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Digital Media Production Minor

Communication means more than writing or speaking. Now more than ever, communicators need to be familiar with a variety of media tools. Film production and editing. Graphic design. Writing for digital media. It’s all part of a digital media production minor from Dordt.

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Professor Volkers discusses a book with his digital media class

Program Overview

Dordt’s digital media production minor isn’t just a list of classes. It opens doors for students to discover their passion for communication and use it to supplement whatever major they pursue. Classes in writing, film/video, and design will help you find and refine your skills. And our faith-focused faculty will help ensure you’re ready to use those skills for Christ.

Students receive an award at a film challenge on campus

What You'll Learn

Coursework for this minor combines classroom education with hands-on experience. You’ll learn design theory, film and video production, and more in your classes. To work on projects for corporate and non-profit clients. To understand the value of communication in the world and strive to make it even better.

What You Can Do With A Digital Media Production Minor

A digital media production minor is ideal for students interested in developing a career in—no surprise here—media production. If you want to be able to communicate your ideas in dynamic, engaging ways, a digital media production minor will give you the tools you need. You’ll be equipped to tell stories and share ideas using a variety of media channels.

Photojournalist

A Photojournalist captures photos that tell a story and display a news event.

Multimedia Artist

A Multimedia Artist will typically use illustrations and computer programs to create graphics and animations.

Content Curator

A Content Curator develops creative content and formats it in a way that is appealing to their audience in efforts to build a platform.

To earn a digital media production minor, students will need to complete various art and communication courses. In addition, students will choose two electives from a list of business administration, communication, English, music, and theatre arts courses.

  • Design Theory: Manipulation of two-dimensional design through the use of the basic art elements: line, shape, value, color, texture, and space. The course is intended to develop a visual vocabulary and an imaginative approach to design.
  • Drawing: Acquiring the basic skills of drawing through an objective investigation of reality. Common media and tools are used.
  • Graphic Design I: An introductory class in the use of the Macintosh computer, covering basic layout software, object-oriented drawing software, and a paint program for scanning, image manipulation, and their use in graphic design. Through assignments that address the functional and experimental aspects of typography, students explore the interaction of form and meaning in typographic design. This course provides an initial exploration of visual communication issues and applications along with design methodology.
  • Introduction to Mass Communication: An introduction to the concept of mass communication and its application to electronic and written media. The course will survey the historical development of technology and the impact of mass communication on culture and society.
  • Introduction to Film/Video Production: In this introductory course, students will gain working knowledge of sophisticated cameras and equipment, a beginning knowledge of editing on the Avid platform, and in-depth discussion of what it means to be a Christian in the communication and entertainment industry today. Students will work in teams to produce films during the semester.
  • Advanced Film/Video Production: Building on the preproduction, production, and postproduction skills gained in Communication 250, students will bring their film/video production skills to a deeper level through in-depth analysis of other filmmakers’ work and through hands-on work with green screen techniques and more. A variety of videos will be produced during the semester.
  • Integrated Marketing Communications: In this course, students will study the principles and practices of promoting a product or service including advertising, personal selling, direct marketing, public relations, trade promotions, and the internet, all from a Christian perspective. The importance of integrating all these areas of marketing communications will be emphasized.
  • Advanced Video Editing: Students will do an in-depth study of the film/video editing techniques of great editors through history, study the impact that editing decisions have on a final product, and bring their own editing abilities to a new level through advanced training with Media Composer.
  • Documentary Film Making: A study of the history of the genre; screen documentary films and draw upon a wealth of critical writings produced in the past to help us decipher the textual strategies that create documentary films’ “reality effect.” Students will also explore the creative, technical, and practical aspects of creating a documentary film. Teams will produce documentary films for their final projects.
  • Screenwriting: Students will gain insight into the process and the techniques involved in scriptwriting by studying film scripts and creating their own. Students will receive hands-on instruction in concept development, character development, plot structures, dialogue, and visualization.
  • Music and Digital Technology: The course surveys modern uses of digital technology relating to sound and develops skills relating to the most common types of manipulating digital sound.
  • Acting for the Camera: The basic techniques of acting for the camera and strategies for adapting stage-acting methods for the camera. Students will perform on camera in class and have the opportunity to hone their craft through critical analysis of their recorded performances.

See the course catalog for more information.

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