Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2004-2005

The James E. Rogers Department of Mass Communication

Chair and Professor: Loving

Professors: Frazier, Jull 

Assistant Professors: Beachboard, Wells

Adjunct Faculty (Lecturers):  Blair, Breeding, Croft, J. Davis, R. Davis, Hillebrant, Honas, Hunt

Emeriti: House, Mauch, Trinklein

Department Goals
The goals for Mass Communication majors are as follows:

  1. The ability to communicate effectively in writing;
  2. The ability to communicate effectively orally;
  3. The ability to solve problems that arise in a professional setting;
  4. Skills in television, journalism, photography and advertising/public relations appropriate for entry-level position;
  5. Sufficient general knowledge to pursue a successful career in mass communication;
  6. The ability to gain the necessary skills for advancement in a career in mass communication;
  7. The ability to criticize their own work effectively;
  8. The ability to present and accept constructive criticism.
Each area of study in mass communication emphasizes the importance of a strong liberal arts education to students preparing for careers in the media and mass communication. Effective communication in any form depends upon an adequate breadth of knowledge.

For the Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, five options are available: Journalism, Television, Photography, Advertising/Public Relations and Media Studies. Journalism, Television, Photography and Advertising/Public Relations sequences require approximately 33 credits and an additional 15 credits from a selected component of specialized study outside the options. These options are designed to give practical as well as theoretical skills in those areas. The Media Studies option requires 45 credit hours selected from Mass Communication and other departments and prepares students in a more general way for career options in business, industry or government.

Admission to Major Status

Students wishing to major in emphases offered in the Department of Mass Communication must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Be officially admitted to Idaho State University.
  2. Successfully complete the following lower division courses or their equivalents:
MC 119          Introduction to Mass Media            3 cr
MC 121/121L     Reporting and Newswriting and Lab     4 cr
MC 215          Graphic Design                        3 cr
           OR (depending on emphasis)
MC 230/230L     Introduction to Photography and Lab   4 cr
General Education Requirement Goals 1, 2, 6, 11, 12.
  1. Have a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0.
  2. Submit to the Department of Mass Communication an official copy of their transcript and a complete application form. Application forms are available in the Mass Communication office and this process must be completed by April 1 for Fall admission to major status and November 1 for Spring admission.
No student will be admitted to the Mass Communication major without completing these requirements.

Students are eligible to declare Mass Communication as their major and can be admitted to the Mass Communication major after completing the requirements for admission to major status. This application is usually done in the sophomore year. Majors must complete MATH 108 Intermediate Algebra and MATH 253 Introduction to Statistics or their equivalents. Majors must also earn a grade of C or better in all mass communication courses.

All students must be advised each semester before graduation. Students who do not receive advisement will not be allowed into blocked Mass Communication courses.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Students who fail to attend the first class meeting may be disenrolled.

Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication

Select one of the following emphases:

Emphasis in Advertising/Public Relations 

M C 119         Introduction to Mass Media            3 cr
M C 121/121L    Reporting and Newswriting and Lab     4 cr
M C 200         Introduction to Advertising           3 cr
M C 215         Graphic Design                        3 cr
M C 230/230L    Introduction to Photography and Lab   4 cr
M C 341         Introduction to Public Relations      3 cr
M C 355         Advertising Copywriting               3 cr
M C 415         Advanced Graphic Design               3 cr
M C 452         Mass Communication and Society        3 cr
M C 455         Advertising Campaigns                 3 cr
M C 480         Public Relations Programs             3 cr
Plus one of the following courses: 
M C 300         Television Production                 3 cr
M C 305/305L    Photo Communication and Lab           3 cr
In Addition: 
Components, listed below                             15 cr
                                        TOTAL: 52 or 53 cr
Emphasis in Journalism

Required Courses: 

M C 119         Introduction to Mass Media            3 cr
M C 121/121L    Reporting and Newswriting and Lab     4 cr
M C 230/230L    Introduction to Photography and Lab   4 cr
M C 270         Journalism History                    3 cr
M C 321         Reporting of Public Affairs           3 cr
M C 325         Editing for Print Media               4 cr
M C g440        Media Law and Ethics                  3 cr
M C 452         Mass Communication and Society        3 cr
Plus one of the following courses: 
M C 215         Graphic Design                        3 cr
M C 305/305L    Photo Communication and Lab           3 cr
M C 327         Magazine Article Writing              3 cr
M C 415         Advanced Graphic Design               3 cr
M C 445         Editorial Writing                     3 cr
M C 494*        Media Internships*                    6 cr
In Addition: 
Components, listed below                             15 cr
                                        TOTAL: 45 or 48 cr
*Strongly recommended
Emphasis in Media Studies

