Courses
1. Basic Journalism
Intro to Journalism
The course provides the basic skills required identifying, gathering, writing and editing stories. Students are introduced to the basics of print journalism including reporting, news writing, editing, news organizations, news judgement, as well as ethical and legal issues. Students will analyze the way media cover breaking and feature news.
Electronic Journalism
This course will provide the basic skills required identifying, gathering, writing and producing news stories for radio and television. Daily listening to radio and television news is required.
Sportswriting
Students learn to write clear and concise sports stories for TV, newspapers and radio under deadline pressure. Developing sources of sports information as well as issues like salaries; strikes; women's sports; problems in big time college sports; participatory sports; boxing; gambling and "pseudosports" will be the focus of classroom discussion. Students are encouraged to pursue their own sportswriting interests.
Reviewing
Students learn to critique TV, film, theater, music, dance, art and photography. Plays, movies, TV programs or other art and entertainment forms will be critiqued each week. Students will develop the skills inherent to professional reviewers.
Feature Writing
Students learn to write feature stories for newspapers and magazines. In addition to learning the elements of good feature writing, this course teaches you how to take ideas and turn them into published articles. Various types of features will be discussed.
Investigative Reporting
Students learn how to research and write investigative journalism. Particular attention will be paid to sources, public records and global searches as well as privacy and ethical issues. Students will write a lengthy piece of investigative reporting
Editorials & Opinions
An introduction to writing journalism from a perspective with emphasis on news analysis, editorials and personal columns. Current examples of opinion writing will be examined.
2. Theory Courses
Media Ethics
What are a reporter's moral and ethical obligations to his sources, readers and employer? What are the values, ethics and traditions of the news business? What moral dilemmas do news professionals face every day in an increasingly complex and litigious society?
Intro to Mass Communication
Students study theories of mass communication and the role media plays in modern society. The rise print and electronic media will be discussed in detail. Special attention will be given to the rights, responsibilities and practices of mass media and emerging trends
Mass Communication Law
Some of the topics covered include privacy, libel and First Amendment rights What's the impact of globalization, conglomerization, deregulation and concentrated ownership on media institutions and the public. What challenges do emerging technologies and the World Wide Web present to existing mass communication law.
Mass Media Effects
Students consider the effects of media on social learning. Issues include violence, mean world syndrome, gender and race stereotypes, the breakdown of regional diversity and other topics. Students will explore advances in technology such as the World Wide Web and interactive media.
Interpersonal Communication
Communication is the process by which individuals define themselves and by which they are defined. Students will study interpersonal theorists such as Sapir, Worf, Phillipsen and Hymes.
Ethnography
Speaking is a cultural process. Ethnography is a methodology used to understand how speaking constitute individuals, scenes and ultimately cultures. Fieldwork will be conducted in conjunction with AIC's Oral History Project.
Seminars in Communication
Periodically, special seminars will be offered on selected Communications topics. These include: Global, Group, and Visual Communication, Research Methods, New Technologies, Mass Media and Social Change, Political Communication, Film Studies or other topics. Since the topics of this seminar change, students may take more than one seminar.
Visual Communication
Image is everything in modern culture. This course explores the theory and practice of visual communication in popular culture with a special emphasis on television advertising and visual representation of various social groups.
3. Hands On Courses
Photojournalism
Students will review the basics of photography before moving on to the various principles and techniques of photojournalism. In addition to composition and lighting, the students will consider selecting images for news, cropping and printing techniques including digital photography. Students are required to have a 35mm camera.
Layout and Design
This course will give the student hands on experience in the design and production of newspapers and newsletters. In addition to the basics of layout and design, desktop publishing, headline writing and selection of photographs and graphics will be explored.
Video Production
Students learn the theoretical and practical exploration of design and production techniques for the video as a communication media. Students will gain experience and learn the basics of video production including writing treatments and scripts; use of the video camera; directing and producing; editing video tape; and sound and light direction in AIC's new digital video (DVC) studio.
Intermediate Video
Directing multi-camera productions and advanced editing techniques as well as lighting design and maintaining broadcast production standards are the subject matter of this course. Students will get extensive field experience as well as hands on experience in AIC's new DVC TV studio.
TV News Production
Students will learn how to direct and produce TV news segments, write scripts and, ultimately, produce a half-hour news broadcast Special emphasis will be placed on news judgement; script writing; production values such as lighting and sound; and the use of maps, graphics and video footage to enhance reportage.
Basics of Broadcasting
Students study the essential elements of broadcasting including production and audio techniques, voice control, audio editing, music segues, PC audio, mixing. Upon completion of this course students will be eligible to obtain their FCC licenses. This course is required for all students with air shifts on WAIC FM.
Radio Programming and Production
Using the skills learned in basic broadcasting students practice programming and advanced production. Topics include radio formats, music beds, organizing productions, advanced audio techniques, sound effects, producing liners, commercials and positioning messages, producing news, sports and information programming and the role of the disc jockey, music and program director. Students will get hands on experience at WAIC FM; the college's radio station.
Station Management
Students study the organization of radio and TV stations and the principles of management with special attention to regulatory issues, corporate culture, syndication and the synergy among the sales, production, promotion, marketing, and traffic departments and top management.
The Broadcasting Business
The development of broadcasting in America with a concentration on the relationship between the statistical, analytical and program areas of media is the focus of this course. Students will plan and execute viewer and market surveys. The television ratings system will be considered in detail. Students will get a first hand, inside look at local TV station operations.
American International College
1000 State Street
Springfield MA 01109
(800) 242-3142
inquiry@aic.edu