MASS COMMUNICATION COURSES

205 Introduction to Mass Communication (3)
Introduction to the major fields of mass communication with emphasis on advertising, broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, and public relations, and the history of each.
Offered in fall and spring.

241 Media Writing (3:2-2)
The study of and practice in writing for print and broadcast media. Prerequisite(s): B- or better in WRIT 101 and HMXP 102, MATH 150, 2.00 cumulative GPA or written permission of the department chair. Register only in the department office, 219 Johnson Hall.
Lab Fee: $25. Offered in fall and spring.

260 Writing for Interactive Media (3:3:5)

Examination and practice in the development of audience-based informational and persuasive message strategies and the writing and designing of messages for digital-based news publications, sales promotions, marketing and public relations delivery system. The course is designed for all students interested in working in a Web-based format. Prerequisites: Senior standing, INFD 415 and INFD 322.

Lab Fee: $25. Offered in spring.

302 International Communication (3)
Examination of the flow of information throughout the world, and the communication systems that deliver it both within countries and across international borders. Helps build appreciation of cultural diversity and how differences in culture, forms of government and information delivery systems affect worldwide communication. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and 2.00 GPA.
Offered in spring.

325 Broadcast Journalism (3:2-2)
Journalistic writing for the broadcast media with emphasis on writing and production procedures. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C- or better in MCOM 241. Restricted to MCOM and IMCO majors.
Lab Fee: $25. Offered in fall and spring.

331 Editorial Interpretation (3)
Analyzing topics and writing editorials, columns and other opinion articles for print and broadcast media with emphasis on persuasive use of language. Prerequisite(s): C- or better in MCOM 241 or permission of the department chair.
Intensive Writing course. Offered at various times.

333 News Editing (3:2-2)
Editing skills for the copy editor with emphasis on news judgment, news style, newspaper layout, legal considerations, and picture editing. Prerequisite(s): C- or better in MCOM 241. Restricted to MCOM and IMCO majors.
Lab Fee: $25. Offered in fall and spring.

341 Advertising Principles (3)
Study of advertising theory and techniques in print and electronic media with emphasis on the relationship between marketing and the creative process. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and 2.00 GPA.
Offered in fall and spring.

342 News Reporting (3:2-2)
Reporting principles and news writing techniques applied to writing publishable stories from campus and community sources; laboratory exercises. Prerequisite(s): C- or better in MCOM 241 and 2.00 GPA. Restricted to MCOM and IMCO majors.
Lab Fee: $25. Intensive Writing course. Offered in fall.

343 Feature Writing (3)
Techniques of writing feature stories for newspapers and magazines. Students will write stories for possible publication. Prerequisite(s): C- or better in MCOM 241 or permission of the department chair.
Lab Fee: $25. Intensive Writing course. Offered in spring.

346 Principles of Television Production (3:2-2)

Development, writing, direction and production of basic television program types; laboratory practice with student written scripts. Prerequisite(s): MCOM 241 with a C- or better and 2.00 GPA. Restricted to MCOM and IMCO majors. 

Lab Fee: $25. Offered in fall and spring.

347 Broadcast Writing (3)

Techniques and skill development in writing for broadcast, including news, documentaries, promotions, public service announcements and commercials. Prerequisite: C- or better in MCOM 241.

Lab fee $25. Intensive Writing course. Offered at various times.

348 Broadcast Performance (3:2-2)

Principles of professional broadcast delivery and development of skills required to be an effective broadcast communicator. The role of the announcer/performer in all broadcast situations, live and recorded. Prerequisite: C- or better in both MCOM 241 and MCOM 346.

Lab Fee $25. Offered at various times.

349 Advertising Copy and Layout (3:2-2)
Theory and practice of writing advertising copy for print and electronic media, conceptualizing television commercials and laying out print advertisements. Prerequisite(s): MCOM 341 and 2.00 GPA or permission of the department chair.
Lab Fee: $25. Offered in spring.

350 History of American Mass Media (3)

Development of American journalism and mass media and their relationship to American society with emphasis on socio-cultural and political aspects. Prerequisite(s): HIST 212 and 2.00 GPA or permission of the department chair..
Offered at various times.

370 Public Relations Principles (3)
Study of communications to influence public opinion, solving public relations problems, practice in developing a public relations campaign. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and 2.00 GPA or permission of the department chair.
Offered in fall and spring.

377  Community and Civic Journalism (3)

Study of the role of journalism in the community and as a catalyst for positive change. Media that practice civic journalism help maintain civic and communal identity of the place and people they serve. Emphasis on framework, principles, key players, issues and challenges of community and civic journalism. Prerequisites: Junior standing and 2.00 GPA or written permission of the instructor.  

Offered at various times.

410 Mass Media Law (3)

Legal problems of defamation, privacy, copyright, obscenity, anti-trust, and the regulation of advertising and broadcasting. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and 2.00 GPA. 

