Graduate Courses

The faculty has approval to offer the following courses in the academic years 2019–2020 and 2020–2021; however, not all courses are taught each semester or summer session. Students should consult the Course Schedule to determine which courses and topics will be offered during a particular semester or summer session. The Course Schedule may also reflect changes made to the course inventory after the publication of this catalog.

Radio-Television-Film: RTF

RTF 380. Research Theory and Design.

Introduction to research theory and design. Designed to help students develop skills in understanding and critiquing current research, and in designing and proposing research projects. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 380C. Screenwriting for Directors.

Introduction to the study and practice of writing for film and television. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Required of all production students. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 380G. Research Practices.

Introduction to research implementation. Designed to help students develop skills in conducting a variety of research approaches. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 2: Social Capital and Social Networks. Same as Sociology 396P (Topic 18). Explores theories, methods, and applications, drawing on literatures from sociology, communication, media studies, and management. Examines the relational and structural embeddedness of actors, communities, and organizations, and focuses on how to collect network data and do network analysis. May be counted toward the political sociology, development and globalization specialization in the sociology degree program. Only one of the following may be counted: Radio-Television-Film 380G (Topic: Social Capital and Social Networks), 380G (Topic 2), Sociology 396P (Topic: Social Capital and Social Networks), 396P (Topic 18).

RTF 380J. Theory and Principles of Dramatic Writing.

Restricted to students in the Master of Fine Arts screenwriting program in radio-television-film. Introduction to theory and practice in narrative writing for film and electronic media. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 1: First-Year Screenwriting. Required of students in the Master of Fine Arts screenwriting program in radio-television-film. Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Topic 2: First-Year Rewriting. Required of students in the Master of Fine Arts screenwriting program in radio-television-film. Offered on the letter-grade basis only.

RTF 380M. Advanced Screenwriting.

Creation and development of written work for film and television production. Students will develop a major work, such as a full-length screenplay or television pilot. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 3: Advanced Screenwriting I.
Topic 4: Advanced Screenwriting II.

RTF 380N. Screenwriting Topics.

Creation and realization of professional materials for film and television. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, Radio-Television-Film 380M or the equivalent, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 1: Adaptation. Covers adapting a screenplay from existing material. Write a film adaptation of a short story or similar source material, which will be assigned by the instructor. Create an outline or treatment, revise their writing extensively, and engage in weekly discussions of each other's work. Radio-Television-Film 380N (Topic: Adaption) and 380N (Topic 1) may not both be counted.
Topic 2: Television Specs. Introduction to the fundamentals of writing for television. Develop and write both a one-hour and half-hour television 'spec' based on an existing series. Radio-Television-Film 380N (Topic: TV Specs) and 380N (Topic 2) may not both be counted.
Topic 3: Writers Room Workshop. Develop and write an entire season of an original television series. At the end of the semester, the show will be sent out for consideration by major networks and students will get full writing credit for their episodes. Radio-Television-Film 380N (Topic: Writers Room Workshop) and 380N (Topic 3) may not both be counted.
Topic 4: Writing for Series Television. Covers how to write for both network and cable television. Analyze the dramatic elements of each genre, with each student completing a "spec" script for a current sit-com and drama. Develop an original TV pilot as a class, from the original "franchise" premise through a completed story-outline for the pilot episode. Radio-Television-Film 380N (Topic: Writing for Series Television) and 380N (Topic 4) and may not both be counted.

RTF 380P. Production Workshop for Writers.

Exploration of cinematic storytelling through the production of short digital videos. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

RTF 881K. Principles of Film and Television Production.

Study of film and video production aesthetics and techniques. Production costs borne by the student. Four lecture hours and four studio hours a week for two semesters, with additional studio hours to be arranged. Prerequisite: For 881KA, graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser; for 881KB, Radio-Television-Film 881KA.

RTF 384. Communication Theory.

A broad introduction to selected topics in communication theories. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 384C. Seminar: Communication Theory.

An intensive investigation of selected topics in communication theories. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 384N. Internship in Film and Electronic Media.

Practical working involvement with participating media production and research agencies. The equivalent of ten class hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 385K. History of Film.

Survey of the history of the motion picture. Lectures and readings; screenings are required for some topics. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with one two-hour film screening a week if required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 385L. Seminar in Film History.

