Mass Communications Courses
Courses for Undergraduates Only
Courses for Undergraduates and Graduates
Courses for Graduates Only
Courses for Undergraduates Only
MCOM 101. Media Literacy. 3 cr.
A critical survey of print and electronic media designed to enhance the user’s media literacy and media consumer skills. For non-MCOM majors only.
MCOM 201. Mass Communications and Society. 3 cr.
History, structure and practices of media industries and professions, and their roles in society; introduction to issues, vocabulary and technological trends for media producers.
MCOM 202. Media Performance. 3 cr.
The role of the announcer; principles of communication in the electronic media; voice and diction, including foreign
pronunciation; techniques for various program types. A $50 fee is charged each student to help defray expenses related to this course.
MCOM 210. Writing for Media. 3 cr.
Introduction to writing for mass media, including basics of print and broadcast newswriting, print and broadcast copywriting, and writing for online media, with special attention to the AP Stylebook. Prerequisite: ENGL 102.
MCOM 311. Feature Writing. 3 cr.
Preparation of human interest and feature articles for newspapers and magazines. Prerequisite: MCOM 210 or consent of department head.
MCOM 312. Broadcast Copywriting. 3 cr.
Preparation of short-form copy for radio and television, including public service, advertising and promotional material, with emphasis on the relationship between writers and users of electronic media. Prerequisite: MCOM 210.
MCOM 330. Journalism I. 3 cr.
Concepts, theories, and practices of writing news for print and broadcast media, including news judgement, use of sources, organizing information, and copy editing. Introduction to news reporting for print and broadcast. Prerequisites: MCOM 210, ENGL 102, passing grade on departmental grammar exam.
MCOM 331. Journalism II. 3 cr.
Builds upon MCOM 330 with development of news gathering, writing and editing for print and broadcast media, emphasizing interviewing techniques, newscasting and special events and stories. Students will be assigned campus beats. Prerequisite: MCOM 330.
MCOM 341. Broadcast Programming. 3 cr.
Analysis of program forms used in the electronic media, effective program structure, and consideration of the audience in relation to programming. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
MCOM 350. Audio Production. 3 cr.
Introduction to audio production for radio, video, film and music recording, including principles, equipment, pre-production, production, and post-production. A $50 fee is charged each student to help defray expenses related to this course. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
MCOM 351. Photocommunication. 3 cr.
Introduction to photocommunication for print media, using digital technology in news, public relations, and related mass communications applications. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
MCOM 352. Video Production. 3 cr.
Introduction to in-studio video production, including camera techniques and effects, equipment utilization and lighting. A $50 fee is charged each student to help defray expenses related to this course. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
MCOM 354. Electronic Media Design. 3 cr.
Graphics, typography, layout, design and related creative techniques for a variety of mass communications applications. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
MCOM 355. Interactive Media Publishing. 3 cr.
An integrated approach to interactive media publishing, focusing on the establishment of an effective online presence through the design, development, and management of Internet web sites utilizing text, images, sound and video. Prerequisites: MCOM 354 or permission of instructor.
MCOM 360. Public Relations Principles and Case Studies. 3 cr.
Overview of the evolution, structure, principles and practices of the public relations profession, emphasizing human behavior in social situations and the role of public opinion in contemporary society. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
MCOM 361. Public Relations Writing and Planning. 3 cr.
Publicity planning, writing for all media, and developing techniques for working with mass media and other publics. Prerequisite: MCOM 210 and 360.
MCOM 370. Mass Communication Theory and Research. 3 cr.
Theories and research techniques for the study of mass communications processes and effects, emphasizing methods of audience identification, measurement and evaluation for print and electronic media. Prerequisites: MATH 103 or higher; Junior standing.
MCOM 390. Practicum. 1 cr.
Supervised, on-campus application of methods and techniques in an area of mass communications. Prerequisite: Completion of 12 credit hours of Mass Communications coursework; approval of advisor and supervisor.
MCOM 401. Mass Communications Seminar. 3 cr.
Scholarly approaches to contemporary topics in mass communications. Content varies. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
MCOM 491. Directect Study. 1-3 cr.
Individualized study of selected topics in the field of mass communications. Prerequisites: Junior standing; approval of advisor and directed study supervisor.
Courses for Undergraduates and Graduates
MCOM 411. Opinion Writing. 3cr.
Analysis of news media editorial policy and study of the principles of interpretive comment on current affairs, with emphasis on editorial writing and presentation. Prerequisite: MCOM 210 or consent of department head.
MCOM 412. Scriptwriting. 3 cr.
Preparation of scripts for all long-program formats, with emphasis on writing and marketing radio, television, and film drama and documentaries. Prerequisite: MCOM 210 or consent of department head.
MCOM 432. Advanced Reporting for Print Media. 3 cr.
Depth reporting and critical writing on police, court, political, financial, governmental and other social events and issues. Prerequisite: MCOM 331.
