Winter Quarter 2023

This third course in our Cultural Foundations series tracks the rise of modernity against the backdrop of various 18th and 19th century upheavals. In order to best appreciate the dynamism and complexity of this period, students will immerse themselves in the literary form most characteristic of the 19th century: the novel. By applying order to an increasingly dissonant world, the great novels of the European tradition illuminate daily life amidst revolutionary change, and capture in their progress subtle movements of human consciousness, along with pivotal transformations of human hearts.

What is it to believe? Is it merely intellectual assent, or something more? Building out from the first part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this course systematically unpacks the rich and challenging Catholic doctrines contained in the early creeds of the Church, presenting students with a faith that invites assent of all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.

This course examines the concept and figures of rebellion in the Graeco-Roman world from the 5th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D. Various pre-Christian figures, including Antigone and Socrates are analyzed as rebels in their historical context as well as various Christian figures including early martyrs such as Justin Martyr and St. Perpetua. Through a chronological reading of primary texts written or associated with rebel-figures, students develop an appreciation of the similarities between pre-Christian and Christian “martyrs” as well as an understanding of how Christianity developed in the Roman Empire.

This course enables focused study of a specific author, era, or literary movement. Focus will be on significant literary texts with additional attention to critical literature, historical context, and cultural influence as needed. Repeatable for credit with different topics.

Study of fundamental drawing techniques used to represent three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional plane and lay a strong foundation for all other drawing and design courses.

Students will attend the Sundance Film Festival under the guidance of faculty, where they will participate in the Windrider Forum, an immersive educational experience with the idea that the Sundance Film Festival could provide a dynamic learning laboratory for students, as Christians, to engage in a cultural dialogue as it takes shape. The class will attend screenings and discussions on dramatic and documentary features and short films, series and episodic content; network with filmmakers; and witness emerging media in the form of multimedia installations, performances, and films.

This third course in our Cultural Foundations series tracks the rise of modernity against the backdrop of various 18th and 19th century upheavals. In order to best appreciate the dynamism and complexity of this period, students will immerse themselves in the literary form most characteristic of the 19th century: the novel. By applying order to an increasingly dissonant world, the great novels of the European tradition illuminate daily life amidst revolutionary change, and capture in their progress subtle movements of human consciousness, along with pivotal transformations of human hearts.

This course provides students with concepts and strategies related to practical financial and personal decision-making. Taking a holistic approach, students will be given the tools to manage not just their personal finances, but their investments in time, service, etc. Topics will include budgeting, spending, saving, borrowing, investing, time management, tithing, and giving.

This third course in our Cultural Foundations series tracks the rise of modernity against the backdrop of various 18th and 19th century upheavals. In order to best appreciate the dynamism and complexity of this period, students will immerse themselves in the literary form most characteristic of the 19th century: the novel. By applying order to an increasingly dissonant world, the great novels of the European tradition illuminate daily life amidst revolutionary change, and capture in their progress subtle movements of human consciousness, along with pivotal transformations of human hearts.

Study of fundamental drawing techniques used to represent three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional plane and lay a strong foundation for all other drawing and design courses.

This course gives an in-depth introduction to the major concepts of business macroeconomics, exposing them to the issues faced by companies competing in global markets. This course is devoted to the fundamental principles of macroeconomics, with particular attention paid to how these principles shape the structure and performance of nations and governments. The course provides conceptual tools for analyzing how governments and social institutions inter-relate, and how their policies influence economic competition on national and global scales. They learn how national systems have affected production, inflation, unemployment, as well as the quality of life in their respective countries.

This course teaches students to meet and resolve objections and conflicts that result from written and oral proposals and pitches. Emphasis is on resolving customer obstacles before addressing your own. Topics covered include: Wants vs. Needs, Win-Win Strategies, Best Alternatives to Agreement, Schedule vs. Quality vs. Cost, Progress vs. Perfection. The class progresses through carefully structured, progressively more complex negotiation exercises. Students learn how external and internal negotiation has become a way of life for effective managers in a constantly changing business environment.

Hollywood spends hundreds of millions of dollars making Christian movies every year… they just don’t know it yet, and neither do most audiences. Many writers aspire to write stories with deep faith and spiritual themes, that will speak to a wide audience. Very few, however, succeed at doing more than preaching to the choir, if their films ever get made at all. This course is meant for students who wish to write faith-based stories that will speak to — and get made by — people who wouldn’t be caught dead anywhere near a “Christian movie.”  This course will offer tips for the aspiring Christian screenwriter, not only for how to craft such stories, but how to survive as a Christian in an industry that seems completely unfriendly to them.

