Broadcasting Minor
Want to learn how to tell great stories and make a difference in the lives of those around you? Consider a minor in broadcasting from Dordt.
You can learn to serve as an anchor for a news station, film a "stand-up" as a reporter out on location, announce play-by-plays for sporting events, or live stream an event. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to serve in broadcast across the country and around the world.
Program Overview
There's a great need for broadcasting professionals across all types of news and sports organizations, and that need increases daily as the broadcasting industry changes. It is important to have Christians create media content across all platforms.
What You'll Learn
As a broadcast minor, you'll get a well-rounded education. Not only will you learn the foundational elements of good journalism, you'll also develop technical skills as you learn to operate cameras and video edit, and work on a live stream broadcast truck.
What You Can Do With A Broadcasting Minor
If you enjoy following the news or sporting events, you'll see countless opportunities to serve in those areas as a broadcast journalist. Some students may start out applying to a local broadcast news outlet. Others may seek to work on the film crew for a local big sports team. Additionally, many churches and other organizations broadcast or live stream services or other productions that require camera operators, editors, and producers.
Camera Operator
A Camera Operator will use principles of lighting, staging, focusing and filtering to achieve a specific visual look for broadcast television or motion pictures.
Director
A Director is considered the lead of a film and is responsible for creating the overall vision of the film.
Graphics Manager
A Graphics Manager will direct the production and layout of artwork and platemaking while facilitating communication and collaboration across departments to ensure different specifications are met.
As a broadcast student, you will be taught to hone your journalism skills as a reporter, learning to interview, ask good hard-hitting questions, all from an ethical approach. Additionally, learning how to operate equipment and edit content is vital in broadcast. The industry expects a well-rounded skillset.
Comm 235 TV and Radio Broadcast Production (3) Fall
This television and radio broadcasting course strives to obediently communicate God’s unfolding creation, equipping and encouraging students to use their video and radio broadcasting skills to live according to His Word. Students will learn the basic fundamental skills in radio and television news reporting, interviewing, commercial production and broadcast remote production.
Comm 241 Introduction to Journalism (3) Fall
An overview of how the insights and skills gained by journalists as they examine and understand the world can be used to sustain and build community. Students examine the reporter’s role and mandate in society, the current state of the news media, and how Christians can use journalism to serve the public good by helping a civilization confront its challenges. The course emphasizes doing journalism with practice in several types of creative but factual storytelling for print, audio, and video media. Students also explore the historical and cultural foundations of journalism and investigative journalism theories.
Comm 071 Dordt Media Network (1-3) Fall, Spring
Dordt Media Network strives to obediently communicate God’s unfolding creation, equipping and encouraging viewers to live according to His Word. Students apply for 1-3 hours of academic credit for work with the Dordt Media Network in two areas: video production and live stream/remote broadcast production. Registration for credit is required in the semester in which you are on the Dordt Media Network team. Student work will include producing promotional videos for the university and sports highlight videos of Defender athletic events. In addition students can work on the live stream/remote broadcast team as camera operators, graphic, replay and audio operators.
Comm 240 Introduction to Mass Communication (3) Fall
An introduction to the concept of mass communication and its application to electronic and written media. The course will survey the historical development of technology and the impact of mass communication on culture and society.
Comm 250 Introduction to Film/Video Production (3) Spring
In this introductory course, students will gain working knowledge of sophisticated cameras and equipment, a beginning knowledge of editing on the Avid platform, and in-depth discussion of what it means to be a Christian in the communication and entertainment industry today. Students will work in teams to produce films during the semester.
Comm 311 Advanced Public Address (3) Spring Odd
An emphasis upon proper speech construction and delivery with application of communication concepts. Includes analysis of some public addresses. Prerequisite: CORE 110 or equivalent.
Comm 244 Beat Reporting (3) Fall Even
Using the community as the laboratory, this course enables students to practice responsibly serving the public good by being a watchdog who holds the powerful accountable and tells the stories of the weak. Students in this course learn the foundations of beat reporting, going deeper into the many subjects a journalist covers. Specialized areas to explore may include politics, education, business, agriculture, art, science, community development, crime, healthcare, sports, and religion.
Comm 324 Issues in Journalism History and Culture (3) Spring Even
An in-depth exploration of the roots of journalism and an examination of how the media both chronicles and shapes culture. Students follow journalism’s own story from the printing press to podcasts, using research and storytelling skills to bring history to life. Focus topics vary each semester but in general will include a look at the people and technology that drove journalism’s growth. Readings may come from such well-known journalists as Ben Franklin, Mark Twain, Nellie Bly, and Ida Tarbell while periods covered could include the American Revolution, The Civil War, Vietnam, Watergate, and the War on Terrorism.
Comm 236 Sports Broadcasting (3) ( Spring)
Ready to take the next step?
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Faculty Info
Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Community, Opportunity, and Confidence
Ellen Inggrid DengahDuring her time at Dordt, Ellen was able to overcome her language barrier and prominent Indonesian accent and become heavily involved in theatre, digital content, and the international community.
Ellen Inggrid Dengah
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Creation and Collaboration
Kyle FosseWith Kyle's first time at Dordt also being his first time out of Africa, he took the opportunity to grow and ran with it, becoming heavily involved in extracurriculars and the community that Dordt had to offer.
Kyle Fosse
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Bridge to Overseas
Dale Vande GriendDale's growth and experiences at Dordt have allowed him to serve as a 'bridge' between people back home and the people in all of the distant places that he is able to travel to.
Dale Vande Griend
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Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
