366 Communications of the Association for Information Systems (Volume 9, 2002) 366-377 How Will Media Technology Evolve as an Academic Discipline by D.A. Peak et al. THE AMCIS 2002 WORKSHOPS AND PANELS III: HOW WILL MEDIA TECHNOLOGY EVOLVE AS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE? Daniel A. Peak College of Business Administration University of North Texas peak@unt.edu Michael Gibson School of Visual Arts University of North Texas J. Wayne Spence College of Business Administration University of North Texas W. Kenton Bales College of Fine Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha Verlyn Kroon Omaha Public Power District Omaha, NE Richard Vedder College of Business Administration University of North Texas ABSTRACT Media Technology (MT) is a new, multidisciplinary field that integrates the knowledge, expertise, resources, and creativity of diverse, established, fertile artistic disciplines (visual design, art, music, radio, television) with new technological disciplines (digital media, information systems, information technology, computer science, network engineering) through rapidly-evolving technologies. Its application in electronic commerce into what will become a full synthesis of information technology and sensory interaction will be made possible by approaches to presenting and exchanging information visually, aurally--and eventually in combination with all of the senses. This article reports on a panel held at AMCIS 2002 in Dallas TX. The panel discussed the need to develop a literacy and understanding in the IT discipline of the MT and its importance in keeping IT research relevant. The panel also discussed strategies for attaining MT literacy, integrating MT into the IT curriculum, and discussed two universities where it is being done. KEYWORDS: Computer Media, Media Technology, Aesthetic Design, Form, Function