What You'll Learn

Media Fundamentals

This module aims to give students the essential skills needed to enter the media industry. Students will learn about the evolution of the media and media platforms and the principles of creating good content amid constantly changing technologies. The module also exposes students to the influential role of media makers in shaping public views and opinions. Students will also pick up oral, written and research skills which will help them thrive as content creators. The module will train them on how to put together a concept proposal and sell their ideas by making effective pitches and presentations. Students will also study the importance of branding in the media industry and how this affects the way they create content.

Video Storytelling

This module develops the visual storytelling skills of students in both digital photography and video production. The students will learn to handle digital cameras to capture photographs that tell stories visually. In addition, the students will learn how to think creatively and apply various video production techniques to form entertaining sequences. Students will collaborate and solve problems while undertaking multiple roles of the production cycle to produce video content that inform and entertain. This module builds on the video production fundamentals learnt in the Video Storytelling module.

Introduction to Scriptwriting

This module provides first-year students with foundational competencies in scriptwriting. Students will learn to tell stories for the screen through sound and images. They will understand scriptwriting terminology and use software to write scripts in a professional format. Students will develop stories from idea to final draft. They will brainstorm and pitch ideas, develop story beats, construct outlines and write scripts. They will create compelling characters and write character specific dialogue. They will apply structure and conflict to create engaging scene sequences. Critiques pedagogy will be practised throughout the entire writing process. Students will participate in collaborative writing by giving feedback to ‘punch up’ a script. They will use feedback to rework outlines, tighten scenes, ‘clean up’ dialogue and add polish to the final draft of the script.

Fundamentals of Journalism

This module provides students with foundational competencies in news writing, reporting and producing. It stresses the importance of journalism in a globalised and digital world and its impact on society, culture and politics. Students will learn to recognise what makes news and why, and how to craft hard and soft news reports. They will develop skills in interviewing and gathering information. Students will also be introduced to writing and producing news content for different platforms, including audio and video. News research, accuracy, ethics and strong editorial skills will also be emphasised to help students navigate this era of information overload.

Data Fluency

This module exposes students to the theory and practice of digital photography within the framework of an integrative digital workflow in content creation, including the finer points of digital image enhancement, manipulation & compositing. Students will be taught product and portrait photography and learn the essentials of controlling and balancing artificial lights with natural lights to achieve impactful aesthetics for photography. Students will focus on studio and outdoor digital photography, and be equipped with the fundamentals of preparing digital images and intermediate techniques of image manipulation & compositing. By the end of the module, students would have created a portfolio of photographic fine prints and digital content for commercial applications.

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact

This module aims to equip students with a very broad overview of Artificial Intelligence, and its societal and ethical impacts in modern society. Students will build a simple AI model with online tools and discuss how to promote good ethics in AI. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency of using AI to address their chosen UN SDG.

Thinking Critically about the UN SDGs

Polywide Elective 1

Sports For Life

Sports for Life (SFL) is a physical education programme that has become part of the Graduation Criteria for ALL Year 1 students matriculated since AY2018/19. During this e-learning Semester, Year 1 students can choose their preferred module from a selection of 9 sports. SFL aims to encourage students to lead an active lifestyle by following a holistic e-learning package with videos and supplementary materials that focuses on acquiring knowledge, rules of the game, basic sports techniques and maintaining fitness. Besides physical activity, the e-learning curriculum also comprises of syllabus on Mental Wellness and Personal Leadership using 7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students.

Visual Storytelling

This module develops the visual storytelling skills of students in both digital photography and video production. The students will learn to handle digital cameras to capture photographs that tell stories visually. In addition, the students will learn how to think creatively and apply various video production techniques to form entertaining sequences. Students will collaborate and solve problems while undertaking multiple roles of the production cycle to produce video content that inform and entertain. This module builds on the video production fundamentals learnt in the Video Storytelling module.

Introduction To Documentary

This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of the documentary genre. Students will learn the basics of documentary storytelling. They will research, script and produce a documentary short. This module promotes experiential learning through exposure to actual profiles and human stories. Students will be given opportunities to work on projects as individuals, building their ability to work independently, as well as work on a project as a team, developing their teamwork skills in the process. Students will also develop critical thinking and problem skills with the hands-on approach to real-world assignments.

Introduction to Entertainment Content

This module introduces students to key entertainment genres in the television industry. It exposes students to the processes behind the conceptualisation, crafting and development of entertainment content such as infotainment, reality shows and game shows. Students will also learn fundamentals of story crafting and writing for these content for different target audiences. Students will conceptualise and pitch ideas as individuals and work on developing the project in a team. Students will also develop creative thinking and teamwork through the hands-on activities and assignments.

