COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION

Chair: and Coordinator Mr. Donald W. Stewart
Faculty: Fisher, Griffith, T. Hanson, Loewenstein, Lundberg, Sacash, Stewart

MISSION STATEMENT

The Mass Communication program at FMU seeks to provide our students with guidance and encouragement to develop communication skills needed to begin careers in journalism, public relations, and allied professions. For students who do not choose to prepare for a career as media professionals, we expect to illuminate them on media traditions, inculcate in them an appreciation of free expression, kindle in them a desire to learn, help them understand the roles the media play in America and encourage them to share the fruits of their intellectual growth. We will provide our students a climate of learning that stresses the importance of personal honor and integrity, and promote the responsibility to serve society through the productive use of their communication talent and training.

Rooted in the liberal arts tradition, we emphasize the value of a broad educational foundation that encompasses a competence in the use of English and a familiarity with a second language. We want to encourage students to become informed, responsible, and articulate and be able to think critically and creatively, write well and develop an understanding of media history, ethics and law. We aim to refine the student's reporting, writing and presentation skills, including tasks of editing and content production for traditional and converged media. We want our students to understand and use the changing technologies of communication to better equip them to work in the emerging multimedia work place.

Combining discipline-specific knowledge with expressive, interpretive and reasoning skills, we encourage originality and creativity, promote intellectual curiosity, critical analysis, clarity of thought, precision of language and a desire to continue learning into graduate study. We seek to provide knowledge and the requisite learning skills necessary to fully participate and succeed in a global society as a communication professional and as an involved citizen.

ADMISSION TO THE MASS COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

A student must make application for admission to the Mass Communication program upon successful completion of 60 semester hours. To be admitted to the program, a student must:

1. have a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 in all undergraduate courses taken at FMU.
2. have an overall grade point average of 2.5 in all undergraduate Mass Communication courses attempted.
3. have positive recommendations from the Mass Communication faculty.
4. have completed Mass Communication 110, 201, 210, and 221.

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MAJOR

A major in mass communication requires the following:

1.  21 semester hours of Mass Communication Foundation
     Courses: Mass Communication 110, 201, 210, 221, 301, 302, and 451.

2.  12 semester hours in one track option:

  a)  Print Journalism: MCOM 417 and nine additional hours from the Print Journalism list, each approved by faculty adviser.
  b)  Broadcast Journalism: MCOM 321 and nine additional hours from the Broadcast Journalism list, each approved by faculty adviser.
  c)  Convergence Journalism: MCOM 440 and nine additional hours from the Convergence Journalism list, each approved by faculty adviser.
  d)  Public Relations: MCOM 310 and nine additional hours from the Public Relations list, each approved by faculty adviser.
  e)  Sports Journalism: MCOM 330 and nine additional hours from the Sports Journalism list, each approved by faculty adviser.

Print Journalism
Mass Communication
230 Mass Communication Practicum
303 Opinion Writing
304 Photojournalism
305 Page Layout and Design
330 Covering Sports
401 Feature Writing
402 Online Journalism
405 Foreign Reporting
406 Environmental Reporting
417 History of Journalism
430 Critical Issues in Mass Communication
455 Media Ethics
470 Media and Society
475 Sports, Media and Society
498 Communication Internship

Broadcast Journalism
Mass Communication
220 Broadcast Production
230 Mass Communication Practicum
225 Introduction to Sports Broadcasting
303 Opinion Writing
320 Broad Presentation Skills
321 Broadcast Writing and Reporting
330 Covering Sports
401 Feature Writing
402 Online Journalism
405 Foreign Reporting
406 Environmental Reporting
417 History of Journalism
421 Advanced Broadcast Journalism:
 Reporting and Producing
430 Critical Issues in Mass Communication
470 Media and Society
475 Sports, Media and Society
498 Communication Internship

Convergence Journalism
Mass Communication
230 Mass Communication Practicum
402 Online Journalism
Choice from Print Journalism*
Choice from Broadcast Journalism*
304 Photojournalism or
498 Communication Internship

*The same course cannot satisfy two requirements.

