Visual & Media Arts :: Undergraduate: Radio

Radio

The specialization in Radio is intended to provide students with a background in the business and production of radio programming. In addition to conventional radio formats and uses, the student can also explore the development of new and alternative radio programming distribution channels, including Internet and satellite. Students also have the opportunity to earn non-tuition credits working in significant positions for WERS-FM or WECB-AM.

Credits

B.A.: 44
B.F.A.: 60

Visual and media arts foundations (12 credits)

The Visual and Media Arts Foundations offers the student a broad theoretical, historical and practical introduction to the visual and media arts.

Required Courses

Course Code	Course Information
VM100	History of Media Arts I 4.00 Credits The first of a two-semester course exploring the historical development of the media arts. This course will focus on the development of the film, broadcasting, and sound recording industries until 1950, including the organization, operation, and management of media organizations. The course will investigate the relationship between economics, industrial history, and social and political systems, and the styles and techniques of specific films and broadcast programs. Special attention is given to the diversity of styles of presentation in the media.
VM101	History of Media Arts II 4.00 Credits The second of a two-semester course exploring the historical development of the media arts. This course will focus on the continuing development of the film, broadcasting, and sound recording industries after 1950, as well as the development of video and digital technologies, including the organization, operation, and management of media organizations. The course will investigate the relationship between economics, industrial history, and social and political systems, and the styles and techniques of specific films and videos, broadcast programs, and new media.
VM120	Foundations in Visual and Media Arts Production 4.00 Credits This course combines lectures with hands-on workshops. It examines the relationships among photography, graphics, audio, film, video, and new media within the context of cross-media concepts, theories, and applications. The course traces the creative process from initial conception and writing through production and post-production. Students will proceed through a series of exercises that will lead to completion of a final project, which establishes a foundation for advanced production course work.

Introduction to Disciplines (16 Credits Minimum)

At the Introduction to Disciplines level, students explore one or more of the department’s main discipline areas.

Required Courses

Course Code	Course Information
VM200	Media Criticism and Theory 4.00 Credits This course explores theoretical and critical approaches to the study of photography, film, video, audio, and digital culture. Theories and methods in this course will examine issues relating to production and authorship in the media arts, audience reception and effects, political ideology, ethics, aesthetics, cultural diversity, and schools of thought within the liberal arts. Extensive critical writing and reading in media criticism and theory. Prerequisite: VM 101 and VM 120.
VM202	Critical Listening 4.00 Credits This course provides a study of the psychoacoustic perception and analysis of classical and contemporary use of sound in the media. Students will identify and define acoustic variables, comparing past and present recordings in all media.
VM250	Introduction to Sound Principles & Audio Production 4.00 Credits An introduction to audio physics, sound principles, and the theory and practice of audio recording and mixing. The emphasis is on concept development for sound production; signal routing and the mixer console; analog and digital audio recording and editing techniques. Prerequisite: VM 101 and VM 120.

At least one of the following

VM230	Introduction to Film Production (I) 4.00 Credits An introductory level course in the basics of non-synchronous 16mm filmmaking, including basic camera operation, principles of cinematography and lighting, black-and-white film stock information, introduction to non-sync sound recording and transfers, and picture and sound editing.
VM231	Intermediate Film Production 4.00 Credits An intermediate level 16mm film production class designed to introduce students to the technical, conceptual, and procedural skills necessary to successfully complete a short double system sync-sound film. Students will be introduced to pre-production, production, and post-production procedures and techniques, and will receive detailed hands-on instruction in the operation of sync-sound motion picture production and post-production equipment.
VM240	Introduction to Video Field Production 4.00 Credits An introduction to single-camera video production. Through lectures and hands-on projects, students learn the equipment and techniques used in single-camera field production and post-production. Students write and produce a variety of projects, which are edited in digital non-linear mode and then downloaded for review in class.
VM251	Audio Field Recording 4.00 Credits An intensive study in the theory and practice of field/location and studio audio recording for film, video, television and documentary formats. The course covers techniques in the use of field/studio recorders and mixers, wireless microphones, shotgun microphones, boom poles & shot blocking. Also covered are tape based, and hard disk digital recorders, and time-code synchronization management. Prerequisite: VM 250.
VM260	Introduction to Digital Media Production 4.00 Credits An introduction to the theory and practice of digital media production. This course will stress the conceptual, aesthetic, and technical concerns of digital media, emphasizing creativity and familiarity with the material. Areas include introductions to Web design and development, animation, interactivity, graphics and imaging, as well as project management, interface design, and user experience. Students will produce creative works based on instruction in the technical aspects of the material. Prerequisite: VM 101 and VM 120.

