DIGITAL STORYTELLING!

a significant amount of discussion was whether to make this a one-year or a two-yearprogram. It was decided that with all the information we wanted to convey, this shouldbe a two-year, Master of Arts degree.While the idea of teaching a creativity course is not new, it is not found in themaster’s programs we perused in our research. It is the objective of this course toprovide a framework that allows students to stretch their imaginations when theyinevitably find themselves at a loss for a new idea or direction for their stories. Theclass provides techniques for achieving creativity, such as the matrix approach andlisting. In this class students are encouraged to be risk-takers and learn from the failureof their creative endeavors.The Intercultural Immersion class is markedly different from any other courses weuncovered. In consultation with the faculty advisor, a student in this class will berequired to spend a minimum of four consecutive weeks living in another culture.During this time the student will work and study with people of the indigenous cultureto examine their storytelling customs and structures. The environment may be inanother country or domestically with a culture group that differs significantly from thestudent’s prior experiences. In keeping with one of the CCIM’s missions of promotingcultural opportunities, it is believed that the students will learn the most about anotherculture and its storytelling mores by experiencing them in person. Upon their return,one of their assignments will be to present a seminar on the rituals and conventions ofstorytelling in the culture they visited.The full sequence of the curriculum, which requires 48 credit hours, follows:Core Courses (21 hours)Foundations of Digital Storytelling 1Foundations of Digital Storytelling 2Topics Seminar in Narrative Theory and CriticismApproaches to CreativityStory Design & DevelopmentIntercultural ImmersionSpecial Projects (3 @ 1 hr. each)Research Requirements (9 hours)Methods: Choose one of the following methods courses (select one, 3 hours)Quantitative Research in CommunicationQualitative Research in CommunicationStudies in Journalism & Communications ResearchResearch: Choose one of the following research opportunities (select one, 6 hours)ThesisCreative ProjectProduction & Application (select 12 hours from)Digital ProductionAdvanced News SeminarTelecom Technologies, Standards, and LabRegulatory Context and Probs. in Information CommunicationsHuman Factors, Needs Assessment, and User-Driven DesignContemporary Rhetoric & Public IssuesLiterary TheoryLanguage and CultureBusiness Communication & TrainingJournalism Writing SeminarSeminar in Literary JournalismWriting Literary JournalismInvestigative Reporting & WritingProfessional Experience (1-3 hrs)Directed StudySeminar in Current TopicsAt least for the first couple of years students will be permitted to enter the programonly during the Fall Semester. Applicants must meet the admission requirementsestablished by the Graduate School and must complete the Graduate RecordExamination, though there is no specific score required.In addition, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in written, verbal, visualcommunication, and relevant computer skills. To demonstrate proficiency a portfoliomust be submitted upon application to the program. In the portfolio we will expect: acover letter that introduces and explains the contents of the portfolio, an original 1500-word academic, creative, and/or professional writing sample; a transcript indicating agrade of ‘B’ or better in an undergraduate oral performance course (e.g., publicspeaking, broadcast performance, dramatic arts) and a syllabus or course descriptionfrom that course; an original project that emphasizes skill in visual communication(e.g., web design, graphic design, publication design, broadcast design, theatricaldesign, architectural design); and, finally, a list of computer application programs thatthe applicant is fluent in. Applicants are free to include other items that are relevant.In addition to successfully completing their coursework, students must completeseveral exit requirements: a thesis or creative project, participate in a public exhibitionof their thesis or creative project during their final semester, attend and/or participantin ten collateral experiences designed to complement and extend their course work(e.g., training workshops in design and production skills; ‘Artist in Residence’ events;guest speakers; field trips; and video-conferences), and receive approval of a digitallybased,personal narrative that shares the story of their experiences in the DigitalStorytelling program.Design Requirement (select 6 hours from)Visual StorytellingInteractive StorytellingDesign of Video-Based Learning Systems8Feedback February 2003 (Vol. 44, No. 1)BEA—Educating tomorrow’s electronic media professionals 9