Offered in fall and spring.

412 Ethics and Issues in Mass Communication (3)

Ethical problems and issues in newspapers, broadcasting, broadcast journalism, advertising, and public relations. Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and 2.00 GPA.
Intensive Writing course. Offered in fall and spring.

425 Advanced Broadcast Journalism (3:2-2)
Study and practice of advanced methods for gathering, writing and editing broadcast news. Prerequisite(s): C- or better in MCOM 241, 325 and 346 and MCOM major status or permission of the department chair.
Lab Fee: $40. Offered in fall and spring.

NOTE: MCOM 425 and 446 cannot be taken the same semester.

441 Reporting Public Affairs (3)
Instruction and practice in reporting all areas of public affairs, including government and the courts. Use of precision journalism techniques and investigative reporting of special in-depth subjects. Prerequisite(s): PLSC 202 and C- or better in MCOM 241, 2.00 GPA and MCOM or IMCO major status or permission of the department chair.
Intensive Writing course. Offered in fall and spring.

444 Media Management (3)
Management theories and practices as applied to broadcast and print media organizations, unique characteristics of media organizations, operating philosophies, leading media organizations, legal issues and regulations, and related topics. Prerequisite(s): 12 hours of MCOM, 2.00 GPA or permission of the department chair.
Offered at various times.

446 Advanced Television Production (3:2-2)

Planning, writing and producing programming for television. Prerequisite(s): C- or better in MCOM 241, 325 and 346 and MCOM major status.
Lab Fee: $40. Offered in fall and spring.

NOTE: MCOM 425 and 446 cannot be taken the same semester.

447 Broadcast Programming, Sales and Promotion (3)
Study of the importance of these critical areas in broadcasting and how they interact. Prerequisite(s): C- or better in MCOM 241 and 2.00 GPA or permission of the department chair..
Offered in fall.

450 Honors: Special Topics in Mass Communication (3)
An independent inquiry in depth into a selected topic in mass communication. Prerequisite(s): written proposal, 18 hours of MCOM and approval of the department chair. Restricted to Honors students.

Individually arranged.

461, 462, 463 Mass Communication Internship (1) (2) (3)
Practical applications of mass communication theory and skills through professional practice at newspapers, radio and television stations, advertising and public relations agencies and related sites supervised by department faculty. Prerequisite (s): MCOM 241 and 6 hours from MCOM 325, 331, 333, 341, 342, 343, 346, 347, 348, 370 ,377, 410, 425, 441, 446, 447 and 471 with a grade-point average of 2.00 or higher in these courses, or permission of department chair. Open only to mass communication majors. Application to the department and approval by the department chair and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences are required before registering for the course. A student may not receive more than three hours credit in MCOM 461, 462, 463. A grade of S or U is recorded for these courses.

Individually arranged.

471 Public Relations Writing and Production (3:2-2)
Preparing public relations messages, including news releases, public service announcements, press kits, audiovisual presentations, fliers, pamphlets, brochures, newsletters, direct mail, and corporate advertising. Planning special events and news conferences. Prerequisite(s): MCOM 241 or 370 with a grade of C- or better and IMCO or MCOM major status.
Lab Fee: $25. Intensive Writing course. Offered in spring.

491, 492, 493 Independent Study (1) (2) (3)

Independent study guided by a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 18 hours of MCOM with a 3.00 or higher GPA and an overall 2.75 or higher GPA; written proposal and approval of the department chair.
May be repeated. A grade of S or U will be assigned.

Individually arranged.

494 Mass Communication Practicum (1:0:2)

Professional practice in a professional course or courses in the department in a role selected by department faculty involved. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing, C- or better in 15 hours of mass communication, 2.00 GPA and MCOM or IMCO major status or written permission of the department chair.

Individually arranged.

495 Special Topics in Mass Communication (1-3)

Selected topics of current significance.

Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and 2.00 GPA. May be repeated for credit if topics vary.

Offered occasionally.

499 Senior Portfolio (1)

Development of a portfolio of professional and related work that is formally presented to a committee of department faculty members and an external reviewer. Prerequisite(s): Senior standing, 2.00 GPA, MCOM or IMCO major status.

Offered in fall and spring.

510 Magazine Editing and Production (3)
Theory and techniques of magazine editing and production; editorial objectives and formulas, issue planning, article selection, layout, illustration, typography, printing and circulation. Magazine project required. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and 2.00 GPA. 

Offered at various times.

551-553 Special Topics in Mass Communication (1) (2) (3)
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
May be retaken for additional credit. May count only as elective hours for mass communication majors. Offered occasionally.

615 Issues in Literature of Mass Communication (3)

Seminar in basic issues and problems in journalism and mass communication as presented in significant books and journals.  Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.  

Integrated Marketing Communication Courses

IMCO 105 Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communication (1)  

An introduction to the principles and practices of integrated marketing communication, including attention to advertising, public relations and sales promotion.