Reminder: CLAS 6290: Media Training for Humanities Scholars

To: Departmental Executive Officers
From: Christine Getz, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Outreach and Engagement
RE: Reminder: CLAS 6290: Media Training for Humanities Scholars

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The humanities are comprised of multiple disciplines each requiring years of specialized training. Unfortunately, among the many research methodologies taught to graduate students, dealing with the popular media hasn’t traditionally been among them. And yet, speaking to the media, from newspaper reporters, to television interviews, to appearing on documentaries as experts, is an increasingly important part of scholarship, both for communicating one’s research to the world, to fundraising to getting a job. And that's if you find a job in the academy. The professional skills you’ll learn in this class will help you all the more if you look for a job outside of teaching for a university.

The ability to write clearly and to speak to the public effectively are increasingly important in our media-driven world. This course teaches students how to “do” publicly-engaged scholarship effectively. The course will introduce students to the concept of public scholarship in general, providing a behind-the-scenes glance into a side of the academy that most successful professional scholars have learned to master when promoting their research.

1) Students will learn the difference between public and critical or peer-review scholarship, and learn to write and present for the public.

2) Students will learn how to communicate with journalists, and give an interview without misrepresenting or sensationalizing the finds.

3) Students will gain a behind-the-camera look at the process of creating television documentaries, from concept to completion, and will learn how to give a sit-down “talking head” television interview.

4) Students will be given an introduction to social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and various forms of blogging, and learn how they can be used to promote their research.

5) Students will learn how to develop a personal brand and use it to assist with self-marketing, finding a job, and fundraising.

6) Students will obtain the basic skills needed to produce simple videos, including scriptwriting filming, sound, lighting, editing, and publishing to popular platform like YouTube.

7) Students will also learn best practices for sitting for an online job interview.

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