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Advanced Video Journalism


Course Description

This is an advanced course in video storytelling. Students will explore various forms of video news stories, including in-depth stories and documentaries. Students will research, shoot, write, and edit multiple video stories with the goal of raising awareness and understanding of current or historic issues.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Evaluation of graduate students differs significantly from that of undergraduate students. Not only will graduate students be assigned more readings and additional projects, they will also be graded with higher expectations than undergraduate students. Specifically, graduate students will be assigned an additional research or applied project depending upon the discretion of the instructor. Research projects may involve secondary research reviews and synthesis, whereas primary research studies will involve collection and analysis of data. Applied projects will consist of an original professional-level project delivered as a written report and/or oral presentation.


Athena Title

Advanced Video Journalism


Undergraduate Prerequisite

JOUR 3280 and permission of department


Graduate Prerequisite

Permission of department


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall and spring


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

At the completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate basic technical skills in videography and video editing within a news production environment.


Topical Outline

Reporting and storytelling Video news stories and documentaries–styles, genres, and impact Researching issues and developing pitches Gaining access to locations and sources Building stories around characters Writing narration Videography Advanced videography techniques, technical and aesthetic, point lighting for interviews Use of portable lights and natural lighting Audio recording with lavaliere and boom mics Post-production (editing and distribution) Workflow and file organization Customizing the editing interface Use of keyboard commands and modifier keys Dynamic trimming Using split edits Advanced audio mixing Creating and importing graphics and other supporting files Distribution of video stories to broadcast and digital platforms


Syllabus