syllabus

HIS 632: Public History and New Media

Contact information: Instructor to be determined E-mail Phone Course Description: The purpose of this course is to teach graduate public history students about the fundamentals of documentaries and other video content in conveying history-related material to an audience. This includes videos for use by museums and historic sites, along with web-based video content. Students will learn the importance of strong interview skills, writing and editing, along with strategies for producing and promoting the content. Students also will learn important “do’s” and “don’ts” when it comes to legal issues, including copyright. The course will have two major components: creating a short video and a longer (approximately six to 10 minute) documentary. Along the way, students will conduct oral interviews, learn how to pitch a project to a potential funder, and learn the principles of non-linear editing and writing as you edit. Learning Objectives and Outcomes Students will gain knowledge and experience in film production in the following areas: 1) Interviewing – Students will learn techniques and strategies for eliciting compelling interviews, both for oral histories and documentaries. 2) Production – Students will study (and put into action) procedures for producing historyrelated video content, including planning and logistics. 3) Writing – Students will learn how to write compelling video scripts, consistent with the philosophy of Tilden. 4) Editing – Students will learn the principles and techniques utilized in editing video content. 5) Legal Issues – Students will know and understand legal issues surrounding video production. 6) Promotion/Fundraising – Students will learn strategies for funding and promoting historyrelated video projects. Knowledge Gained by: 

Acquiring, synthesizing, and analyzing a sufficient volume of content to master the individual program of study designed by the professor. (Assessment: individual and class projects, method assessments such as quizzes, field tests and production schedules)

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Displaying a significant capacity for critical thinking, inquiry, and analysis as they evaluate, compare and critique the work of others on subjects related to documentary film, new media such as websites, museum and history based wiki’s, blogs, and other online programming. (Assessment: Blackboard postings, critical material review, review presentation, discussions)

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Exhibiting precision and clarity in reading, written and oral communication, and material presentation. (Assessment: documentary production from idea to completed project, peer and professor review, final presentation )

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Demonstrating intellectual curiosity, resources of the imagination, and critical engagement while identifying key terminologies in new media and documentary film production. (Assessment: Individual film production, Blackboard postings, Reflective Essay, individual projects)

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Displaying a significant capacity for critical thinking, inquiry, and analysis as they evaluate, compare and critique the practice of traditional and public history. (Assessment: story boarding, production development.)

Required Text: Artis, Anthony Q. The Shut Up and Shoot Documentary Guide: A Down and Dirty DV Production. ISBN: 13-978-0240809359 Proctor, Nancy. Mobile Apps for Museums: The AAM Guide to Planning and Strategy. ISBN13: 978-1933253602 Rabiger, Michael. Directing the Documentary, fifth edition. ISBN: 13978-0240810898 Tallon, Loic and Kevin Walker, Digital Technologies and the Museum Experience: Handheld Guides and Other Media. ISBN-13: 978-0759111219 Assignments: (to be developed) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Individual documentary film Editing exercise Literature review Group project Reflective essay

Course Policies: My goal is to keep a healthy learning environment. Here is what you can do to help.  Be on time for class as often as possible.  Attend Regularly! You are allowed only two absences before it starts affecting your grade. You will drop ½ letter grade starting with the 3rd absence and one full grade after  your 4th absence. (excused absences will be taken into consideration)  Show respect for you classmates and your professor by: o Not using your cell phone

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o Not reading items for other classes during class o Sleeping or talking in class o Not eating in class unless approved by me o Using smokeless tobacco products is strictly prohibited Assignment deadlines are set in stone. You will be penalized one letter grade for every day that an assignment is late, unless I have approved your excuse. Laptops can be used in class to take notes, however persons using laptops will be asked to sit in the front row of the class. Plagiarism is a very serious matter at this University. If anyone is caught plagiarizing the assignment will not be accepted and student will receive an F on the assignment. If the student is found guilty a second time in this class, the incident will be reported to the administration and the student will be expelled from the University. Plagiarizing is defined as the copying of the work of others and passing it off as your own work. This includes paraphrasing the work of others without giving due credit. If in doubt, ask me. Disabilities/Special Accommodation: The instructor is also committed to providing a discrimination -free learning environment; this includes compliance with accommodations afforded to students who are registered with University student services. Guest speakers are just that, our guests, so we need to treat them with respect. No computers or eating when we have a guest.

Course Schedule: TBD