Public Relations
Mass Communication
230 Mass Communication Practicum
304 Photojournalism
305 Page Layout and Design
330 Covering Sports
410 Advanced Public Relations
420 Contemporary Issues in Public Relations
430 Critical Issues in Mass Communication

3.  Minor/Collateral requirements (two options)
     a) two 12-hour collaterals approved by the faculty adviser
     b) an 18-hour minor approved by the faculty adviser

4.  Completion of a foreign language through 202

The minimum number of semester hours in all courses (major and non-major) required for the major in Mass Communication is 120.

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MINOR

A minor in Mass Communication requires 18 semester hours to consist of: Mass Communication 110, 201, 210, 221, 301, and 451.

COLLATERAL

A collateral in Mass Communication consists of Mass Communication 110, 201, 210 and 221.

PREREQUISITES

In order to be admitted to any course that has a prerequisite, the enrolling student must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a grade of C or higher.

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MASS COMMUNICATION COURSES (MCOM)

110 Introduction to Mass Communication (3) Surveys the historical development and present roles of the individual components of the mass media. Each will be examined as to its function, job opportunities, and legal and ethical issues.

201 News Writing (3) (Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 200) Introduction to print journalism focusing on news writing and reporting.

210 Introduction to Public Relations (3) An introduction to the field of public relations to include history, principles, ethics, responsibilities of the practitioner, and career opportunities.

220 Broadcast Production (3) Introduces students to the basic terminology, equipment, and operating procedures used in the production of material for radio and television; includes practice in radio and television studios. A course for any student interested in broadcasting.

221 Introduction to Broadcast Journalism (3:6) (Prerequisite: Approval of adviser and completion of 110 and 201) An introduction to the basics of both television news studio and field production techniques. Emphasis will be placed on news gathering procedures including writing, editing, and putting together news stories for broadcast.

225 Introduction to Sports Broadcasting (3) (Prerequisite: SPCO 101) Provides instruction in multiple facets of broadcasting sports, including play-by-play, color commentary, interviewing and sports talk. The course provides opportunity to develop oral and composition skills required in obtaining the first job as well as career guidance. The course will consist of assigned reading, research, analyzing historic audio clips and student-produced recordings.

230 Mass Communication Practicum (1) (Prerequisite: MCOM 201 and permission of the department) This course in experiential learning may be repeated for up to three credits. It will provide students practical, real-life, hands-on experience in journalism and public relations at a supervised setting outside the classroom. Students enrolled in the course will receive credit for successfully completing the practical experience at the Patriot, its web page, Cable Access Channel 11, the FMU Office of Public Affairs, and Media Center as well as appropriate off campus sites. On-site supervisors will direct students in assignments, provide hands-on assistance and forward assessments to a professor who will assign a grade. Subsequent enrollment in the practicum would be designed to develop a different skill-set.

301 Reporting of Public Affairs (3) (Prerequisite: 201) Reporting assignments of public affairs and contemporary public issues will engage the student's research and interview skills and include visits to public agencies.

302 News Editing (3) (Prerequisite: 201 or permission of department) Continuation of 201. Develops knowledge of journalistic requirements and style. Comparative analysis of newspapers, layout, headline writing, and picture editing.

303 Opinion Writing (3) (Prerequisite: 201) Practice in writing newspaper editorials, reviews, columns and op-ed articles.

304 Photojournalism (3:1-5) Field assignments using techniques, methods, and procedures of photojournalism as a means of communication. Emphasis will be placed on digital photography assignments, digital image production, fieldwork, and collaboration with others to produce stories, features and articles for publication, and the creation of material for the internet.

305 Page Layout and Design (3) Provides instruction in the basics of designing pages for newspapers, magazines, newsletters and web pages. Introduces students to the terminology and tools of page layout and design, including basic typography, headlines, photos, cutlines, text shapes, grids, modular design, photo spreads, photo illustrations, charts and graphs, use of color, and transforming print pages into web pages.

310 Public Relations Techniques (3) (Prerequisite: 201 and 210) The study of communication tools/techniques utilized in effective public relations. These techniques include press releases, brochures, media placement, press conferences, public service announcements, video news releases, the Internet, etc.

