First-Year Seminars
Fall 2023 Options
- Each seminar addresses a different issue, topic or area of communication. Please try to take a seminar that interests you.
- All seminars are small, limited to 21 seats.
- Seminars feature discussion-based learning and maximum in-class interaction between students and instructors.
- All students must successfully complete a first-year seminar to graduate from Penn State.
Section 1: Tuesdays, 9:05-10:20 a.m.
"Meme Your Major: COMM and Media Psychology"
370 Willard Building / Jessica Myrick
In this seminar, we will learn about the nuts and bolts of being a communications major, what your different career paths are, and the many creative and research opportunities available to you here in the Bellisario College. But, snuck in there, we will talk about the psychology of media use and how it can affect your thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Assignments in this class will be based on making memes to represent something you learned about how our brains/bodies process and respond to media.
Section 2: Mondays, 4-5:15 p.m.
"Opportunities in Broadcasting"
169 Willard Building / Jeff Brown
In this seminar, we will explore every aspect of the broadcast industry — on‐air, play-by-play, sales, marketing, creative, voice work — so you have an idea of where you belong. We will also spend a lot of time on writing skills, since those are the key to finding a job in any aspect of the industry today. There will be many hands‐on projects and in-class presentations.
Section 3: Tuesdays, 1:35-2:50 p.m.
"By Design: Production Roles in Filmmaking"
365 Willard Building / Catie Grant
When people talk about the style of a film, typically the director's name comes to mind first. While the director's vision is ultimately what we see on the screen, they do not make the film alone. This seminar will examine the contributions made to the creative process by the artisans of filmmaking — the production designers, cinematographers, sound designers, editors and others. We will analyze how a film’s production elements work together to bring out the director's intent.
Section 4: Thursdays, 10:35-11:50 a.m.
Embrace the Entrepreneurial Mindset
10 Business Building / Linda Feltman
This seminar will show you how to recognize everyday opportunities as a window to entrepreneurial thinking. You’ll learn about entrepreneurship, entrapreneurship and innovation while getting to know your new home for the next four years. We will explore media based freelancing trends and how to carve your own unique path in the communications world. You’ll be introduced to not only Bellisario College’s entrepreneurship community and learn how to take advantage of the many entrepreneurship based opportunities across Penn State. Guest speakers, mini on-campus field trips, in-class activities and a student’s choice of outside-the-=classroom activities will help introduce them to Penn State’s storied history as well as the robust entrepreneurial community.
Section 5: Thursdays, 9:05-10:20 a.m.
Preparing for a Career in TV News, Sports and Weather: A News Director's View
3 Carnegie Building / Steve Kraycik
Taught by a former major market TV news director, we'll explore real-life examples of available jobs, what's trending in the industry and how to impress a TV manager when you graduate so you have the inside track on the job you want. See what works and what doesn't in today's crowded and challenging job market, from resumes and demo reels to hot jobs.
Section 6: Mondays, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
"Happy Valley: Your New Hometown"
367 Willard Building / Steve Sampsell
What makes your new hometown special? What kind of opportunities, resources and support exist -- on and off campus -- to help ensure success as an undergraduate and prepare you for a career in communications? We’ll meet some of the many people who make Penn State and the surrounding community special. We’ll also explore ways for students to best engage and position themselves to succeed, in the classroom and beyond.
Section 7: Tuesdays, 4:35-5:50 p.m.
"AI-gniting Your Future: A First-Year Seminar on Emerging Technologies"
24 Carnegie Building / Zach Longsinger
Get ready to kick-start your Penn State experience with “AI-gniting Your Future”! We’ll explore the world of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and more. We’ll delve into how these tools are changing the way we create and consume media, and examine the potential risks and benefits of these technologies. But don’t worry, we won’t leave you disconnected in this tech-ified world — we’ll show you how to connect with others, navigate campus, and supercharge your Penn State experience. With interactive discussions, and hands-on activities and projects, you'll leave the course with a solid foundation in the latest technologies and a roadmap for success in your academic career.
Section 8: Thursdays, 4:35-5:50 p.m.
"Opportunities in Broadcasting"
270 Willard Building / Jeff Brown
In this seminar, we will explore every aspect of the broadcast industry — on‐air, play-by-play, sales, marketing, creative, voice work — so you have an idea of where you belong. We will also spend a lot of time on writing skills, since those are the key to finding a job in any aspect of the industry today. There will be many hands‐on projects and in-class presentations.
