(MC) Mass Communications

MC 101. Introduction to Mass Communications. 3 Hours.

Explore the evolution of the communications industry by studying the history of radio, television, print, film and computer technologies. This course also examines the legal issues of broadcasting and facility management, FCC Rules and Regulations and professional responsibilities and expectations. Students research the past and present trends of the media and incorporate their findings into their studies.

MC 102. Radio Station Operations. 3 Hours.

This is a practical course introducing the student to the operation of radio broadcasting equipment, production, and regulations. Projects are designed to provide students with beginner level skill in the operation of audio consoles, microphones, computers and editing. Completion of this course will also prepare students for working at WHSN 89.3 FM.

MC 103. Writing for Media. 3 Hours.

This course introduces students to and provides intensive practice in the basic types of writing required by the broadcast media and advertising/marketing agencies. This will include advertising copy, writing for a website, promotional copy, public service announcements and business documents, including proposal writing.

MC 131. Voice and Diction. 3 Hours.

Speech is an important part of all human communication. This course is structured to give students the basic tools with which to verbally communicate in an effective manner on many levels and in many different venues. The course will focus on industry-standard vocal articulation and pronunciation, using the IPA (International Phonetics Alphabet) as an analytical tool. Emphasis will be placed upon identifying and addressing ineffective speech habits and regionalisms. The prime goal of the course is to move the student closer to creating a professional "voice", whether the student plans a career in communications or wishes work in other fields which require effective vocal communication.

MC 199. Topic/. 1-6 Hour.

This course listing is intended to provide the opportunity for faculty to offer courses of interest in Mass Communications that would not normally be part of the University curriculum.

MC 202. Advanced Radio Applications. 3 Hours.

In this course, students expand upon the skills learned in Station Operations I by adding automation, voice tracking, emergency alert system equipment, transmitters, and remote broadcast equipment. FCC technical requirements are also covered. Coursework is closely related to the campus radio station, WHSN-FM, including early preparation to be an on-air operator. Prerequisite(s): MC 102.

MC 214. Radio News Lab. 3 Hours.

This course gives students the opportunity to apply their radio news skills in the “real world” as a member of the WHSN news team. The student becomes a working reporter, gathering, writing and reporting news for broadcast. Students conduct interviews, attend press conferences and develop contacts in the local community, and may find themselves working alongside broadcast news professionals in the local market. Prerequisite(s): MC 115.

MC 236. History of Mass Communications. 3 Hours.

This course is a consideration of the inventions, events, and people that have shaped and influenced journalism in the United States, and how mass media and the practice of journalism, in particular, have shaped American history. The course follows the history and contributions of American journalism from colonial times to the Web, in the context of the technical, economic, political, and cultural aspects of American society. Prerequisite(s): MC 101.

MC 240. Feature Writing. 3 Hours.

Building on the reporting and writing skills developed in MC 223 and MC 235, this course offers students practical instruction and editorial guidance in writing publishable feature pieces for magazines and newspapers. Students are expected to write high quality, well-documented articles that demonstrate a mastery of attribution, organization, style and other basic journalism skills. Students are encouraged to learn the effective use of dialogue and narrative techniques, including vivid description and detail. Students also develop techniques to involve the reader emotionally through human interest including drama, pathos, empathy, humor, and curiosity. Prerequisite(s): MC 223 and MC 235.

MC 299. Topic/. 1-6 Hour.

This course listing is intended to provide the opportunity for faculty to offer courses of interest in Mass Communications that would not normally be part of the University curriculum.

MC 301. Career Preparation. 1 Hour.

This course sets students up with all the techniques needed to communicate to prospec¬tive employers. Learn effective ways to write cover letters, resumes and produce atten¬tion-getting audition tapes (radio and video). Students may even meet a future employer because media professionals conduct mock interviews in this course. Prerequisite(s): College Level=Senior.

MC 316. Advertising Campaigns. 3 Hours.

Advertising Campaigns is an in-depth exploration of the structures and functions used in advertising. From advertising planning and strategy to creative advertising, this course helps each student to discover his/her own approach to lead a successful campaign. Advertising Campaigns covers subjects such as advertising and the marketing process, planning and strategy, account planning and research, media planning and buying, print media, broadcast and interactive online media, internet media, broadcast and interactive media strategy, creative advertising, copywriting design and production, direct-response marketing, sales promotion, public relations, retail and business to business advertising, and international advertising. Prerequisite(s): MK 216 and MK 220.

MC 318. TV News Feature Reporting. 3 Hours.