Specializations

Required Courses

VM402	Seminar in Media Arts Topics 4.00 Credits This course will examine various topics in media arts. Students will be expected to study a variety of issues in seminar fashion. Topics vary from section to section. Course may be repeated for credit if topics vary. Prerequisite: VM 200 and Senior standing (Junior standing with permission of Chair).

VM402

Seminar in Media Arts Topics

One Advanced Visual and Media Studies course (4 Credits)

One Advanced Visual and Media Studies course (4 Credits)

At least two of the following

VM339	Performance for Radio 4.00 Credits The development of effective performance and the training of the critical ear. Emphasis is on the structure and delivery of messages for the auditory media. Students will work on various presentations, including narrative, interview, news, music, and imaginative and creative copy for performance. Prerequisites: VM 250.
VM355	Radio Programming 4.00 Credits This course focuses on how to program a radio station in today's competitive media environment. Topics include basic principles of radio programming, positioning against the competition, selecting and leading an air staff, music, news, and talk programming. Prerequisite: VM 250.
VM356	Marketing and Promotion for Radio and Audio 4.00 Credits This course explores the techniques, methods, goals, and ethics of successful promotions, including the components of an effective promotions team. The course includes the planning, coordination, and implementation of a promotion campaign.
VM414	Radio Studies 4.00 Credits This course includes a study of the history and theory of radio with an emphasis on the exploration of radio as an evolving creative media. Prerequisite. VM 200.
VM455	Radio Workshop 4.00 Credits This course is a workshop in which students produce creative commercial, non-commercial and experimental radio projects. Students will investigate radio as a confluence of contemporary art and emerging technology. Prerequisite. VM 250.

Recommended Courses

VM352	Studio Recording 4.00 Credits Students will learn to work with the principle tools of the professional audio production studio. Using multi track recording and sound processing equipment, students learn the essentials of studio recording and discover how they can be used for creative productions. Prerequisite: VM 250.
VM452	Art of Noise 4.00 Credits In this class we will explore the concept of the "avant-garde" not as a fading modernist construct, but as a creative tool in contemporary sound art practice. Through examination and modeling of both familiar and obscure works, students will cultivate novel strains in their own creative voices. Through a sequence of case studies, issues related to process (indeterminacy, defamiliarization, stochastic methods, and phase shift) as well as the social aspects of outsider art, subversion, and provocation will be developed. Prerequisite: VM 250.
VM555	Recording Industry as a Business 4.00 Credits Students will explore the ways sound entertainment and information products are developed, produced, and marketed. In-depth examination of market analysis principles and legal requirements and structure, including licensing agreements, contracts, and copyright, will take place along with the examination of revenue issues such as royalties, record sales, product endorsements, and cost-centered issues such as promotion, advertising, and touring. Prerequisite: VM 101 and VM 120.
VM514	Public Broadcasting and Educational Telecommunications 4.00 Credits This course provides an investigation of the history, organization, structure, funding, programming, audience, and operations of public television and radio. Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, and NPR/APR networks, regional associations, and individual stations will be studied, including field visits to stations and program sources. Instructional television systems, such as ITFS, will also be investigated. Prerequisite: VM 101 or permission of instructor.
VM515	Communication Law and National Policy 4.00 Credits An analysis of law and policy that affect all forms of communication, including newspapers, radio, television, cable, film, visual arts, and cyberspace, with an emphasis on statute law, case law and regulatory law. Topics include first amendment freedoms, prior restraint, libel and slander, indecency and obscenity, copyright, fair trial/free press issues, confidential sources, and advertising. Students will conduct mock trials and prepare legal and regulatory documents on key issues. Prerequisite: VM 101 or permission of instructor.

Advanced Visual and Media Arts Workshop

Students may apply to take the Advanced Visual and Media Arts Workshop. Two semesters mandatory for B.F.A. Optional for B.A.

For specific course prerequisites, please consult the Undergraduate Catalog.