Section 9: Mondays, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
"I Love Public Radio"
8 Business Building / Cindy Simmons
"I Love Public Radio" will introduce students to the unique opportunities in public radio. We’ll learn about the history of public radio and visit WPSU studios to meet the people who make the magic happen. Students will record a personal essay and contribute to a project on the jury's role in mass incarceration. This is a great class for students who are interested in broadcasting or law school!
Section 10: Mondays, 10:10-11:25 a.m.
"Find Your Place in the Bellisario College and Beyond"
373 Willard Building / Emily Miller
College is a new experience and you’re here to explore, learn and grow. In this seminar, we’ll discuss the tools you need to be a successful student and make the most of your time at Penn State. We will spend time reflecting on your talents, setting goals, and determining how to take steps to achieve those goals. This course will also focus on developing a sense of community and belonging in the Bellisario College and at Penn State.
Section 11: Tuesdays, 4:35-5:50 p.m.
"Better than AI? Think Like an Entrepreneur"
171 Willard Building / David Norloff
Will ChatGPT and Bard take over the world? I certainly hope not but it’s safe to say that AI will have a profound impact on our future work. The good news is that while AI is very good at analyzing vast amounts of data, it can’t think like an entrepreneur. This course will introduce you to the incredible entrepreneurship resources available at Penn State. You will learn about successful Penn State entrepreneurs, the ENTI Minor, agile product development and ultimately get connected to the entrepreneurship community.
Section 12: Wednesdays, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
"Make Art Daily: Establishing Habits to Benefit Creativity and Prevent Burnout"
13 Willard Building / Ashley Seering
In this seminar, we will focus on finding your voice, developing ideas and setting up daily habits that will keep creativity flowing in good times and bad. Make Art Daily will feature a variety of hands on activities, an exploration of the creative process and conversations with working artists including actors, writers, filmmakers, and more.
Section 13: Fridays, 12:05-1:20 p.m.
"Mindfulness in Media: Navigating Exposure to Trauma as a Journalist"
265 Willard Building / Shaheen Pasha
It’s a messy world and journalism covers it all. From school shootings to terrorism and natural disasters, journalists face traumatic events. And journalism students are exposed to these topics every day as they train for this important and vital job. As you start your journey in this field, learn how to take time for yourself and take care of your own well-being so that you are able to best prepare yourself for any story that comes your way. Guest speakers, readings and films will be our starting point as we figure out together how to navigate trauma as a journalist.
Section 14: Mondays, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"Better than AI? Think Like an Entrepreneur"
3 Carnegie Building / David Norloff
Will ChatGPT and Bard take over the world? I certainly hope not but it’s safe to say that AI will have a profound impact on our future work. The good news is that while AI is very good at analyzing vast amounts of data, it can’t think like an entrepreneur. This course will introduce you to the incredible entrepreneurship resources available at Penn State. You will learn about successful Penn State entrepreneurs, the ENTI Minor, agile product development and ultimately get connected to the entrepreneurship community.
Section 15: Mondays, 12:20-1:35 p.m.
"Places & Faces"
24 Carnegie Building / Bill Hallman
Welcome to Penn State! We are one community with more than 90,000 students across the commonwealth and 700,000 living alumni around the world. We are welcoming. We are bold. We are BIG! The size of Penn State can be intimidating. This course will help you find ways to fit it. It will also help you find the people, places and resources that will support you when you are ready to stand out and pave new pathways into the future. Students in this section will tour important campus locations. You will hear from fellow students, faculty and staff. You'll also be asked to document your progress along the way.
Section 16: Tuesdays, 1:35-2:50 p.m.
"The Next Chapter: Find Your Voice"
3 Carnegie Building / Pearl Gluck
There are thousands of film festivals around the world, and one of them is hosted right here in Centre County. In this freshman seminar, students will be involved in the planning, organizing, and executing of a weekend‐long film festival. The Centre Film Festival (CFF) gives students an opportunity to become an instant insider, locally, as they fuse academic and professional knowledge in the creation of an international event. What are your strengths? You can help design your path as a CFF Ambassador. Meet filmmakers from around the world; see how public relations works; write press releases; create CFF’s social media buzz; help with graphic design; be part of the film programming; edit teasers; watch amazing award worthy films; and network on a professional level. This course results in marketable professional skills.
Section 17: Fridays, 10:10-11:20 a.m.
"Creativity Unleashed!"
3 Carnegie Building / Mark Birschbach
Here at Penn State, you are surrounded by creativity — in visual arts, writing, theater, music, photography and in everyday life. In this one-credit course, you’ll explore the many creative options available to you and in so doing perhaps unleash your own creativity. Just some of the activities include caricature drawing, photography at the arboretum and creating a TV commercial.