1100 Special Topics in Mass Communication. (1-0) Intensive look at special topics in mass communication.

1100A Careers in Media. (1-0) Students engage in career exploration in the media professions.

1100B Grammar for Journalists. Students refine their English grammar skills to a proficiency level needed to be successful journalists. Prerequisite: Special approval from department. (See application on this website under forms and downloads.)

1301 (COMM 1307) Introduction to Mass Communication. (3-0) A survey of the mass media and other areas of mass communication designed to acquaint the student with the field of communication and what it offers.

1313 (COMM 2311) Writing for the Mass Media. (2-2) An introduction to the major forms of writing for the mass media: advertising, electronic media, journalism and public relations. Prerequisite: Full-major status and typing skill. (WI)

2111 Media Practicum. (0-4) Students perform supervised media work of at least 60 hours for the semester. Credit requires prior written contract with a supervising faculty member. May be repeated twice. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.

3306 Writing for the Electronic Media. (2-2) The study and practice of writing copy for the electronic media, including the composition of commercials, news stories, public service announcements, promotions and documentaries. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313. (WI)

3307 Audio Production. (2-4) The basics of digital audio production with emphasis on techniques used in producing commercials, public service announcements and promotions. Lab requirements include a regular air-shift on the campus radio station and structured group meetings.

3311 Video Production. (2-4) Basics of analog and digital video production. Emphasis on techniques used in producing newscasts, commercials, public service announcements, promotions. Lab requirements include field and studio production. Prerequisite: Full-major status.

3312 Television News. (1-7) Standard theory and practice of electronic news gathering and production, including writing copy to match video and synchronization of audio and video in news stories. Students work on a campus news program. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 3306, 3311. (WI)

3319 Visual Communication. (3-0) This course studies the principles, theories, and language of visual communication, emphasizing the evaluation and use of images in mass media. It is designed to help you integrate words and pictures in mass communication and to gain a greater appreciation of our visual world.

3321 News Writing and Reporting I. (2-2) Integrating writing and reporting skills to produce stories across media platforms, including print and online, with an emphasis on storytelling.  The study of techniques for locating and assessing information from multiple sources, including interviewing, fact verification, online research and the use of libraries.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313. (WI)

3343 Introduction to Public Relations. (3-0) The introductory course for the public relations sequence. Explores the functions of public relations in the information age and its role in corporations, companies, government offices, non-profit organizations and public relations agencies.

3355 Mass Media and Society. (3-0) An examination of the roles of the mass media in American society, including an analysis of the philosophical basis of media structure; mass media as business; media effects on public issues, morals and tastes; and other contemporary issues.

3360 Research Methods in Mass Communication. (3-0) Study of the principles, techniques and problems of quantitative and qualitative research as they relate to mass communication. Prerequisite: Full-major status.

3367 Advertising. (3-0) A broad overview of advertising including history, role and responsibility, and impact of the digital revolution. Key topics will be research, account service, media planning, creative, sales promotion, public relations, campaigns, and the advertising agency.

3368 Advertising Copywriting. (2-2) Study of writing and producing advertising copy for print, broadcast and digital media. Emphasis on formative research, market and consumer analysis and the creative process.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3367. (WI)

3372 Advertising Media Planning. (3-0) Study of planning and buying messages in traditional and new media to creatively and effectively reach targeted prospects. Attention is given to media characteristics, scheduling, testing and buying efficiencies. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3367.

3373 Broadcast Commercial and Promotion Writing. (2-2) Writing and producing radio scripts and television storyboards for commercial messages. Study will include audiences, programming, research and copytesting, and regulations. Spot announcements will be produced for class. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3367.

3374 Information Gathering and Analysis. (3-0) Study of techniques for locating, retrieving, assessing and verifying information from a multitude of sources to be used in mass communication. Interviewing, fact verification, use of libraries and computerized data bases, access to government proceedings and documents and interpreting statistics. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313.

3375 Programming in Electronic Media. (3-0) Study of the principles and strategies of winning audiences for the electronic media: television, radio, cable, satellite and the internet.

3379 Advertising and Public Relations Management. (3-0) Study of managerial problems in advertising and public relations programs. Case study approach to setting goals, developing strategy, budgeting and working in a client-agency relationship. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3343 or 3367.

3383 Editing for Clear Communication. (2-2) A course designed to help writers divorce themselves from the creative process and function as editors of their own work and the work of others, focusing on meaning, accuracy, logic, language, sense, organization, style, and form appropriate to audience and medium. Prerequisites: Full- major status, MC 1313. (WI)

3390 Media Design. (2-2) Study of advanced editing principles, including design and production skills for print and online material. Students will edit both copy and graphics, and design publications. Prerequisite: Full-major status.

3394 Management of Electronic Media. (3-0) The study of the management of electronic media, including sales, federal regulation, and responsibilities to society, community and stockholders. Prerequisite: Full-major status.

