Mass Communication Courses

No student may declare Mass Communication as their major or be admitted to the Mass Communication program without completing the requirements for admission to major status. Prospective majors must successfully complete general education goals 1, 2, 6, 11 and 12 as well as a specific selection of lower division mass communication courses before applying for major status. This application is usually done in the sophomore year. In addition to the general education requirements, majors must complete MATH 111 or equivalent and earn a grade of C or better in all 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. PREREQ: ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGL 101. F, S

M C 200 Introduction to Advertising Media 3 credits. In-depth study of newspapers, radio, TV, magazines, billboards, direct mail as advertising vehicles and their audiences. 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 AMST 210 and 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. F, S

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. Cross-listed as AMST 290. 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. F

M C 312 Persuasive Video Production 2 credits. Production of short videos, such as commercials, public service announcements, instructional and institutional videos and commercials. Basic audio and video production theory and practice. PREREQ: FOR DECLARED AD/PR STUDENTS ONLY.

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. D

M C 325 Editing for Print Media 3 credits. Editing, typography, layout and desktop publishing of newspapers, advertising fliers, pamphlets. Emphasis on laboratory projects. PREREQ: M C 121. D

M C 327 Magazine Article Writing 3 credits. Writing non-fiction magazine articles to the requirements of publications chosen by the student. D

M C 341 Public Relations Methods 3 credits. Development of news releases for print and electronic media, speeches and other tools of the practitioner. Techniques of persuasion. PREREQ: M C 121 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. F

M C 350 Cable Television and New Media Technologies 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 Creating Effective Advertising 3 credits. Laboratory-based exercises in creating advertising that support sales and marketing strategies. Matching of messages to media. 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 230 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. D

M C 397 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshops aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Permission of instructor required. Does not satisfy requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. 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. 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. Cross-listed as ART 410. PREREQ: M C 230 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. F

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 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, M C 300. D

M C 440 Media Law and Ethics 3 credits. Principles of the law of libel, privacy, copyright, obscenity, press freedom, responsibility and ethics as they apply to the news media. R2

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 a total of six credits. PREREQ: M C 300. S

M C g452 Mass Communication and Society 3 credits. Media and audiences as they relate to freedom, censorship, public opinion, propaganda, public affairs, crime and violence and other social phenomena under different forms of government. PREREQ: JUNIOR STANDING OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. S

M C 455 Advertising Sales 3 credits. Tactics, strategies and techniques of selling advertising. PREREQ: M C 355 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. F, S

M C g460 Corporate Video Production 3 credits. Producing for corporate, educational, home video, documentary and other non-fiction markets. Advanced production techniques. Major project required. PREREQ: M C 360 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. 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 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 a total of six credits. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. F, S

M C 497 Media Internship 6 credits. Practical experience in the media, supervised by faculty and professional journalists. Work equivalent to full time for one-half semester. PREREQ: PERMISSION OF DEPARTMENT. Open to juniors and seniors with 3.0 GPA in major course work. F, S

Speech Communication Courses

SPCH 101 Principles of Speech 2 credits. Basic course in oral communication that emphasizes the theory and practice of informative speaking, logical argumentation, persuasion, small group discussion, and interpersonal communication. Designed to explain the humanistic nature of human communication and to improve a student's ability to express ideas orally. Satisfies Goal 2 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

SPCH 111-112, 311-312 Speech Practicum 1-2 credits. Students prepare for national competition in debate and individual speaking events. In the spring students speak on timely topics to community organizations in the symposium program. F, S

SPCH 117 Oral Interpretation: Textual Analysis 3 credits. Analysis and interpretation of literature through performance. Prose, poetry and/or dramatic literature will be investigated. S

SPCH 132 Voice and Diction 2 credits. Study of pitch, rate, volume, and intensity in projecting speech. Phonetic symbols are used as the basis of acquiring skill in the use of standard American speech. Projects are designed to fit the needs of the individual. S

SPCH 208 Group Communication 3 credits. Examines the process of human communication among members of organized groups. Topics studied include the development of leadership, norms, roles, and cohesion, problem-solving techniques, and conflict management. F

SPCH 301 Business and Professional Speaking 3 credits. Speaking needs of business and professional people are determined and developed into performance oriented assignments of a practical nature. F, S

SPCH 305 Argumentation and Debate 3 credits. Study of argument, analysis, evidence, reasoning, fallacies, briefing, and delivery. S

SPCH 308 Persuasion 3 credits. Advanced theory and performance course emphasizing principles of message composition, persuasive campaigns, and methods affecting attitude change in public communication. S

SPCH 313-314 Speech Communication Internship 1-6 credits. Department approval required. Directed field experience with an approved agency. Learning contract required. BY PERMISSION ONLY. F, S

