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Journalism · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Drone Journalism & Aerial Storytelling

The view from above changes the story on the ground. This course certifies students in the ethical and technical use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for news gathering. Beyond just “flying cameras,” students will learn to use drones for data mapping, crowd size estimation, and environmental reporting. The curriculum emphasizes safety regulations, privacy laws, and the cinematic language of aerial cinematography.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Master UAV flight dynamics and safety protocols (Pre-flight checks)
  2. Understand Aviation Regulations (local Civil Aviation Authority guidelines)
  3. Execute cinematic aerial maneuvers (reveal, tracking, top-down)
  4. Utilize drones for "Photogrammetry" (3D mapping of terrain)
  5. Navigate the ethics of privacy and "No Fly Zones" in news reporting
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01History of Aerial Photography: Balloons to Drones
  2. 02UAV Regulations & Airspace Classes
  3. 03Flight Physics & Safety (Battery/Weather)
  4. 04Basic Flight Training: Hover & Orientation
  5. 05Aerial Composition: Pattern & Scale
  6. 06The Reveal Shot: Contextualizing the News
  7. 07Tracking Moving Subjects (ActiveTrack)
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Advanced Maneuvers: The "Point of Interest" Orbit
  10. 10Drones for Data: Introduction to Photogrammetry
  11. 11Mapping Disaster Zones: Search & Rescue
  12. 12Environmental Reporting: Tracking Climate Change
  13. 13Post-Production: Color Grading D-Log footage
  14. 14Livestreaming from Drones
  15. 15Ethics: Privacy, Noise, & Nuisance
  16. 16Final Project: The Aerial News Feature

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Aerial News Feature

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. The Drone Pilot's Handbook by Adam Juniper
  2. Drone Photography & Video Masterclass by Fergus Kennedy
  3. The Photographer's Guide to Drones by Colin Smith
  4. Civil Aviation Authority UAV Guidelines (Local Regulations)
  5. Drones and the Future of Air Warfare (Contextual Ethics) by Michael J. Boyle
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