Mass Communication courses counting toward Integrative Liberal Studies requirements:
Writing Intensive:
MCOM 201 Newswriting
MCOM 483 Film Criticism
Information Literacy Intensive:
MCOM490 Mass Communication Theories
Courses in the Department:
The Mass Communication department attempts to offer the courses on the schedule as listed in course descriptions. Various factors affect scheduling, and so courses may not always appear on the calendar as indicated in the catalog.
104 Media, Ethics and Society (3)
An examination of the impact of media on society, with a focus on American media, but with consideration of international media as well. The course emphasizes the role of diversity in media as it impacts on society. Both news and entertainment media are studied. The course also examines the ethics of media content and use as tools of information, commerce and decision-making in society. Fall and Spring.
201 Newswriting (4)
Gathering and writing information in a fair and accurate manner suitable for presentation in the media. Developing the ability to write under deadline pressure. Course includes writing lab component. Prerequisite: LANG 120. Fall and Spring.
301 Newspaper Workshop (2)
Use of personal computers and small-format publication tools to write, edit and produce a student-edited campus newspaper. Prerequisite: MCOM 201; or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring.
311 Newspaper Workshop II (2)
Continuation of MCOM 301. Use of personal computers and small-format publication tools to write, edit and produce a student-edited campus newspaper. Prerequisites: MCOM 201, 301. Fall and Spring.
313 Newspaper Workshop III (1)
Continuation of MCOM 311. Use of personal computers and small-format publication tools to write, edit and produce a student-edited campus newspaper. Prerequisite: MCOM
311. Fall and Spring.
327 Editorial Writing Workshop (2)
Editorial writing in a standard newspaper format. Emphasis on utilization of factual material to support opinion, news judgment, and argument construction. Alternate years, fall.
329 Copy Editing Workshop (2)
Reading and editing copy. Sentence and paragraph restructuring, lead clarification, and word choice. Emphasis on news judgment as a basis for editorial decisions. Alternate years, fall.
341 Layout and Design (4)
Introduction to computer design for print media. Software applications for text, photography and graphics. Typography, studies in composition, color, line, page layout and image selection, and cropping. Course includes layout and design lab. Prerequisite: completion of 6 hours in MCOM; or ART 100; or permission of instructor. Fall.
343 Communicaiton Strategies in Advertising (3)
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of advertising, with emphasis on theories of media propaganda and persuasion. Student projects explore the process of copy testing and research methods. The course also covers ethics issues faced by advertising professionals. Prerequisite: MCOM 104, or instructor permission. Fall.
345 Public Relations Cases and Campaigns (3)
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of public relations through the examination of public relations theories and successful public relations operations. Student projects focus on ways to identify special publics as well as methods for planning and executing a public relations program. The course also covers ethics issues faced by public relations professionals. Prerequisite: MCOM 104, or instructor permission. Spring.
351 Public Relations Workshop (2)
Exploration and creation of press releases, fact sheets, backgrounders, feature stories and other persuasive communication media. Development of crisis communication plans and internal and external public relations strategies. Fall.
353 Advertising Workshop (2)
Exploration and creation of effective advertising copy. Emphasis on involvement devices, rational and emotional techniques, integrated marketing communication, and media selection. Occasional offering.
367 Magazine Writing Seminar (LANG 367) (4)
A workshop in the writing of essays, articles and other professional non-fiction; planning and gathering material, writing and marketing articles for specialized and general interest publications. Course includes writing lab. Prerequisite: MCOM majors: MCOM 201; or permission of the instructor. Fall.
369 Magazine Publication (4)
This course prepares students for careers in the magazine industry by strengthening writing and editing skills and providing an overview of the magazine industry. Special attention is paid to editorial, business and production requirements for magazines. Prerequisite: MCOM 201, or instructor permission. Spring.
