First-Year Seminars
Fall 2024 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.
"Social Skills for Communications"
218 Thomas Building / Cindy Simmons
In this course, students (even shy ones!) will learn to talk to people they don't know, make friends fast, arrive late and leave early. We will practice effective interview techniques, learn to conduct research fast and share work to make projects manageable.
Section 2: Mondays, 4-5:15 p.m.
"Find Your Place in the Bellisario College and Beyond"
324 Sackett 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 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 Penn State.
Section 3: Wednesdays, 4-5:15 p.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.
Section 4: Thursdays, 10:35-11:50 a.m.
"Embrace the Entrepreneurial Mindset"
309 Sackett 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.
"Finding Yourself and Finding A Job After College"
118 Sackett Building / Julie Miller
Do you know what you want to do while you're here at Penn State and beyond? If you answered Yes OR no to this, join me to explore all things career and career prep, including how to choose the best major for you and to develop a stellar LinkedIn profile, cover letters, resumes, interview tips, and how to set the stage for success during your time here and following graduation. We will learn about important career competencies and how you can start your journey here in Happy Valley on the right track!
Section 6: Mondays, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
"Happy Valley: Your New Hometown"
169 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, 10:35-11:50 a.m.
"Meme Your Major: COMM and Media Psychology"
269 Willard Building / Jess Myrick
In this first-year seminar, we will learn about the nuts and bolts of being a COMM major, what your different career paths are, and the many creative and research opportunities available to you here in the Bellisario College at Penn State. 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 8: Thursdays, 4:35-5:50 p.m.
"See Something, Organize To Do Something"
251 Willard Building / Renea Nichols
You are committed to a more just and equitable future for all. You are dedicated to your community and know that change is possible. Whether you are a student organization leader, an advocate, or involved in social causes in your community or on TIKTOK, you want to learn how to harness the theories, principles, and practice of community organizing in the march toward social justice, corporate social responsibility, global sustainability or personal impact in the community you live.
This seminar introduces you to theory and practical working concepts in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), exploring cases that demonstrate the great potential CSR may have to improve communities in the world, and to create awareness of potential pitfalls.
Students will examine (a) how corporate structures and nonprofits undertake CSR activities that have real public benefit, (b) the relationship between philanthropy and corporate self-interest, and (c) how ventures can assess whether they are doing good CSR, exploring topics including measurement, attribution, and cost benefit analysis.
Students will learn from many examples of Corporate Social Responsibility across the county, state and our nation. This course will teach students interested in developing a CSR project to conduct a wider search than they may have previously undertaken to identify lessons and solutions that they may adapt to their own life. Engagement in the surrounding community is a focus of this seminar as part of the learning experience.
Section 9: Mondays, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
"Critical Inquiry and Collaborative Learning"
3 Carnegie Building / Shannon Kennan
How do we think better together? How do creative, culturally responsive, and critically informed discussions help us to build stronger communities? How might collaborative discussion skills help us to prepare for careers and improve workplace dynamics? This activity-based and discussion-based first year seminar will allow you to get to know your classmates well and give you skills to help you be a better student, colleague, or leader. We will have fun and think deeply about problems within the mass communications industries.
Section 10: Mondays, 10:10-11:25 a.m.
"How to Win Friends and Influence People Through Authentic Relationship Building"
353 Health and Human Development / Stephanie Madden
Public relations is all about building authentic, meaningful relationships, which is also the key to a successful college experience at Penn State. In this First Year Seminar, we will talk about key components of relationship building, guided by public relations research. Topics we will explore include listening, conflict management, basics of networking, and cross-cultural competency. Assignments in the course will help you develop these important soft skills that will help you build meaningful relationships in college and beyond.
Section 11: Tuesdays, 4:35-5:50 p.m.
"Finding Your Place in the Bellisario College and Beyond"
309 Sparks 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 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 Penn State.
Section 12: Fridays, 9:05-10:20 a.m.
