Multimedia Storytelling (CM 308)
A hands-on introduction to, and exploration of, how stories are imagined, crafted, and produced across various platforms and as multimedia pieces. The ability to tell stories with audio, video, photography and text is highly valued. Students will develop a basic understanding of storytelling practices, research techniques, ethical journalism, and learn basic recording and editing techniques needed to produce their own media and stories in a variety of formats.
Faculty Biography
Dr. Sara Magee teaches Communication courses in broadcast, writing, media ethics, multimedia storytelling, social media, popular culture and society. She is the current Chair of the Communication Department as well as a former Emmy winning television and NPR news producer, reporter, and anchor.
The Narrative Impulse (WR 100D)
Throughout the semester, we will explore what it means to be a critical thinker, reader, and writer. We will think about the stories we tell, and how these narratives influence our lives and perceptions. We will take risks and ask open-ended questions. What kinds of narratives do we construct to make sense of the world, and to persuade others of our points of view? In turn, how do we recognize the narratives we encounter, evaluating their contents for fact, and fiction? How do we decide what to listen to, who to believe? We will read essays closely and analyze how authors develop and support their ideas in a meaningful way. As writers, we refine our skills through practice. In a series of written assignments, you will test out different approaches to analysis and experiment as you develop your own writer’s voice. The central goals of this class are to cultivate confidence, curiosity, and commitment to process as a community of writers, working to participate in creative, intellectual exchange.
Faculty Biography
Professor Helen Hoflingis a writer, editor, and teacher. She received a BA in philosophy from Vassar College and an MFA in creative writing from The Writer's Foundry at St. Joseph's College. Her poetry and fiction have appeared in Berkeley Poetry Review, the Columbia Review, Electric Literature, Epiphany, Fugue, New South, Passages North, Prelude, and elsewhere. She is a member of the PEN Prison and Justice Writing Committee and serves as a poetry judge for their annual writing competition. She teaches in the Writing Department at Loyola University Maryland.
Mentor Biography
Eileen Simonson Hiebler, '95 is a proud Loyola alumna and currently works in Career Services as Director Career Connections. Her role involves connecting Greyhound students and alumni to companies and organizations. Eileen enjoys time outdoors, skiing, cooking, reading, and traveling. Most of all, Eileen loves spending time with her fellow Greyhound husband, Charlie, '95, who is a member of the Alumni Engagement team, and their three children - Julia LUM '24, Ryan age 17, and Colin age 12. Eileen will soon celebrate 5 years as a Loyola employee and loves getting to know her Messina students both inside and outside of the classroom!
Virtual Advisor
This course pairing is recommended for students considering a Communication major or minor. The Writing course satisfies a core requirement for all students. Students not majoring or minoring in Communication will receive elective credit for CM 308.