380 Media Aesthetics (3)
Examination of the practical and artistic choices in producing video and film media. Students focus on the relationships among sight, sound and motion. Prerequisite: MCOM
104. Fall
382 Film Appreciation (3)
An examination of the techniques, aesthetics, forms, functions, effects and value questions related to cinema as a creative art. Major American and international film makers and major genres covered. Prerequisite: MCOM 104. Fall.
384 Contemporary Views of American Media (3)
Major books that discuss the mass media in America, including media autobiographies, historical studies of specific media, and sociological analyses of the media at work. Prerequisite: MCOM 104. Spring.
388 Film Genres (3)
A study of films representing a particular type, class or auteur. Genres examined in course will vary. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Prerequisite: MCOM 104. Spring.
390 History of American Media (3)
History and development of traditions, practices and technology in American newspapers, magazines, radio and television, including a study of the "great names" and their accomplishments. Prerequisite: MCOM 104. Spring.
421 Public Affairs Journalism (4)
This capstone course in the journalism concentration, which may also be used as the capstone course in the commercial media concentration, emphasizes field practice in newsgathering and writing, covering news beats, including courts, local governments and other news sources. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, clarity and comprehensiveness of reporting. Course includes extensive writing and news gathering assignments, and demonstration of oral competence through story pitches and critiques. Prerequisite: 30 hours in MCOM and/or VMP courses including MCOM 201; or permission of instructor. Spring.
451 Professional Internship (3)
Students with a 3.0 GPA or better within the major may apply for a professional internship in either print or electronic media. Prerequisites: completion of 12 hours in Mass Communication; department approval; and permission of instructor. (Grading is S/U.) Fall and Spring.
460 Media Violence (3)
This course is designed to explore the issue of media violence. Students utilize several perspectives including a review of historical and contemporary research, examination of effects theories, review of primary content (films and television), and the study of opinion surveys, legal cases, trade journals, and public policy issues. Prerequisite: MCOM 104. Alternate years, Spring.
482 International Mass Communication (3)
Communication of news and opinion among nations and under various political and economic systems; role of media in international affairs; barriers to the free flow of information; comparison of world press and entertainment systems. Spring.
483 Film Criticism (4)
Writing film criticism. Examines major theories of film criticism, including the work of Kracauer, Bazin, Eisenstein, Arnheim, Barthes and Metz. Alternate years, Spring.
484 Mass Communication and Politics (3)
Study of the role of mass communication in American political campaigns. Topics covered include the agenda-setting function of the press, political campaigns as television drama, televised political debates and political campaign advertising. Prerequisite: MCOM 104. Fall.
490 Mass Communication Law and Ethics (3)
A study of the legal sanctions and constitutional freedoms affecting the print and broadcasting media. An inquiry into the responsibilities of the media and discussion of specific ethical problems. Prerequisite: MCOM 104. Fall.
492 Mass Communication Theories (3)
A survey of theories of human communication behavior related to the mass media. Characteristics of mass audience and media channels; application of the theories to create more effective communication. Prerequisite: MCOM 104. Fall.
498 Mass Communication Research (4)
This course used as the capstone for the Communication Research concentration, and as an optional capstone course in the Commercial Media concentration, requires completion of a significant undergraduate research project under the supervision of the instructor, who serves as faculty mentor. Students demonstrate oral communication competence in this course through presentation of research proposals, progress reports and findings. An IP grade may be awarded at discretion of instructor. Prerequisite: Declaration of major in MCOM, and 30 hours in MCOM and/or VMP courses. Fall.
499 Undergraduate Research in Mass Communication (1-6)
Independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor. An IP grade may be awarded at discretion of instructor. May be repeated for a total of 6 hours credit. Instructor Permission required. Fall and Spring.
171-4, 271-4, 371-4, 471-4 Special Topics in Mass Communication (1-4)
Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as subject matter changes. Occasional offering.
179, 379, 479 Liberal Studies Colloquia (LS 179, 379, 479)
Colloquia offered to fulfill ILS requirements. See Liberal Studies for course descriptions. May not be used to fulfill major or minor requirements. MCOM 479 may not be used by students majoring in Mass Communication. Occasional offering.
