Exploring the work of filmmakers from around the globe, this introductory-level course examines the formal elements of filmmaking as well as the various forces—political, technological, cultural, and economic—that give rise to specific kinds of cinematic art. The course format combines lectures, discussions, student presentations, and film screenings. (5T) Offered each fall.

This introductory course serves many purposes, including providing students with an understanding of the process of human communication in public situations. It also provides students with an appreciation for the complexity of the communication process, and at the same time, provides them with an understanding of the choices facing the public communicator. In addition to the theoretical framework, there is a practical component as well, since students will implement the knowledge they have gained as they present and evaluate public presentations throughout the course. (2A)

This course introduces students to core concepts, debates, and overarching theoretical concerns that are central to the field of media studies. It explores a range of topics including the complex relationship between mass media and democracy, the diverse ways in which people try to understand “popular culture,” concepts of ideology and political economy, the consequences of global media industry consolidation, issues of gender, race, sexuality, and media representation, and theories of technology as they relate to media. (5T) Offered each spring.

Basic techniques of reportage, from researching to writing to editing. Emphasis on writing for newspapers, though other print and broadcast media also will be examined. Written assignments may include news stories, book and movie reviews, interviews, human interest stories, feature articles, and editorials. (Also listed as Journalism 125.) (2A) Offered each fall.

Introduction to visual studies explores how images structure the world we inhabit by shaping how we perceive and consume various identities, as well as how we come to understand and occupy our built and natural environment. This course builds visual literacy skills through an examination of traditional forms such as paintings, sculpture, and architecture, and more popular and contemporary forms such as film and video. (5T)

This introductory-level course examines the art and practice of nonfiction video production, focusing specifically on the process of making documentaries. Students acquire basic audio and video production skills—videography, video editing, lighting, sound recording, and sound design—and will apply these skills in the creation of their own, original nonfiction video projects. Students will also examine some of the legal and ethical issues that directors of documentary typically encounter, as well as some of the social and political roles that documentaries play within our society. (Also listed as Journalism 155.) (2A) Offered every other year.

Is it possible to count, or quantify, the qualitative features of writing, whether a poem, a newspaper article, or a novel? In this course students are introduced to the field of computational literary analysis as a subfield of the digital humanities. They learn how humanists use quantifiable data and metadata; and, they learn to formulate research problems and questions that lead to a computational approach to literary/textual analysis. Topics covered: the Google Ngram Viewer and Ngram Dataset, basic Python programming; and the functionality of the NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit) and SpaCy Python libraries. Prerequisites: none.

This introductory course addresses a variety of media-related topics that are not taught as regular course offerings. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. The 2A and 5T domained versions of this course are, respectively, Media Studies 171 and 172. Prerequisites: none.

This introductory course addresses a variety of media-related topics that are not taught as regular course offerings. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. (2A). Prerequisites: none.

This introductory course addresses a variety of media-related topics that are not taught as regular course offerings. Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. (5T). Prerequisites: none.

“Art happens when you intend it to happen. It happens when you leap with intention—The act is the point, more so now than ever,” says Anne Bogart. This course explores theories about the creative inspiration, the performative instinct, the creation of meaning, the artist’s relationship with the audience, the politics of performance, and the “rules” of narrative, spectacle, and performance. The goal is to examine the role of the performance artist in a postmodern world. Throughout the class, students explore interdisciplinary approaches to stretch the boundaries of their imagination. Those interested in media will gain insights to theories critical to understanding and critiquing media. (5T) (Also listed as Performing and Applied Arts 221 and Theatre and Dance 202.) Offered every fall. Prerequisite: sophomore standing and must have completed at least 2 theatre and dance courses, or consent of instructor. For media studies majors, sophomore standing is necessary.

Course Description: This course introduces students to the art and craft of screenwriting. Students will analyze the formal elements of screenplays and learn essential mechanics of writing for the screen. They also begin the process of writing their own original screenplay. Offered each spring. (Also listed as Theatre and Dance 233 and English 215.) Prerequisite: English 205 or Media Studies 100, and junior standing; or permission of instructor.

