| As our society witnesses more use of computers than ever, the field of computer graphics has grown into a part of the main stream in visual communications. Recently, in visual art programs across the nation, more institutions in higher education than ever have searched for a way of integrating the computer graphics technology into their existing art programs. Depending on the goals and available resources of the institutions, the levels of developments vary from one institution to another. As more and more colleges and universities are searching for the way to develop a the computer graphics program for their students, understanding what issues and factors are involved with the development is important.; One example is the recent development of a Computer Arts major at the University of Saint Francis. The detailed description of the development at the USF portrays what was involved with when a small college decided to (re)develop a program. At the outset, the institution must search for the well-being of the institution in addition to the goal of providing a quality education. The program should be relevant to the mission and goal of the institution. Implicated issues include practical concerns for developments such as developing curriculum, finding available resources, and promoting the program. Some of the practical concerns of the developments focus on the quantitative elements such as number of computers, the physical space, and expected incoming students. More importantly, the development should be economically justifiable for the continued existence of the institution.; The actual decision-making, however, is a qualitative process that involves the social and cultural aspects of the institution. An academic institution is a social organization, which is bounded by its own rationale and values. The dynamic organizational culture and decision-making are forces in command of the development. However great the needs are or how good the quantitative figures sound, the actual interpretation is up to each member of the institution. In the end, it is the dynamics of culture of the institution and its influence on its members that made the decisions. |
