Digital Broadcast Arts
24 courses · Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DBA 100 Introduction to Radio and TV
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
A survey of American broadcasting, its development, impact and influence on our society; basic principles, mass communication theory, station operation programming, advertising, rating services, cable television, regulation, and censorship; in depth analysis of current issues and developments.
DBA 105 Multimedia Storytelling
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Backpack Journalism is a new field born from traditional media outlets such as broadcast news, print journalism, public radio and the hallmarks of our contemporary digital era; social media, vlogging and the internet's unquenchable appetite for multi-media content. This course introduces students to the basic skills and techniques required of modern journalists and digital storytellers - from capturing clean and compelling video, audio and interviews to crafting and editing short, character driven narratives worthy of your world's attention.
DBA 110 Broadcast and Media Writing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introductory course in writing for TV and radio broadcast, and a variety of digital media platforms. An emphasis is placed on proper formatting, technical, conceptual and stylistic issues related to writing for informational and entertainment purposes in a variety of media scripts.
DBA 115 Creative Writing for Television and Cinema
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Basic introductory course in narrative script writing for film and episodic television. Emphasis on basic screenplay structure, characters, conflict, theme and technical script formatting in the development of a short screenplay.
DBA 120 Digital Television Studio Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
The course introduces theory, terminology, practices, and aesthetic considerations of visual and sound productions in a multi-camera television studio and control room. Topics include studio signal flow, directing, theory and operation of camera and audio equipment, switcher operation, fundamentals of lighting, graphics, video control and video recording and real-time video production.
DBA 125 Beginning Single Camera Film and Video Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Advisory
- CINE 100
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides an introduction to the theory, terminology, and operation of single camera film and video production as it applies to narrative storytelling for film and television. Areas of study include basic elements of screenwriting and production design, cinematography including camera operation, digital video and audio recording and basic editing techniques. It focuses on the aesthetics and fundamentals of scripting, producing, directing on location, postproduction and exhibition/distribution. Students may shoot on Super 8mm, 16mm film or digital video.
DBA 130 Radio Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introductory course in the theory and application of audio production techniques for radio and podcasting. Students will gain a basic understanding of audio equipment in both live and pre-recorded broadcasting (podcasting). This includes recording equipment, mixers, digital audio production, radio program formats, broadcast writing and announcing skills. A program produced by the student will be broadcast on college radio station KKSM.
DBA 135A Basic Radio Station Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 9.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DBA 130
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to radio station operations and audio production skills along with practical exercises using broadcast equipment and techniques.
DBA 135B Beginning Radio Station Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 9.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DBA 135A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Beginning radio station operations and audio production skills with emphasis on developing a format radio show.
DBA 135C Intermediate Radio Station Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 9.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DBA 135B
- Transfers to
- CSU
Intermediate radio station operations and audio/editing production skills with emphasis on creating a unique radio show.
DBA 135D Advanced Radio Station Operations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 9.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DBA 135C
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced radio station programming operations and audio production editing. Special emphasis in broadcast management training.
DBA 170 Introduction to Video Editing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
How does editing impact the responses that our audiences have to our videos? This course provides a hands-on introduction to the basic techniques, theories, and practices associated with post-production video, audio, and animation work. The course introduces students to a diverse range of editing tools and approaches while serving as an introduction to Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects.
DBA 220 TV Production and Directing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Techniques and theories of television production and direction. Practice in pre-production planning, staging, studio production, and editing. Duties and responsibilities of director and production crew. Production of fully scripted television programs for airing on cable and broadcast stations.
DBA 225 Intermediate Single Camera Film and Video Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CINE 125
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides an introduction to the basic theory, terminology, and practice of motion picture production as applied in feature films, and films made for television, documentary film, and internet through developed skill sets, and teamwork in pre-production, production, and post-production processes. Topics include basic cinematography including the operation, function and creative uses of production and post-production equipment, scriptwriting, camera operation, shot composition, lighting, sound recording and mixing, and editing.
DBA 230 Digital Audio Avid Pro Tools
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Principles and techniques of editing radio, television, and film audio projects using Avid Pro Tools software and technology. Digitizing audio source material, working knowledge of Avid Pro Tools interface, use of multi-track audio editing system, mic and recording techniques.
DBA 240A Basic Television News/Sports
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): DBA 120
- Transfers to
- CSU
Basic principles of broadcast scripting, gathering, and editing of television news and/or sports. Learn the technical studio production elements of a news or sports cast.
DBA 240B Beginning Television News/Sports
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DBA 240A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students perform as members of the TV News and Sports broadcast team at a beginning level. Students will assist in the production of the College's various live newscasts and sportscasts for airing on cable television, and will participate in a variety of TV broadcast roles.
DBA 240C Intermediate Television News/Sports
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DBA 240B
- Transfers to
- CSU
Intermediate level skills are applied as members of the on-air crew and production team, producing TV News and Sports broadcasts. Students will produce the College's various live newscasts and sportscasts for airing on cable television, participating in a variety of TV broadcast roles.
DBA 240D Advanced Television News/Sports
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Advisory
- DBA 240C
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced principles and application of techniques and theory of local TV News reporting, sports reporting, news gathering, producing, and editing an ongoing weekly TV news/sports program. Production of newscasts for airing on cable television.
DBA 270 Advanced Video Editing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- DBA 170 or GCMW 165
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students advanced hands-on instruction in the principles and techniques of non-linear video editing, animation and compositing for broadcast television and film. The course builds upon students' knowledge of Adobe Premiere and After-Effects to empower students’ creativity through a project-driven environment.
DBA 275 Avid Editing for Television and Film
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lecture, 4.50 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Principles and techniques of editing video and film projects using Avid technology. Digitizing source material, storyboarding, timeline, audio editing, importing and exporting graphics, outputting, and media management.
DBA 298 Broadcast Internship
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 3.00-9.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Broadcast internships at radio and television stations, Palomar College TV and KKSM radio, and video/film production facilities. Prior internship experience not required; assumes entry-level skills and production experience. May involve entry-level work on independent productions including research, scripting, and pre-production planning. Sixty hours is required for each credit unit in an unpaid internship, and seventy-five hours is required for each credit unit in a paid internship.
DBA 298B Intermediate Broadcast Internship
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 3.00-9.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course, learners will advance their education and career goals through structured work experience. With the support of a faculty member, learners will develop new skills, improve existing skills, and relate those skills to specific achievements. Learners will also evaluate their current work experience to draw connections to future education and career goals. This course will afford students the opportunity to consider how their work reflects their values and interests and how they balance work with other priorities in their lives. To take the course, learners will need to have a current job or internship. Students need to complete 54 hours of work experience per unit of credit. Please contact the Cooperative Education Department with questions and for assistance.
DBA 298C Advanced Broadcast Internships
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 9.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
In this course, learners will advance their education and career goals through structured work experience. With the support of a faculty member, learners will develop new skills, improve existing skills, and relate those skills to specific achievements. Learners will also evaluate their current work experience to draw connections to future education and career goals. This course will afford students the opportunity to consider how their work reflects their values and interests and how they balance work with other priorities in their lives. To take the course, learners will need to have a current job or internship. Students need to complete 54 hours of work experience per unit of credit. This is a three-unit course and will require 162 hours of documented work with an intern provider. Please contact the Cooperative Education Department with questions and for assistance.