Academic Programs Catalog

Digital storytelling is the foundation for the world of media. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Storytelling prepares students for a career in a media-focused world and provides them with the tools and techniques needed for creative, entrepreneurial and analytical processes and production. Graduates are prepared for a multitude of career paths -- film, television, corporate communications, digital advertising, new media—anything that involves using sound and image to entertain, inform and/or educate. The digital storytelling major has an interdisciplinary focus with courses from Communication Arts and Science, Film Studies, Journalism, and Media and Information.

The program of study encompasses a common core with foundational and supplementary courses. Students must choose one of the following 12-credit transcriptable concentrations or a 15-credit minor:

The Animation Concentration focuses on the production and theory of animated works in storytelling. Students completing this concentration will be prepared for understanding and producing stories via animation. Students will gain a background in the theoretical and practical uses of the animated form.

The Audio Storytelling Concentration is focused on storytelling through the art and science of production through audio. Students gain hands-on experience producing stories through sound for audio-based models such as terrestrial broadcast radio, satellite radio and web-based distribution and podcasts. Students will learn the fundamentals of audio technology, delivery and presentation, sound design and theory, and industry organization and business concepts.

The Filmmaking Concentration focuses on filmmaking – both fiction and non-fiction in focus. Students learn pre-production, production, and post-production techniques and design principles involved in documentary and fiction film. Students also gain experience in producing, directing, and managing media projects for distribution on multiple platforms including broadcast, cable, mobile networks, and the Internet.

The Multicam Production Concentration focuses on media production using industry multi-camera approaches. Students will learn hands-on multicam techniques for broadcast television and related fields. This concentration emphasizes theory and execution of live directing and production of multicam broadcasts. Students will establish an understanding of production techniques for media distribution including traditional broadcast, mobile networks and web formats.

The Minor in Documentary Production introduces undergraduates to the history, theory, and production of documentary media. Documentary production focuses on issues of media, representation, and reality. It engages directly with the fundamental understanding of how the world is presented, represented, distorted, structured, and shaped. Interpretation and representation of reality constitutes a central axis of inquiry and debate. By integrating production and analysis, students in this minor produce theoretically informed work and develop a cutting-edge understanding of the challenges inherent in representing reality.

The Minor in Fiction Filmmaking educates students in the history, theory, and production of fiction film. Students who enroll in this minor combine practical skills in production with conceptual training in film studies to produce theoretically informed work while developing an understanding of the challenges of creating high-quality films.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Storytelling

