This course presents a survey of the field of animation, including software and technologies used to produce movies such as Shrek and Monsters, Inc. We will discuss how animation has evolved over the past 50 years, and explain the roles of computers and animators in this process. Students will have hands-on instruction using various professional software programs, including Macromedia Flash and Alias|Wavefront Maya (the latter is the primary program used by professional animators today).