Required Courses: 

ENGL 307        Technical Writing                     3 cr
           OR
ENGL 308        Business Communications               3 cr
M C 119         Introduction to Mass Media            3 cr
M C 121/121L    Reporting and Newswriting and Lab     4 cr
M C 210         History and Appreciation 
                  of Photography                      3 cr
M C 215         Graphic Design                        3 cr
M C 290         American Broadcasting                 3 cr
           OR
M C 300         Television Production                 3 cr
M C 321         Reporting of Public Affairs           3 cr
M C 350         New Media                             3 cr
M C 415         Advanced Graphic Design               3 cr
M C g440        Media Law and Ethics                  3 cr
M C 452         Mass Communication and Society        3 cr
COMM 201        Business and Professional Speaking    3 cr
IN ADDITION:    Mass Communication electives          3 cr
Select one course from each of the two following blocks:

Block 1 

MKTG 325        Basic Marketing Management            3 cr
MKTG g428       Marketing Communications              3 cr
COMM 208        Group Communication                   3 cr
COMM 355        Nonverbal Communication               2 cr
COMM g441       Interpersonal Communication           3 cr
COMM g452       Conflict Management                   3 cr
COMM g453       Organizational Communication          3 cr
Block 2 
COMM g436       Rhetorical Criticism                  3 cr
COMM g437       Rhetorical Theory                     3 cr
COMM g442       American Rhetoric and Public Address  3 cr
COMM g447       Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill      3 cr
COMM g451       Recent Rhetorical Issues              3 cr
                                        TOTAL: 45 or 46 cr
Recommended: 
MGT 312         Individual and Organizational
                  Behavior                            3 cr
Emphasis in Photography

Required Courses: 

M C 119         Introduction to Mass Media            3 cr
M C 121/121L    Reporting and Newswriting and Lab     4 cr
M C 210         History and Appreciation 
                  of Photography                      3 cr
M C 215         Graphic Design                        3 cr
M C 230/230L    Introduction to Photography and Lab   4 cr
M C 260 	Photo and Graphic Workshop            3 cr
M C 410/410L    Advanced Photography and Lab          4 cr
M C 452         Mass Communication and Society        3 cr
Plus two of the following courses: 
M C 305/305L    Photo Communication and Lab           3 cr
M C 405/405L    Color Printing and Lab                4 cr
M C 465         Alternative Photo Processes           4 cr
In Addition: 
Components, listed below                             15 cr
                                        TOTAL: 48 or 49 cr
Emphasis in Television

Required Courses: 

M C 119         Introduction to Mass Media            3 cr
M C 121/121L    Reporting and Newswriting and Lab     4 cr
M C 230/230L    Introduction to Photography and Lab   4 cr
M C 290         American Broadcasting                 3 cr
M C 300         Television Production                 3 cr
M C 435         Television News                       3 cr
M C 450         Television Workshop                   2 cr
M C 452         Mass Communication and Society        3 cr
M C 460         Corporate Video Production            3 cr
Plus two of the following courses: 
M C 321         Reporting of Public Affairs           3 cr
M C 350         New Media                             3 cr
M C 360         Film-Style Production                 3 cr
In Addition: 
Components, listed below                             15 cr
                                              TOTAL: 49 cr

Components

Students must take 15 credits from ONE of the following five component areas, subject to the following conditions:
  • At least nine of the 15 credits must be upper division.
  • None of the courses included in the component may also be used to satisfy any of the General Education Requirements.
  • The faculty advisor for each student must approve the courses selected to satisfy the component.
  • A minor or a second major may be substituted for the entire component requirement if approved by the student's faculty advisor.


    • Component 1—Business and Economics

    Business Economics

    Marketing

    Management

    Component 2—World Affairs

    GEOL 115

    History

    Political Science

    Component 3—Social Sciences

    American Studies

    Anthropology

    Communication and Rhetorical Studies

    Psychology

    Sociology

    Component 4—Arts and Humanities

    Art

    Communication and Rhetorical Studies

    English

    Music

    Philosophy

    Theatre

    Component 5—Natural Sciences

    Biological Sciences

    Chemistry

    Geology

    Mathematics

    Physics

    Minor in Mass Communication

    A minor in mass communication requires 18 credits including M C 119, M C 452, one additional 100-200 level class, one additional 300 level class, and one additional 400 level class, plus additional credits to total 18 from anywhere in the mass communication curriculum except M C 494, Media Internship, which is offered to majors only. Students must have declared a major before naming mass communication as a minor and are responsible for meeting all prerequisites for mass communication courses they take. Students are encouraged to seek advisement from mass communication faculty.

