Vlogging has exploded in popularity over the past few years. As a means of self expression, sharing information, instruction, marketing, or expressing opinions, vlogging at its best and most effective is not just a casually produced, brief account of one’s day. Creating an engaging, substantive vlog post is not as easy as it looks. Noted vloggers (including many YouTubers) spend hours carefully constructing their vlog posts, and much of the same methodology, production values, and story crafting traditionally used in a short documentary, or a topical television “news magazine” segment are used in popular vlogs today. We’ll watch and discuss vlog posts by some of the best in the business, including a wide variety of subject matter, from college vlogs to travel vlogs, news & opinion vlogs, etc. Each student will choose from the myriad topics and styles that exist in the “vlogosphere”. There will be a requirement of a minimum of one vlog post per week, in light of the need for consistency in production in order to build an audience. We’ll practice key video production and post production methods, which in addition to using cameras and editing software, will also include writing, practice using a teleprompter, and working at developing an on camera presence and persona. Over the course of the semester, students will develop and enhance their ability to produce sophisticated content which includes strong narrative communication.  The fall ’19 semester’s vlogging class will
focus on various topics that the Communication Department has addressed in itscurriculum, such as the opioid crisis, immigration, mass media criticism, and
others.  Writing Intensive