Mass Communication

Special topic study in the mass communication field.

Overview of the history and influence of mass media in America. THIS COURSE IS A PREREQUISITE FOR ALL MC COURSES.

Introduction to video and audio editing software for television and radio respectively, techniques procedures and hardware, basics of radio and television script formats and broadcast writing.

Introduction to basic journalistic style and story structure for print media, with an emphasis on writing the lead and body of short to medium length straight news stories in accordance with accepted journalistic practice established by The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. Students enrolled will be required to help produce The Delta.

Concentrates on writing broadcast style scripts, segments, commercials and shows for electronic media. Encompasses all phases of broadcast writing and pre-production for upper level broadcast classes. Required for Broadcast concentration.

Introduction to desktop and digital publishing in print publishing. Emphasis on use of Adobe Photoshop and QuarkXPress. Basic techniques of photograph processing, printing and downloading; picture selection and cropping, typography, layout and graphic design with an emphasis on newspaper style. 

Introduction to newspaper and magazine photojournalism and visual thinking. Emphasis will be on camera techniques and digital photography, and use of Adobe Photoshop. Students are required to have a 35mm or digital camera and to submit photographs to The Delta and Voyage.

Hands-on application of techniques introduced in MC 205 in an operational radio environment. Emphasis on audio production using Adobe Audition and developing on-air announcing and off-air production skills. Students enrolled are required to produce KMVC-FM and KMVC-Web programming.

Special topic study in the mass communication field.

Hands-on application of techniques introduced in MC 205 in an operational television environment. Emphasis on television, video production and streaming of sporting events. Students enrolled are required to produce KMVC-TV and MVC-Web programming.

Advanced instruction in desktop and digital publishing using Adobe Photoshop and QuarkXPress software. Emphasis on magazine-style writing and photography in accordance with accepted journalistic practice established by The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. Build on existing knowledge of the techniques of picture selection and cropping, typography, layout and graphic design. Theories of staffing will be discussed and put into practice. Students are required to produce Voyage.

Examination of the risks journalists encounter working online along with an exploration of how editors plan for and use digital content. Study how structure, interviews and timing are essential elements of online news packages. Understand legal and ethical implications of using digital (images, audio, video etc.) resources in online content. Assess the quality and reliability of source materials found online.

Advanced instruction and experience in reporting and writing news stories, editorials and features in accordance with accepted journalistic practice established by The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. Students enrolled will be required to help produce The Delta.

Instruction and experience in editing, rewriting copy, and headline writing in accordance with accepted journalistic practice established by The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. Introduction to QuarkXPress, Adobe Photoshop, layout, and design. Students enrolled are required to produce The Delta.

Advanced instruction and experience in writing and producing news stories, editorials, and features specific to radio and television broadcasts. Student enrolled are required to produce KMVC-FM, KMVC-TV and KMVC-Web news.

Special topic study in the mass communication field.

Hands-on application of sports coverage to prepare Mass Communication majors for commercial radio, television, Web, and print outlets. Students enrolled are required to: Produce, direct, provide football play-by-play, color commentary, as well as for other fall sports remotes on KMVC-FM. Produce and direct sports features and special presentations on KMVC-FM and KMVC-TV. Provide staff and commentators for 90-plus KMVC Webcasts produced in conjunction with the athletic department, to write sports news, features, and commentary and lay out sports pages in The Delta.

Hands-on application of sports coverage to prepare Mass Communication majors for commercial radio, television, Web, and print outlets. Students enrolled are required to: Produce, direct, provide basketball play-by-play, color commentary, as well as for other spring sports remotes on KMVC-FM. Produce and direct sports features and special presentations on KMVC-FM and KMVC-TV. Provide staff and commentators for 90-plus KMVC Webcasts produced in conjunction with the Athletic Department To write sports news, features, and commentary and lay out sports pages in The Delta.

Introduction to researching and writing for the following freelance markets: regional, nostalgia, interview, feature, filler, seasonal, how-to, children’s fiction and nonfiction, and inspirational in accordance with accepted journalistic practice established by The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. Emphasis on writing for different audiences, format, submission and query practices, copyright and libel laws. Attention given to book publishing and photography. Students are required to submit their work to commercial publications. Strongly recommended for English majors; required for Public Relations majors.

Advanced application of techniques introduced in MC275 to create advanced digital documentaries, full-length television programs, or films using Final Cut Pro. Production from concept and story writing through scriptwriting; directing, and videography; communicating through camera, lighting, sound, and editing. Students enrolled are required to produce KMVC-TV and KMVC-Web programming.

Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.

A study of social media history and its impact on society. Course will overview current social networks and examine these networks as a communication tool for self and business branding. Required for Broadcast Mass Communication concentration.

Advanced application of techniques learned in MC215, MC300 and MC330 in an operational broadcast media environment. Students enrolled are required to assist with streaming production, show production and content production for KMVCTV and Internet programming.

Advanced application of techniques introduced in MC 230 in an operational radio environment, with emphasis on expanding audio production using Adobe Audition, and developing on-air announcing and off-air production skills. Students enrolled are required to produce KMVC-FM and KMVC-Web programming.

Introduction to desktop and digital publishing in newspaper publishing. Newspaper production will employ Adobe Photoshop and QuarkXPress. Emphasis on reporting news and sports, writing features and commentary, selling and designing advertising, and news photography in accordance with accepted journalistic practice established by The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual. Techniques of photograph processing, printing, and downloading; picture selection and cropping; typography; layout and graphic design. Theories of staffing will be discussed and put into practice. Students are required to produce The Delta.

Practical experience in senior editorial and management positions in the Delta,Voyage, KMVC-FM, and KMVC-TV. With the permission of the project instructor, student editors or managers can take two practicums in the same media project or in two different media projects.

Defines the legal boundaries within which professional communicators must operate and raises important ethical issues that relate to media careers. Topics discussed in this course will include First Amendment privileges, libel, slander, moral and ethical theories and theorists, legal and ethical principles in mass media, and copyright laws.

Problem-solving techniques applied to the daily management of the middle-market radio station.

Application of course work in a commercial television station. Students enrolled will write a self-evaluative narration of the internship.

Application of course work in a commercial publication. Students enrolled will write a self-evaluative narration of the internship.

Special topic study in the mass communication field.

Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.

Preparation of student portfolio for senior assessment and employment interviews. Portfolio content will coincide with majors’ respective tracks: Print Concentration, Broadcast Concentration, or Journalism Concentration: from The Delta, Voyage, freelance commercial newspaper and magazine clips, and print internships; or from KMVC-FM, KMVC-TV, and KMVC-Web, commercial broadcast employment, and broadcast internships. Each portfolio will contain a professional resume and cover letter, self-evaluative narrations of portfolio contents, and an internship report. In-house assessment test covering national and world events, copy editing, The Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual will be administered. Required of Mass Communication majors; strong suggested for Mass Communication minors.