4130 Internship. (0-5) Requires a minimum of 100 hours of off-campus experience, written contract with internship coordinator and portfolio of completed work. Students cannot gain more than three hours of credit for any combination of: MC 4130, 4230 and 4330. Prerequisites: Full-major status, good academic standing and appropriate sequence coursework.

4230 Internship. (0-10) Requires a minimum of 150 hours of off-campus experience, written contract with internship coordinator and portfolio of completed work. Students cannot gain more than three hours of credit for any combination of: MC 4130, 4230 and 4330. Prerequisites: Full-major status, good academic standing and appropriate sequence coursework.

4301 Media Law and Ethics. (3-0) A study of law governing journalism, advertising, electronic media and public relations. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313.

4302 History of Mass Media. (3-0) Students will study the development of mass media, advertising and public relations in the United States from 1690 to the present.

4303 International Advertising. (3-0) Overview of international marketing and advertising; problems and opportunities of a global economy.

4304 Advertising Strategy and Execution-Portfolio. (2-2) Course emphasizes projects that allow students to learn how to produce and display professional portfolios to enhance their employment opportunities. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3367.

4305 Theories of Mass Communication. (3-0) A study of the predominant theories of communication, including mass media effects, functions and controls. Prerequisite: Full-major status. (WI)

4306 Advertising Competition. (3-0) The course will focus on developing an integrated marketing communications campaign for a national client as part of the National Student Advertising Competition.  Students will create a campaign from the developmental through the execution process. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

4307 Advertising Campaigns (WI). (2-2) Development, coordination and evaluation of complete advertising campaigns for specific clients. Students will conduct market research, formulate objectives and strategies, recommend media plans and develop creative executions through plan books and presentations. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 3368, 3372.

4308 Women and Minorities in the Media. (3-0) Analysis of the images of women and minorities in the media and their status as media professionals. Includes study of the alternative media. (MC)

4309 Visual Literacy: Film. (3-0) The course will teach how meaning is constructed in visual images by using film as a practical medium. It provides the necessary skills to critique and create effective images. It is especially useful for students majoring in image-based sequences of the mass communication major, particularly electronic media and advertising.

4310 International Communication. (3-0) A study of media systems worldwide in different socioeconomic contexts and an examination of patterns of international communication flow.

4311 Independent Study: Advertising, Electronic Media, Journalism, Public Relations. (0-12) Students complete an academic project requiring the equivalent of 160 hours work. Requires prior written contract with faculty member and portfolio of completed work. Cannot be repeated. Graded on a credit (CR), no-credit (F) basis.

4312 Photojournalism. (2-2) Students will develop skills in camera operation, learn computer software applications, learn how to combine words with stories, and how to make layouts and designs for print and multimedia. Students will learn basic analog and digital camera operations, and how to process digital images for the Web and for printing.

4313 Writing for Public Relations. (2-2) An examination and application of the writing skills required in public relations. Competency is developed in writing news releases, feature articles, newsletters, advertising copy, magazine articles and brochure copy. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3343, 3383. (WI)

4315 Web Design and Publishing. (2-2) Students will develop skills in web page construction including Web editing, image and graphic manipulation, animation, and audio and vido editing.  The course will cover the topics of design, content, and accessibility, as well as important social and ethical issues associated with online publishing.  Prerequisite: Full-major status.

4316 Special Topics in Advertising. (3-0) Intensive look at special advertising topics. Repeatable for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3367.

4316D Advertising Media Sales. (3-0) An overview of advertising, media selling, and salesmanship, sales strategies, sales management, and case histories designed to acquaint students with a vital function of the business.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3367.

4317 Account Planning. (3-0) Hands-on introduction to applied advertising research and account planning. Primary, survey and qualitative research methods are designed, executed and presented by students for the purpose of integrating the consumer's perspective into creative strategy. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3367.

4318 Media Ethics. (3-0) The study of freedom and responsilities of the mass media practitioners and institutions, explored within the framework of ethical theories.  Consideration of values, codes of ethics, moral development, professionalism and institutional constraints as applied to the media of information, persuasion and entertainment will be examined.

4319 Latinas/Latinos and the Media. (3-0) The course focuses on demographic developments related to Latinos in the US; their portraylas in the media; the effects of those portrayals; the history and current status of selected Latino-oriented media companies and organizations; and the role of the media in Latino politics.

4320 Public Relations Campaigns. (3-0) Through classroom and internship, students learn the professional approach to traditional and electronic public relations and evaluate its function, value and limitations. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 4313. (WI)

MC 4321 News Writing and Reporting II. (2-2) Integrating the techniques of investigative and in-depth writing and reporting across media platforms, including print and online.  The study of techniques for computer-assisted reporting, database reporting, access to govermental or corporate records and the use of open records laws. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 3321. (WI)

4330 Internship. (0-15) Requires 180 hours of off-campus experience, written contract with internship coordinator and portfolio of completed work. Students cannot gain more than three hours of credit for any combination of: MC 4130, 4230 and 4330. Prerequisites: Full-major status, good academic standing and appropriate sequence coursework.

4336 Special Topics in Electronic Media. (3-0) Intensive look at special topics in the electronic media. Repeatable for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3319.

