Mass Communication
Courses
100 Level Courses
200 Level Courses
300 Level Courses
400 Level Courses
MC100 Introduction to Mass Media, 3 credit hours
The role of the mass media in a modern information society. Includes fundamentals of print and broadcast media, communication process and theory, and media effects.
MC200 Fundamentals of Journalism, 3 credit hours
A historical overview of journalism, including the processes of gathering and writing news for print and electronic media. Prerequisite: MC 100.
MC215 Studio Television Production, 3 credit hours
The principles and practices of television production in a studio environment.
MC220 Advanced Journalism Practices, 3 credit hours
Practical approaches to print journalism, including covering a beat, developing sources, news writing, and editing. Introduction to layout and design for newspapers. Prerequisite: MC 200.
MC233 Broadcast News Reporting Fundamentals, 3 credit hours
Introduction to television news gathering, writing and reporting processes and techniques. Students will work with MC 327 photojournalism students to produce weekly news packages. Prerequisite: MC 200.
MC253 Journalism Practicum, 1 credit hour
Practical work in journalism under supervision of faculty or staff member. Students are expected to work at least three hours per week on a campus publication.
MC255 Basic Media Writing, 3 credit hours
Emphasis on writing for a variety of media applications, including news, public-service announcements, and commercials. Prerequisites: MC 200 and 215.
MC300 Special Topics in Journalism, 3 credit hours
Varied topics in the field, offered on a one-time basis. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
MC315 Television Post Production, 3 credit hours
Continuation of MC 215, with emphasis on videography, field production, and videotape editing. Prerequisite: MC 215.
MC325 Survey of American Cinema, 3 credit hours
A study of American cinema, examining it's impact, techniques, theories, and style. Includes regular screening of movies.
MC327 Photojournalism, 3 credit hours
Television news videography techniques and practices. Students will work with MC 233 Television News Reporting Fundamentals students to form reporter/videographer teams to produce weekly news packages. Prerequisite: MC 315.
MC333 Television News II, 3 credit hours
Emphasis on newscast content, on-air production, and anchoring weekly newscasts.
MC353 Media History, 3 credit hours
This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in media history, taking the student from the origins of mass media to present-day concerns. Special emphasis will be given to news judgment and collecting information from primary and secondary news sources.
MC355 Advanced Media Writing, 3 credit hours
Advanced writing skills, including character and plot development, dialog for television and radio scropts. Prerequisite: MC 255.
MC357 Special Topics in Public Relations, 3 credit hours
Varied topics in the field related to public relations agency work.
MC365 Electronic News Gathering & Reporting, 3 credit hours
Writing for the broadcast news media, with emphasis on radio and television news stories. This course carries writing reinforcement credit. Prerequisites: MC 255.
MC370 Computer Graphic Design, 3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical instruction in 2-D and 3-D computer animation techniques and software programs. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
MC382 Broadcast Announcing, 3 credit hours
Techniques for performing on-camera with prompting devices, as well as voice training for radio or TV news, sports and weather, and general announcing.
MC411 Radio Production, 3 credit hours
Basic techniques of on-air radio production. Required for all students participating in cable radio program production. Prerequisite: MC 382.
MC411 Broadcast Engineering, 3 credit hours
Theoretical instruction and practical application of video and audio engineering principles in a broadcast environment. Students will be the technical crew for the weekly MC 333 news program. Prerequisite: MC 215.
MC412 Audio Engineering, 3 credit hours
Advanced instruction in audio technology, microphone techniques, and mixing for multi-track recording and sound reinforcement.
MC415 Digital Non Linear Editing, 3 credit hours
Philosophy and technical considerations in software-based, non-linear video editing. Prerequisite: MC 315.
MC425 Documentary Production, 3 credit hours
Individual projects (documentary, dramatic, animation, etc.) completed under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: MC 415.
MC433 Television News III, 3 credit hours
Emphasis on content, organization, and all aspects of producing a weekly newscast. Prerequisite: MC 333.
MC450 Seminar in Mass Communications, 3 credit hours
Special offerings on topics not covered in the regular curriculum. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
MC454 Newspaper Practicum, 1 credit hour
Practical experience in the production of the semimonthly campus newspaper.
MC455 Media Law, 3 credit hours
Examination of the laws affecting the broadcast and print media.
MC460 Electronic Media Management, 3 credit hours
Management and motivational theories applied to broadcast and cable industries. Laws/regulations of Federal Communications Commission and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Programming and sales strategies.
MC462 Senior Project, 3 credit hours
Preparation of student portfolio that consists of four to six original video productions and/or scripts, along with a detailed critical analysis of each work. Must be taken during the last 30 hours of study.
MC475 Internship, 1–6 credit hours
Practical experience in a professinal, off-campus environment. Open to juniors and seniors only, with departmental consent. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours.
MC491 Directed Study, 1-3 credit hours
Supervised, independent practicum in media-related experiences.
MC493 Sports Production, 3 credit hours
Practical application of television production skills in live cable broadcasts and in-studio sportscasts of the University of Montevallo’s sports teams. Night and weekend availability for broadcasts required. Prerequisites: MC 233, MC 315 and MC 411.
MC494 Location Production, 3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical instruction in the techniques of video production on location.