Courses in Visual Media Production
207 Video Production Design (2)
Introduction to the process of visual media production, from a video perspective, emphasizing writing, aesthetics, visual composition and design. Heavy emphasis on format, structure, terminology, and safety issues. This course is prerequisite to all VMP courses. Fall and Spring.
209 Video Production Elements (2)
Introduction to the practice of visual media production, from a video perspective, emphasizing the elements of camera, light, sound and editing. This course emphasizes the actual production of video projects and requires an extensive out-of-class time commitment. Pre- or corequisite: VMP 207. Fall and Spring.
303 Video Workshop (2)
Use of small-format video production equipment to complete a variety of production assignments. Prerequisite: VMP 209; or permission of instructor. Fall and Spring.
305 Video Workshop II (2)
Continuation of VMP 303. Use of small-format video production equipment to complete a variety of production assignments. Prerequisite: VMP 303; or permission of instructor. Fall.
307 Video Workshop III (1)
Video and film production activities with an emphasis on video laboratory management and editing. Prerequisite: VMP 305. Fall and Spring.
331 Broadcast Journalism (4)
Writing and reporting for radio/television news; basic studies in the history of broadcast journalism; the relationship between images and words. Course includes extensive studio component. Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209; or permission of instructor. Alternate years, Spring.
333 Broadcast Workshop (4)
Practical experience producing weekly programming for possible broadcast. Emphasizes management of time pressures and personnel associated with nonfiction broadcast production. Course includes extensive studio component. Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209; or permission of instructor. Alternate Years, Spring.
359 Photojournalism (4)
This course is designed to provide the skills necessary to produce professional quality work meeting publication standards. Students learn the use of digital photo technology including image capture and management, remote transmission of photos, output to printers, and publication of photos on a web site. Class work also includes critiques and discussions about ethical and legal issues faced by photojournalists. Students in the course must have access to a digital still camera capable of performing manual operations. Prerequisites: MCOM 201 andVMP207, or instructor permission. Spring.
385 Introduction to Screenwriting (4)
An exploration of the principles and practices of the screenwriting craft. Development of an understanding of components crucial to the preparation of an effective, camera-ready motion picture or television script. Fall.
437 Directing Media Productions (4)
Advanced video and/or film production focusing on the creative, artistic and practical choices made in interpreting and adapting scripts, supervising artistic specialists and managing projects. Course includes extensive laboratory component. Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209 and 303, or permission of instructor. Alternate years, Fall.
439 Media Production Techniques (4)
Advanced video and/or film production focusing on the creative, artistic and practical uses of camera, light, color and sound. Course includes extensive laboratory component. Prerequisites: Prerequisites: VMP 207, 209 and VMP 303, or permission of instructor. Alternate years, Spring.
485 Advanced Screenwriting (4)
A workshop in which students create, develop and finalize motion picture and/or television fiction screenplays, creating unique and marketable dramatic characters, placing their stories in a structure, camera-ready, and industry-oriented context. Prerequisite: VMP 385 or permission of instructor. Spring.
493 Field Work in Media Production (4)
This capstone course in the film and visual media concentration may also be used as the capstone course in the commercial media concentration. Students produce visual media projects in the field using portable equipment. The course includes an extensive portfolio project. Students demonstrate oral communication competence in this course through presentation of project proposals (pitches) and production progress reports. Prerequisite: 30 hours in VMP and/or MCOM including VMP 207, 209 and 303; or permission of instructor. Spring.
171-4, 271-4, 371-4, 471-4 Special Topics in Visual Media Production (1-4)
Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be special needs. May be repeated for credit as subject matter changes. Occasional offering.
179, 379, 479 Liberal Studies Colloquia (LS 179, 379, 479)
Colloquia offered to fulfill ILS requirements. See Liberal Studies for course descriptions. May not be used to fulfill major or minor requirements. VMP 479 may not be used by students majoring in Mass Communication. Occasional offering.