秘密研究所

August 20, 2025

by Lauren Ferguson

秘密研究所 of New Jersey students now have three new majors to choose from within the School of Contemporary Arts.

鈥淲e鈥檝e launched three new programs鈥擣ilmmaking, Theater and Film, and Visual Communication Design鈥攖hat reflect a vision of arts education, firmly rooted in the liberal arts, where creative practice and critical inquiry are both present,鈥� said Dean of Contemporary Arts Ken Goldstein. 鈥淭hese programs are interdisciplinary by design, rigorous, and full of hands-on opportunities. They鈥檙e built to prepare our students not just to enter today鈥檚 creative economy, but to be successful in tomorrow’s.鈥�

The three areas of study have long been part of 秘密研究所, and have now been transformed into majors to ensure they are 鈥渢ruly engaged with contemporary practice, contemporary media and the contemporary economy,鈥� Goldstein said.

Goldstein believes the three majors 鈥渨ill be really attractive to 16 and 17 year olds who are looking for places to study and explore their passions and curiosity.鈥� He also foresees Roadrunners in other majors taking classes to supplement their education.

Theater and Film

Ramapo has had a successful theater program for many years. But students often express that they are interested in working in both theater and film, Goldstein said.

Knowing that the lines between the forms of storytelling are being blurred, the interdisciplinary program provides students with a foundation in both theater and film, he said. They will gain hands-on experience during a robust production season on stage, and students will also participate in the making of film and digital media.

The Theater and Film program gives students a well-rounded foundation in storytelling, acting, directing, design, and film production. Students can choose a concentration in Acting, Production/Design, or Theater Studies.

鈥淭his is one of the first programs in the state and really nationally that offers a bachelor of arts degree that is purposefully interdisciplinary in theater and film, and that is something that students are really looking for,鈥� Goldstein said.

Filmmaking

Filmmaking was previously a concentration available for students majoring in Communication Arts.

Ramapo filmmaking students gain hands-on experience.

鈥淭here is not a single sector of the economy that doesn’t somehow incorporate the creation of media,鈥� Goldstein said. 鈥淎nd being a liberal arts program, it’s not only a skill-based education, it is truly an understanding of film and also the context and history and societal context that films are created in.鈥�

Associate Professor of Digital Filmmaking Kelly Dolak said a filmmaking major is a way for students to gain experience in聽all aspects of film while also having time to specialize in an area they are drawn to, 鈥渨hether it鈥檚 cinematography, screenwriting, directing, audio and so much more.鈥�

A major will help them to be more competitive and appealing to employers and offer them more writing and production classes, she said. 鈥淭aking more film classes should help students build a strong portfolio of work to show future employers,鈥� she said.

Filmmaking students can choose a concentration in Directing, Post Production, or Screenwriting.

Visual Communication Design

Visual Communication Design was also previously a concentration within the Communication Arts major.

A student in a Graphic Design course participates in a sketch task to warm up for class. The tasks help students think creatively and make an impact when they are sketching and researching for projects.

鈥淏y creating separate majors, it gives them an opportunity to be a little bit more inclusive of what the disciplines offer and the kinds of experiences and knowledge students should have before they graduate,鈥� Goldstein said.

Students in the major can choose a concentration in Game Design, Graphic Design, or Interaction Design.

They will gain expertise in design principles, typography, branding, user experience, and motion graphics through both coursework and applied projects. Studio courses are built around experiential opportunities, such as designing games, book covers, product packaging and websites.

With a focus on innovation and critical problem-solving, graduates will be ready for positions such as game designers, graphic designers, and user-experience designers.

For more information, visit the School of Contemporary Arts webpage.