The program aims to provide liberal arts students a thorough foundation in the theories and applications of mass communications. Students develop broad based skills and understanding that prepares them for a wide variety of careers or for advanced study in communication, business, government, or law.

Requirements

Ten courses are required for a mass communications major, including eight core courses: 101, 201, 202, 260, 304, 390, 401, and either 470 or 480. Two additional elective courses are chosen in consultation with the advisor. For students interested in specific fields, these elective courses may be taken from the following sequences: visual communication, corporate communication, electronic media and print media.

Minors in Mass Communication

General Minor: A student concentrating in another discipline may minor in mass communications by completing 101, 201, 260, 390, 401, and one other course course other than MCM 470, 471 and 480. Visual Communications Minor: A student may minor in mass communications with an emphasis in visual communications by completing 101, 170x, 304, 390, 401, and 404.

Courses

MCOM 101 Mass Media and Society
Study of the structure, function, and effects of mass communication in the U.S. culture. Influence of economics and governmental regulations on media content. Special attention to the rights and responsibilities of the media.
Syllabus -- Tracy Lauder
Syllabus -- Jim Stovall

MCOM 201 Writing for the Media
Gathering and writing information in a fair and accurate manner suitable for presentation in print and electronic media. Prerequisite: English 101 or permission of instructor.
Syllabus -- Jim Stovall

MCOM204 Beginning Publication Design
Application of basic design and typographic principles to a variety of print publications such as advertisements, flyers, newspapers, and brochures, using the latest design software.
Syllabus -- Tracy Lauder

MCOM 205X Photography I (Art 205)

MCOM 250  Women and Media
Current and historical relationship of women with media. Women as subject matter, audience, and participants in various media forms.
Syllabus -- Tracy Lauder

MCOM 260 Introduction to Electronic Media
Understanding electronic media, including regulation and public policy aspects. Preparation of reports for electronic media.
Syllabus -- Teresa Keller

MCOM 271X Introduction to Film (English 271)

MCOM 302 Editing the Written Word
Preparation of material for the media. Copy editing, design and layout, and photo editing. Prerequisite: 201 or permission of instructor.
Syllabus -- Jim Stovall

MCOM 305X Photography II (Art 305)

MCOM 310 Video Production 
Developing programming for electronic media. Emphasis on research, writing, production, and video editing. Other long-form media presentations may be required. Prerequisite: 260.
Syllabus -- Teresa Keller

MCOM 311X Digital Photo Manipulation (Art 311)

MCOM 321X Advanced Expository Writing (English 321)

MCOM 335X Methods of Social Research (Sociology 335)

MCOM 350 Special Topics 
Selected topics in the field with particular emphasis determined by student interest.
Syllabus -- Tracy Lauder

MCOM 368 Campus Media  Workshop
Application of media theories and management skills to campus media operation and production. Presentation of workshop proposal to a mass communications faculty member. Prerequisites: sophomore status and major in mass communications. One-half semester hour credit per term, maximum total credit two semester hours.

MCOM 390 Persuasive Communication
Introduction to persuasion theory, research, ethics, and methods. Application of persuasive techniques in basic strategic communication formats used in the advertising and public relations fields. Prerequisites: junior or senior status required; 201, 204, and 302 recommended.
Syllabus -- Tracy Lauder

MCOM 404 Advanced Publication Design
Application of advanced design and typographic principles to a variety of more complex print publications such as newsletters, magazines, books, and pamphlets, using the latest design software. Prerequisite: 204.
Syllabus -- Tracy Lauder

MCOM 410 Advanced Video  Production
Advanced work in producing programming for electronic media. Emphasis on longer forms of video presentation. Study of contemporary documentaries included. Other long-form media presentations may be required. Prerequisite: 310.
Syllabus -- Teresa Keller

MCOM 420 Advanced Reporting
Advanced work in gathering and organizing information for long-form writing, such as in-depth newspaper series, magazine articles, broadcast packages and online reports. Emphasis on locating sources, interviewing, following paper trails, and using databases. Prerequisites: 201, 202, and junior status.

MCOM 424 Web Journalism
Integration of basic communication skills, such as writing, design, web page management, and video production. Development of digital multimedia presentations. Prerequisites: junior status and completion of all required core courses through 304. Completion of 310 preferred.
Syllabus -- Jim Stovall

MCOM 441 On-Camera Performance
Study of the techniques of on-camera presentation. Use of classic techniques in communicating with an audience. Prerequisites: junior status and Mass Communications 260 or Theatre 205.

MCOM 451 Media Law and Ethics
Principles of communication law, including constitutional issues, libel, privacy, copyright, and broadcast regulation. Development of an ethical perspective for media issues. Prerequisite: senior status.
Syllabus -- Teresa Keller

MCOM 460 Independent Study
Advanced research on a topic related to mass communications, under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisites: junior or senior status, permission of instructor. One to four semester hours.

MCOM 470 and 471 Internship I and II
Off-campus work experience in the communications field. Periodic meetings with instructor, critique of experience including skills assessment, journal, and summary paper. Although the usual internship will carry either three or six hours credit, a student may elect to arrange an internship carrying between two and six hours credit with the permission of the department. Each hour of credit will require forty hours at the internship site. Prerequisites: junior or senior status, permission of department. Two to six semester hours. Pass-Fail only.

MCOM 480 Senior Project
Study of a communications question and completion of a project in consultation with a faculty member in the Mass Communications Department. Prospective candidates for the senior project should advise the department chair of their plans at the beginning of the junior year. Prerequisites: senior status and departmental permission.

Sequences
In addition to eight core courses, students chose two additional courses to complete the major. Students increased in specific fields choose a sequence to meet their individual interests. Examples of appropriate courses for specific intersts are cited below.

Visual Communication (choose two ):
Photography I/II Advanced Video Production
Video Production Introduction to Film
Students are urged to take Art 212, 221 and 222.

Corporate Communications (choose two)
Photography I/II Advanced Video Production
Video Production Advanced Expository Writing
Students are urged to take: Economics, Marketing, Management, Public Speaking, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy (Techniques of Reasoning).

Print Media (choose two):
Advanced Reporting Photography I/II
Advanced Publication Design and Layout
Advanced Expository Writing

**Those seeking international communications careers in either print or electronic media are urged to take Political Science 205, 225 or 235, or 417. Others are encouraged to take Political Science 103, 117, Economics and a recent U.S. history course.

Electronic Media (choose two):
Video Production Introduction to Film
Advanced Video Production