What is it to believe? Is it merely intellectual assent, or something more? Building out from the first part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this course systematically unpacks the rich and challenging Catholic doctrines contained in the early creeds of the Church, presenting students with a faith that invites assent of all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Study of fundamental drawing techniques used to represent three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional plane and lay a strong foundation for all other drawing and design courses.

This class will focus on the basic fundamentals of post-production, which includes picture and sound editing, media management, media capture and the various editing techniques available to editors to communicate ideas. The class will cover the history of cinematic editing and the impact it has had on visual storytelling, as well as the various styles of editing that make up the language of cinema. Students will learn and use editing software to edit various projects and assignments.

This course is a comprehensive examination of the fundamentals of music and music notation. Notes, keys, chords and harmonic progression, as well as ear training, intervals, and basic keyboard layout will be discussed.

Students will learn how to successfully execute a small project, gaining understanding of the key steps in project planning and execution. They will play a key role in a real project by planning, executing and debriefing. By experiencing being a part of a team and having to learn from team members, they will apply their lessons learned in class and eventually in their own businesses.

This course provides advanced skills for playing Shakespeare. While building on the scansion skills introduced in Playing Shakespeare I, this course will develop those skills and introduce the more subjective aspects of performing Shakespeare.

This course will emphasize the use of correct grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics. Students will be required to apply these skills to writing assignments.

This course will emphasize the use of correct grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics. Students will be required to apply these skills to writing assignments.

This course provides students with solid experience in creating market-driven and market-driving strategies for the future success of a business. Course objectives are designed to help students in discovering and developing a set of unique competencies for a firm that, through strategic differentiation, will lead to sustainable competitive advantage in the marketplace. Students are provided with the opportunity to develop and practice creative problem solving and decision-making skills to simulate the requirements of today’s complex market environment. Industry analyses will be performed that include the following: internal/external analysis, customer analysis, competitor analysis, market/submarket analysis, and comparative strategy assessment.

Students learn to analyze and exploration directorial approaches used in film and television, looking particularly at the creative use of cameras, sound, composition, and communication with those in front of and behind the camera. They explore, from a directorial perspective, the expressive potential of the image within. They learn methodologies, which stimulate visual creativity and positioning the image as the fundamental element of cinematic expression. They engage in exercises in the analysis of script and for purpose of directing actors to obtain the best possible performance.

This class focuses primarily on the role of the cinematographer. Students will learn how to visually communicate an idea through extensive use of the camera and lights. Areas of emphasis will include composition, camera techniques, camera placement and movement, lens characteristics, color, depth of field, lighting techniques, the qualities of light and color temperature.

In this course students identify their specialized interest and value within the media industry, and through the creation of a comprehensive career strategy, use specialized knowledge, skills and experience to prepare themselves to be hired by media companies and promote themselves within the media industry. The class will also look at the unique world of freelancing and give students the tools necessary to venture into self-employment.

This course examines how media and business shape the attitudes, practices and beliefs of individuals and groups, and develops in students a rich understanding of the subtle and powerful cultural currents swirling around them, so that they can make valuable contributions to the development of future cultures. Students will consider critically how media and business shape them, learning to recognize the attitudes, assumptions, arguments and ideas promoted by media and business enterprises and products. They will develop a full, thoughtful and practical understanding of what cultures are and how they grow, and of the university’s mission to Impact Culture for Christ. They will gain an understanding of how Christians are perceived by the cultures around them, and appreciate how one gains the privilege of participation in the shaping of cultures. Finally, students will learn to articulate what of value they have to offer the cultures around them, and how they hope to make that contribution over the course of their lives and careers.

This course focuses on introducing the idea of “entrepreneurial marketing” and is aimed at students who plan to start a new venture or take a job as a marketing professional pursuing an innovative marketing approach. Students will study a full spectrum of marketing strategy and tactics that are especially suitable for entrepreneurial firms aiming for high growth and innovation yet faced by limited resources and uncertain industry dynamics. Students will work in teams on marketing plans for their own venture or for other high-profile entrepreneurs or executives. The focus of this course is on hands-on experiences and practical relevance of innovative marketing concepts.

