technical foundation for multimedia scholarship with IML 101: The Languages of New Media, which introduces still image manipulation, video capture and editing, and interactivity. During their sophomore and junior years, students enroll in a variety of elective courses - including courses in Web design, Web-based documentary video production, or the Digital Studies symposium course. During the junior year, students take a thesis preparation seminar in order to craft a working prototype of their advanced multimedia thesis project, which is completed in the final year. Students then graduate with the “honors” designation on their transcript.

At the IML, Honors students join a dynamic community of scholars that provides unique opportunities for personal and professional growth. In classes, laboratories and apprenticeships, students take the lead in developing new forms of expression, working individually and in groups to create increasingly complex multimedia projects. These students have access to state-of-the-art multimedia production facilities as well as an experienced and knowledgeable staff. Because Honors in Multimedia Scholarship is open to undergraduates from all schools and departments at USC, the student body represents a diverse range of academic interests and majors.

There is no application process for the Honors in Multimedia Scholarship Program. Instead, students who complete IML 101 with a grade of ‘B’ or higher are invited to continue. While students will immediately begin to use multimedia tools, the Program does not require pre-requisites, nor does it expect prior experience with multimedia. Instead, any student with a desire to push the creative boundaries of academic practice, moving beyond traditional papers and exams, is welcome.