Fall 2001
History of Media Arts, Part One; Eric Schaefer
Explores the historical development of the media arts (film and broadcasting industries until 1950, including the organization,
operation, and management of media organizations). Relationships between economics, industrial history, and social and political
systems, and the styles and techniques of specific films and broadcast programs.
Ways of Knowing: Philosophy in Litterature; Nigel Gibson
Interpretation of texts, evaluation of aesthetic style, reconstruction of historical context. 'In literature there are no
answers, only questions.' Organized around four themes that define the range of human experience in modern history as explored
and represented by four major works of literature. The themes are 'life in truth', 'forbidden knowledge', 'absurdity', and
'guilt and insignificance.'
Abnormal Psychology; Scott Nolen
Expository Writing; James Charlesworth
Introduction to the process, purposes, and strategies of persuasive and explanatory writing. Reading and discussion of works
by both professional and student writers; exploration of techniques of argument and persuasion in writing a series of 5-6
essays.
Spring 2002
History and Analysis of Media Arts, part Two; Eric Schaefer
The second of a two-semester course exploring the historical development of the media arts. Development of the film and broadcasting
industries after 1950, as well as the development of video and digital technologies, including the organization, operation,
and management of media organizations.
Introduction to Media Production; Bridget Murnane
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. Series of exercises, including a final
project, which establishes a foundation for advanced production course work.
I produced: "Boston" (digital still project) and "The Difficulties of Filmmaking" (short video).
Concept Development; Janice Pieroni
Generate ideas for future creative projects in audio/radio, new media, FILM, and TV/video. Highlighting storytelling methods,
create treatments, outlines, and short scripts, which can be developed and used, in subsequent production or screenwriting
courses.
I wrote a 30 page script entitled "L'amour Fou"
Essay Writing: US Multicultural; Nicole Zezzo
Writing seminar. Readings include works of fiction and analysis from a variety of theoretical perspectives (psychology, sociology,
literature and cultural criticism). Writing assignments: analyzing texts, evaluating theories, and using concepts to explore
problems. Approximately 40 pages of prose, including short essays, revisions and an extended essay.
Fall 2002
Film Production I; Robert Todd
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.
I made four short films: "Portrait of a Car", "Woods", "I Love You", and "Jarred Past".
Theater into Film; Richard Gilman
Exploration of the artistic languages of theatre and film. Dramatic material written for the stage read and analyzed, and
the process of adaptation of that material. Texts include the works of such playwrights as Shakespeare, Strindberg, Williams,
and Albee. Film texts include the work of directors such as Lumet, Cukor, Solberg, and Nichols.
Fundamentals of Speech Communication; Rex Trailer
An introduction to the basic concepts, theories and principles of oral communication as applied to a speaking situation. Performance
and critical analysis of student skills in a variety of speaking formats. Audience analysis, content discovery, communication
strategies, arrangement of ideas, the use of evidence and reasoning to support claims, language and style, voice and other
delivery skills and ethical considerations.
Ethics: A Socio-Political Perspective; Nigel Gibson
Spring 2003: abroad program at Castle Well, the Netherlands
Media Criticism and Theory; Karen Lindsey
This course explores theoretical and critical approaches to the study of photography, film, video, audio, and digital culture.
Theories and methods 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.
Introduction to Creative Writing: Mixed Genres; Denya Cascio
Poetry and dramatic writing/short fiction. An introductory course in creative writing; techniques, conventions, and vocabulary
of two literary genres, and practice in writing in these genres. Reading, discussion, and writing.
Renaissance and Reformation Thought, 1350-1550; Edwin Van Meerkerk
The creativity of the Renaissance and Reformation is presented through the new ideas of the great thinkers of the period.
Included are the Italian humanists, Petrarch and Machiavelli, and the Protestant reformers, Luther and Calvin.
Intercultural Communication; Han Homan
Analysis of readings in intercultural communication. The course focuses on verbal and nonverbal customs of various cultures
as information from both a cultural and language perspective.
Fall 2003
Film Production II; Pierre Desir
An intermediate level 16mm film production class. Introduction to the technical, conceptual, and procedural skills necessary
to successfully complete a short double system sync-sound film. Pre-production, production, and post-production procedures
and techniques, and detailed hands-on instruction in the operation of sync-sound motion picture production and post-production
equipment.
I directed and wrote a 6 minute film entitled "Fresh". See link on left menu.
Business Concepts for Modern Media; Claire Andrade-Watkins
The course focuses upon strategic thinking, planning, organization, and implementation of media projects from conception (pre-production)
through release/distribution/exhibition (theatrical, non-theatrical, digital, web). Course content includes: business plans
(including financial option - limited partnerships, S-Corps, 501c3s, DBAs), grant resources, proposal and budget preparation,
considerations, advertising and marketing.
Final 10 page research paper on topic of choice.
I wrote about the lack of female directors in Hollywood.
Photography One; Amber Davis
An introduction to the fundamentals of black-and-white photography, including instruction in camera controls, film development,
printing, and photo finishing. Assignments generate critiques to develop "the critical eye." Gallery visit (Sam
Taylor-Wood at Harvard University; December 11, 2003) and slide presentations on the history of photography further enhance
critical thinking.
See "Still Photography" on left menu for examples of in class work.
The Brain and Human Communication; Vinoth Jagaroo
This course is concerned with the biological structure of human experience and the neural basis for its expression and regulation.
Topics include gross anatomy of the nervous system, neural cells as biological units of behavior, special sensory systems,
mechanisms of movement, memory and the storage of information, speech and language centers of the brain, emotion and self-regulation,
and altered states of consciousness. Methodology used by scientists who study human physiology, brain structures and the dimensions
of consciousness that underlie human communication abilities.
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