Advanced study and research in major directors, genres, periods, and movements of film history. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with one two-hour film screening a week if required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 1: United States Television History. Survey of the history of U.S. television. Screenings are required. Three lecture hours and two hours of television screenings a week for one semester. Radio-Television-Film 385L (Topic: History of Broadcasting) and 385L (Topic 1) may not both be counted.

RTF 386. Analysis and Criticism of Film and Electronic Media.

Analysis and explication of representative critics, critical systems, genres, and artists. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with one two-hour film screening a week if required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 386C. Seminar: Media Theory and Criticism.

Advanced study in media theory and criticism. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with one two-hour film screening a week if required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 387C. Global Media.

Study of global media systems, theories, and processes. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 387D. Communication for Development and Social Change.

Study of how development institutions use communication strategies for social change, and how development discourse communicates assumptions about social change. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 1: Media and the Middle East. Builds from the fields of communication, media studies, and contemporary analyses of the Middle East toward a consideration of how communication and media structure resonate with political, social, economic, and cultural contexts in the region. Radio-Television-Film 387D (Topic: Media and the Middle East) and 387D (Topic 1) may not both be counted.

RTF 387F. Comparative Media Systems.

Study of media systems across cultural and political boundaries. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with one two-hour film screening a week if required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 387G. Global Communication.

Study of global communication issues. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 387J. Global Media.

Study of the main theoretical, technological, economic and cultural tendencies in global media. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, consent of the graduate adviser and consent of instructor.

RTF 387S. Topics in Global Communication.

Study of issues in global communication, supplemented by film screenings. Three lecture hours and one two-hour film screening a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 387W. Global Media: Study Abroad.

Restricted to graduate students in radio-television-film. Research, analysis, and criticism of global media systems and issues. Students study at institutions outside the United States. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

RTF 288, 388, 488. Research Problems in Specialized Fields of Radio-Television-Film.

Research project chosen from area of student's major interests. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester. Credit earned depends on the nature of the research project. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 288C, 388C, 488C. Research Problems: Doctoral Exam Preparation.

Research and reading in preparation for doctoral examinations. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in radio-television-film and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 288D, 388D, 488D. Research Problems in Specialty Fields of Radio-Television-Film.

Research project chosen from area of student's major interests. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 288E, 388E, 488E. Research Problems in Specialized Fields of Radio-Television-Film.

Research project chosen from area of student's major interests. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one class hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 388M, 488M. Practicum in Film and Television Production.

Production of projects in film and video. Production costs borne by the student. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester; additional laboratory hours vary with the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 1: Pre-Thesis Production. Restricted to students in the Master of Fine Arts production program in radio-television-film. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour and one laboratory hour a week for one semester. Radio-Television-Film 388M (Topic: Pre-Thesis Production) and 388M, 488M (Topic 1) may not both be counted. Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Topic 3: Thesis Production. Restricted to students in the Master of Fine Arts production program in radio-television-film. For each semester hour of credit earned, one lecture hour and one laboratory hour a week for one semester. Radio-Television-Film 388M (Topic: Thesis Film Production) and 388M, 488M (Topic 3) may not both be counted. Offered on the letter-grade basis only.
Topic 4: Thesis Postproduction. Restricted to students in the Master of Fine Arts production program in radio-television-film. For each semester hour of credit earned, the equivalent of one lecture hour a week for one semester, with studio hours to be arranged. Radio-Television-Film 388M (Topic: Prac Film/TV: Thesis Postproduction), 488M (Topic: Prac Film/TV: Thesis Postproduction) and 388M (Topic 4), 488M (Topic 4) may not both be counted. Offered on the letter-grade basis only.

RTF 388P. Topics in Film and Video Production.

Restricted to students in the Master of Fine Arts production program in radio-television-film. Production costs borne by the student. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 1: Cinematography. Radio-Television-Film 388P (Topic: Cinematography) and 388P (Topic 1) may not both be counted.
Topic 2: Acting for Filmmakers. Explore core elements of acting technique through scene study, improvisation, and other exercises. Radio-Television-Film 388P (Topic: Acting for Filmmakers) and 388P (Topic 2) may not both be counted.
Topic 3: Cinema Laboratory. Radio-Television-Film 388P (Topic: Cinema Laboratory) and 388P (Topic 3) may not both be counted.
Topic 4: Advanced Cinematography. Radio-Television-Film 388P (Topic: Advanced Cinematography) and 388P (Topic 4) may not both be counted.
Topic 5: Advanced Directing. Create collaborative, performance-based works that emphasize simplicity and ingenuity in image and sound choices, adhering to a production code that is a modified version of the Dogme 95 Vow of Cinematic Chastity. Radio-Television-Film 388P (Topic: Advanced Directing) and 388P (Topic 5) may not both be counted.