4336B Documentaries. (3-0) A course in reporting and production of comprehensive public affairs and feature stories for the electronic media. Prequisite: MC 3312 (WI)

4356 Special Topics in Reporting. (3-0) Intensive look at special topics in reporting. Repeatable for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313.

4356A Science Writing and Reporting. (3-0) Students learn to interpret complex concepts and present accurate, engaging news and feature stories about the latest research.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313. (WI)

4356B Editorials, Columns, and Reviews. (3-0) The study and writing of newspaper, magazine and online editorials, columns, and books, film and music reviews.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313. (WI)

4356C Community Affairs. (2-2) A lecture-discussion course, dealing with the coverage of local economy and business, government and social services functions as well as political activities like elections, and lobbying efforts. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313. (WI)

4356F Feature Writing. (2-2) A course designed to expose students to the art of feature writing through the study of acclaimed works of literary journalism.  Students will develop a narrative voice of their own while studying and analyzing the techniques of a diverse group of writers.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313.  (WI)

4356G Magazine Writing. (2-2) This course introduces students to long form nonfiction writing for magazines.  Crafting longer pieces requires a honed set of skills that includes deft interviewing and observation, an understanding of structure and pace and powers of discernment and nuance.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313.  (WI)

4356H Multimedia Journalism. (3-0) Students will be introduced to topics related to online journalism.  Topics covered will include the online journalism profession, Web credibility, online reporting sources, cyberlaw including libel and copyright, blogging and podcasting, and basic multimedia design.  Students will both critique and create online materials.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313.

4356I Visual Storytelling. (2-2) This course is an introduction to basic elements of video journalistic storytelling for today's converged newsrooms.  Students gather information using journalism practices, such as in-person interviews, and learn to use video newsgathering technologies to produce stories for online and other digital platforms. Prerequisite: Full-major status

4357 Sports as News. (2-2) Problems in print and radio-television media coverage of athletic events.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313. (WI)

4376 Special Topics in Public Relations. (3-0) Intensive look at special topics in public relations. Repeatable for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3343.

4376C Public Relations Case Studies. (3-0) Public Relations Case Studies will seek, with case studies and problems, to help future practitioners develop agility in the principles and the application of effective two-way communications in a wide variety of situations likely to confront them and their employers.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3343. (WI)

4376D Public Relations Writing & Design. (2-2) Students will gain a broad understanding of the wide range of print publications and writing assignments found in public relations.  They will learn how to research, organize, write and design a variety of print pieces for targeted audiences using a popluar design and layout program.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 1313, 3343.  (WI)

*THE FOLLOWING COURSES ARE NOT OFFERED ON A REGULAR BASIS:

4382 Special Topics in Mass Communication. (3-0) Intensive look at special topics in Mass Communication.

4382L Feature Writing and Freelancing. (correspondence only) (3-0) This course is designed to introduce students to the technical expertise, research methods, interviewing skills and narrative techniques pertinent to feature writing.  The course also explores how to target a feature story to a specific audience and how to submit feature stories for publication to newspapers and magazines.

4382M Introduction to Multimedia. (3-0) The course will cover the effects of the internet and related technologies on the fields of journalism, advertising, and public relations.  Topics covered will include online journalism, interactive advertising and public relations, search engines, digital divide, cyberlaw, online education, and social networking.

4382N Seminar in American Journalism: National Writers Workshop. (3-0) This is a seminar in current issues in American journalism.  National Writers Workshops bring together journalists to discuss issues in the industry and offer sessions on many media topics.  Prior to the NWW we will study the litereary form used by presenters and the issues being presented at the workshop.

4382O Travel Journalism. (3-0) Exploration of techniques of writing journalistic travel narratives for the media.  The course may involve travel at the student's own expense.

4382P Health Communication Campaigns. (3-0) Provides an overview of the theory and practice of designing, producing and evaluating health-communication campaigns.  Examines persuasive approaches to behavioral change; audience, message and channel factors in campaign development.  Emphasizes communication approaches, including mass media, social marketing and "new media".  Prerequisite: Upper division standing.

4382Q Media in Asia and Southeast Asia. (3-0) This course will study media systems in Asia and Southest Asia and examine the different socioecomonic contexts and patterns of information flow.

4382R Media Violence. (3-0) This course examines the relationship between exposure to media violence (TV, movies, video games) to aggressive behavior. It will introduce you to the most important published research in this study area as well as to the continuing controversy as to how, or even whether, media violence leads to aggressive behavior.

4382S Fundamentals of Digital and Online Media. (3-0) Students will introduced to topics related to digital/online media and mass communication.  Course covers the effects of the Internet and related technologies on the fields of journalism, interactive advertising and public relations, search engines, personal branding, social networking and mobil platforms.

4386 Journalism Project. (2-2) This is a senior portfolio course integrating a variety of journalism skills to produce a substantial work ready for publication online and in print.  Students will combine elements of writing and visual storytelling to produce an original collection of journalism.  Prerequisites: Full-major status, MC 4321. (WI)