University to launch new MA in Sports Storytelling Program
The Wake Forest Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is bringing all-star power to its new Master of Arts (MA) in Sports Storytelling when classes begin in fall 2016. Chris Webber, five-time NBA all-star, sports analyst, businessman and film producer has been named a Professor of Practice for the two-year program housed within the University’s award-winning Documentary Film Program (DFP). Webber will teach a course on sports, race and society.
“If we’re going to understand ourselves as a society, we have to understand sports, its culture and how it affects us every day,” said Peter Gilbert, a DFP professor and Emmy award-winning director and producer whose Oscar-nominated documentary, “Hoop Dreams,” won every major critics prize and journalism award in 1995. “Sports storytelling students will graduate with the expertise to tell the stories behind the stories of the 24/7 news cycle — the ones that fuel conversations.”
When the idea for a master’s degree in sports storytelling was proposed, Gilbert immediately knew he wanted to draft Chris Webber for its faculty line-up.
“I’m excited to bring real-life experience to the program. Sports are my passion and telling stories about sports is my new career,” said Webber. “I’ve been involved with the NBA for nearly 25 years, and I understand firsthand how sports, business, race, gender and economics mesh. Sports storytelling gives us a platform to explore these issues in an academic setting. I’m looking forward to not only sharing my own experiences, but learning from students how sports has had an impact on their own lives.” Read more
Categories: University Announcement