    SPECIAL NOTE:  Students who fail to attend the first class meeting may be disenrolled.  

    Prerequisites: Students must earn a minimum C grade in prerequisite Mass Communication courses in order to meet prerequisite requirements. For example, a student must pass M C 121 Reporting and Newswriting with a minimum C in order to be allowed to take M C 341 Introduction to Public Relations.

    Mass Communication Courses

    M C 119 Introduction to Mass Media 3 credits. Historical and contemporary roles of newspapers, magazines, photography, film, radio and television in society. Media economics and government regulation. Sociological and psychological effects of the mass media on the individual. F

    M C 121 Reporting and Newswriting 4 credits. Fundamentals of reporting and newswriting. Elements of news, news sources, structure of news stories. Emphasis on reporting local news. Lectures/laboratories. PREREQ: 18-24 ACT English score or ENGL 90. COREQ: M C 121L. F, S

    M C 121L Reporting and Newswriting Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles from M C 121. F, S

    M C 200 Introduction to Advertising 3 credits. In-depth study of the various aspects of advertising including agencies, media, clients, suppliers, creativity in advertising, consumers, ethics and law, strategy, and culture. F

    M C 210 History and Appreciation of Photography 3 credits. Discovery of the photographic process and its evolution to present. Analysis of many recognized masters of photography. Cross-listed as ART 210. Satisfies Goal 6 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

    M C 215 Graphic Design 3 credits. Introduction to concepts and procedures of graphic design. Lectures, studio and computer exercises will explore issues in design for graphic media, typography, and design for the page. Cross-listed as ART 215. F, S

    M C 230 Introduction to Photography 4 credits. Function and use of camera and darkroom. Fundamentals of composition and use of light. Students must have own camera, film, paper and some chemicals. Laboratory required. Cross-listed as ART 230. COREQ: M C  230L. F, S

    M C 230 Introduction to Photography Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles from M C 230. F, S

    M C 260 Photo and Graphic Workshop 3 credits.  Theory, ideology, and practical application of two dimensional computer graphics production using Adobe Photoshop®.  In depth exploration of print, digital media, and web output formats.  Emphasis placed on graphic visual communication techniques and strategies.  D

    M C 270 Journalism History 3 credits. The development of mass media from Gutenberg to the present with emphasis on American print journalism. R2

    M C 290 American Broadcasting 3 credits. Introduction to the history, structure, economics, programming and regulation of broadcasting in the United States.  PREREQ: M C 119. R2

    M C 300 Television Production 3 credits. Emphasis on studio and remote television production, with exercises in basic camera operation, electronic editing, studio directing and field reporting. F

    M C 305 Photo Communication 3 credits. Laboratory required. Application of still photographic methods to newspaper, magazine and advertising/public relations needs. Introduction to computer manipulation of images. PREREQ: M C 230 or permission of instructor. COREQ: M C 305L. F

    M C 305L Photo Communication Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles from M C 305. F

    M C 321 Reporting of Public Affairs 3 credits. Reporting news of local government, including police department, city council, school board, courts and other agencies. PREREQ: M C 121 or media experience. COREQ: M C 321L. D

    M C 321L Reporting of Public Affairs Lab 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles from M C 321. D

    M C 325 Editing for Print Media 4 credits. Editing, typography, layout and desktop publishing of newspapers, advertising fliers, pamphlets. Emphasis on laboratory projects. COREQ: M C 325L. F

    M C 325L Editing for Print Media Lab 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles from MC 325. F

    M C 327 Magazine Article Writing 3 credits. Writing nonfiction magazine articles to the requirements of publications chosen by the student. COREQ: M C 327L. D

    M C 327L Magazine Article Writing Lab 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles from M C 327L. D

    M C 341 Introduction to Public Relations 3 credits. Provides background in public relations, including public opinion, law and ethics, and writing PR communications, such as news releases and newsletters. PREREQ: M C 121 or permission of instructor. F

    M C 350 New Media 3 credits. Development and role of cable, home video, satellites and other video delivery systems in contemporary society. Emphasis on programming, technology, economics, regulation, industry trends and future directions. AS

    M C 355 Advertising Copywriting 3 credits. Includes overview of basic creative skills, with emphasis on how to write creative advertising for print, radio, television, and the Internet. PREREQ: M C 200 and M C 215 or permission of instructor. S

