Students will have
a unique opportunity to learn how to access a foreign culture and to acquire
practical language skills, rapidly--using an immersion technique. The
ability to assimilate quickly and to hone in on another culture's values
are indispensable tools for anyone preparing for a career in a field where
globalization and multi-culturalism are becoming increasingly important.
At the micro level, students will learn how "to read" another
culture on its own terms thereby eliminating cultural bias. At the macro
level, students will be ready to become facilitators in the inter-cultural
dialogue that the modern world requires.
Italian Language
and Culture Module: Students will learn conversational Italian
with some attention to the more formal aspects of the language. The study
of the language will be the access point to learning about Italian culture.
(Profs. Franco Mansi and Cristina Antoniucci)
The Writing
Module: In this segment students will learn the basics of
feature and travel writing. They will write one major assigned story
for linear print media, including all the sidebar opportunities implicit
in the piece. This story will be spun out into a multi-layered web
story, an NPR-style radio report, and video segments.
In addition, students may be asked to complete other media projects depending
on the opportunities presented. There will also be writing exercises geared
to deal with various writing issues as needed, with emphasis on writing
for the web. The basic instructional mode will be work shopping all written
work among faculty and students. (Profs. Andrew Ciofalo, Maryalice Yakutchick,
and Valerie Connors)
The Design
Module: In this segment students will learn rudimentary HTML
programming and the principle of good design for the web. Attention will
be payed to developing photos with strong graphic (illustrative) elements.
Students will then combine text, photos and video clips into a web segment.
(Prof. Diana Samet)
The Video
Module: In this segment students will learn basic production
techniques for shooting and editing video segments to support the text
material that will anchor the web stories. Where necessary, students will
create voice over recordings that translate Italian dialog into English.
|