Students will continue their study of screenwriting begun in Writing for the Screen I. They will complete the first draft of a feature length screenplay and plan and complete a second draft of that screenplay, and they will register their finished work with the WGA. Class time will be dedicated to covering intermediate and advanced topics including rewriting, working with producers, directors and agents, types of professional meetings and how to make the most of them, how to seek buyers for scripted material, and the articulation of a well-developed personal code of ethics in entertainment. Students will critique one another's work in small groups, with instructor supervision and guidance. Considerable time will be required for students to write. Students will read and respond to the required texts as well as to feature screenplays and episodic television scripts.

This course is an exploration of building and performing characters that fall outside the student’s physical/ vocal type. The emphasis will be on creating characters based on the recognition of the student’s internal emotional life, demonstrating characters based on the establishment of external vocal/physical adjustments, and interpreting characters based on script analysis.

An exploration of the intricate link between story structure and game design, this course gives students hands-on experience creating games with narratives that are both embedded (scripted) and emergent (arising from the game mechanics). Branching stories, database narrative, and environmental storytelling will be addressed, as well as current developments in the field.

The purpose of this course is the introduction to Stanislavski terminology and technique, developing character from self, beginning rehearsal techniques, and performance analysis. Meisner exercises are used to develop emotional honesty and reliance on impulse.

This class will study some of the most important films in American cinema to understand the cultural context in which they were created, the role of the director in the filmmaking process, and the lasting legacy that the various films enjoy.

Introduction to Advertising is designed to develop an overall perspective of the advertising process. The course will include the history of advertising, advertising agencies, and their current role in the ad world, tools and methods used to communicate a unified message, the use of media and creativity, ethics and legal issues in advertising, advertising as: a means of communication; an economic and social institution; and an influence on consumer-buying decisions and behavior. The impact of advertising within culture through a Catholic lens will be explored as well.

Using the simplicity of basic 2D animation, students will become familiar with some of the basic “Disney: 12 Principles of Animation.” Through lectures and projects, students will create several short animation projects that include: Key Pose Animation, Squash and Stretch, Anticipation, Staging, Arcs, and Action Timing. Whether 2D, CG, or stop motion animation, these principles are the backbone for all character animation projects.

This course builds on the storytelling fundamentals learned in Story, Genre and Structure, with specific application to writing for the screen. The student will learn the basics of scriptwriting and will combine this with previously acquired writing and storytelling skills to write a spec script for an existing half-hour or hour-long television series. Students will hone their presentation skills to pitch their television story. Class time will be dedicated to covering beginning and intermediate topics including breaking stories, scene writing, dialogue, subtext, direction, giving and receiving notes in a writers’ group, and script format. Students will critique one another’s work in small groups, with instructor guidance. Considerable time will be required for students to write outside of class. Students will read and respond to the required texts as well as assigned episodic television scripts.

This course is an exploration of building and performing characters that fall outside the student’s physical/ vocal type. The emphasis will be on creating characters based on the recognition of the student’s internal emotional life, demonstrating characters based on the establishment of external vocal/physical adjustments, and interpreting characters based on script analysis.

This course provides students with concepts and strategies related to practical financial and personal decision-making. Taking a holistic approach, students will be given the tools to manage not just their personal finances, but their investments in time, service, etc. Topics will include budgeting, spending, saving, borrowing, investing, time management, tithing, and giving.

This class will help students develop advanced figure-drawing skills through various exercises drawing the human body in various shapes and positions. This class is an art study into major anatomical structures of human body.

This course builds on the storytelling fundamentals learned in Story, Genre and Structure, with specific application to writing for the screen. The student will learn the basics of scriptwriting and will combine this with previously acquired writing and storytelling skills to write a spec script for an existing half-hour or hour-long television series. Students will hone their presentation skills to pitch their television story. Class time will be dedicated to covering beginning and intermediate topics including breaking stories, scene writing, dialogue, subtext, direction, giving and receiving notes in a writers’ group, and script format. Students will critique one another’s work in small groups, with instructor guidance. Considerable time will be required for students to write outside of class. Students will read and respond to the required texts as well as assigned episodic television scripts.

The purpose of this course is the introduction to Stanislavski terminology and technique, developing character from self, beginning rehearsal techniques, and performance analysis. Meisner exercises are used to develop emotional honesty and reliance on impulse.

The course examines the legal relationships in the motion picture and television industries, as well as the legal relationships between artists and their personal managers. It covers the key legal principles that are involved in most media productions. This includes with trade unions, licensing, intellectual property and contract issues. In addition, this course explores ethical challenges students are likely to encounter working in entertainment and guides them through the development of a personal code of ethics that is informed by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The senior project is a series of courses (up to three) in which students will work either individually or as part of a team and create or contribute to a significant media project that spotlights their area of emphasis. Class II is the production phase. Instructor approval is required to take this class.