    M C 360 Film-Style Production 3 credits. Non-news film and video production. Focuses on creative aspects of making films and videos: sound, lighting, composition, editing, special effects, animation, etc. PREREQ: M C 300 or permission of instructor. D

    M C 405 Color Printing 4 credits. A darkroom oriented class teaching practical applications of color theory in printing color negatives and slides. Weekly shooting and printing assignments required. Cross-listed as ART 405. PREREQ: M C 230 or permission of instructor. COREQ: M C 405L. S

    M C 405L Color Printing Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles from M C 405. Cross-listed as ART 405L. S

    M C 406 Non-linear Editing 2 credits.  Application of visual storytelling techniques, styles, and devices used in digital video production.  In-depth exploration and usage of Apple's Final Cut ProTM in a MacintoshTM operating environment used to increase student understanding of visual syntax and timing.  PREREQ: M C 300.  F

    M C 410 Advanced Photography 4 credits. Advanced black and white techniques including controlled printing techniques and the Zone System. Intensive criticism of work and encouragement of individuals' photographic growth. Lectures, laboratories. Cross-listed as ART 410. PREREQ: M C 230 or permission of instructor.  COREQ:  M C 410L. F

    M C 410L Advanced Photography Laboratory 0 credits. Assignments to apply principles from M C 410. Cross-listed as ART 410L. F

    M C g412 Digital Imaging 3 credits. Lab based course on the use of digital cameras, imaging technologies, computer manipulations and printing. Emphasis on aesthetic expression unique to this photographic medium. PREREQ: MC 260; either MC 405 or MC 410;  permission of instructor. S

    M C 415 Advanced Graphic Design 3 credits. For students familiar with graphic design basics. Lectures and exercises explore concepts and procedures in publication design and production. Computer lab exercises focus on desktop publishing. Cross-listed as ART 415. PREREQ: M C 215. F

    M C g418 Art of the Book 3 credits. Expands the traditional idea of book form with innovative structures and concepts. Textual and nontextual formats and methods for generating ideas for works are addressed. Traditional techniques for bookbinding will also be included. Cross-listed as ART g418. D

    M C 435 Television News 3 credits. Writing, reporting and producing the television newscast. Emphasis on proper technique as well as ethical and social issues. PREREQ: M C 121 and M C 300. D

    M C g440 Media Law and Ethics 3 credits. Principles of the law of libel, privacy, obscenity, press freedom, responsibility and ethics as they apply to the news media. R2

    M C g441 Intellectual Property and Commercial Speech 3 credits. Examination of principles and laws regarding intellectual property including copyright and trademark and examination of the regulation of commercial speech. S

    M C 445 Editorial Writing 3 credits. Writing and producing the editorial page including fundamentals of column and opinion piece writing, syndication, letters to the editor, cartoons. D

    M C 450 Television Workshop 2 credits. Practical experience producing television programs for local airing. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: M C 300. S

    M C g452 Mass Communication and Society 3 credits. Interface between mass media and audiences. Public's right to know, press freedom, censorship, political and other leanings in the media, media effectiveness, and ethics. PREREQ: 58 credits or permission of instructor. S

    M C 455 Advertising Campaigns 3 credits. Capstone course; the development of an advertising campaign; includes situation analysis, research, strategy, and creation of the advertising. PREREQ: M C 355 or permission of instructor. D

    M C g460 Corporate Video Production 3 credits. Producing for corporate, educational, home video, documentary and other nonfiction markets. Advanced production techniques. Major project required. PREREQ: M C 300. D

    M C 465 Alternative Photo Processes 4 credits. Darkroom course teaching three 19th century printing processes. These processes teach the evolution of modern materials and color theory. Cross-listed as ART 465. PREREQ: M C 210 and M C 230 or permission of instructor. D

    M C g470 Communication Through Web Design 3 credits. Theory, ideology and practical application of interactive document design utilizing several different software applications. Emphasis placed on communication.  Also taught within a practical and aesthetic context, ethics, current practices, purposes, styles, genres and directions in authoring for the world wide web.  PREREQ: M C 260 or permission of instructor. D

    M C 480 Public Relations Programs 3 credits. Tactics and strategies for planning public relations programs for public and private organizations. PREREQ: M C 341 or permission of instructor. S

    M C 491 Independent Projects 1-3 credits. Under direct supervision of a department faculty member, student conducts individual projects in the field of mass communication. May be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: Permission of instructor. F, S

    M C 494 Media Internship 1-3 credits. Practical experience in the media, supervised by faculty and professional journalists. Work equivalent to full time for one-half semester. PREREQ: 58 credits, 3.0 GPA in major course work, and permission of department. F, S
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