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Digital Storytelling.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Digital Storytelling major is met by completing one of the following courses: Digital Storytelling 411B or 435B or 441 or 442A or 442B or 442C or 443, or Journalism 312.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	All of the following core courses with a minimum grade of 2.0 or higher in each course (12 credits):
   	CAS	112	Story, Sound and Motion						3
   	DS	103	Media History						3
   	DS	113	Story, Sound and Motion II						3
   	JRN	108	The World of Media						3
   b.	Complete a concentration or minor (12 to 15 credits):
   	Animation
   	1.	Complete the following courses (9 credits):
   		JRN	212	2D Animation Storytelling					3
   		JRN	312	Stop Motion Animation Storytelling (W)					3
   		JRN	413	3D Animation Storytelling					3
   	2.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   		JRN	412	Scoring for Moving Pictures					3
   		MI	337	Compositing and Special Effects					3
   	Audio Storytelling
   	1.	Complete three of the following courses (9 credits):
   		DS	243	Audio Storytelling					3
   		DS	343	Podcasting					3
   		DS	344	Sound Design for Storytelling					3
   		JRN	412	Scoring for Moving Pictures					3
   	2.	Complete the following course (3 credits):
   		DS	443	Advanced Audio Design (W)					3
   	Filmmaking
   	1.	Complete the following courses (9 credits):
   		DS	241	Filmmaking I: Basics of Film Production					3
   		DS	341	Filmmaking II: Creating Short Films					3
   		DS	441	Filmmaking III: Advanced Filmmaking Capstone (W)					3
   	2.	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   		DS	311	Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking					3
   		DS	351	Producing for Cinema and Television					3
   		DS	409	Advanced Lighting and Camera Techniques					3
   		DS	440	Advanced Video Editing					3
   		FLM	334	Introduction to Screenwriting (W)					3
   	Multicam Production
   	1.	Both of the following courses (6 credits):
   		DS	242	Multicam Production I					3
   		DS	342	Multicam Production II					3
   	2.	Two of the following courses, one of which must be DS 442A, DS 442B, or DS 442C:
   		DS	442A	Multicam Production for Arts (W)					3
   		DS	442B	Multicam Production for Sports (W)					3
   		DS	442C	Multicam Production for News (W)					3
   		THR	411	Stage Lighting Design					3
   		THR	416	Stage Sound Design					3
   	Students may choose to complete one of the following minors (15 credits):
   	Documentary Production or Fiction Filmmaking. Students should consult the Academic Programs catalog statement in the department that administers the minor to learn the requirements.
   c.	Complete a minimum of 12 elective credits of courses from the following:
   	DS	202	Writing for Digital Storytelling						3
   	DS	211	Documentary Film History and Theory						3
   	DS	241	Filmmaking: Basics of Film Production						3
   	DS	242	Multicam Production I						3
   	DS	243	Audio Storytelling						3
   	DS	311	Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking						3
   	DS	341	Filmmaking: Creating Short Films II						3
   	DS	342	Multicam Production II						3
   	DS	343	Podcasting						3
   	DS	344	Sound Design for Storytelling						3
   	DS	351	Producing for Cinema and Television						3
   	DS	409	Advanced Lighting and Camera Techniques						3
   	DS	411A	Advanced Documentary Filmmaking I (W)						3
   	DS	411B	Advanced Documentary Filmmaking II (W)						3
   	DS	435A	Creating the Fiction Film I						3
   	DS	435B	Creating the Fiction Film II (W)						3
   	DS	440	Advanced Video Editing						3
   	DS	481	Indian Film and Media Production						8 to 12
   	DS	492	Digital Storytelling Special Topics						3
   	DS	492A	Digital Storytelling Special Topics in Animation						3
   	DS	492B	Digital Audio Storytelling Special Topics						3
   	DS	492C	Special Topics in Filmmaking						3
   	DS	492D	Special Topics in Multicam Production						3
   	FLM	301	History of Film after Midcentury						3
   	JRN	206	Video Storytelling with Phones						3
   	JRN	212	2D Animation Storytelling						3
   	JRN	310	Photojournalism						3
   	JRN	312	Stop Motion Animation Storytelling (W)						3
   	JRN	412	Scoring for Moving pictures						3
   	JRN	483	Photo Communication in Europe						6
   	JRN	486	British and Irish Mass Media Education Abroad						6
   	JRN	487	Creative Journey Education Abroad						6
   	MI	337	Compositing and Special Effects						3
   	Courses chosen to complete this requirement may not be used to fulfill the requirements of a concentration or minor.
   d.	Digital Storytelling majors must complete a minimum of 72 credits in courses outside of the School of Journalism, and mass communication. Digital Storytelling majors may complete up to 48 credits in digital storytelling, journalism, and mass communication areas of study.

Journalism is a profession and set of skills for gathering, investigating, producing, and disseminating news. Thus, journalism is an essential feature of democratic societies – providing truthful information that aids individual and collective decision-making. Whether focusing on political, sports, business, environmental, science, or international topics, the journalism major provides students with the professional preparation to serve society’s needs. Graduates are prepared to work in a range of traditional and innovative journalism-related occupations and platforms.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Journalism major is met by completing Journalism 300. That course is referenced in item 3. a. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Communication Arts and Sciences for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

Environmental Studies and Agriscience - Communication concentration:  see the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog for courses in Journalism appropriate to this major.

Engineering Arts:  see the College of Engineering section of this catalog for courses appropriate to this major.

Suggestions for Program Success

Students should pursue the University’s Integrative Studies requirements during their first and second years. Students should complete Journalism 108 in the first year and Journalism 200, 203 and 300 before the end of the sophomore year.
 
Journalism majors are also required to complete an internship for credit, under JRN 493. Internships are an important part of bridging classroom work to the world of work. Our most successful graduates complete multiple internships before graduating.

In order to ensure enrollment in required courses, majors should plan their sophomore, junior and senior year programs with the advice and assistance of academic advisors and faculty.