Creative Freelancing & Media Law

Turn your passion into profit: develop practical commercial skills, explore media law for the creatives and experience a taste of the gig economy. This module will show you how to hack it, negotiate it and close the deal. Recognise the legal rights you have as a media content creator, how to jump over the legal land-mines and navigate the real-life ethical dilemmas faced by media practitioners. Learners will engage in professional practices with real clients in areas such as self-promotion, acquiring leads, estimating costs of services proposal writing and invoicing.

Sustainable Innovation Project

Work in multi-disciplinary groups to apply the design thinking method and tools backed by research and qualitative data, to tackle local issues mapped to the UN SDGs. You will also tap on what you have learnt in the CCC modules that come before this module to create sustainable and innovative prototype solutions for real-life issues faced by a local community in need. In the process, you will develop empathy for the community you have identified for your project and a better understanding of yourselves.

Polywide Elective 2

Entertainment Content Production

This module guides students through the creative and production process of Entertainment Content. Its emphasis will be on the infotainment-reality genre for digital platforms. Students will adopt the roles and methodologies of the scriptwriter, director and producer, who are working within the framework of an established Entertainment Content series. This set-up simulates conditions commonly faced by fresh entrants in the media industry, who are expected to execute content for either an existing, recognised Entertainment Content series, or a new series that has just been commissioned for production. By the end of this module, students will also be able to recognise and apply creative strategies for presenting information in a manner that is entertaining, engaging and effective.

Scripted Concept Development

In this module, students will learn to craft fresh concepts for a scripted series (drama or comedy) for TV or digital media platforms. They will learn the different genres, forms and structure of a scripted series. Students will pitch ideas, develop a premise, create compelling characters and define the world of the series. They will also be introduced to multi plotted episodic storytelling.

The Digital Journalist

This module builds on the competencies introduced in the Fundamentals of Journalism. Students will refine their skills in finding and pitching news stories, producing engaging multimedia content and presenting the news on digital platforms. Students will also be trained on how to spot breaking news and respond swiftly to it. They will learn the importance of accurate and responsible reporting in these developing situations. The coursework will help to cultivate skills such as creative thinking, sense making, decision making and communication in students.

Video Production for Narratives

This module is designed to enable students to direct and produce drama and comedy scripts. Students will learn the finer points of script interpretation, conceptualisation, storytelling, actor and camera direction, editing and production management. They will apply these skills in the context of drama and comedy production.

MAD Studio Project

The MAD Studio Project aims to build on the interdisciplinary practices taught in PlayLab in order to further develop students’ ability to generate new ideas and contribute to innovations. Students will work in mixed groups and take on complex, real-world industry projects. They will draw on the domain knowledge and skills from their own tracks, as well as those of their peers from other tracks, in order to gain a deeper understanding of an issue, and transform them into new knowledge which confronts the challenges of the present world. This module is a facilitated time and space for students to explore across the disciplines of creative perspectives, which necessarily includes research and design, problem-solving and communication of ideas. The teaching facilitation will also embrace the design inquiry cycle that enables learners to mind shift and lead into a convergence of viewpoints.

Persuasive Communication with Data Storytelling

Final Year Project

The Final-Year Project is an opportunity for students to integrate, apply and deepen the knowledge, skillsets and competencies (both technical and general) they have gained over the course of their study. Building on the skills taught in PlayLab and the MAD Studio Project, students will work in mixed groups to tackle complex real-world issues through industry projects. They will learn how to research and generate new, innovative solutions that go beyond a single domain, while considering other factors such as meeting a business-end, dealing with resource constraints, as well as taking advantage of social, cultural and economic trends. They will also learn how to communicate with their stakeholders and manage a project. By the end of this module, students will deepen their skills in acquiring and synthesising knowledge from across disciplines and develop resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit in tackling complex problems.

Studio Options: Narrative Filmmaking

Studio Options: Documentary Filmmaking

Transdisiplinary Project

The Final-Year Project is an opportunity for students to integrate, apply and deepen the knowledge, skillsets and competencies (both technical and general) they have gained over the course of their study. Building on the skills taught in PlayLab and the MAD Studio Project, students will work in mixed groups to tackle complex real-world issues through industry projects. They will learn how to research and generate new, innovative solutions that go beyond a single domain, while considering other factors such as meeting a business-end, dealing with resource constraints, as well as taking advantage of social, cultural and economic trends. They will also learn how to communicate with their stakeholders and manage a project. By the end of this module, students will deepen their skills in acquiring and synthesising knowledge from across disciplines and develop resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit in tackling complex problems.

Polywide Elective 3

Internship Programme

This module aims to immerse students with the real-world industry experience. This programme comprises a 22-week enhanced internship programme integrating a structured learning outcome which facilitates authentic learning.

Personal Branding and Career Agility

Effective Writing for the Workplace