This course is designed to give FMS majors and minors a solid grounding in the primary methods of our field. In other words, what are the broad approaches scholars have taken to the study of media, and what specific methodological strategies have proved most effective? We begin with theory as one such method—one that zooms out to ask broad questions about the essential nature of a medium. Our history unit shifts the focus to how media are impacted by and implicated in the progression of time and culture. Finally, our criticism unit features strategies for analyzing individual media objects.

This course will provide a foundation in the principles, techniques, and equipment involved in making short videos, including: development of a viable story idea or concept, aesthetics and mechanics of shooting video, the role of sound and successful audio recording, and the conceptual and technical underpinnings of digital editing. You will make several short pieces through the semester, working towards a longer final piece. Along with projects and screenings, there will be reading assignments and writing exercises. Prerequisite: FMS 150 or its equivalent (can be taken concurrently).

Television has long been associated with domestic—both in terms of home and the nation— consumption. However, digital technologies have challenged this confinement. Following the lead of satellite technologies and the global wave of economic liberalization, television content has become more mobile, and spread of digital technologies has further contributed to this mobility. This course examines the global journey of television starting from its conception and ending in the current digital era.

Television has long been associated with domestic—both in terms of home and the nation— consumption. However, digital technologies have challenged this confinement. Following the lead of satellite technologies and the global wave of economic liberalization, television content has become more mobile, and spread of digital technologies has further contributed to this mobility. This course examines the global journey of television starting from its conception and ending in the current digital era.

Students in this class engage in detailed studies of the formation of carbonate sediments and rocks through participation in a required 7–10 day field trip to one of the modern tropical carbonate-producing environments (such as the Bahamas) during January interterm, followed by semester-long research projects based on the data and specimens collected in the field. Students present their results at Celebrating Collaborations in April. Class discussion topics include the history of carbonate rocks from the Precambrian to the present. Prerequisite: GEO 232 and/or 231. Enrollment limited to 8.

Students in this class engage in detailed studies of the formation of carbonate sediments and rocks through participation in a required 7–10 day field trip to one of the modern tropical carbonate-producing environments (such as the Bahamas) during January interterm, followed by semester-long research projects based on the data and specimens collected in the field. Students present their results at Celebrating Collaborations in April. Class discussion topics include the history of carbonate rocks from the Precambrian to the present. Prerequisite: GEO 232 and/or 231. Enrollment limited to 8.

The study of landforms and their significance in terms of the processes that form them. Selected reference is made to examples in the New England region and the classic landforms of the world. During the first part of the semester laboratories involve learning to use geographic information system (GIS) software to analyze landforms. During the second part of the semester laboratories include field trips to examine landforms in the local area. Prerequisite: 101, or 102, or 108 or FYS 103.

The study of landforms and their significance in terms of the processes that form them. Selected reference is made to examples in the New England region and the classic landforms of the world. During the first part of the semester laboratories involve learning to use geographic information system (GIS) software to analyze landforms. During the second part of the semester laboratories include field trips to examine landforms in the local area. Prerequisite: 101, or 102, or 108 or FYS 103.

The study and interpretation of rock structures, with emphasis on the mechanics of deformation, behavior of rock materials, methods of analysis and relationship to plate tectonics. Laboratories before spring break involve computer-based analysis of the map patterns of geologic structures and the mechanics of their formation. After spring break, weekly field trips during the lab period connect local examples of structures to New England tectonics. Prerequisite: 101 and 102, or 108, or FYS 103, or 102 with any other GEO 100-level course. Recommended: MTH 111 or equivalent.

The study and interpretation of rock structures, with emphasis on the mechanics of deformation, behavior of rock materials, methods of analysis and relationship to plate tectonics. Laboratories before spring break involve computer-based analysis of the map patterns of geologic structures and the mechanics of their formation. After spring break, weekly field trips during the lab period connect local examples of structures to New England tectonics. Prerequisite: 101 and 102, or 108, or FYS 103, or 102 with any other GEO 100-level course. Recommended: MTH 111 or equivalent.