This advanced course focuses on creating news features for either same day broadcast or under an extended deadline with an emphasis on working as a backpack journalist. At least half the semester is academic as students analyze professional works and reading assignments. During the second half, students will shoot their own stories. Emphasis will be placed on writing, natural sound gathering and writing techniques, interviewing, editing, story preparation, shooting stand-ups and self-critique. One week will be devoted to sports features. Prerequisite(s): MC 217.

MC 319. Media Marketing and Sales. 3 Hours.

Media Marketing and Sales explores the unique characteristics of print, broadcast radio and television, cable television and satellite services, the Internet, cell phones, and any media that are supported by advertising. Students learn how the various media channels are measured, how those measurements determine their relative value, the costs of advertising on various media, and how such media is packaged and sold through client relationship management, target market identification and market segmentation principles. More importantly, students learn competitive market strategy and sales and negotiation techniques employed by successful sales people across all industries. Prerequisite(s): MC 220 or BA 320.

MC 320. Broadcast Programming and Management. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on current media management issues facing the broadcast manager in the daily operations of programming, sales, promotion, news, and engineering departments. Curriculum analyzes management theories and approaches in addition to covering topics such as the Telecommunications Act, labor and discrimination law, crisis management, Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules, and contract and employment law. Prerequisite(s): MC 202 and CT 205.

MC 327. Advanced Sports Techniques. 3 Hours.

In this course, sports journalism students are given extensive opportunities to develop their skills in shooting video for sports, including B-roll and interview material. Students develop skills in editing sports video, writing scripts, and doing sports reporting. By the end of this course, students will have the ability to do quality play-by-play work, and be able to shoot, edit, write and produce a five- to seven-minute sportscast. Prerequisite(s): MC 217 and MC 227 and MC 255.

MC 332. Mass Communications Internship II. 1-9 Hour.

In this experiential course, the student serves as an intern with a business or non-profit organization. This placement may be in the public or private sector and is governed by an agreement signed by the student, the professional organization supervisor, and the internship director. The experience must have a strong communications element related to the student’s major. Students are expected to be sufficiently motivated to seek out their own placement site with some guidance from the internship director.

MC 341. Radio Program Producing. 3 Hours.

This is an advanced course that teaches the unique skills necessary to successfully produce talk, news, sports and music programs. All of the elements, from board operation and screening calls to booking guests and using archival software programs, come together as students produce programs for broadcast on WHSN. Prerequisite(s): MC 231.

MC 345. Producing/Hosting Public Affairs Show for Radio. 3 Hours.

Public affairs programming focuses on issues of politics and public policy. In this class, students will prepare radio reports on public affairs issues including municipal meetings, the environment, and non-profit organizations. Students will work to improve skills in interviewing, field production, news writing, and radio studio production. The class will also analyze long form public affairs radio and television shows in order to prepare a 15-minute broadcast quality public affairs program to be aired on WHSN-FM. Prerequisite(s): MC 114 and MC 115 and (MC 214 or MC 231).

MC 400. Ethics in Media. 3 Hours.

Ethics are part of every aspect of life. In this course, students learn the decision making process of applying ethical practices to the media while enjoying exciting classroom debates and projects that explain the journalist’s ethical responsibility. The course utilizes current events along with supplemental textbook cases. Prerequisite(s): College Level=Senior.

MC 406. Media Law and Regulation. 3 Hours.

This course provides an overview of current law pertaining to the regulation of broadcasting and the role of the Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. Congress, and the U. S. Supreme Court. It offers a comprehensive look at landmark court decisions regarding Fairness Doctrine, the Equal Opportunities provision, libel, the First Amendment, and the Freedom of Information Act. Prerequisite(s): College Level=Senior.

MC 438. Producing and Hosting a Public Affairs Show. 3 Hours.

Essentially a capstone experience for students in the broadcast journalism concentration, this course draws on the reporting, writing, interviewing, and producing skills students have developed in lower level courses, to produce long-form public affairs programs for radio and television, and for airing online, on WHSN Radio, and on the NESCOM BROADCAST NETWORK. Prerequisite(s): College Level=Sophomore or College Level=Junior or College Level=Senior.

MC 439. Magazine Workshop. 3 Hours.

In this course, students in the print/Web journalism concentration have the opportunity to create, design, report, write and publish an original, non-fiction, online magazine. This is, essentially, the capstone experience for print/Web students, requiring them to exercise advanced skills to produce a publication that clearly demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities they have developed in their time at NESCom. Prerequisite(s): MC 217 and MC 223 and MC 235.