Today’s journalists should have a broad education in the liberal arts, social sciences, and physical and natural sciences.  Many courses in literature, history, economics and foreign languages are open to freshmen and sophomores.

The Minor in Animation and Comics Storytelling in Media, administered by the School of Journalism, provides a strong foundation in history, theory and production of storytelling using animation and comics. Students acquire production skills to visually represent issues, events, narrative, instruction, history and entertainment and use critical thinking as they study storytelling content, context, ethics and the cultural, global and historical impacts of these forms for various media platforms and audiences. Upon completion of the minor, students will have gained necessary skills to research, create and produce digital, interactive and immersive 2D/3D animation, comics, graphic novels, and cartoons.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult the undergraduate advisor in the School of Journalism to apply. Applications will be reviewed prior to semester enrollment.

Requirements for the Minor in Animation and Comics Storytelling in Media

Complete 15 credits from the following:

The Minor in Digital Storytelling, which is administered by the School of Journalism, prepares students for a media-focused world and provides them with the tools and techniques needed for creative, entrepreneurial and analytical processes and production. Students gain the marketable skills necessary to pursue career paths in film, television, corporate communications, digital advertising, new media and other fields that use sound and image to entertain, inform and/or educate.

The minor is available as an elective to students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to apply to the program should consult the undergraduate advisor in the School of Journalism.

Requirements for the Minor in Digital Storytelling

Complete 15 credits from the following:

The Minor in Documentary Production introduces undergraduates to the history, theory, and production of documentary media. Documentary production focuses on issues of media, representation, and reality. It engages directly with the fundamental understanding of how the world is presented, represented, distorted, structured, and shaped. Interpretation and representation of reality constitutes a central axis of inquiry and debate. By integrating production and analysis, students in this minor produce theoretically informed work and develop a cutting-edge understanding of the challenges inherent in representing reality.

The Minor in Documentary Production is administered by the School of Journalism within the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. Students in the Film Studies program in the Department of English; the School of Journalism; the Department of Media and Information; and the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures may find this minor of particular interest.

Students who are interested in the minor are eligible to apply if they are in good academic standing. Students will apply for the minor in the spring of their sophomore year by submitting an application available through the School of Journalism. Applications will be reviewed prior to annual enrollment.

With the approval of the department that administers the student’s degree program, courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree. The student’s program of study must be approved by the student’s academic advisor for the minor.

Prerequisite:
DS 211 Documentary Film History and Theory  3

Requirements for the Minor in Documentary Production

The student must complete at least 15 credits from the following:

The Minor in Broadcast Journalism, which is administered by the School of Journalism, provides students a strong foundation for a career in broadcast journalism. Using cutting-edge technology, students gain experience in audio and video storytelling, on-air performance, and the production of high-end newscasts, replicating the real-world of broadcast news.

The minor is available to students who are enrolled in the Journalism major at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

To be considered for admission, a student must have been formally admitted to the Journalism major. Students who plan to apply to the program should complete an application and submit it to the School of Journalism.

Requirements for the Minor in Broadcast Journalism

The Minor in Media Photography, which is administered by the School of Journalism, provides the opportunity to gain extended knowledge around the history, approaches, tools, outlets and possibilities for creating engaging visual content that can be used in a variety of media outlets. Students gain the marketable skills necessary to analyze, conceive of, create and distribute powerful images, as well as have a clear understanding of how they can use photography to support their career objectives.

The minor is available as an elective to students enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to apply to the program should consult the undergraduate advisor in the School of Journalism. 

Requirements for the Minor in Media Photography

Complete 15 credits from the following: 

The Minor in Sports Journalism, which is administered by the School of Journalism, provides students a strong foundation and marketable skills necessary to conceptualize, develop, research, interview, create and deliver traditional, multimedia, broadcast, and social media sports journalism. Sports journalism content includes news issues, events, narrative and linear journalistic storytelling techniques, history, global sports and media relationships, social media, sports terminology, game play, rules, equipment and processes, and impact on society at all levels. Students demonstrate critical thinking, enabling professional content, context and ethics across global media platforms and audiences.

The minor is available to students who are enrolled in the Journalism major at Michigan State University. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

To be considered for admission, a student must have been formally admitted to the Journalism major. Students who plan to apply to the program should complete an application and submit it to the School of Journalism.

Requirements for the Minor in Sports Journalism