Cinema, Religion, and Worldview (M.A.)

This program is designed to give students a deep understanding of the cooperative relationship between visual communication, theological studies, and audience research. Students will learn hands-on filmmaking skills, study the principles of captivating storytelling, and practice the process of effective audience analysis. Their training will be integrated with an understanding of foundational theology, equipping students to deeply impact their chosen audiences with a clear message. Using cutting-edge technology, students in this program will be prepared to create high-quality films and new media projects that communicate the principles of the gospel and of important social and environmental issues. Courses will cover the filmmaking process, including scripting and pre-production, filming and post-production, and various distribution methods and business models in the field. Additional classes will provide an understanding of communication theory, research, audience analysis, and the effective use of new and online media. Coursework in essential theology and creative mission outreach, will grant students a strong foundation on which to base the stories they tell. Students will end this program prepared for leadership positions in and out of the church, and equipped to tell powerful visual stories on important world issues.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses

COMM 505PRODUCTION PROCESS: SCRIPT TO SCREEN

2

COMM 510FILMMAKING BASICS

3

COMM 520EDITING AND POST PRODUCTION

3

COMM 525PRODUCING FOR INTERACTIVE AND MOBILE MEDIA

2

COMM 545MEDIA, CULTURE AND WORLDVIEW

2

COMM 560SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL INFLUENCE THROUGH MEDIA

3

COMM 575COMMUNICATION THEORY

4

COMM 580REDEMPTIVE CINEMA

3

COMM 585COMMUNICATING RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL MESSAGES

3

COMM 589RESEARCH METHODS

4

COMM 590PROJECT OR THESIS

8

COMM 596GRADUATE SEMINAR

1

RELM 550CHRISTIAN MISSION

3

RELT 565FOUNDATIONAL THEOLOGY

3

RELT 567FOUNDATIONAL NARRATIVES

3

Electives

5

Total Credit Hours:52

Electives

Electives must be chosen from:
COMM 501NARRATIVE STRUCTURE AND SCREENWRITING

3

COMM 565WEB MINISTRY

2

COMM 579DIRECTED STUDY/PROJECT

1-2: 2

GRPH 563WEB DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT

3

MGMT 575ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

4