Mass Communications and Journalism

Study of the socio-economic developments related to the growth and development of American newspapers, magazines, books, radio, television, motion pictures, cable and satellite communications.

Introduction to the fundamentals, essential tools, and techniques of television and audio operations. Structured laboratory exercises provide an understanding of theory, terminology, and crew position responsibilities.

Prerequisites: Take MCM-211.

Introduction to the aural writing style used in broadcast/cable programs. Primary emphasis on news writing for radio and television based on industry formula. Secondary emphasis on applying aural style to more complicated program scripts.

Summary of motion pictures as a distinctive medium of expression and communication including the techniques, physical basis, and history of silent films to sound films of the leading genres and the directors who illustrated selected phases of film evolution.

Prerequisites: Take MCM-211.

Study of the origin and development of mass media in the United States. Emphasis on the press, radio, television, motion pictures, and social media.

Study of the origin and development of mass media in the United States. Emphasis on the press, radio, television, motion pictures, and social media.

Study of the identification and utilization of tools necessary in gathering information, setting up, preparing, and conducting interviews for broadcast. Emphasis on organization of the information for use in the media and allied industry.

Study of the identification and utilization of tools necessary in gathering information, setting up, preparing, and conducting interviews for broadcast. Emphasis on organization of information for use in the media and allied industry.

This course guides students in making informed, career decisions and crafting personalized plans, for professional success in media-related fields, like journalism, broadcasting, and digital media., It integrates self-assessment, career exploration,, goal-setting, and skill development, preparing, students to navigate the modern job market. By the, end, students will acquire practical skills in, resume writing, interviewing, networking, and job, searching, positioning them for a fulfilling,, professional journey.

Introduction to basic shooting, editing, and lighting techniques necessary for field production. Experience shooting and editing a variety of news stories will serve as a resume tape upon completion of the course.

Development of television program producing and directing with emphasis on leadership skills and advanced audio-visual equipment instruction through specific laboratory exercise.

Development of television program producing and directing with emphasis on leadership skills and advanced audio-visual equipment instruction through specific laboratory exercise.

Analysis of the historical, aesthetic, and critical aspects of broadcast programs and motion pictures. Attendance and viewing of films and evaluations required.

Prerequisites: Take MCM-211. or Take MCM-310., Take MCM-280. Take ENG-203.

Study of audio principles, practices, and concepts of communication for radio, television, and motion pictures. Proficiency in campus facilities, including studios and remote locations required.

Study of the history of African American auditory storytelling, how podcasting changed it, and the praxis of podcasting. The course is designed to enable students to do preproduction, production, and postproduction of a podcast show including, but not limited to, Africana storytelling techniques, interviewing, hosting, nonlinear editing, and equipment used to produce a podcast with episodes.

Survey of international mass media systems focusing on their development, organization, and operation. Emphasis on the similarities and differences of various systems with a critical view of the effect government has on a nation's mass media.

Prerequisites: Take MCM-250.,

This course explores the applications and, implications of AI technology in the media, industry. Students will learn about the basics of, AI and how it is being used in media-related, fields. Students will also learn practical skills, such as how to use ChatGPT and AI video, generators.

This course introduces the learner to the process of understanding intercultural communication. This course will expose the learner to the substantive theoretical issues in cross-cultural, intergroup, and intragroup communication that contribute to effective interactions among those of different cultures.

Examination of the various laws that affect mass communication in the United States, including licensing, operation, programming, advertising, defamation, privacy, copyright and other related topics.

Prerequisites: Take MCM-211. Take ENG-203.

Development of a strong sense of ethical responsibility as communications professionals, including case studies of ethical decision making by news and communications organizations and analysis of ethical codes of various professional groups.

Prerequisites: Take MCM-211.

Development of a strong sense of ethical responsibility as communications professionals, including case studies of ethical decision making by news and communications organizations and analysis of ethical codes of various professional groups.

Examination of the theory and principles of communications systems and processes, including research methods commonly used by communications professionals and trends in media research.

Prerequisites: Take MCM-211.

Analysis of current issues and problems in mass media, including the roles of media, ethics in media, media criticism, and the marketing concept.

Prerequisites: Take MCM-211. Take MCM-310. Take ENG-203.

Capstone course builds on writing, producing, and directing skills in order to produce a weekly television program. Production of a news/magazine format, dramatic, or comedic program or segment required.

Study of principles, structures, and practices of broadcast, cable, satellite programming, and new media and sales. Emphasis on mid-management areas, which are crucial to the successful operation of all broadcast properties.

Through a combination of theoretical and practical, approaches, students will learn how to develop, effective social media strategies, create engaging, content, and build an online presence for, themselves or their organization. They will also, explore the different types of social media, platforms available, including Facebook, Twitter,, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Survey of the growth and development of domestic and global broadcasting via cable, satellite systems, and the Internet, with an emphasis on their development and organization.

Exploration of management and administrative principles, roles, functions, structure, and goals in the mass media, including budget planning, personnel, labor/management relations, and regulation of the print and electronic media.

Coverage of current topics in media, including the roles of media, ethics in media, media criticism, and the marketing concept.

Opportunities to study and examine media-related and special-interest issues in culture, society, history, economy, and politics.

Introduction to HTML writing and web page design and creation of a multi-page website targeted to a particular audience. Requires usage of search engines to find relevant information and evaluate similar sites for content, structure, quality of information, purpose, and bias.

Prerequisites: Take CSC-200.

Practical experience in the production departments of radio and television stations, newspapers, film production companies, advertising and public relations agencies, media research organizations, and selected other media-related agencies.

Introduction to the basic principles of advertising and its practice.

Introduction to writing for all mass media, including intensive study of basic journalistic composition elements (grammar, punctuation, spelling) in preparation for professional reporting, writing and editing courses.

Prerequisites: Take ENG-101.

Introduction to the fundamentals of news evaluation, gathering, and writing with special emphasis on newspaper style.

Prerequisites: Take JRN-220. Take ENG-114. Take ENG-102.

Analysis of the history and growth of public relations and its role within organizations including ethical standards, basic principles, and problems of public relations.

Study of the integration of basic photography with computer technology. Emphasis on the digital photography process through in-class discussion, field assignments, and hands-on laboratory experience.

Historical survey of participation by people of color in early publications and the industries of print and broadcast journalism, entertainment television and film, and advertising. Emphasis on case studies and other methods to examine interactions between societal conditions and mediated reality.

Philosophy and techniques of developing an advertising campaign with emphasis on integrating all creative elements, including market research; developing advertising objectives, plans and strategies; budgeting; scheduling of media; coordination of sales promotion; and measuring effectiveness.

Study of the fundamentals of copy editing, headline writing, re-writing and general copy desk work.

Prerequisites: Take JRN-221.

Study of the management and decision-making process in public relations. Emphasis on the case history approach to evaluate strategic planning in a variety of situations and areas, including business, government, non-profit, and education.

Prerequisites: Take JRN-240.

Planning, implementing, and measuring the effectiveness of public relations programs including techniques of using controlled and uncontrolled media to reach various target publics. Study of producing materials originating from public relations departments and agencies; publicity; human relations; writing and editing business, industrial, and house publications; and fundraising.

Experience working for a newspaper or media company in public relations or with an advertising department or agency. (Practicum is an on-campus position. Internship is an off-campus position.)

Individual study and/or research in journalism under the guidance of a journalism instructor.