RTF 388R. Project in a Specialized Field of Radio-Television-Film.

Completion of a research or creative project required for the report option of the master's degree. The equivalent of three class hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in radio-television-film and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 388S. Research Problems in Specialized Fields of Radio-Television-Film: Production.

The equivalent of at least three class hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 388T. Producing Film and Television.

Comprehensive consideration of the production process from the standpoint of fiscal and creative management; preproduction and production planning using computer budgeting and scheduling. Software costs borne by the student. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with studio hours to be arranged. Radio-Television-Film 388P (Topic: Producing Film and Television) and 388T may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 389. Media and Society.

Study of selected issues related to media and society. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with one two-hour film screening a week if required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 389K. History of Broadcasting.

Principal eras of broadcast development, audience patterns, legal and industrial precedents of broadcast practices, contemporary industrial and institutional perspectives in radio and television. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with one two-hour film screening a week if required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 390C, 490C. Introduction to Editing Processes.

Introductory editing topics designed to build the foundation for later postproduction practice. Incorporates technical, aesthetic, and practical considerations into an overall view of editing as a process. Three or four lecture hours a week for one semester, with studio hours to be arranged. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 390E. Advanced Video Postproduction: Audio.

Restricted to first-year Master of Fine Arts production students in radio-television-film. Theory and application of audio for screen image. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with studio hours to be arranged. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing, and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 390F. Topics in Production Crafts.

Professional-level experiences in various topics in the production crafts. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with additional laboratory hours to be arranged. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in radio-television-film and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 390G. Introduction to Media Aesthetics and Techniques.

Introduction to physical and aesthetic aspects of sound, light, and image and to the science and technologies that record and reproduce them. Three lecture hours and two studio hours a week for one semester, with additional studio hours to be arranged. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 390N. Issues in New Media.

Issues in new media theory and practice. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with one screening or studio session of at least two hours a week to be arranged. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 393C. Telecommunication Information Systems.

Study of the converging technologies of broadcasting, interactive telecommunications, and information processing. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 393D. Cable Television and New Video Technology.

Survey of cable television and other video technologies; analysis of regulation, policy, economics, and industry practices. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 393N. Telecommunication and Information Policy.

Analysis of major domestic and international policy issues related to new communications technology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 393P. Special Topics in New Communications Technology.

Applications and effects of new communication and information technology. Three lecture hours a week for one semester, with studio hours to be arranged if required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 393Q. Special Topics in Digital Media.

Applications and effects of digital media technologies. Three lecture hours a week for one semester; additional hours may be required for some topics. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

RTF 395. Theory and Literature.

Advanced seminar surveying the literature of media and communication theories. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor and the graduate adviser.

Topic 1: Theory and Literature for Doctoral Students: Social Science Approaches. Restricted to doctoral students. Surveys the literature of social science approaches to communication study.
Topic 2: Theory and Literature: Humanities Approaches. Surveys the literature of humanities approaches to media studies.
Topic 3: Theory and Literature in Media Studies for Master's Students.

RTF 095C. Research Colloquium.

Restricted to students with graduate standing in radio-television-film. Lectures on subjects to be announced. One lecture hour per week. Required for media studies graduate students. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

RTF 196, 296, 396, 496. Portfolio in Media Production.

The equivalent of one, two, three, or four lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in radio-television-film and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 196P, 296P, 396P, 496P. Portfolio in Media Production.

Restricted to Master's of Fine Arts in radio-television-film. For each hour of credit earned, one lecture hour a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of graduate adviser.

RTF 698. Thesis.

The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for two semesters. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: For 698A, graduate standing in radio-television-film and consent of the graduate adviser; for 698B, Radio-Television-Film 698A.

RTF 398R. Master's Report.

Preparation of a report to fulfill the requirement for the master's degree under the report option. The equivalent of three lecture hours a week for one semester. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in radio-television-film and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 398T. Supervised Teaching in Radio-Television-Film.

Study of the teaching/learning process; practice in classroom presentation. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Required for appointment as an assistant instructor in radio-television-film; may be taken before or during the first semester of appointment. Offered on the letter-grade basis only. Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of the graduate adviser.

RTF 399W, 699W, 999W. Dissertation.

May be repeated for credit. Offered on the credit/no credit basis only. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the doctoral degree.