C-SPAN is so cut and dry it doesn't even have commercial advertisements, according to political science professor Brandon Waite.
But it is a trusted news medium, and that's why he chose to focus an interactive media project on C-SPAN programming.
The Interactive C-SPAN Project is an independent study Waite created that allows undergraduate students majoring in political science, computer science and graphic design to engage viewers by embedding C-SPAN programming.
Waite said the class has more flexibility and latitude to work with C-SPAN because the program has no bottom line.
"What makes it attractive to students is what makes it attractive to the university," Waite said. "It's interdisciplinary, immersive, hands-on and product driven."
Waite is one of seven emerging media faculty fellows with Ball State University's Center for Media Design. These professors apply technology and methodology from the CMD to their home disciplines and the center buys out half of their time.
"I don't know how to program," he said. "But I want to bring interactive television applications to a political science medium."
Computer science instructor Vinayak Tanksale is working with Waite on the project. He said there are two key components to the project: focusing political news to an audience of young adults and using software tools to make the program available through almost any cable box company.
Waite said the point of the project is to empower viewers to get information out of TV programming. They will accomplish this by providing profile information and past voting history of Congress members and a synopsis of the session.
Sophomore Kelly Quarles, who will take part in the project, said when she watches C-SPAN it feels like watching a debate.
"Most people are intimidated by it because they don't know what's going on," she said. "I thought [the project] sounded interesting because it could change how C-SPAN is viewed."
Waite said the class will use footage from the Sonia Sotomayor confirmation hearings for the project. Sotomayor is the first Latino Supreme Court Justice.
The footage is a public good, and it offers solid news in a time when other sources slant and reflect on the news, Waite said.
During the class, political science students will be in charge of determining relevant content, analyzing political procedures and synthesizing information into a format appropriate for TV viewing, she said.
Tanksale said computer science students will take the material and make it functional.
Waite said the project has the support of industry professionals. During the semester, professionals will come and speak to the class, critique and analyze the project. He said this could open doors for potential internships and careers.
When the project is over, they will test market it on different audiences, Waite said. The application will be made available for Comcast and other major TV providers after the project is completed.
Waite said the class will demonstrate Ball State student's potential to affect the "Silicon Cornbelt," a phrase he coined to describe the technological movement taking place in the Midwest.
"It's not just about political policy processes," he said. "But it's about politics and how politics interacts with media."
Interactive C-SPAN Project
What: Independent study for political science, computer science and graphic design students
When: Spring Semester
Why: To give students interactive experience and enhance viewer understanding of C-SPAN programming
How: An immersive project, which builds on students' strengths from each department
There are still a few spots available for the project. Interested students who are majoring or minoring in political science, computer science or graphic design may contact Brandon Waite or Vinayak Tanksale.
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