The New Media Division at William Penn University equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complex world of professional media communication and creation. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and critical thinking skills, providing students with access to advanced media technologies such as drones, 3D printers, and design software.
Students will be prepared to enter various fields, including television production, audio editing, news production, film production, social media management, corporate video production, and media relations. The New Media program also offers internships and hands-on projects, allowing students to gain practical experience and make industry connections.
The program prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities in the rapidly evolving field of digital media.
- New Media
- Required Courses
- Film and Video Production Emphasis
- Digital Design and Content Creation Emphasis
- Film and Video 4-Year Plan
- Digital Design 4-Year Plan
COMM 120 – Studio Production
3 credit hours
This course teaches the foundational skills necessary for successful video production, including terminology, basic camera and audio methods and techniques, composition, lighting, the basics of editing, and various video formats. The students use the studio as their lab for this course to develop safety, team work, and communication skills.
Audio Production
This course covers a variety of production techniques including the function of different microphones, pick-up patterns, and acquisition of audio, and the physics of audio production. Students will learn how to use sound in a production to convey information and tell a story by using digital techniques and tools. Students will also create programming for Penn’s radio station and will work audio for various campus and off campus venues.
Production I
This course is tied to Production II and should be taken at the same time. A class in video photography, including the use of pre-production, lighting, basic sound, and camera positioning.
Production II
This course is tied to Production I and should be taken at the same time. Computer editing systems are used to manipulate video and create special effects.
COMM 211 Digital Photography
3 credit hours
This beginning photography course will introduce students to the basic technical concepts and photographic composition principles. The course will also cover photo editing software and standard optimization and compositing techniques. Visual storytelling through photojournalism and writing compelling cutlines will also be taught.
Same as ART 211
COMM 225 – Digital Storytelling
This course teaches the process of developing and propagating fiction through channels of digital distribution. It will explore new and old rules for digital storytelling and distribution. Starting with appointment blogging, moving to still image documentary, finding a sharing platform with short stories (and wattpad), and finally producing a work of fiction or non-fiction on video that adheres to the principles of storytelling presented in class.
EDUC 350 – Technology in the Classroom
3 credit hours
Designed to strengthen the student’s writing and critical thinking skills by providing a close examination of how the media constructs messages. Tailored to fit the student’s needs for a variety of future career paths, students will explore and compose in various genres such as social media, print journalism, advertisements, and documentary film. Offered spring of odd years.
Prerequisites: EDUC 100
COMM 141 – Communication Practicum
1 credit hour
Students will learn techniques for covering sports, lectures, and events by analyzing professional productions and then applying those techniques to their own productions. Responsibilities may include live event camera operation, audio techniques, technical directing, directing, and producing. Mostly evening hours are required. The schedule varies depending upon events. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.
Advanced Practicum
Designed for an advanced practicum experience where students who successfully participated in the required COMM 141 blocks take on leadership over student lead projects in our one credit COMM 141 listings.
Communication Internship
Students will work for employers to practice skills learned in their major. Students will be supervised by an instructor at William Penn who will structure the learning experience to the benefit of the employer and the student. (May be taken up to two times for credit.)
Applied Communications Seminar
This is a preparatory capstone course for Communications majors focusing on professional development, skills and discussion of professional and ethical issues. Individual research and technology-based presentations in students’ specific disciplines in the form of a senior project will prepare students for professional positions or graduate study. Specifically, students in English, Journalism, Fine Arts, or Public Relations will learn interview skill techniques and how to prepare professional portfolios.
COMM 102 – Media Writing
3 credit hours
This course focuses on the basics of narrative, documentary, and informative writing styles for professional media.
Introduction to Film Studies
Production III
An extension of Production I and II, this course will take a more advanced approach to production and will add emphasis on professionalization and industry-specific knowledge.
Production IV
An extension of Production I, II and III, this course explores the artistic and technological decisions related to film production.
Nine Hours from the following list
ART 211 – Digital Photography
3 credit hours
This beginning photography course will introduce students to the basic technical concepts and photographic composition principles. The course will also cover photo editing software and standard optimization and compositing techniques. Visual storytelling through photojournalism and writing compelling cut lines will also be taught.
Same as COMM 211
ART 116 – Painting I
3 credit hours
Introduction to basic painting techniques and styles of painting, including abstract, impressionism, surrealism, and others. Students will work with various types of brushes, masking techniques, under-painting, paints, and surfaces.
ENGL 115 – Sports in Film & Literature
3 credit hours
An interdisciplinary course that introduces students to the world of sports as seen through the lenses of film and literature. We will examine how athletes and their sport are perceived in the culture at large by viewing films and reading fiction about different sports, including football, baseball, and soccer. We will view films and read selected short stories which highlight the many facets of an athlete’s life. We will also focus on how the plight of these athletes are influenced by their cultural settings and historical circumstances.
