Below are the SMI ’24 electives. This page will be updated regularly as the program approaches.
| AI: Use it, Don’t Abuse It | Artificial Intelligence is going to solve all of our publishing problems! Or is it?New opportunities and responsibilities are emerging for student journalists with the rise of AI. Defamation, intellectual property and privacy rights all come into play and this talk stresses vigilance with research, writing and publishing when considering the use of AI. |
| Audio in Storytelling | Students will learn how the fundamental stages of sound design for film, tv and web content |
| Beyond Words: the role of body language in communications | Do you think what you say matters? Think about what you don’t say but can be perceive through your body language? In this workshop you will discover different techniques to excel in the way you listen, look, move and react. |
| Communicating During a Natural Disaster | Meteorologists communicate to the public during hurricanes and tornadoes. Learn how to anchor severe weather coverage when it matters most. The Weathercasting and Green Screen Magic is recommended before taking this elective. |
| Creating Graphics with Pizzazz | In a world full of design, come along and explore how Adobe Express and Canva can help elevate your design skills. Let’s take a stroll through Canva and Adobe Express to create one-of-a-kind art that will impress your besties, families, and fans on your social. |
| How to Become a Radio Host | Ever wondered how radio jocks/DJs come up with content for their talk breaks? Learn how to turn campus news and updates into fun content for the radio station. |
| Inside the Influencer-sphere | We’ve all seen celebrities, TikTok stars, and other influencers rave about their favorite brands on social media. Learn how brands select the right influencer partners, what criteria to consider and common pitfalls to avoid. A hands-on activity will put you inside the world of influencers: Which will you choose? |
| Know Your Audience | Whether you’re in Oklahoma City, in Washington DC, or Miami, knowing who your audience is imperative in order to better serve them. Weather, crime, housing costs, immigration, are just some of the topics that cause concern for many Americans. But in some News markets, the importance of these issues can change and fluctuate. Do you know any of these markets? Do you know why serving the community is important in News? |
| Photojournalism: The Art of Seeing | This session will focus on your ability to not only look, but to see the world in a new and unique way. From simple composition techniques to utilizing available light, this elective is aimed at improving your ability to see, anticipate, compose and capture meaningful photographs that have impact and touch your viewers, not just in their minds, but also in their hearts. |
| Pitch Perfect | How do you pitch the perfect pitch when it’s hard to find stories? This elective will help you find and develop story ideas from source materials like agendas and press releases and also your own observations and perspectives. |
| Producers: Making TV Magic Happen | What does a newscast producer do? They make magic happen every day on DEADLINE. You’ll see why some believe producing is the best job in the business. Learn how to do it well and you’ll climb the career ladder fast. |
| Public Relations: the day-to-day tasks | In movies or on television, public relations is often positioned as a sort of mysterious job where the professional “deals with the press” or improves “corporate reputation” or “manages the brand” but what does that actually mean? This elective will talk about modern career paths in public relations, what it means to have a public relations way of thinking, and what a degree in public relations can help you achieve in your career. |
| Reality TV | Does your hobby include watching Big Brother, Survivor, or Love is Blind? Well let’s talk Reality TV. The world of Reality TV has taken a lot of space in media consumption. This course will be about creating your own learning journey and turning it into a reality documentary through the use of your digital device. |
| Screenwriting Workshop | In this elective you’ll learn the fundamentals – both formatting and effective story tools – of narrative screenwriting. No matter what genre you’re writing in there’s essential ways to keep your audience/reader engaged and anticipating what will happen next. Discover best practices for character building and story structure, so that you can create engaging stories to the best of your abilities. |
| Search Smarter: Leveraging Search Engine Hacks and AI Tools | We all “Google it,” but how can we more effectively find quality information faster? Learn a variety of advanced search techniques and AI tools to help you locate relevant research, government resources, data, background information and so much more. Take your fact-checking skills to the next level as you learn how to evaluate sources critically and identify misinformation. |
| So you want to work in sports? | This session will discuss the current state of the sports media and communications industry, detailing what it is like to work in the sports industry, current employment opportunities, desired skills and more. This session will include a CJC alumnus guest speaker as well. |
| Social Media Analytics | Why do some posts gain more tractions than others. Let’s talk about how to create content with purpose. How do we elevate your Instagram and Snapchat profile with the right message. |
| Sports Hosting 101 (Radio Show/Podcast) | This hour will consist of: Showing students how an audience listens to a show (10 minutes); What topics are of importance (5 Minutes) ; How to build a Show/Topic Tree (10 Minutes); Students will break into pairs and create Topic (10 Minutes); Students will Present Topic -3 minutes per pair- (15 Minutes); Final Thoughts and Review (10 Minutes) |
| Sports Social Media Content Creation | This hour will consist of: Showing students what digital content is (10 minutes); How to Tell A Story (10 Minutes) ; Students Write & Record a 30 Second Bit (10 Minutes); Layer Video, Audio & Images in CapCut (10 Minutes); Students will Present Product – (15 Minutes); Final Thoughts and Review (5 Minutes) |
| Talking about Trends | Google isn’t just a search engine, but also a treasure trove of data about where, why, and when a topic is important. Learn how to use Google Trends to discover patterns and make comparisons. Review current examples of creatives using Google Trends in their stories and use trends data to tell a story of your own. |
| Vox Populi (The Voice of the People) | Interviewing can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re conducting man-on-the-street (or beach) interviews, also known as Vox Pops in journalism. These interviews are important because they provide snapshots of how people in your community feel about an issue. This course will help you conquer your nerves and become a more confident interviewer. You’ll learn about approaching strangers, crafting compelling questions, and choosing prime locations as you unlock the secrets of collecting Vox Pops. |
| Weathercasting and Green Screen Magic | Students will see how television meteorologists make and present a forecast on air. From crunching numbers to stepping in front of the green screen, learn weather basics. Students will also have a chance to step in front of the green screen. |
| What Makes a Compelling Sports Story? | Sports reporting is much more than just game coverage. Yes, games are the lifeblood of sports. But a great sports journalist must look beyond the box score in order to inform, educate and entertain fans in numerous ways – on multiple platforms. This elective is designed to broaden and deepen a student’s understanding of how sports content can connect with audiences. |