Can we ever be 100% certain that our beliefs are true? If so, what is the grounding for this certitude? Can reason prove everything we believe? What is the relationship between faith and reason, between theology and philosophy, and between religion and science? These and related questions will be explored in this class. Figures studied will include St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, JP II, Kierkegaard, and others. Special attention will be given to JP II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio.

This class will help students develop advanced figure-drawing skills through various exercises drawing the human body in various shapes and positions. This class is an art study into major anatomical structures of human body.

Comprehensive introduction to the various components of 3D animation technology including modeling, animating, rendering, and lighting.

This course explores the principles of Film Finance including using private equity, tax incentives, distribution, crowd funding and other traditional and emerging methods of funding media projects.

This course exposes students to the vast wealth of the English-language poetic tradition. Beginning with the micro-sagas, riddles and serenades that populate Old and Middle English verse, students advance to engage with major writers and works of intervening centuries before concluding with the more familiar speech—but also the bewildering disjunction—of the poetry of our modern era.

This seminar course examines the cultural history and the cultural significance of important world literature. It asks students to study texts in the context of the period in which they were written as well as to consider them in relation to contemporary discussion and response. Although emphasis will be upon the primary texts in the seminar, students will undertake their own research projects that allow them to explore further the materials introduced and discussed in the seminar.

This class is designed to provide students with several opportunities to explore and research into environments and complementary object designs of various art styles, to promote the development of students’ individual art style.

A mixed lecture-lab in which students will learn songwriting fundamentals and take part in productive workshops to develop skills in music composition, notation, performance practice, and creative expression.

This third course in our Cultural Foundations series tracks the rise of modernity against the backdrop of various 18th and 19th century upheavals. In order to best appreciate the dynamism and complexity of this period, students will immerse themselves in the literary form most characteristic of the 19th century: the novel. By applying order to an increasingly dissonant world, the great novels of the European tradition illuminate daily life amidst revolutionary change, and capture in their progress subtle movements of human consciousness, along with pivotal transformations of human hearts.

This course provides students with concepts and strategies related to practical financial and personal decision-making. Taking a holistic approach, students will be given the tools to manage not just their personal finances, but their investments in time, service, etc. Topics will include budgeting, spending, saving, borrowing, investing, time management, tithing, and giving.

In this course the student explores the Scriptures, particularly the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to understand the person of Jesus Christ. This Scripture course serves as the starting point for JPCatholic University’s religion curriculum. While examining some of the basic literary and historical issues relating to Scripture study, the course also introduces students to the theological principles of Catholic biblical exegesis. The course also explores ways the study of Scripture enhances the life of prayer.

This course examines the concept and figures of rebellion in the Graeco-Roman world from the 5th century B.C. to the 4th century A.D. Various pre-Christian figures, including Antigone and Socrates are analyzed as rebels in their historical context as well as various Christian figures including early martyrs such as Justin Martyr and St. Perpetua. Through a chronological reading of primary texts written or associated with rebel-figures, students develop an appreciation of the similarities between pre-Christian and Christian “martyrs” as well as an understanding of how Christianity developed in the Roman Empire.

This course enables focused study of a specific author, era, or literary movement. Focus will be on significant literary texts with additional attention to critical literature, historical context, and cultural influence as needed. Repeatable for credit with different topics.

A senior-level graphic design capstone experience. This course provides hands-on and practical experience managing “real-world” graphic design projects and interactions with local businesses and/or non-profit clients. Students will be designing creative content for businesses and organizations throughout the quarter. Additionally, students will be creating design content to further build out their creative portfolio and resume.

This course will provide hands-on experience building effective and accurate spreadsheet models. The course reviews and strengthens the student’s understanding of applied mathematical concepts relevant to solving problems in accounting and finance. Students will learn basic and advanced functions, and how to practically apply them to business problems.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of pre-production and production, and the roles and responsibilities of all personnel and positions that are essential to its success. Students will become familiarized with the detailed preparation required for the shoot and the interdependence of the script, budget, schedule, and breakdown. Students will also learn how a digital video camera works, the characteristics of lenses, how to record clean sound, and how to use lighting to illuminate and shape an image.

This third course in our Cultural Foundations series tracks the rise of modernity against the backdrop of various 18th and 19th century upheavals. In order to best appreciate the dynamism and complexity of this period, students will immerse themselves in the literary form most characteristic of the 19th century: the novel. By applying order to an increasingly dissonant world, the great novels of the European tradition illuminate daily life amidst revolutionary change, and capture in their progress subtle movements of human consciousness, along with pivotal transformations of human hearts.

