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.
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.
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.
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 120 Writing Across the Media 3 credits.
Fundamentals of writing in several formats including persuasive and
informative writing, scripts, captions and web pages. Topics include structure, word selection
and audience identification; emphasizes clarity and concision. PREREQ: ENGL 101 or placement into ENGL
102. COREQ: M C 120L. F
M C 120L Writing Across the
Media Laboratory 1 credit. Assignments to apply principles from M C 120.
COREQ: M C 120. 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: ENGL 101 or placement into ENGL 102.
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 201 Writing for the Camera 2 credits. Introduction to concepts and
practices of writing for television, film, Internet and other time-based media.
Coverage of scripting styles and content in news, entertainment, information,
feature and documentary productions. PREREQ: M C 119 and Goal 1. D
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. 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.
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 241 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:
Goal 1, M C
119, and either M C 120 or M C 121
. 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.
PREREQ: M C 119, M C 121, M
C 230 or permission of instructor. 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 306 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 Pro
TM used to increase student understanding of visual
syntax and timing. PREREQ: M C
260 and M C 300 or permission of
instructor with demonstrated professional experience. F
M C 315 Intermediate Graphic Design 3
credits. Exploration of more techniques and applications of graphic design.
Stress will be put on developing a deeper understanding of the foundations of
type and its use. The use of color and photography in printed projects will be
explored. Field trips to printing shops and working professionals are part of
the class. PREREQ: MC 215 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 343 Public Relations Principles and Concepts 3 credits.
The history, scope, ethics and functions of public relations.
Particular attention given to understanding of publics and ways of
gaining public support for an activity, cause, movement or institution.
PREREQ: PREREQ: C or better in either M C 120 or M C 121 and M C 241. 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:
Goal 1, M C 119, M C 121, and one
of: M C 200, M C 230 or M C 215 or permission of instructor
with
demonstrated professional experience. 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
with demonstrated professional experience. D
M C 367 Advertising Media Planning 3 credits.
Selecting and evaluating advertising media. Media characteristics,
media markets and comparisons, audience and product usage. Elements of
a strategic media plan. Trends in mass communication media. PREREQ: C
or better in M C 200 or permission of instructor. S
M C 375 Special Projects in Advertising 3 credits.
Students work as a team to apply persuasive mass communication principles to
solving a real-world client marketing communication problem. May be repeated
for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: 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. 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. S
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. 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. 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. Leading issues and problems in
the current design field. Advanced development of style and direction in
projects. Understanding of present work in the field and leading practitioners;
discussion of design history and theory. Emphasis on illustration and more
complex projects like package design, corporate design and printed
publications. PREREQ: MC 215 and MC 315 or permission of instructor based on
demonstrated professional experience. S
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 425 Senior Graphic Portfolio 1
credit. Create a professional portfolio for career or graduate school. Work for
the portfolio must be generated in this class. Critiques require demonstrated
competency in all uses of graphic design. May be offered as independent
project. PREREQ: MC 215, MC 315, MC 415, senior standing or permission of
instructor with demonstrated professional experience. D
M C 426 Senior Photographic Portfolio
1 credit. Create a professional portfolio. Work for this portfolio must be
generated in this class. Covers all uses of photography. Course may be offered
as independent project. PREREQ: MC 230, MC 260, MC 410 or permission of
instructor with demonstrated professional experience. 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 201 and M C 300 or permission of instructor
with demonstrated professional experience. S
M C 451 Television Studio Directing 2
credits. Live in-studio directing of news, music and dramatic productions.
Focuses on the aesthetic, organizational and leadership elements of a director.
Focus on camera operation, technical directing and lighting. May not be taken
concurrently with MC 435 or MC 450. PREREQ: MC 300 or instructor permission
with demonstrated professional experience. D
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, ethics,
and aspects of critical media literacy. PREREQ: 58 credits
including MC 119, MC 121 and at least one course from
the student's emphasis area, 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
and MC 306
or permission of instructor with demonstrated professional experience. 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 343 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
M C 495 Applied Research Methods 3 credits. Introduces
and develops practical methods for designing, conducting and analyzing
studies used in many public relations, advertising and marketing
campaigns. Students will create complete studies. PREREQ: MATH 253 or MGT 216, or permission of instructor. D
