Explore your creativity by learning the science and art of Digital Content Creation at Graceland.
As a digital content creator, you'll be at the forefront of modern digital marketing. The digital media landscape is rapidly and constantly changing, and in a post-pandemic world, we've come to rely heavily on the digital space. As a professional content creator, you will need more than just the ability to produce a single type of content. Graceland's digital content creation course will help you understand the how and why of using a variety of media platforms together, and give you the skills to produce compelling content across the entire range of digital media — video and podcasts to social media, email, and websites.
A degree in digital content creation will open the door to a variety of career opportunities in marketing and communications such as digital content creator, social media manager, digital marketing specialist, video editor, graphic designer, and more. Every industry requires employees with expertise in this field, so the possibilities of how you apply your digital content creation skills are endless. Furthermore, the field is not restricted to a particular location, and one can often work remotely as well.
The Digital Content Creation major requires 37-39 hours of coursework as outlined below.
Students will explore a variety of techniques and concepts that focus on the generation, development, and communication of new ideas through exploration of the principles and elements of design in relation two-dimensional design and color theory. This course explores the relationship of material, method, and process in the construction of meaning in art. Students experiment with interdisciplinary research methods to generate projects reflecting current topics of interest. Studio fee required. ELO5 Arts - Innovation
A technical course exploring the digital tools used in the graphic design industry. Students are exposed to the function, theory, and use of industry-standard computer hardware, software, and basic digital design principles utilized in the production of graphic design.
Covers basic principles of typography, such as type anatomy, type fonts and families, communication with typography and an introduction to layout and grid structures. Typography as medium and message and conceptual solutions are emphasized. Additional fee required. Prerequisite: ARTS1680 Computer Graphic Design 1.
An exploration into visual story telling through digital photography, imaging, and editing. Course will focus on capturing high quality images to use in professional design work. Studio Fee required.
A required senior- level course where students identify and critically reflect on a theme that intersects with their own studio practice, or discipline. This course supplements preparations for the capstone exhibition through the analysis of area exhibitions, providing hands-on experience in the mechanics of exhibition production. Portfolio development and professional practices will be emphasized. Permission from instructor required.
This course provides a comprehensive overview, with hands-on experience, of Social Media Marketing. The most basic objectives of the course are to provide students with a broad introduction to social media marketing concepts and techniques using the latest online tools combined with practical "real world" application. There will be an emphasis on strategic use of tools, effective design and contemporary marketing techniques. Students will build and maintain real world marketing campaigns.
An examination of rhetorical and political communication theories and practices that are fundamental to social change advocacy. Students will become familiar with basic tools of organizing and advocating for social change, with hands-on application of various communication theories and approaches. +This course is only offered every other year.
An examination of the various landmark theories, such as rhetorical, Marxist, and feminist to analyze popular culture, with an emphasis on the importance of communication in the production and consumption of culture. Students will study the development of culture by applying different theories or 'lenses' to cultural artifacts including music, movies, advertisements, clothing, etc. GE3C Liberal Learning-Humanities +This course is only offered every other year.
An exploration of the emergence of new communication practices as well as their social, political, cultural, and economic impact in personal, community, cultural, social, institutional, and international life. Specific attention will be given to the ways social media influence and shape matters of ethics and privacy, how we see ourselves and others, how we interact formally and informally, and how we do business. ELO4 Global Learning - Innovation +This course is only offered every other year.
Allows students to synthesize knowledge across the communication studies major through the exploration and presentation of original research. Offered every spring.
Off-campus practical experience in a communication related professional setting. Offers an opportunity for application of communication skills and knowledge in monitored individual learning setting related to student’s academic and career interests. Pass/fail only. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of six hours.
Study of cinema as an artistic endeavor, form of rhetoric, cultural mirror, and purveyor of ideology. Introduces the fundamentals of the discipline, to include vocabulary, concepts of film production, film reception, film analysis, film interpretation, and film criticism. Exploration of the artistic, commercial, entertainment, and ideological relationships between cinema and American culture, along with practice in the film literacy skills needed to qualitatively assess and communicate cinema’s artistic and cultural contributions. ELO5 Humanities - Innovation, GE3C Liberal Learning-Humanities.
Study of nonfiction writing through the lens of sustainability. Investigates the maintenance of various systems that meet human needs (e.g. emotional, physical, social, environmental) through extensive nonfiction writing and class discussion. Emphasis on nonfiction as a means of self-discovery as well as an art form. ELO5 Humanities - Sustainability.
Explores cultural systems of meaning and attendant issues of power, particularly in terms of class, gender, nation, race, nature, and sexuality. Emphasis on commercial and media culture. ELO5 Humanities - Equality, ELO5 Humanities - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
A hands-on introduction to digital film production and editing. Introduces the technical knowledge need to investigate the creative possibilities of composition, light, motion, color and sound in shooting digital film. Examines the fundamentals of nonlinear editing, including continuity development, logging clips, audio tracks, and transitions. Additional fee required. Prerequisites: ENGL2510 or instructor consent. +This course is only offered every other year.
Planning a senior project in the student's area of concentration.
Preparing and presenting a senior project in the student's area of concentration. Repeatable for credit up to 2 semester hours.
Off-campus practical experience in a communication related professional setting. Offers an opportunity for application of communication skills and knowledge in monitored individual learning setting related to student’s academic and career interests. Pass/Fail only. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of six hours.
Students will explore a variety of techniques and concepts that focus on the generation, development, and communication of new ideas through exploration of the principles and elements of design in relation two-dimensional design and color theory. This course explores the relationship of material, method, and process in the construction of meaning in art. Students experiment with interdisciplinary research methods to generate projects reflecting current topics of interest. Studio fee required. ELO5 Arts - Innovation
A technical course exploring the digital tools used in the graphic design industry. Students are exposed to the function, theory, and use of industry-standard computer hardware, software, and basic digital design principles utilized in the production of graphic design.
