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 introduces students to the digital video production process, from writing a two-column script to the final product. Students will learn practical aspects of single camera techniques, basic lighting, audio recording, camera directing and video editing. In addition, this module gives students a sound understanding of the entire production process, when they bring an infotainment script to life on screen.

Introduction to Scriptwriting

In this module, students will learn to tell stories for the screen through sound and images. They will understand scriptwriting terminology and write scripts in a professional format. Students will develop stories from idea to final draft. They will create compelling characters and write character-specific dialogue. They will apply structure and conflict to create engaging scene sequences. Students will participate in collaborative writing by giving feedback to ‘punch up’ a script. They will use feedback to 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

Data can help you gain insights into the UN SDGs. Learn to employ data-handling processes such as formulating data-based questions, pre-processing data and analysing data using numerical and graphical summaries. This module will allow you to demonstrate your competency to use data to examine one aspect of a UN SDG and/or generate some insights to support a theoretical solution to a UN SDG.

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact

You will get a broad overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its societal and ethical impacts in modern society. Learn to build a simple AI model with online tools, discuss how to promote good ethics in AI, and consider how the use of AI can address your chosen UN SDG in this module.

Problem Solving With Creative & Computational Thinking

Focused and diffuse thinking, problem identification and analysis, lateral and creative thinking, and the four pillars of computational thinking will be covered in this module. These give you the baseline creative and computational thinking skills for problem solving. You will brainstorm and apply creative and computational thinking techniques to tackle problems related to the UN SDGs.

Polywide Elective 1

Students have the exciting opportunity to shape their own educational journey this semester by choosing from a diverse range of available electives. Each elective is designed to broaden knowledge, foster new skills, and ignite passions in various fields

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 for television as well as streaming services and other digital platforms. It exposes students to the broad processes of conceptualising,crafting and developing entertainment content such as infotainment, reality shows and game shows. Students will learn the fundamentals of story crafting and specific writing approaches to create effective entertainment content that will appeal to a targeted audience. Students will get the opportunity to individually conceptualise and pitch ideas as well as work in teams to develop projects.

Media Law & Ethics

This module introduces students to key media laws, including intellectual property laws, and examines government policies behind the regulation of media content, as well as the challenges. Students will better appreciate their ethical responsibilities as media professionals, as they develop a working understanding of media laws.

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

Students have the exciting opportunity to shape their own educational journey this semester by choosing from a diverse range of available electives. Each elective is designed to broaden knowledge, foster new skills, and ignite passions in various fields

Entertainment Content Production

This module guides students through the creative and production process of Entertainment Content. It will stack on knowledge acquired in MD5214 Introduction to Entertainment Content, to train students in the more rigorous process of producing Reality Content. Students will first learn how to deconstruct and analyse the effectiveness of existing Reality Content series. They will then adopt the roles, methodologies as well as strategies of the Reality Story Producer to produce original content. By the end of this module, students will also be able to recognise and apply creative strategies utilised by story producers in the industry.

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 narrative scripts. The students will learn the finer points of script interpretation, conceptualisation, storytelling, actor and camera direction, editing and production management, and apply these skills in the context of narrative production.

Tinker Lab

​Tinker Lab is part of the Project Core modules that will be offered to all second year MAD students in semester 2. It is designed to strengthen students' skills and mindset as they work in a transdisciplinary team, tapping onto the transdisciplinary framework, process and tools to innovate solutions. Tinker Lab builds on the practices taught in X-Lab to further develop students’ ability to inspire innovation with purpose, encouraging participants to make a meaningful impact through their creations. This module aims to foster a mindset where tinkering is not just about play but about leveraging technology to bring about positive change (e.g. Sustainability Goals). Participants are invited to explore the endless possibilities of using their skills and ideas as catalysts for meaningful impact, whether on a personal, communal, or global scale. Through hands-on exploration, and collaborative projects, participants will uncover their potential as change-makers and learn to embrace creativity, experimentation, and iteration as tools.

Persuasive Communication with Data Storytelling

While data offer the hard facts, they rely on us to give them a clear and convincing voice to call stakeholders into action in tackling the UN SDGs. Attain the skills to craft compelling narratives supported by hard facts that persuade intellectually and effectively, in this module. You will learn to generate data visualisations, and apply narrative elements and persuasive delivery techniques to influence others or shape their perspectives.

Final Year Project

Students will research, ideate, develop, write, film and pitch an original concept for a television series. They will apply all they have learnt in developing scripted and unscripted content to showcase the skills as media content creators. The final year project will assess the students’ learning in the areas of research, concept development, scriptwriting, video production, multi-platform storytelling and pitching. By the end of this module, students would have created an original concept for a scripted/unscripted TV series in a chosen genre for a target audience.

Narrative Filmmaking

This module introduces screenwriting as a distinctive media platform that requires a different set of skills and techniques in terms of storytelling, scriptwriting and the business of moviemaking. The module builds on the production modules from the earlier stages in the specialisation. Students will also learn the creative work in scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, art direction, sound design and editing. Through the works of film auteurs, students will also discover more about the social and artistic influences affecting film and the film industry.

Documentary Filmmaking

This module is designed to enable students to develop a documentary film. Students will transform their documentary proposals into a five to seven- minute film, using the storytelling skills they have developed in the programme. This module challenges students to further refine their scriptwriting, directing, producing, and production management skills in the context of producing the documentary.

Innovation Lab

Innovation Lab 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 Experience Lab and the Tinker Lab, 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 in tackling complex problems.

Polywide Elective 3

Students have the exciting opportunity to shape their own educational journey this semester by choosing from a diverse range of available electives. Each elective is designed to broaden knowledge, foster new skills, and ignite passions in various fields

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.

INTS: Personal Branding and Career Agility

INTS: Effective Writing for the Workplace