I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Business of Media

2. Course Prefix & Number:
VPRO 1128

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 3

Lecture Hours: 3

4. Course Description:

Students will explore effective business practices relating to the media industry. The course is designed to assist students in gaining employment. Topics of study include career options, small business development, accounting procedures, marketing techniques, portfolio creation, resumes, cover letters, business plans, and interview techniques.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

There are no prerequisites for this course.

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):

Videography Production, AAS Degree
VIdeography Production, Diploma
Graphic Design, AAS Degree
Graphic Design, Diploma
Graphic Design, Media Technologies Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Generate written resumes that communicate clearly defined skill sets to potential employers or client base.
Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills	Develop effective communication standards in the interview process.
Discuss/compare characteristics of diverse cultures and environments	Develop interactive practices that lead to successful working relationships in diverse environments typically encountered in production work.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Identify components of successful business operations;
• Construct an effective resume;
• Develop successful interviewing skills;
• Identify profit opportunities in media;
• Define personal career goals upon graduation;
• Develop working portfolio;
• Access networking portals to career opportunities;
• Develop a succsessful cover letter;
• Set up a simple business plan; and
• Set up a simple accounting procedure using industry-standard accounting software.

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Careers in Media
• Where’s the work?
• What’s the path?
2. Starting a Business
• CLC Business & Industry Center support services
• Business plans
• Rate sheets
• Estimates
• Equipment considerations
• Staffing
3. Gainful Employment
• Employment in cable televison and news
• Employment in studio and photographic production
• Employment in design and advertising
• Keys to succeeding in media environments
4. Bookkeeping
• Using accounting software
• Set up business accounts & categories
5. Self-Employment
• Access points to clients
• Networking opportunities
• Specialization
• Writing a proposal
6. Supply/Retail/Maintenance
• Alternative careers in media
7. Resume Writing/Cover Letters/Interviewing
• Resumes
• Cover letters
• interviewing techniques
8. Portfolios
• Building a portfolio
• Customized portfolios
• Distribution of portfolios