Radio, Television, and Digital Media Courses | 2025-2026 Academic Catalog | SIU

This class offers an introduction to creative audio production that includes instruction on microphone types, signal types, and the formats, methods, styles and workflows of audio recording and editing on digital audio workstations. Throughout the semester, creative production assignments provide students with opportunities to develop and explore a relationship to sound and recording technologies through storytelling, creative problem solving, methods of collaboration in the arts and industries, critical listening, and communication skills. Additional topics include the history of recorded sound and the genres of radio, music recording, podcasting, sound for film/media, and sound in gaming/emerging media. The class will also consider how race, gender, and ethics are understood in the field of creative audio production practiced in culture today. Equipment Usage & Lab fee: $75.

Credit Hours: 3

Explores the foundations of electronic sports reporting, including legal and ethical considerations. Emphasis on responsible reporting practices while on deadline and enterprise reporting. Prerequisite: JRNL 310.

Credit Hours: 3

Examines the roles sports play in contemporary society, as well as the ways in which media are used to present, and analyze, these roles. Issues of socialization, race, class, gender, sexuality, business and power as they relate to sport competition and to presentation in the media.

Credit Hours: 3

This class focuses on the entertainment corporation in terms of its internal structure, external relationships, industrial operations, and media output. A different corporation may be selected as a case study for any particular semester.

Credit Hours: 3

Course covers skills essential to digital image creation and workflow management for all stages of video production by integrating aesthetics, design and visual literacy. Students build an understanding of graphic computing processes by creating still images with and for different applications, and move on to creating animations, titles and simple post-production effects. Projects advance creativity, critical thinking and design skills. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Exploring television institutions, programs, audiences and how they interact with our lives. Restricted to 3rd Year or 4th Year standing, or consent of the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to develop an appreciation of US television by examining various factors (political, cultural, technological, among others) that have influenced both the content and context of American television.

Credit Hours: 3

[IAI Course: MC 918] The development of disciplines controlling vocal and visual mechanics and interpretative performances for announcers, newscasters, interviewers and narrators of various radio and television situations. Laboratory hours required. Prerequisite: C or better in JRNL 310 or RTD 383 or concurrent enrollment or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $45.

Credit Hours: 3

A theoretical and design approach to sound in a digital environment within the context of popular culture. Projects include mash-ups, digital storytelling, soundscapes in virtual environments, live mixes, and sound in image. Readings and creative practice using digital technologies. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

(University Core Curriculum) This course will provide students with a philosophical understanding of the concepts and practices used in sound art and practice today and historically; and, in a variety of careers and in society in general. This course will introduce students to audio technology and terminology as well as expose them to the many applications of sound, as art and function, in society, regardless of their desire to pursue sound as a career. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Planning and production for radio and podcasting. Study of different formats including but not limited to documentary, drama, commercials, and promotional announcements. Examination of audio production techniques in related fields. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

An audio production course in which students master the history, theory, and criticism of media arts. Students then deploy that new knowledge via the creation of audio production artifacts. Students will produce audio artworks, which will then be critiqued and workshopped by peers and the instructor. Possible projects include: narrative audio productions modeled on classical radio plays, academic film and television reviews for public radio, secondary audio commentary tracks for home video releases of films, comedy secondary tracks for films modeled on MST3K, academic re-inventions of audio sports commentary.

Credit Hours: 3

Hands on practical instruction in a single camera field production. Through a series of individual and group exercises and assignments, students write, direct, light, shoot and edit original videos in a range of styles including documentary, narrative, promotional and experimental. The class covers pre-production and work-flow, introducing participants to professional industry practice. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Designed to advance understanding of television production principles, student producers create work grounded in traditional and professional practices while learning the basic tools of television production. Focus is upon multi-camera studio production. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Practical experience in the art of directing various genres associated with television, and the applied study of directing theory and visual storytelling. Lab exercises can include multi-camera and single camera formats, as well as work with actors. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 365A, or permission of instructor. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as MUS 373) A survey of the music business, examining the challenges facing the industry such as piracy, new media, and corporate consolidation. Explore how these issues affect what is produced and broadcast, the impact on the consumer, and emerging legal issues. Careers in the industry will be examined, with discussion of where the industry is headed, and what new business models are being forged. One class trip to Nashville will be included during the course. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as MUS 377) Examines the multi-dimensional entertainment industry in Nashville, including record labels, television, commercials, video, film, artist management, publishing, PROs, and radio. Five trips to Nashville with presentations from top industry professionals. Visits to recording studios and television networks. Explores career paths and necessary qualifications for success. Restricted to RTD Majors. Lab fee: $175.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as MUS 375) Introduces basic principles of sound and how audio can be captured and manipulated utilizing current recording technology. The course incorporates concepts of signal flow, microphone selection and placement, signal processing and mixing. The objective is for the student to render a multi-track recording, from concept to completion, employing all the above concepts to demonstrate a solid knowledge of recording fundamentals. Restricted to Radio/TV and Digital Media majors. Lab Fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as MUS 376) This course further develops the skills introduced in RTD 375. Advanced methods will be practiced, including use of signal processing, routing, mixing and mastering. The objective is to have command of a larger format in-line console, and record/mix a multi-track session in Pro Tools, utilizing various microphone techniques, plug-ins, aux sends/returns, patchbay and automation. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 375 or permission of instructor. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