"Toolbox to Success"
112 Sackett Building / Aaron Rill, Michelle Rist
Welcome to Penn State! This first-year seminar is designed to introduce students to the unique qualities of their new hometown and the vibrant Penn State community. We will explore the different tools you need to be successful at Penn State such as an array of opportunities, resources, and support available on and off campus to ensure your success as an undergraduate student and prepare you for a career in the communications industries. Through this course, you will meet key figures who make the Bellisario College and the surrounding community special, learn support systems and strategies to engage and excel both in the classroom and beyond, and empower you to navigate and thrive in the Penn State community.
Section 13: Mondays, 4:30-5:45 p.m.
"Finding a Path to Success"
71 Willard Building / Nikki DiOrio
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 skills, setting goals, and learning how to take steps to achieve those goals. We’ll also explore and discover how you can contribute to making the Bellisario College and the campus community a better place. Get ready to be engaged and share – this seminar will require active participation and enthusiasm!
Section 14: Mondays, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"Behind the Scenes: Production and Technology at the Bellisario College"
107 Rackley Building / Scott Myrick
Will ChatGPWith the opening of the new Bellisario Media Center, Penn State offers students the chance to use state-of-the-art technology to produce all types of media. Examples of this technology include automated production systems, green screens, robotic studio cameras, and one-button studios. Taught by the director of operations of the media center, and a former broadcast journalist and producer, this seminar will explore this new technology and all it has to offer students who are interested in media production. Students will learn important tips for pursuing careers in a wide array of production and technology fields as well as insights on production-related majors in the Bellisario College.
Section 15: Mondays, 12:20-1:35 p.m.
"Storytelling Through Audio Podcasts"
201 Ford Building / Katie O'Toole
By most estimates about half-a-billion people will listen to podcasts in 2024. That marks a huge growth in an industry that broke into mainstream media just one decade ago with the launch of the podcast “Serial.” The popularity of podcasting has everything to do with the diversity of stories, characters, ideas, and genres that all but guarantee something for everyone. But at the heart of all great podcasts is great storytelling. This class will explore the craft of storytelling, the basics of podcasting, and trends in the industry, and provide a beginner’s guide to interviewing, recording, writing, editing, and producing a podcast.
Section 16: Thursdays, 10:35-11:50 a.m.
"Opportunities in Broadcasting"
306 Boucke 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 that 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 17: Fridays, 12:20-1:25 p.m.
"Mindfulness in Media: Navigating Exposures to Trauma as a Journalist"
224 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 18: Mondays, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"Critical Inquiry and Collaborative Learning"
24 Carnegie Building / Shannon Kennan and Yu-Tai Chung
How do we think better together? How do creative, culturally responsive, and critically informed discussions help us to build stronger communities? How might collaborative discussion skills help us to prepare for careers and improve workplace dynamics? This activity-based and discussion-based first year seminar will allow you to get to know your classmates well and give you skills to help you be a better student, colleague, or leader. We will have fun and think deeply about problems within the mass communications industries.
Section 19: Fridays, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
"Opportunities in Broadcasting"
2 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 that 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 20: Tuesdays, 12:05-1:20 p.m.
"By Design: Production Roles in Filmmaking"
224 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 21: Tuesdays, 9:05-10:20 a.m.
"The Next Chapter: Find Your Voice"
24 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 22: Tuesdays, 9:05-10:20 a.m.
"The Next Chapter: Find Your Voice"
24 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 23: Mondays, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
"New (and Old) Ways of Telling Stories"
13 Willard Building / Mila Sanina
In this first-year seminar we will explore storytelling techniques and learn multimedia tools to tell nonfiction stories. We will specifically focus on visual storytelling across platforms: from producing a compelling interview on camera to capturing a powerful story through photos to using TikTok for journalism and seeing how AI could be useful to tell powerful and memorable stories.
Section 24: Mondays, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
"Preparing for a Career in TV News, Sports and Weather: A News Director's View"
13 Willard 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.