Bachelor of Humanities, Computing, and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology

Humanities, computing, and design is a dynamic field of study that integrates the traditional liberal arts–anthropology, art, communication, English, history, literature, linguistics, museum studies, philosophy, and political science–with advanced digital skills found in computing, information sciences, game design and development, digital technology, human-computer interaction, database management, data analytics, geographic information technologies, and interactivity in new media. The purpose of this degree is to create a bridge between the traditional liberal arts and the digital world, where critical thinking, cultural awareness, and communication must now integrate with digital technologies. The major prepares you for dynamic new career opportunities that are emerging as professionals find new and exciting ways to combine digital technologies and computing into everything from business and communications to education, history, museum studies, politics, public policy, and more.

What is Humanities, Computing, and Design?

Formerly known as digital humanities and social sciences, RIT's humanities, computing and design major pairs digital tools with computing to further anthropology, communication, culture, history, journalism, literature, and the arts. It creates new possibilities for these traditional liberal arts fields by integrating digital technologies, computing skills, visual communication, data analytics, and more.

Career opportunities encompass endless ways to pair digital technologies with the liberal arts. For example:

• Journalists must have a strong foundation in social media and web content strategy as people turn to their digital devices to consume news and information.
• Advertising and marketing on social media are created using traditional market research to identify a target audience and advanced digital technologies to engage and track the behaviors of those users.
• Storytelling in gaming requires a writer to understand the function and gameplay of a particular interactive world as well as the creative writing skills to craft a captivating story.
• Visual communication (infographics, interactive content, motion graphics) is used to present evidence in court cases, to sell products in stores, and to communicate instructions or directions. It must be dynamic, compelling, and effective.
• Museums and cultural institutions are creating new and exciting ways to integrate digital technologies to educate the public, engage visitors, and enhance the guest experience.
• Hotels, amusement parks, and resorts are turning to interactive apps that plan and manage guest experiences, wearables that unlock guest room doors and serve as your admission ticket, and a host of digital tools that enable online check-in, food ordering, and more.

RIT's Humanities, Computing, and Design Program

This major is uniquely interdisciplinary. You'll pair course work in three of RIT's colleges–College of Liberal Arts, the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, and the College of Art and Design–to understand the historical and cultural contexts for, and to think critically about, how new technologies can impact traditional areas of the liberal arts. Our partnerships within RIT, with the Wallace Center, The Cary Graphic Arts Collection, and The RIT Press, as well as the Library Company of Philadelphia and Malmö University in Sweden, provide distinctive opportunities for imagination and application.

As a student in the major, you will learn to employ a range of tools and techniques, including 3D design visualization, geospatial technology, and electronic literature. The major also fosters critical analysis of digital culture, social media, and digital games. Team-based projects and public engagement are hallmarks of the program.

A Unique Pairing of Courses

The major combines information science and technologies with the liberal arts to provide you with the integrative literacy increasingly necessary for careers in cultural institutions, government, educational institutions, and technology firms. You'll take courses in new media design, web and mobile design and development, database and data modeling, and computing. Professional electives enable you to gain knowledge in areas you can apply directly to your professional pursuits, such as multi-platform journalism, digital design in communication, gaming and literature, 2D animation and asset production, museums in the digital age, and more.

You'll gain broad knowledge as well as expertise in a specialization area. A minor or immersion adds a secondary area of study. You'll also benefit from experiential learning opportunities through cooperative education or internships, team-based projects, and lab courses. A capstone experience culminates in a project that is unique to your professional aspirations. This is a degree program where every student's plan of study is tailored around their professional pursuits. You also will be encouraged to study abroad or pursue an international co-op in order to enhance your understanding of global cultures.

Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees

Today's careers require advanced degrees grounded in real-world experience. RIT's Combined Accelerated Bachelor's/Master's Degrees enable you to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years of study, all while gaining the valuable hands-on experience that comes from co-ops, internships, research, study abroad, and more.

+1 MBA: Students who enroll in a qualifying undergraduate degree have the opportunity to add an MBA to their bachelor's degree after their first year of study, depending on their program. Learn how the +1 MBA can accelerate your learning and position you for success.