ENGL 216 – Literary Genres
An examination of one of the following genres: poetry, fiction, drama, film, or nonfiction literature. May be repeated as long as topics are not duplicated. Offered every fall.
ENGL 215 – Business and Technical Communications
3 credit hours
Written communications stressing conciseness, clarity, precision, audience, revision, and persuasion. Memoranda, letters, reports, proposals, document design, graphic presentation, and other forms of workplace communications. Students will work in groups and will present their projects in formal presentations.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102
THEA 130 – Scenic Design and Construction
3 credit hours
This course is designed to familiarize students with all production aspects of designing, building, and painting a set. Along with class and workshop time, students will make practical application of theories and practices through work on university, community, and professional performances.
THEA 124 – Stage Lighting and Sound
3 credit hours
An introductory course providing students with a basic understanding of the principles, practices, and execution of stage lighting and sound and their applications in the theatre. The lighting portion of the course focuses on the fundamentals of stage lighting such as: functions of lighting, qualities of light, design, basic electricity, lighting instruments and equipment, light plot basics, board operation, and safety. The sound portion of the course provides the students with a working knowledge of sound design and engineering focusing on the functions of sound, equipment (including set up and maintenance), design, sound operation, sound plot basics, recording and reproduction.
THEA 110 – Improvisation & Movement
3 credit hours
Students will explore basic performing techniques as they relate to theatrical productions, and a variety of postgraduate and/or occupational scenarios. Short-form improvisation techniques will be the primary focus of the course.
COMM 104 – Social Media Marketing
3 credit hours
In the modern professional world, the management of personal identity is an essential element in maintaining a standing in creative media. Students will learn how to use social media tools from their first days in school to not only manage their own image, but also to help sell the work they create.
COMM 120 – Studio Production
3 credit hours
This course teaches the foundational skills necessary for successful video production, including terminology, basic camera and audio methods and techniques, composition, lighting, the basics of editing, and various video formats. The students use the studio as their lab for this course to develop safety, team work, and communication skills.
Audio Production
This course covers a variety of production techniques including the function of different microphones, pick-up patterns, and acquisition of audio, and the physics of audio production. Students will learn how to use sound in a production to convey information and tell a story by using digital techniques and tools. Students will also create programming for Penn’s radio station and will work audio for various campus and off campus venues.
MUSI 123 – Music Theory I
3 credit hours
The first of a two-course sequence focusing on fundamentals of notation, keys, diatonic chords, cadences and beginning formal analysis. Students not having sufficient keyboard ability should also study piano.
MUSI 104 – Fundamentals of Music
3 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamentals of music theory, listening, appreciation, composition and improvisation with an emphasis on practical musicianship and hands-on learning. Exercises will include performance, composition and listening exercises. Keyboard experience is helpful but not required. Students may find it helpful to take the group piano class concurrently or study piano privately.
Prerequisites: Previous musical experience (singing or playing) helpful.
MUSI 104 – Fundamentals of Music
3 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamentals of music theory, listening, appreciation, composition and improvisation with an emphasis on practical musicianship and hands-on learning. Exercises will include performance, composition and listening exercises. Keyboard experience is helpful but not required. Students may find it helpful to take the group piano class concurrently or study piano privately.
Prerequisites: Previous musical experience (singing or playing) helpful.
COMM 104 – Social Media Marketing
3 credit hours
In the modern professional world, the management of personal identity is an essential element in maintaining a standing in creative media. Students will learn how to use social media tools from their first days in school to not only manage their own image, but also to help sell the work they create.
ART 130 – 3‐Dimensional Design
3 credit hours
An introduction to 3-D design principles and exploration of a variety of media. Offered fall of odd years. Lab fee required.
ART 134 – 2‐Dimensional Design
3 credit hours
Principles of design, the creative process, and applying basic formats and theories in simple design and projects. Analysis of design and compositional elements. Principles of color theories. Emphasis on line drawings, marker renderings, perspective concepts, and basic drawing skills. Introduction to personal computer tools such as image manipulation and vector-based illustration software. Lab fee required. Offered every fall.
ENGL 319 – Rhetoric and Technology
3 credit hours
Technology mediates all human activity including thought itself. As such, any technological change will affect how we see ourselves and the world around us, which affects how we communicate and persuade. In this course, students will use rhetorical theory to analyze specific contexts to understand how technology structures power and influences belief. From this understanding, students will be better prepared to make critical choices regarding the use of technology. Offered fall of odd years.
Nine Hours from the following list
ART 211 – Digital Photography
3 credit hours
This beginning photography course will introduce students to the basic technical concepts and photographic composition principles. The course will also cover photo editing software and standard optimization and compositing techniques. Visual storytelling through photojournalism and writing compelling cut lines will also be taught.
Same as COMM 211
ART 116 – Painting I
3 credit hours
Introduction to basic painting techniques and styles of painting, including abstract, impressionism, surrealism, and others. Students will work with various types of brushes, masking techniques, under-painting, paints, and surfaces.
