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Media Studies

Wayland's Media Studies program provides diverse opportunities for students to engage in our rapidly evolving digital world—as producers, artists, writers, and thoughtful, critical consumers. Our curricular and extracurricular offerings are designed to equip students with crucial competencies to engage in a mediated world, from “hard skills” in production, design, and technology to “soft skills” in visual storytelling and communication. Classes are interdisciplinary in nature and often provide humanities, fine arts, and/or science credits.

Whether they are producing a multimedia advertising campaign, creating their own website, or analyzing tropes in film and TV, students are challenged to develop their own sets of standards and ethics for participating in the media landscape at large. Through courses such as Podcasting and Filmmaking, Digital Media Production, and Introduction to Popular Culture, students are also encouraged to build confidence with new software programs and equipment and experiment with novel expression approaches, like video essays and interactive presentations. Students are also in the process of forming an AV (audiovisual) Club and a Wayland newscast, and they have the opportunity to use their media skills in other courses such as Yearbook.

Current Media Studies offerings include:

  • A digital production class to introduce students to basic photography, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, marketing, and web development
  • A media literacy class exploring the history of media technologies, news ethics, and social media culture
  • A podcasting/filmmaking class to guide students through the principles of narrative storytelling via sound and video
  • A graphic arts & media year-long class devoted to graphic design, photography, and layouts for print media
  • Audio production demos and workshops in our podcasting production suite
  • Production assistance opportunities in conjunction with the Wayland marketing staff
  • Media production site visits and guest instruction from Wayland alumni and friends currently working in a variety of media-focused fields
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