In the 20 th century, literacy meant the ability to read, write and present cogent arguments on paper. In the 21 st century, literacy is going to extend well beyond that and into what could be termed, "a language of screens."

This paper provides an overview of USC's pedagogical strategies and theoretical precepts of an innovative educational initiative. Currently in its fourth year, USC's Multimedia Literacy Program is dedicated to clarifying and expanding definitions of 21 st Century by introducing multimedia technology — coupled with a critical awareness of visual culture — into higher education curricula. The program is fundamentally interdisciplinary, adapting the theories and methodology of cinema, television and new media studies to address the specific needs and culturally relevant issues of academic departments in the humanities, fine arts, social sciences and physical sciences alike. At the heart of the program is a unique emphasis on multimedia authorship which compels both students and faculty to undertake their own multimedia projects.