Mass Communication (MC)

College of Fine Arts

 

(GE) = Approved General Education 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 Introduction to Mass Media Writing, 3 credit hours
This introductory class is designed to teach the basics of journalism with an emphasis on developing and improving writing and professional skills for print, online, and broadcast.

215 Producing Video in the Studio, 3 credit hours
Principles and practices of television production in a studio environment.

255 Media Writing Fundamentals, 3 credit hours
Emphasis on writing commercials and public-service announcements for radio and television.

265 Broadcast News Writing, 3 credit hours
Writing for the electronic media, with emphasis on radio, television, and Internet news stories.

300 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.

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 Producing Video in the Field, 3 credit hours
Principles and practices of videography, nonlinear editing, and field television production. 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 News Gathering, 3 credit hours
Television/cable news production techniques and practices. Students will produce weekly television news packages. Prerequisite: MC 315.

332 Broadcast News Fundamentals, 3 credit hours
Introduction to the techniques and processes for electronic newsgathering as a solo journalist, including videography, reporting, writing, on-camera performance, and video editing. 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
Foundation of media history, from the origins of mass media to present-day concerns and future implications.

355 Advanced Media Writing, 3 credit hours
Advanced writing skills, including character, plot development, visualization, action and dialog for television 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 DVD and Video Graphic Design, 3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical instruction in DVD design and video graphic techniques. Prerequisites: MC 215 or 310 or ART 122.

390 Multimedia Website Creation, 3 credit hours
Theoretical and practical instruction in use of multimedia website programs to create effective websites. Prerequisite: MC 100.

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 Advanced Video Post Production, 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.

452 Public-Relations Writing, 3 credit hours
This course for advanced writing students focuses on public-relations writing — how to write news releases, videos, online material, fact sheets, positions papers and so forth. It includes preparation of stories for the departmental newsletter, The Brick Street Journal. Prerequisite: MC 200. Restricted to junior and senior COMS and MC majors.

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.

456 Nonfiction Freelance Writing, 3 credit hours
This course will teach students how to produce and market stories to magazines and newspapers as a freelancer. Prerequisites: MC 200 and 300. Restricted to junior and senior COMS and MC majors.

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 315.

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.