MCOM 433. Electronic News Gathering. 3 cr.
Concepts and practices of news coverage for the electronic media, with special attention to field techniques, visualization and editing. A $50 fee is charged each student to help defray expenses related to this course. Prerequisite: MCOM 331.
MCOM 435. Journalism Management. 3 cr.
Methods and practices for the production, promotion, and management of print and broadcast news; issues and techniques of managing and leading media companies in rapidly changing business and cultural environments. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
MCOM 440. Media Sales and Promotions. 3 cr.
In-depth study of selling for media, from prospecting to servicing accounts, with emphasis on adapting sales techniques to the special needs of print and broadcast media. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
MCOM 445. Broadcast Management. 3 cr.
Organization and administration of broadcast stations and other electronic media systems, with attention to operations, community relations, and financial management. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
MCOM 451. Advanced Photocommunication. 3 cr.
Theory and tecniques of photocommunication for print media, emphasizing use of still photography for in-depth investigating and reporting. Prerequisite: MCOM 351.
MCOM 452. Advanced Video Production. 3 cr.
Theory and techniques of video production from conception to completion, for a variety of mass communications applications. A $15 fee is charged each student to help defray expenses related to this course. Prerequisite: MCOM 352.
MCOM 454. Advanced Electronic Media Design. 3 cr.
Theory and principles of electronic media design from conception to completion, for a variety of mass communications applications emphasizing multimedia. Prerequisite: MCOM 354.
MCOM 460. Public Relations Campaigns. 3 cr.
Use of research to identify problems and development of strategies to meet public relations needs for actual clients. Prerequisites: MCOM 361 and 370.
MCOM 471. Visual Communications. 3 cr.
Theories of perception, methods of analysis of visual media, and principles and strategies of visual communication, emphasizing critical thinking about the role and function of media in society.
MCOM 472. Media Analysis and Criticism. 3 cr.
Critical methodologies and analysis of media content and programming, emphasizing aesthetic, historical, social, cultural, and industrial factors affecting audience response. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
MCOM 481. Mass Communications Law. 3 cr.
Legal limitations and privileges affecting publishing, advertising, broadcasting, telecasting; consideration of legal philosophy bearing on mass communications media. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
MCOM 482. Broadcast Regulation. 3 cr.
The study of electronic media law and the Federal Communication’s rules and procedures, including an examination of current trends of the Commission and their possible effects on the industry and society. Prerequisite: MCOM 481.
MCOM 490. Internship. 2 cr.
Field experience under the general supervision of a faculty member and the direct supervision of an industry professional, with academic components including a final paper and presentation. Prerequisites: MCOM 390 and approval of academic advisor, faculty internship supervisor and site supervisor.
Courses for Graduates Only
MCOM 501. Mass Communications Seminar (repeatable). 3 cr.
Scholarly, in-depth research in contemporary topics in mass communications. Content varies.
MCOM 560. Public Relations Practices. 3 cr.
Study of the professional practices of public relations, emphasizing theories of excellence in public relations functions, processes and ethics in multicultural society. Includes group work with actual client. Prerequisite: 3 credit hours of undergraduate coursework in the field.
MCOM 570. Mass Communications Theories. 3 cr.
Survey and evaluation of current theories of mass communication, including the nature of meaning, diffusion of information, differentiated responses, attitude change and persuasion, and social functions of mass media.
MCOM 580. Issues in Law and Ethics. 3 cr.
Legal, ethical and regulatory constraints on mass media. Studies of the regulatory environment, lobbying, social consciousness and corporate responsibility. Analysis of current trends including the effects of deregulation and changes in the regulatory structure.
MCOM 581. Literature of Mass Communications 3 cr.
Intensive reading in selected areas of mass communications, including histories, biographies, philosophies, ethics, criticism, and effects.
MCOM 583. Public Opinion and Propaganda. 3 cr.
The study of propaganda theory and methods. Opinion-making processes in government, political parties, pressure groups and various societal institutions. The role of mass media in public opinion formation.
MCOM 584. Comparative Broadcasting. 3 cr.
A study of world media systems, philosophies, methodologies, and their comparative strengths and weaknesses, including their sociological, political and economic contexts and effects.
MCOM 585. Emerging Technologies. 3 cr.
Exploration of electronic communication technologies as they develop.
MCOM 590. Internship. 1-3 cr.
Field experience in print or electronic media, as proposed by the student to meet appropriate educational goals. Prerequisite: Completion of 9 credit hours of graduate coursework; approval of major professor and site supervisor.
MCOM 591. Directed Study. 1-3 cr.
Individualized study of selected topics in mass communications. Prerequisite: Approval of major professor and directed study supervisor.
MCOM 599. Thesis. 1-6 cr.
Individualized study and research toward Master’s thesis in communication with an emphasis in some area of mass communications. Prerequisite: 18 credit hours of graduate coursework.