SPCH 355 Nonverbal Communication 3 credits. Explores the various dimensions of human interaction which supplement the verbal medium. Students study the dimensions of paralinguistics, time, space, form, and action, and develop an awareness of their own and others' behavior. F, S

SPCH 397 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshops aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Permission of instructor required. Does not satisfy requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. F, S

SPCH g408 Communication Theory 3 credits. Examines models of social science and how these contribute to the development of communication theory. Examines a variety of communication theories in interpersonal, small group, organizational contexts. Focus on history of theory development in communication. S

SPCH g436 Rhetorical Criticism 3 credits. Study and application of various theories and methods of rhetorical criticism including Aristotelian and Burkeian principles. S

SPCH g437 Rhetorical Theory 3 credits. Principal rhetorical theories from the Greeks through the 18th century and contemporary American theorists. Writings of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian, Campbell, Blair, Whately, and Burke are stressed. F

SPCH g440 Gender and Communication 3 credits. Course examines communication arenas from a perspective that focuses on gender and includes study of similarities and differences in female/male patterns. Topics include nonverbal, organizational, language, family and friendship. D

SPCH g441 Interpersonal Communication 3 credits. Largely theoretical course, drawing from research in social sciences as well as speech. Focuses on communication variables associated with interpersonal communication including awareness of self/others, nature/functions of language, nonverbal behavior, norms, and roles. F

SPCH g442 American Rhetoric and Public Address 3 credits. Has a dual purpose: to study the impact of rhetoric (oral and written persuasion) on major events in American history; to examine great speakers and rhetorical documents in their historical context. S

SPCH g447 Rhetoric of Hitler and Churchill 3 credits. Rhetorical theory and practice of these influential leaders and the impact of their persuasion. Topics include Hitler's oratory, Nazi propaganda, and Churchill's World War II speeches. F

SPCH g451 Recent Rhetorical Issues 3 credits. Study of the rhetoric of contemporary issues such as the Vietnam War, the Black revolution, and other current political and social topics, including the rhetoric of ongoing election campaigns. F

SPCH g452 Conflict Management 3 credits. Examines the dynamics of everyday conflicts across a variety of settings, from personal to organizational. Principles of conflict, similar across all communicative contexts, are emphasized. Theory and its application are given equal importance. S

SPCH g453 Organizational Communication 3 credits. Examines functions, forms and patterns of communication in organizations as well as effects of organizational structures and dynamics on communication. Methods of evaluating communication policies and practices as an aid to organizational management are studied. F

SPCH g491 Independent Research Projects 1-2 credits. Under the supervision of professors in the various areas of communication, students will prepare reports and carry out projects designed to promote professional growth. F, S

Communication Course

COMM 102 Practical Communication II 3 credits. Course in verbal communication with an emphasis on oral discourse, stresses clear, correct, and practical speaking and writing including interpersonal and small group communication and presentational skills. For Applied Technology students only. F, S

NOTE: Applied technology students who have taken both COMM 101 and COMM 102 and subsequently enroll in academic programs may count these courses in combination as equivalent to ENGL 101 and SPCH 101. COMM 101 or COMM 102 taken singly are NOT accepted as equivalent to ENGL 101 or SPCH 101.

Theatre Courses

THEA 101 Appreciation of Dramatic Arts 3 credits. An audience-oriented course in the creative processes and aesthetic principles which guide artists of the live theatre, film and television in the shaping and reflection of human value. Satisfies Goal 6 of the General Education Requirements. F, S

THEA 104 Theatre Graphics 2 credits. Laboratory course in the basic concepts of color design, perspective, rendering, and the application of these to the theatre. R2

THEA 111-112 Stagecraft 3 credits. Shop and crew course in building, painting, and handling scenery and properties. Required for majors. Students will form production staff and crews for university productions. Second semester includes work in scene design. F, S

THEA 191-192, 391-392 Theatre Production 1 credit each. Supervised work in theatre production. Enrollment must be approved by a theatre faculty member and does not presume casting in a given production. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits as speech and theatre activity. F, S

THEA 204 Fundamentals of Puppetry 2 credits. Study of the history and practice of the art of puppetry. Construction and staging of puppet and marionette productions will constitute part of the course requirements. R1

THEA 205 Art of the Film I 3 credits. Course examines the creative process, aesthetic principles and historical background of cinematic arts. Screening of representative films and examination of critical works and theories are included. Cross-listed as ENGL 205. Satisfies Goal 6 of the General Education Requirements. R1

THEA 209 Stage Lighting 2 credits. Theory and practice of lighting applied to various types of stage production. Includes operation of switchboard and participation on light crews. R2

THEA 214 Makeup 2 credits. Laboratory sessions on the technique of makeup. Includes participation on crews of university productions. R2

