In this course students will get hands-on experience with the technology, methods, and culture of live media production and web streaming. We will plan, write, produce, and stream live video programming each week focusing on the stories and experiences we discover over four weeks in Paris, France.
No course prerequisites or prior media production experience is required. Enrolled students will have access to an optional asynchronous learning module which they can use to learn the basics of media production before leaving for Paris.
Once in Paris, we’ll explore the city learning about it’s history and culture. Many excursions will be led by our study abroad partner, MICEFA, but the instructor will organize and lead several additional excursions focused on the course material and interests of the class.
Students will then take on the roles of writers, showrunners, cinematographers, and performers to produce video segments about our experiences. We will air these segments on our live YouTube show that we will produce and host each week.
French proficiency is not required as the course will be taught in English, and English is widely spoken in Paris.
Register for the course on the UMW Center for International Education page here.
Tentative Schedule for Summer 2023
These dates are subject to change as plans are finalized.
- Prior to June 30: Optional asynchronous learning module on Canvas
- July 1: Travel to Paris
- July 2: Orientation with study abroad partner MICEFA
- July 6: Produce Show 1
- July 13: Produce Show 2
- July 20: Produce Show 3
- July 27: Produce Show 4
- July 29: Return to US
Housing
Students will stay in shared dormitory rooms at Cité Universitaire, a ten-minute subway ride from the center of Paris. Kitchen facilities and student restaurants, laundry facilities, a computer lab, and internet access are available at the residence.
Coursework
Students will earn 3 transfer credits for DGST 301F: Special Topics in Digital Studies. The course is taught by Cartland Berge in cooperation with MICEFA. For additional course information, visit the class UMW Center for International Education page here .
This course satisfies the Beyond the Classroom OR Diverse and Global Perspectives general education requirement.
The Show
Are We Live? is a livestreamed variety show in the spirit of shows like Saturday Night Live and Key & Peele. The show has been written, filmed, edited, and produced by UMW students every spring semester since 2018.