Covers basic principles of typography, such as type anatomy, type fonts and families, communication with typography and an introduction to layout and grid structures. Typography as medium and message and conceptual solutions are emphasized. Additional fee required. Prerequisite: ARTS1680 Computer Graphic Design 1.
An exploration into visual story telling through digital photography, imaging, and editing. Course will focus on capturing high quality images to use in professional design work. Studio Fee required.
A required senior- level course where students identify and critically reflect on a theme that intersects with their own studio practice, or discipline. This course supplements preparations for the capstone exhibition through the analysis of area exhibitions, providing hands-on experience in the mechanics of exhibition production. Portfolio development and professional practices will be emphasized. Permission from instructor required.
This course provides a comprehensive overview, with hands-on experience, of Social Media Marketing. The most basic objectives of the course are to provide students with a broad introduction to social media marketing concepts and techniques using the latest online tools combined with practical "real world" application. There will be an emphasis on strategic use of tools, effective design and contemporary marketing techniques. Students will build and maintain real world marketing campaigns.
An examination of rhetorical and political communication theories and practices that are fundamental to social change advocacy. Students will become familiar with basic tools of organizing and advocating for social change, with hands-on application of various communication theories and approaches. +This course is only offered every other year.
An examination of the various landmark theories, such as rhetorical, Marxist, and feminist to analyze popular culture, with an emphasis on the importance of communication in the production and consumption of culture. Students will study the development of culture by applying different theories or 'lenses' to cultural artifacts including music, movies, advertisements, clothing, etc. GE3C Liberal Learning-Humanities +This course is only offered every other year.
An exploration of the emergence of new communication practices as well as their social, political, cultural, and economic impact in personal, community, cultural, social, institutional, and international life. Specific attention will be given to the ways social media influence and shape matters of ethics and privacy, how we see ourselves and others, how we interact formally and informally, and how we do business. ELO4 Global Learning - Innovation +This course is only offered every other year.
Allows students to synthesize knowledge across the communication studies major through the exploration and presentation of original research. Offered every spring.
Off-campus practical experience in a communication related professional setting. Offers an opportunity for application of communication skills and knowledge in monitored individual learning setting related to student’s academic and career interests. Pass/fail only. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of six hours.
Study of cinema as an artistic endeavor, form of rhetoric, cultural mirror, and purveyor of ideology. Introduces the fundamentals of the discipline, to include vocabulary, concepts of film production, film reception, film analysis, film interpretation, and film criticism. Exploration of the artistic, commercial, entertainment, and ideological relationships between cinema and American culture, along with practice in the film literacy skills needed to qualitatively assess and communicate cinema’s artistic and cultural contributions. ELO5 Humanities - Innovation, GE3C Liberal Learning-Humanities.
Study of nonfiction writing through the lens of sustainability. Investigates the maintenance of various systems that meet human needs (e.g. emotional, physical, social, environmental) through extensive nonfiction writing and class discussion. Emphasis on nonfiction as a means of self-discovery as well as an art form. ELO5 Humanities - Sustainability.
Explores cultural systems of meaning and attendant issues of power, particularly in terms of class, gender, nation, race, nature, and sexuality. Emphasis on commercial and media culture. ELO5 Humanities - Equality, ELO5 Humanities - Equality and Peace. +This course is only offered every other year.
A hands-on introduction to digital film production and editing. Introduces the technical knowledge need to investigate the creative possibilities of composition, light, motion, color and sound in shooting digital film. Examines the fundamentals of nonlinear editing, including continuity development, logging clips, audio tracks, and transitions. Additional fee required. Prerequisites: ENGL2510 or instructor consent. +This course is only offered every other year.
Planning a senior project in the student's area of concentration.
Preparing and presenting a senior project in the student's area of concentration. Repeatable for credit up to 2 semester hours.
Off-campus practical experience in a communication related professional setting. Offers an opportunity for application of communication skills and knowledge in monitored individual learning setting related to student’s academic and career interests. Pass/Fail only. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Repeatable to a maximum of six hours.
When enrolled in Graceland’s digital content creation program, you will be guaranteed hands-on internship and work-study opportunities alongside university Marketing and Communications staff or through the Integrated Student Media Center. This hands-on approach to study will expose you to audience-centered and future-oriented design principles while providing you the opportunity to participate in valuable internships where you will help create content for a variety of digital marketing sources such as social media, websites, student newspaper, the yearbook, or university radio.
Classroom work and discussions are connected to real-world contexts in both the social and business arenas, setting students up for success in their content creator jobs. Integrated into the coursework, students will further develop their own digital citizenship through creative, imaginative, and ethical thinking and storytelling that helps address social problems and opportunities.
We live in a digital age. The 2020 pandemic brought to light the reality of the continued evolution of our digital landscape in today’s society. It’s rare to find an industry or a company that doesn’t lean on some digital aspects to promote their products, run their business, or keep up with digital trends. The possibilities for post-grad careers in digital content creation are numerous. A Digital Content Creation major from Graceland University can help to prepare you for these careers:
…and many other exciting fields.
99% of students on the Lamoni campus receive financial aid.
As you consider college, you want a simple, easy-to-understand formula designed to ensure that the one-of-a-kind Graceland Experience is within reach for your family. Undergraduate tuition includes our unique Transformational Leadership major, and we offer generous financial aid and scholarships to all of our students, making Graceland as affordable, if not moreso, than most public universities.
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