This course teaches the understanding and performance of the variety of writing skills involved in the creation and development of digital media. Good writing skills are essential to the pursuit of all interactive media and well-written project documents greatly aid in the success of a digital media project. The skills learned will be useful in pursuing a career in many new media industries, including the game industry.

Credit Hours: 3

The course is designed to give practical, hands-on experience in multiple television technical and production positions during actual sporting events. Students will advance this working knowledge while producing in-game entertainment for video scoreboards and live multi-camera ESPN-3 telecasts of on-campus sporting events. Classroom instruction will also include the various elements that make up a professional telecast. Restricted to 2nd Year standing or above, or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

The course instills an understanding and fluency in practical principles and techniques of 2D digital animation, with emphasis on character design and animation. Students learn 2D animation techniques and create two-dimensional animations for broadcast, web and interactive environments. In addition, students are exposed to other topics including story-telling and storyboarding, animatics, vector vs bitmap image processing, using major file formats. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to creative writing for media, including radio, television, Internet, and other emerging media applications. Includes analysis of format, narrative structure and story in produced scripts and aired programs. Lab fee: $45.

Credit Hours: 3

Practical experience in media operations on the campus. Instructor makes determination on student duties, based on needs of the Broadcast Service or the department and the desires of the student. A minimum of four hours per week. Students obtain an application form from academic adviser. Mandatory Pass/Fail. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1

Practical experience in newsroom leadership on the campus. Instructor makes determination on student duties, based on needs of the WSIU-TV, WSIU-FM, or the department and the desires of the student. Students work under direct supervision of newsroom professional staff. Mandatory Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: C or better in JRNL 310. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 1-3

Specialized work in various areas electronic media. Topics will vary. Special approval needed from the instructor. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 2-9

Area of study to be determined by student in consultation with Radio, Television and Digital Media faculty. No more than two students may work on the same project. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 2

Specialized work in various areas of Media Studies. Topics will vary but could include Reality Television, Gender and the Media.

Credit Hours: 3

News, production, performance and/or marketing/management work experience with a non-university professional organization. The student will undertake a work experience beyond that available at the university. No retroactive credit for previous work experience. May be repeated up to six credits. Student may earn no more than 9 internship hours from RTD 395 and 396. Prerequisite: GPA of 2.50 or better. Restricted to 3rd Year standing. Pass/Fail.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Supervised work and study experience in Los Angeles, California, in areas of production, program development, casting, distribution, etc. Students work closely with Hollywood professionals and attend seminars on various facets of the industry. Summer session only. Students may earn no more than 9 internship hours from RTD 395 and 396. Prerequisite: GPA of 2.50 or better. Restricted to 3rd Year standing. Pass/Fail.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Taught as seminar, workshop, studio or in a hybrid format, the capstone experience is designed so that students are able to undertake multiple and or long-form projects to build a portfolio of sound-based works in a variety of genres including but not limited to, audio documentary, podcasting, sound design, sound art, music recording, sound for film/media, and gaming/emerging media. The expectation is that the student's finished creative work(s) demonstrate a high level of artistic accomplishment and technical proficiency. The course stresses critical thinking and listening skills, artistry and professional development that helps students to assess how their productions are contextualized in culture. Lab fee: $75.

