Narrative Arts at HCU
Offering dynamic degrees in cinematic arts, digital media, and creative writing.聽
HCU鈥檚 Department of Narrative Arts is dedicated to training the next generation of storytellers working in film and animation, video games, fiction and poetry, graphic design, and emerging mediums. We provide a challenging, personalized creative environment for each student to develop their artistic abilities and instincts. Unified by the transformative power of narrative across these artistic mediums, our graduates are equipped to flourish with a wide range of creative, technical, and professional skills.
At the heart of the Narrative Arts department’s success is the School of Fine Art’s commitment to mentor and educate students towards excellence in artistic creation for the glory of God. We prioritize hands-on field experience, apprenticeship and mentorship, strong understanding of tradition and theory, a clear focus on emerging opportunities, and an essential spiritual foundation for every student.
Core Foundations
- Uniting all of our Narrative Arts degrees is a common focus on the art of storytelling. Whether through the written word, traditional cinema, or new digital experiences, each medium relies on timeless principles of story and narrative. With this in mind, our majors are crafted with a shared core of classes, building a consistent foundation for all students.
- Also central to these programs is our dedication to creative apprenticeship. While students take many traditional courses, each degree also provides students with vital opportunities to practice their craft, develop their voice, and receive highly personalized feedback from faculty and peers. Industry internships are available for all majors and play an essential role in preparing students for their future careers.
- Finally, we are deeply committed to integrating faith into every aspect of our education. HCU鈥檚 students come from a diverse array of spiritual traditions, including many different Christian denominations, other religions, and non-religious worldviews. Within our classes, students are encouraged to take their personal convictions seriously and engage in thoughtful, respectful dialogue. Led by faculty who have sincerely-held Christian beliefs, our students are challenged to consider the creative call of scripture, from Christ鈥檚 example as a storyteller of grace and truth, to the redemptive arc of the full biblical narrative. Together in community, we strive to imitate our Creator God in the incarnational work of artists.
Degrees in Narrative Arts
Bachelor's Degrees
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Animation (BFA)
The Animation degree provides experience and training in 3D digital animation and traditional art and animation principles. Students learn principles of animation and cinematic theory, discipline-specific skills in a particular field of animation, and prepare to work professionally in animation and media-related industries. -
Cinematic Arts (BFA, Minor)
A Cinematic Arts undergraduate degree is meant for students who wish to use cinematography or media production in one of many vocational capacities. By studying the work of respected artists and learning from contemporary filmmakers and media producers, pupils hone their project creation, production and editing abilities. -
Creative Writing (BFA, Minor)
The Creative Writing degree includes basic courses in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction writing, English, history, and foreign languages. Students also learn creative writing across multiple genres, skills in a particular genre of writing, and develop a professional portfolio for their required internship and a career in writing. -
Graphic Design (BFA)
The BFA in Graphic Design prepares students for a wide variety of design-related media fields with traditional artistic principles through 33 hours of Studio Art courses and 34 hours in digital media. The degree program also includes key courses in career preparation, including a professional internship and portfolio development. -
Narrative Arts (BA)
The Narrative Arts degree includes classes in storytelling, communication theory, professional skills, and specialized courses in one of three narrative concentrations: Creative Writing, Cinema Production, Digital Media. Students learn narrative theory across multiple artistic mediums and discipline-specific narrative arts skills. -
Video Game Design (BFA)
The Video Game Design degree offers hands-on opportunities in computer game development, traditional art and design principles, narrative and game theory, and animation. Students learn video game theory and visual storytelling, discipline-specific skills in video game development, and professional skills for media-related industries.
Minors
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Cinema Production (Minor)
The minor in Cinema Production includes courses in cinema history, cinematic core principles, media production, and other cinematic arts and narrative arts courses. This minor is a great complement to other degrees in the cinematic and narrative arts. -
Creative Writing (BFA, Minor)
The Creative Writing degree includes basic courses in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction writing, English, history, and foreign languages. Students also learn creative writing across multiple genres, skills in a particular genre of writing, and develop a professional portfolio for their required internship and a career in writing. -
Digital Media (Minor)
The minor in Digital Media includes courses in digital art foundations, 2D and 3D digital art and design, and other digital media and narrative arts courses. This minor is a great complement to other digital graphics and design majors.
Master's Degrees
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Cinematic Arts (MA)
This MA in Cinematic Arts is a remote-synchronous workshop-based program for cinematography and media production with a focus on screenwriting, cinema theory, and narrative media. Electives allow students to explore media studies, industry pitching and networking, film production, and integration seminars exploring faith and the arts. -
Creative Writing (MA)
The MA in Creative Writing is a remote-synchronous Christian-based program that studies canonical works of literature and specializes in poetry and fiction. Similar to the on-campus program, students engage in graduate-level creative work through writing workshops and one-on-one thesis instruction without the residential requirements. -
Creative Writing (MFA)
This is a Christian-based program with specialization in poetry and fiction.聽 Students are equipped to produce and revise graduate-level creative work in writing workshops and one-on-one thesis instruction. Students acquire a theoretical and practical understanding of their disciplines through the study pf canonical works of literature. -
Screenwriting (MFA)
The MFA in Screenwriting prepares students to write professionally for film, television, and new media. It challenges students to develop a compelling cinematic voice and style and understand business realities within the industry. Students are introduced to related fields, including marketing, interactive media, and new technologies.
Facilities and Opportunities
From day one, students have free access to…
- Cutting edge computer lab with high-powered 3D graphics systems
- High-end professional cameras and media production equipment
- Multi-use production studio with chroma key backdrops
- Advanced editing and audio studios for sound, music, and podcasts
- Virtual reality, performance capture systems, and 3D printers
- Industry-specific internships and job opportunities
- Constantly growing network of alumni and mentors
- Annual trips to the South by Southwest Festival & Conference
- Faculty who are highly-accomplished industry professionals
Narrative Arts Graduates Work In…
Television production
Independent film production
Web and streaming content
Local freelance production
Marketing and graphic design
Visual effects and animation
Radio, music, and podcasting
Sports broadcasting
Publishing and journalism
Public relations / communication
Church and non-profit media
High school & college education
Industry-Leading Guests
Narrative Arts classes and events frequently host industry professionals as guest speakers and adjunct instructors, including prominent screenwriters, directors, actors, game designers, novelists, and poets.
Additionally, the department hosts the annual Narrative Arts Conference, featuring guests like Andrew Peterson (songwriter and novelist), Tony Hale (Emmy-winning actor), Bret Lott (bestselling novelist), Christian Scott (screenwriter), and Chris Skaggs (game designer).