Featured Class: Sportscasting

The latter time spent in the E-Media major offers students choices as to what classes they would like to take.  Well, if you are a student who enjoys dabbling in all areas of the major from journalism to post-production, then this class may be right up your alley.  The only catch: a love of sports is crucial.

Special Topics in E-Media: Sportscasting (16-EMED-630), offers students the opportunity to write scripts, produce live content, and have their content air on the web.  But more importantly, the content is derived from working with UC athletics and focusing on all UC sports, varsity and club.

The class has been offered since Fall 2007, under the direction of adjunct instructor Tom DeWees.

“I began the class as a means to give those students who wanted either learn or focus on sports reporting, the opportunity to do so.  I am taking my passion and sharing it with the young students.”

The class is an E-Media elective that is offered during the fall, winter, and spring quarters.  Unlike most division classes, it is open to more all non-majors.

“I felt that the class would fail if it were only offered to E-Media majors.  I wanted to have various types pf experience and to give as many students the opportunity to take the class as possible.”

During the quarter, the students meet every Friday to discuss topics and events for the upcoming week.  The class is more of a ‘production meeting’ where stories are assigned and people sign up to cover various events.

Each week, stories are written, captured, and edited.  It then gets posted on the class’s ultimate project, bearcatsportpage.com, a site started in Fall 2008.

“Bearcatsportspage.com was an idea that spawned last quarter and with much help from Travis Estell and Shawn Hayes, the idea became a reality, The site receives over 1,000 hits per week at it’s peak,” said DeWeese.

Students interested in reporting, writing, editing, or web design are encouraged to sign up for the class and experience a new challenge. 

“I want students who work hard and are not afraid to fail.  This class presents challenges but can be very rewarding for all.  We have the product to show it.”

The class meets each quarter on Friday at noon in the Bartlett Television Studio and is a three (3) credit hour elective.  Students also may volunteer if they can’t take the class for credit.

Link:bearcatsportspage

Written by Shawn M. Hayes, March 2009