Credit Hours: 3

Covers typical lighting situations encountered in the field of television. Practical exercises are used extensively. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 365A or concurrent enrollment. Restricted to RTD majors. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Focus on economic and financial forces affecting the media industries. Study of the economic practices and impacts of corporate mergers and synergies, global integration of media firms, multi-stream revenue generation, barriers to entry and regulatory constraints. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

This course teaches students the core practices of 360 narratives (AKA VR video). It covers a) The conceptual fundamentals of 360 narrative design theories. b) The "hands on" of the technical and organizational process of creating a 360 narrative. This includes designing and implementing a 360 narrative using an appropriate software tool. While VR video narrative is at the center of this course, the skills and knowledge acquired in this class are applicable to a broad range of videocentric fields and contexts. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

An overview of the development of various types, styles, and schools of major documentary production including analysis of American and International documentaries. Students will also research, write, and produce several short-form documentaries. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 365A or consent of instructor. Restricted to RTD majors and 4th Year standing. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as HIST 498) This course will develop an appreciation of the field of oral history, methodological concerns and applications. Students will learn about the oral history process, including interview preparation and research, interview technique, the nature and character of evidence, transcribing, and legal and ethical concerns. Restricted to 3rd Year or 4th Year standing.

Credit Hours: 3

The core issues of marketing media products in a variety of contexts, such as launching a television program or series, opening a film, introducing an Internet website or application. Attention to branding and media planning, including developing an online marketing strategy. Special approval needed from the instructor. Lab fee: $45.

Credit Hours: 3

This course teaches the understanding and creation of contemporary visual effects work. We will cover both the science and art of visual effects covering motion graphic design principles (including typography), traditional techniques (storyboarding, mattes, masks, adjustment layers), chromakey compositing, 2D graphic animation, and CGI motion matching for 2D and 3D shots. Production workflows and client management will also be covered. The skills learned will be useful in pursuing a career in many media industries, including television, cinema, and games. Restricted to 3rd Year and 4th Year standing. Special approval needed from the instructor. Lab fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 3

This course allows students to explore sound as an art form. During the semester, students create original sound works and learn hands on approaches to technology, which include building low cost microphones. Experimental sound synthesis and original approaches to creative sound will be explored as well as methods of collaboration and exhibition. Special approval needed from the instructor. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as WGSS 464) This course is the creation of short and long form audio documentaries by students, regardless of production background. Introduces students to basic production techniques and diversity considerations during the making of a documentary. This course uses qualitative methods to investigate an issue or to document an event, with an emphasis on observation and interview techniques. Topics will explore the role of gender, race, ethnicity and class during the planning, gathering and production stages of the documentary. Open to non-majors. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Instruction and practical experience in the development of programming for television. Students will produce individual and/or small group projects for broadcast and follow the projects through from concept to completion. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 365A or consent of instructor. Restricted to RTD majors and 4th Year standing. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Students build skills in visualization and design for motion graphics through a series of practical projects that include the creation of animated graphic packages, titles, sequences and short animations. Course guides the students in honing messages for visual works and covers best practices for working with clients and workflows for motion graphics production. Recommended: RTD 331 or equivalent graphics experience. Lab fee: $50.

Credit Hours: 3

Global media history, main theories, and current developments. The significance of global trends for local and regional media and cultures. Restricted to 3rd Year or 4th Year standing or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Basic shooting and editing to students interested in using video for purposes other than professional television production, such as education, business, or Web page development. The course surveys video formats and applications. Students produce projects using editing and special effects. Credit not given to RTD majors. Special approval needed from the instructor. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

This course puts the student in the role of recording producer, including responsibility for all decision-making during project development and production. Includes selection of material, budgeting, contracts, scheduling, performances, and all aspects of recording. Emphasis is placed on communication with clients, artists and engineers. Related elements include publishing, copyright and contracts. Prerequisite: MUS 375 or RTD 375, or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Teaches students the core ideas and practices of game narratives. It covers: a) The conceptual fundamentals of theories of game narrative design; b) The technical and organizational process of creating a narrative game. This includes designing and implementing a narrative game using an appropriate software tool. While game narrative is at the center of this course, the skills and knowledge acquired in this class are applicable to broad range of design-centric fields and contexts. Restricted to 3rd Year and 4th Year standing. Special approval needed from the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Concentration on the techniques, conventions and implementation of live-event, multi-camera production in the field, including concerts, awards shows, and sports. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 365A and RTD 365B or consent of instructor. Lab Fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Examination of developments in emerging media, including Internet applications, mobile media, and gaming, among others. Exploration of the impact of emerging media on traditional media cultures and economies. Restricted to 4th Year standing or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

Script to Screen I concentrates on scriptwriting for serial fictional television-situation comedies and dramas. Students analyze structure, form, style and content of TV shows and scripts and will write the "bible" for an original series as well as the pilot episode for that series. In sequence with RTD 484, some scripts from this class will be produced in RTD 484. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 365A or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $45.