ENGL 115 – Sports in Film & Literature
3 credit hours
An interdisciplinary course that introduces students to the world of sports as seen through the lenses of film and literature. We will examine how athletes and their sport are perceived in the culture at large by viewing films and reading fiction about different sports, including football, baseball, and soccer. We will view films and read selected short stories which highlight the many facets of an athlete’s life. We will also focus on how the plight of these athletes are influenced by their cultural settings and historical circumstances.
ENGL 216 – Literary Genres
An examination of one of the following genres: poetry, fiction, drama, film, or nonfiction literature. May be repeated as long as topics are not duplicated. Offered every fall.
ENGL 215 – Business and Technical Communications
3 credit hours
Written communications stressing conciseness, clarity, precision, audience, revision, and persuasion. Memoranda, letters, reports, proposals, document design, graphic presentation, and other forms of workplace communications. Students will work in groups and will present their projects in formal presentations.
Prerequisite: LDRS 102
THEA 130 – Scenic Design and Construction
3 credit hours
This course is designed to familiarize students with all production aspects of designing, building, and painting a set. Along with class and workshop time, students will make practical application of theories and practices through work on university, community, and professional performances.
THEA 124 – Stage Lighting and Sound
3 credit hours
An introductory course providing students with a basic understanding of the principles, practices, and execution of stage lighting and sound and their applications in the theatre. The lighting portion of the course focuses on the fundamentals of stage lighting such as: functions of lighting, qualities of light, design, basic electricity, lighting instruments and equipment, light plot basics, board operation, and safety. The sound portion of the course provides the students with a working knowledge of sound design and engineering focusing on the functions of sound, equipment (including set up and maintenance), design, sound operation, sound plot basics, recording and reproduction.
THEA 110 – Improvisation & Movement
3 credit hours
Students will explore basic performing techniques as they relate to theatrical productions, and a variety of postgraduate and/or occupational scenarios. Short-form improvisation techniques will be the primary focus of the course.
COMM 104 – Social Media Marketing
3 credit hours
In the modern professional world, the management of personal identity is an essential element in maintaining a standing in creative media. Students will learn how to use social media tools from their first days in school to not only manage their own image, but also to help sell the work they create.
COMM 120 – Studio Production
3 credit hours
This course teaches the foundational skills necessary for successful video production, including terminology, basic camera and audio methods and techniques, composition, lighting, the basics of editing, and various video formats. The students use the studio as their lab for this course to develop safety, team work, and communication skills.
Audio Production
This course covers a variety of production techniques including the function of different microphones, pick-up patterns, and acquisition of audio, and the physics of audio production. Students will learn how to use sound in a production to convey information and tell a story by using digital techniques and tools. Students will also create programming for Penn’s radio station and will work audio for various campus and off campus venues.
MUSI 123 – Music Theory I
3 credit hours
The first of a two-course sequence focusing on fundamentals of notation, keys, diatonic chords, cadences and beginning formal analysis. Students not having sufficient keyboard ability should also study piano.
MUSI 104 – Fundamentals of Music
3 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamentals of music theory, listening, appreciation, composition and improvisation with an emphasis on practical musicianship and hands-on learning. Exercises will include performance, composition and listening exercises. Keyboard experience is helpful but not required. Students may find it helpful to take the group piano class concurrently or study piano privately.
Prerequisites: Previous musical experience (singing or playing) helpful.
MUSI 104 – Fundamentals of Music
3 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamentals of music theory, listening, appreciation, composition and improvisation with an emphasis on practical musicianship and hands-on learning. Exercises will include performance, composition and listening exercises. Keyboard experience is helpful but not required. Students may find it helpful to take the group piano class concurrently or study piano privately.
Prerequisites: Previous musical experience (singing or playing) helpful.
COMM 102 – Media Writing
3 credit hours
This course focuses on the basics of narrative, documentary, and informative writing styles for professional media.
COMM 104 – Social Media Marketing
3 credit hours
In the modern professional world, the management of personal identity is an essential element in maintaining a standing in creative media. Students will learn how to use social media tools from their first days in school to not only manage their own image, but also to help sell the work they create.
COMM 211 Digital Photography
3 credit hours
This beginning photography course will introduce students to the basic technical concepts and photographic composition principles. The course will also cover photo editing software and standard optimization and compositing techniques. Visual storytelling through photojournalism and writing compelling cutlines will also be taught.
Same as ART 211
COMM 141 – Communication Practicum
1 credit hour
Students will learn techniques for covering sports, lectures, and events by analyzing professional productions and then applying those techniques to their own productions. Responsibilities may include live event camera operation, audio techniques, technical directing, directing, and producing. Mostly evening hours are required. The schedule varies depending upon events. May be repeated for credit. Offered every fall and spring.