This third course in our Cultural Foundations series tracks the rise of modernity against the backdrop of various 18th and 19th century upheavals. In order to best appreciate the dynamism and complexity of this period, students will immerse themselves in the literary form most characteristic of the 19th century: the novel. By applying order to an increasingly dissonant world, the great novels of the European tradition illuminate daily life amidst revolutionary change, and capture in their progress subtle movements of human consciousness, along with pivotal transformations of human hearts.

Students will learn how to effectively communicate visually through a brand to create several compelling and cohesive identities.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of pre-production and production, and the roles and responsibilities of all personnel and positions that are essential to its success. Students will become familiarized with the detailed preparation required for the shoot and the interdependence of the script, budget, schedule, and breakdown. Students will also learn how a digital video camera works, the characteristics of lenses, how to record clean sound, and how to use lighting to illuminate and shape an image.

This course studies a wide variety of global cultures by listening to indigenous voices expressing themselves in cultural products that include novels, films, music, poetry, essays, speeches, and journalism.

This course studies a wide variety of global cultures by listening to indigenous voices expressing themselves in cultural products that include novels, films, music, poetry, essays, speeches, and journalism.

In this interdisciplinary foundational design course, students explore the history of graphic design from the earliest communication technologies to the present, with a focus on the Modern era. This course will also examine changes in style and technology within the field and consider the relationship between graphic design and its cultural, political and social contexts.

This course allows students to learn about the publishing industry, branding, self-marketing, and the process by which literary works are brought to the public. Special focus is given to providing students with practical tips and tools for sharing their own original work with a wider audience.

The first in a sequence of three 3-unit classes offered to upperclassmen, generally seniors. This course explores market opportunities and needs, competitive market landscapes, skill competencies and gaps, and the process of creating a financial forecast model.

This creative studio course is designed to help students produce their master-game prototype. At the end of this course, students are expected to complete the majority of their game production and to deliver Alpha version of their game.

This course provides advanced skills for playing Shakespeare. While building on the scansion skills introduced in Playing Shakespeare I, this course will develop those skills and introduce the more subjective aspects of performing Shakespeare.

This course will emphasize the use of correct grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics. Students will be required to apply these skills to writing assignments.

This course develops the artistic and technical skills needed to enhance a story using visual effects. Students become familiar with Adobe's AfterEffects software and apply fundamental concepts such as masking, keyframing, tracking, and time-remapping to craft visual effects. This class is a pre-requisite for ENTM 417 Compositing.

This course will emphasize the use of correct grammar, usage, spelling, punctuation, and mechanics. Students will be required to apply these skills to writing assignments.

This creative studio course is designed to help students produce their master-game prototype. At the end of this course, students are expected to complete the majority of their game production and to deliver Alpha version of their game.

This course is part of the feature film program. Students actively participate in the creative development and pre-produciton process on an independent feature film. Students assess the challenges and opportunities associated with a slate of film projects and help determine which film is ultimately greenlit for production. Once a project is greenlit, students collaborate to produce the film by crafting a budget, schedule, and marketing strategy. Students who participate in Feature Film Producing I & Feature Film Producing II are eligible to earn an associate producer credit on the film.

This is a course in the various understandings of metaphysics, or the nature of being as being, beginning from Plato’s Timaeus, continuing through the Classical period by means of Aristotle, and the Middle Ages in St. Thomas Aquinas. The course continues by covering several related questions, beginning with Natural Theology (discussing the traditional proofs for the existence of God, the Divine Attributes that can be understood using reason alone, the analogy of being, and the act of creation), continuing with the “problem of evil” and the question of free will.

What is it to believe? Is it merely intellectual assent, or something more? Building out from the first part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, this course systematically unpacks the rich and challenging Catholic doctrines contained in the early creeds of the Church, presenting students with a faith that invites assent of all their heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Comprehensive introduction to the various components of 3D animation technology including modeling, animating, rendering, and lighting.

This is a course in the various understandings of metaphysics, or the nature of being as being, beginning from Plato’s Timaeus, continuing through the Classical period by means of Aristotle, and the Middle Ages in St. Thomas Aquinas. The course continues by covering several related questions, beginning with Natural Theology (discussing the traditional proofs for the existence of God, the Divine Attributes that can be understood using reason alone, the analogy of being, and the act of creation), continuing with the “problem of evil” and the question of free will.