THEA 221 Stage Costume Construction 2 credits. Methods of assembling stage costumes. Use of various fabrics and materials will be emphasized. R2

THEA 251 Beginning Acting 3 credits. Exercises in awareness, concentration, relaxation, imagination, and character interrelationships. Includes improvisation and some scene work. F, S

THEA 252 Intermediate Acting 3 credits. Creating a character. Emphasis on movement, gesture, scene analysis, and performance. PREREQ: THEA 251, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. S

THEA 304 Theatre Management 2 credits. Consideration of administrative aspects of play production with emphasis on stage management, theatre management, publicity, and advertising. R2

THEA 305 Art of the Film II 3 credits. In-depth investigation of cinematic art with focus on one or more of the following: genre, historical development, aesthetics, criticism, social impact, and artists. Screening of representative films. Cross-listed as ENGL 305. PREREQ: THEA/ENGL 205, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. R1

THEA 311 Introduction to Scene Design 3 credits. Basic scene design emphasizing concepts of line, color, form, and texture; drafting techniques, perspective drawing, foreshortening, rendering, and model building will be introduced. R2 THEA g313 Theatre Background I 3 credits. Origin of the theatre and drama, from their origins through the Jacobean period. PREREQ: THEA 101, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. AF

THEA g314 Theatre Background II 3 credits. Study of the theatre and drama from the Spanish Golden Age through the "well-made play." PREREQ: THEA 101, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. AS

THEA g323 Stage Costume History and Design 3 credits. Study of clothing history and costume design from ancient times to 1800. AF

THEA g328 Stage Costume History and Design 3 credits. Clothing history and costume design from 1800 to modern times. AS

THEA 331 Materials and Methods for High School Speech Arts 3 credits. Required for teaching majors in speech and theatre. D

THEA g351 Problems in Acting 3 credits. Focuses on special acting problems such as characterization, movement, voice, pantomime, film and television acting. Content varies from year to year. May be repeated once with the consent of the instructor. PREREQ: THEA 251, THEA 252. R2

THEA 352 BFA Studio 3 credits. Intensive process and skills training in a controlled studio environment. Lecture/survey in professional preparation and marketability for the prospective actor. Limited to BFA Acting/Directing students. PREREQ: THEA 251, THEA 252, THEA 351 AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. D

THEA 355 Stage Direction 3 credits. Consideration of aesthetics of dramatic production and the relationship of basic techniques of stage direction. Includes the direction of scenes and one-act plays. PREREQ: THEA 101, THEA 111, THEA 251, THEA 252, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. AF

THEA 397 Workshop 1-2 credits. Workshops aimed at the development and improvement of skills. Does not satisfy requirements for a major or a minor. May be repeated. Graded S/U. F, S

THEA g412 Scenic Painting 3 credits. A study of painting techniques as used in theatrical scenery; theory, practice, and equipment will be investigated as they apply to the art of stage painting. R2

THEA 414 Advanced Makeup 2 credits. Concentrated study of characterization, care, setting, styling and application of various types of wigs. Design and construction of polyfoam prosthesis. PREREQ: THEA 214, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. R2

THEA g419 Modern European Theatre 3 credits. Continental and British theatre and drama from 1850 to mid-twentieth century. PREREQ: THEA 101, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. R2

THEA g420 American Theatre 3 credits. American theatre and drama from the beginnings to mid-twentieth century. PREREQ: THEA 101, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. R2

THEA g421 Basic Pattern Drafting for Stage Costuming 3 credits. Cutting patterns from measurements. Adjusting various patterns to designs. Alterations and fittings. PREREQ: THEA 221, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. D

THEA g422 Period Pattern Drafting for Stage Costuming 3 credits. Use of the basic patterns to reproduce historical costumes from the 12th century to 1950. PREREQ: THEA 221, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. D

THEA g424 Advanced Acting Styles 3 credits. PREREQ: THEA 355, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. AF

THEA g426 Scene Design 3 credits. Consideration of elements of design and composition, light, and shadow and period styles as applied to scenery for plays, musicals, ballet, and opera. Projects are juried. PREREQ: THEA 111, THEA 112, THEA 209, THEA 311, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. AF

THEA g456 Advanced Stage Direction 3 credits. Advanced theories in techniques of stage direction including consideration of period styles. The student will direct a series of advanced projects including scenes and a full-length play. PREREQ: THEA 355, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. AS

THEA g470 Contemporary Theatre 3 credits. World drama and theatre during the two most recent decades. PREREQ: THEA 101, OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. D

THEA g490 Practicum Theatre Arts 1-3 credits. Recital projects for advanced students in various areas of theatre arts. F, S

THEA g491 Independent Research Projects 1-2 credits. Under the supervision of the theatre faculty, students will undertake special research projects in theatre. F, S