A survey of writing modes associated with print journalism, with primary emphasis on magazine feature writing. Assignments may include profiles, personal essays, travel articles, interviews, biographies, reviews, satire, and extended feature articles with a research component. (2A) (Also listed as Journalism 225.) Offered each spring. Prerequisite: Journalism 125/Media Studies 125 is recommended.

Whether you plan to offer a play-by-play on air or want to be understood on the stage, this course increases your awareness and control of your own vocal life. Students learn techniques and exercises that facilitate vocal development and control. Voice for Stage and Screen introduces a variety of vocal training systems (Linklater, Berry, Houseman, and Skinner) to help students study their whole voice. This course covers: International Phonetic Alphabet, dialects, classical verse, character voices, Elevated Standard speech, vocal work with a microphone, and exercises that assist in gaining vocal control. (Also listed as Performing and Applied Arts 229 and Theatre and Dance 229.) Offered occasionally.

This topical course offers students an opportunity to engage with questions in visual studies at an intermediate level through various disciplinary lenses including literary studies, art history, and film studies. Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Offered every year.

This course examines the video essay, an emerging form of digital art and academic discourse, which has lately come into its own as a powerful new mode of media expression. First and foremost, it explores ways in which the literary essay—a form that dates back centuries, if not millennia—has come to inform various cinematic and videographic impulses. It provides students an opportunity to develop skills as writers, video makers, and cultural critics. (2A) (Also listed as Journalism 251 and English 224.) Offered every other year.

This intermediate course addresses a variety of media-related topics that are not taught as regular course offerings. Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Offered every year.

This topics course leads students through exploratory performance and installation projects. Students who identify with any creative practice (such as vocalists, instrumentalists, sound artists, poets, visual artists, multimedia artists, choreographers, programmers, etc.) share a collaborative environment in which they perform installations and pieces created together. The course may include weekly readings on devised performance, community development, and collaboration and/or work through structured exercises and improvisations to develop a group-specific creative language. The course culminates in a final public presentation of the collaborative creative work. All media styles and levels of experience are welcome. Students may repeat this course up to a total of 2 units of credit. (2A) (Also listed as Art 176 and Performing and Applied Arts 276.)

The first course in a two-part practicum experience, this class offers students an opportunity to help run the community access television station that operates out of CELEB. Students will learn the basic technical skills required to produce and broadcast community access television, and will assist in the production of various local programs. (2A) Offered every semester.

The second course in a two-part practicum experience, this class offers students an opportunity to help run the community access television station that operates out of CELEB. Students learn the basic technical skills required to produce and broadcast community access television, and assist in the production of various local programs. (2A) Offered every semester. Prerequisite: Media Studies 300.

Many scientists and researchers across the globe now agree that the Anthropocene—the word proposed to describe a new geological epoch defined by the earth-shaping consequences of human activity—has arrived. This course explores the media landscape of the Anthropocene, focusing on various ways in which filmmakers, podcasters, and other digital storytellers are attempting to make sense of the challenges that humans face during this moment of profound geological and ecological change. In addition to examining the work of others, students are required to produce their own digital media projects, using a variety of audio, video, and web-based production tools. (2A) (Also listed as Environmental Studies 260/Journalism 350.) Offered every other year. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing or permission of instructor.

This course explores the craft of narrative fiction filmmaking. Through a series of technical exercises and creative assignments, students cultivate their skills as writers and directors, and develop the skills required to plan and execute a film project through various stages of production. (2A) Offered every other year. Prerequisite: introductory-level media studies production course or permission of instructor.

This advanced course, designed as a capstone experience for media studies majors, addresses a variety of media-related topics that are not taught as regular course offerings. Topics will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. (CP) Offered every year.

Individual work under faculty supervision with evaluation based on appropriate evidence of achievement. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or consent of instructor.

Work with faculty in classroom instruction. Graded credit/no credit.