COURSE
OF STUDY
Freshman Year:
Fall
Public Speaking
Sports Journalism
Spring
Intro to Journalism
Intro to Mass Communication/Multimedia
Sophomore Year:
Fall
Fundamentals of Writing I (Print)
Broadcast Journalism I
Spring
Fundamentals of Writing II (Broadcast)
Broadcast Journalism II
Junior Year:
Fall
Digital Social Media
Practicum/Internship
Spring
Careers in Media & Journalism
Practicum/Internship
Senior Year:
Fall
Specialization (Photo Journalism)
Practicum/Internship
Spring
Specialization (Print Journalism)
Practicum/Internship
Public Speaking
The Art of Public Speaking teaches students the principles, practices and techniques of the skill, while personalizing learning for every student, no matter who they are or where they are, ensuring that they leave the public speaking class confident, prepared with the principle foundations, and ready to participate in oral presentations.
Intro to Journalism (Print)
In this course, students will share the same objectives professional reporters—finding the story, writing the story, and packaging the story so that it appeals to an audience. Understanding how to best accomplish these objectives is key to the students on the newspaper, yearbook or Web site staff, but the fundamental art of storytelling and story presentation at the center of this journalism course. Student journalists must first understand that storytelling, at its most basic level, is about people, and that understanding the audience is essential in deciding how to present the story.
Intro to Mass Communications/Multimedia
Students learn about the field of mass communications and media from a comprehensive approach to gain understanding of the history of communications/multimedia through today’s usage and impact for the 21st century. Also, in addition to studying the dynamic changes taking place in the field, students will have hands on opportunities to highlight their experience learnings the basic skills of collecting, interviewing, reporting and writing in journalism for multimedia/social media platforms.
Fundamentals of Writing I (Print)
Students use current events and trending headlines, to learn the fundamental principles, practices and techniques of writing and reporting news. Further, they learn essential tips and techniques from revered writing coaches and award-winning journalists to develop the writing and reporting skills, needed to succeed in the changing world of journalism and media. Most importantly, they are taught media ethics, while gaining ethical dilemma training as they practice working through ethical issues in today’s society and as individuals. Multimedia content is introduced, reflecting the way the news world actually operates.
Broadcast Journalism I (Scriptwriting)
This course is the practical implementation of writing across all media platforms. Students learn the introductory techniques to write scripts for video, audio and digital/social web production principles, practices and techniques. They will create electronic portfolios that will continuously be developed over their four year matriculation in the Vance Scholars program.
Fundamentals of Writing II (Broadcast)
Fundamentals of Writing II is the second part of the broadcast journalism experience. Students have the opportunity to actually produce their scripts for multiple digital/social media platforms. Using technology, they will actively use multimodal approaches to express learning, meaning and telling the story. Additionally, they will have to use critical thinking and analysis skills to assess the audience focus.
Digital/Social Media
This course helps students understand how today's journalists and news organizations use mobile and social media to gather news, distribute content, and create audience engagement. Checklists and practical activities enable students to immediately build the mobile and social media skills that are needed to be effective communicators, active listeners and participants in real and virtual world settings.
Careers in Journalism/Multimedia
Guest speakers from the fields of radio, television, film and digital/social media outlets come and speak to the students, as a way to provide interactive dialogues and to encourage their professional pursuits utilizing the skill set developed in the academy. Further, owners, general managers, sales people, production technicians, directors, on-air talent and others, will participate in face – to face dialogue with the students, in press conference-like forums.
Specialization I (Radio Production)
Students gain knowledge from radio industry practitioners about the principles, practices and techniques of radio production. Further, they get hands on opportunities and out of classroom experiences with local radio stations and on-air personalities.
Specialization II (Photo Journalism or Sports Journalism)
Students gain knowledge from radio industry practitioners about the principles, practices and techniques of photo or sports journalism. Further, they get hands on opportunities and out of classroom experiences with local radio stations, athletes and on-air personalities.
Practicum/Internship I and II
Students will have practicum/internships within our in-house 5,500 square foot, state-of-the-art media center, as well as, with local journalism and media outlets.