Mass Communication (MC)

College of Fine Arts

 

(GE) = Approved General Education Course
(WR) = Approved Writing Reinforcement Course

100 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.

200 Fundamentals of Journalism, 3 credit hours (WR)
A historical overview of journalism, including the processes for gathering and writing news for print and electronic media.

215 Studio Television Production, 3 credit hours
Principles and practices of television production in a studio environment.

255 Media Writing Fundamentals, 3 credit hours (WR)
Emphasis on writing commercials and public-service announcements for radio and television. Prerequisite: MC 200 or 215.

265 Broadcast Newswriting, 3 credit hours (WR)
Writing for the electronic media, with emphasis on radio and television news stories. Prerequisite: MC 255.

300 Advanced Journalism Practices, 3 credit hours (WR)
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.

310 Publication Layout and Design, 3 credit hours
In-depth layout and design for newspapers, magazines, brochures, and other publications using desktop-publishing software.

315 Television Post-Production, 3 credit hours
Emphasis on field production, videography, and videotape editing. Prerequisite: MC 215.

325 Survey of American Cinema, 3 credit hours (GE)
A study of American cinema, examining its impact, techniques, theories, and style. Includes regular screening of movies.

326 History of French Film, 3 credit hours
Traces the social and technological history of French film. All films subtitled in English. Readings and discussion in French and English. (Cross-listed with FRN 343.)

327 Electronic Photojournalism, 3 credit hours
Television news videography techniques and practices. Students will work with MC 332 Broadcast News Fundamentals class to produce weekly television news packages. Prerequisite: MC 315.

332 Broadcast News Fundamentals, 3 credit hours
Introduction to television news gathering, writing and reporting processes and techniques. Students will work with MC 327 Electronic Photojournalism students to produce weekly news packages. Prerequisite: MC 200.

333 Television Newscast Production, 3 credit hours
Emphasis on newscast content, on-air production, and anchoring newscasts. Prerequisite: MC 265.

353 Media History, 3 credit hours (WR)
Foundation of media history, from the origins of mass media to present-day concerns and future implications.

355 Advanced Media Writing, 3 credit hours (WR)
Advanced writing skills, including character and plot development, dialog for television and radio scripts. Prerequisite: MC 255.

357 Special Topics in Public Relations, 3 credit hours
Varied topics in the field related to public relations agency work.

360 Mass Communication Theory and Media Effects, 3 credit hours
An exploration of the prevailing mass-communication theories and media-effects research.

370 Computer Graphic/DVD Design, 3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical instruction in television computer graphic and DVD design techniques.

390 Website Design Aesthetics, 3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical instruction in use of graphical website creation programs. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

400 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.

411 Video Engineering, 3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical application of analog and digital video engineering principles in a broadcast environment, including work as technical crew for weekly newscasts. Prerequisite: MC 215.

412 Audio Engineering, 3 credit hours
Aesthetic and technical considerations for analog and digital multi-track recording, mixing, and sound reinforcement.

415 Digital Non-Linear Editing, 3 credit hours
Philosophy and technical considerations in software-based, non-linear video editing. Prerequisite: MC 315.

425 Documentary Production, 3 credit hours
Individual projects (documentary, dramatic, animation, etc.) completed under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: MC 415.

433 Advanced TV Newscast Production, 3 credit hours
Emphasis on content, organization, and all aspects of producing a weekly television newscast. Prerequisite: MC 333.

450 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.

453 Advanced Journalism Practicum, 3 credit hours
Practical experience in the production of the semimonthly campus newspaper.

455 Media Law, 3 credit hours
Examination of laws affecting the broadcast, cable, and print media.

460 Media Management, 3 credit hours
Management and motivational theories applied to print, broadcast, and cable industries.

475 Internship, 1–6 credit hours
Practical experience in a professional environment. Open to juniors and seniors only with departmental consent. Applications, including requirements, are available in departmental office. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours on a pass/fail basis.

491 Directed Study, 1–3 credit hours
Supervised, independent directed study in media-related area. Faculty adviser must approve research topic the semester prior to registration.

494 Location Production, 3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical instruction in the techniques of advanced video production. Teamwork aspects of location production are emphasized. Prerequisite: MC 327.

495 Senior Exit Portfolio, 1 credit hour
Preparation of a portfolio (DVD for Broadcast Concentration, manual or computer-based compilation of published clippings and articles for Journalism Concentration), along with a detailed critical analysis of the body of work. Must be taken during the last 30 hours of study.