Credit Hours: 3

Students work on production teams to create a pilot for a sitcom or dramatic television program, from original scripts written by students in RTD 483. Topics covered include casting, budgeting, scheduling, script analysis, location management, production design, staging, lighting, directing and acting for the camera. In sequence with RTD 483. Prerequisite: RTD 365A with a C or better, or consent of instructor. Restricted to 4th Year standing. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Combining editing theory and practice with study and critique of professional programs, the course has students creating practical editing exercises and examining all aspects of the post-production process. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 365A or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

In this course, students will gain a solid foundation in creating 3D computer graphics using industry standard computer software and hardware. Through analysis and practice, students will develop an understanding of the principles of 3D modeling, lighting, texturing and rendering. Conceptual design and professional practices will also be addressed. Skills learned in this course will prepare students for the 3D Animation II class. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

This intermediate course builds upon the skills learned in the 3D Animation I course, and will focus on narrative development, motion design and visual effects generation using industry standard practices. Topics include key frame animation, inverse kinematics, and visual effects using dynamics. A term project utilizes the creative and technical skills explored in class. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 487 (3D Animation I). Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced work in various areas of electronic media, such as Gender and Media, Children and Media, Blaxploitation, Television in the US. Special approval needed from the instructor. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 2-9

This advanced course builds upon the skills mastered in the 3D Animation I and II courses. Students walk through the 3D animation production cycle to produce a high-quality 3D animation suitable for portfolio exhibition. Class critiques and project analyses are used to direct students through the production process. This course advances students' knowledge of industry-standard practices. Prerequisite: C or better in RTD 487 or RTD 488. Lab fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

Area of study to be determined by student in consultation with graduate faculty. No more than two students may work on same project. Students must complete an application form which is available from the departmental adviser. Not for graduate credit. Restricted to 4th Year standing. Special approval needed from the instructor. Lab fee: $45.

Credit Hours: 3

Advanced topics in Media Studies such as Children and Media, Gender and Media, Race and Media. Restricted to 3rd Year and 4th Year standing or consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

The capstone course explores the interrelation of media with social patterns, as well as economic and political systems, and how media affect society and societal norms in the US and globally. Media theories are also covered. Required for major. Restricted to 4th Year standing.

Credit Hours: 3

In this class we explore mainstream as well as alternative social media platforms and pay particular attention to the cultural, social, and political significance of this form of communication. We start by examining the historical roots of the INTERNET and social media and then move on to analyze critical issues such as ownership, algorithm manipulation, digital activism, and political discourse. We read a selection of key theoretical pieces and engage the material through a series of relevant and up-to-date case studies. The course includes lectures, screenings, discussions, and students? presentations. By the end of the semester participants will be knowledgeable about the social and historical conditions leading to the formation of contemporary social media, and become more critical social media user and maker. Restricted to 3rd Year standing or instructor consent.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an introduction to how media artists use their bodies, time, and space in the creation of work. It will focus on video art, installation, and performance as art forms that have histories and practices coming out of experimental film and avant-garde theater, while also engaging with the worlds of sculpture, painting, and music. Areas of concentration will include Futurism, Fluxus, conceptual art, participatory, interactive, and interventionist art. Project assignments are both individual and collaborative, and will provide experience in the creation of experimental video art, environments, projected media installations, and live performances with film and video. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines in detail the relationship of sound and moving images. It traces intertwined histories, revealing important collaborations and technological developments that set precedents for both film and video. While the primary focus of this course is the artistic creation of soundtracks, we will also explore musical scoring and orchestration as utilized by film and television composers. Students will learn about and create sound designs, Foley sound and mix to picture sessions. Special approval needed from the instructor. Lab Fee: $55.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an historical and critical exploration of the diverse images of African-Americans in cinema which examines the roles that racism and power play in the construction of black film representations as well as in modes of film production and marketing. The course emphasizes critical viewing of films to determine the impact that African American filmic representations have on contemporary society. Restricted to 3rd Year standing or approval of the instructor.

Credit Hours: 3