320 Broadcast Presentation Skills (3) (Prerequisite: SPCO 101 or permission of the department) Introduces students to the techniques involved in effective vocal delivery and on-camera presentation. Students practice the skills requirede to work as reporters, announcers, anchors, program hosts, spokespersons and other positions that require the individual to be on radio or television. A course for any student interested in broadcasting, mass communication, business, sports management, or sports communication.

321 Broadcast Writing and Reporting (3:2-2) (Prerequisite: 221) Emphasis is on radio and television news writing and reporting in practical situations. Work in writing for broadcast, in interviewing techniques and in using tape recorders, cameras and editing equipment.

330 Covering Sports (3) (Prerequisite: 110 and 201) Provides instruction in conventional methods of covering sports for the media. The course provides opportunities for students to develop skills in designing products about sports for the print media, broadcasting and sports information services.

401 Feature Writing (3) (Prerequisite: 301 and 302) Techniques of writing and selling articles to regional and national magazines.

402 Online Journalism (3) (Prerequisite:  201). Provides instruction in the basics of reporting, writing, and editing for online journalism using the Internet.

405 Foreign Reporting (3) (Prerequisite: 201) This course examines the role of foreign correspondents in reporting for newspapers, radio and television. It serves as a basic course for those interested in working abroad as a journalist.

406 Environmental Reporting (3) (Prerequisite: 201 or permission of the department) Students research and write several articles with environmental themes. A variety of contemporary environmental issues are examined throughout the course.

410 Advanced Public Relations (3) (Prerequisite: 310) The detailed analysis of the utilization of principles and techniques of public relations in a variety of contemporary situations and the practical application of these principles and techniques in a real situation.

417 History of Journalism (3) The examination of the history of print and broadcast journalism in America. Journalism is traced from its origin through newspapers, magazines and books to the advent of radio, television, cable and the Internet.

420 Contemporary Issues in Public Relations (3) (Prerequisite: 210) An in-depth examination of a contemporary public relations topic or issue.

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421 Advanced Broadcast Journalism: Reporting and Producing (3:1-4) (Prerequisite: 321) Reporting and producing for TV news, including fact-gathering and packaging the news stories. Heavy emphasis on finding, researching, interviewing, shooting, editing and producing TV news stories both on campus and in the Florence market.

430 Critical Issues in Mass Communication (3) (Prerequisite: 110) An in-depth examination of a critical issue in mass communication.

440 Convergence Journalism (3) (Prerequisite: 201) Development of journalistic skills for the multimedia work place. Assignments designed to refine reporting, writing, and presentation skills for each of the new converged platforms: on-line, television, and newspaper. Cultural values which inhibit crossover presentations will be discussed.

451 Media Law (3) (Prerequisite: 201. At least a junior status or approval of adviser) Study of defamation, right of privacy, and journalistic privilege as defined by federal and state constitutions, judicial precedents, and statutory law. An exploration of the freedoms and limitations granted the U.S. press.

455 Media Ethics (3) (Prerequisite: 201. At least junior status or permission of the department) An examination of ethical responsibilities associated with the field of mass communication. Various philosophical theories of ethical practices will be used to address issues involving race, gender, hatred, invasion of privacy, defamation, and intimidation.

470 Media and Society (3) (Prerequisite: 110. At least a junior status or approval of adviser) Examination of how and why the media cover certain stories. Analysis of the impact that media coverage has on society. Deals with such issues as politics, racism, sexual harassment, ethics and privacy.

475 Sports, Media, and Society (3) (Prerequisite: Junior or senior status and approval of adviser) Examination of impact sports has upon our society from the way it is covered by the media. Analysis of the historical and sociological aspects of the correlation between the media, sports, and society.

498 Communication Internship (3:8) (Prerequisite: Permission of department and internship agency, senior status, and successful completion of 24 semester hours in the major at a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all Mass Communication courses and 2.5 cumulative grade point average in all courses taken at FMU). Internships will be awarded according to merit and availability determined by the department when the student meets the prerequisite. Students otherwise unqualified may be awarded an internship provided he/she presents clear and convincing evidence of extraordinary circumstances which the Mass Communication faculty deems worthy of an exception.

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SPEECH COMMUNICATION

Coordinator: Bryan L. Fisher

MAJOR

No major in speech communication is offered.

MINOR

No minor in speech communication is offered.

COLLATERAL

A collateral in speech communication consists of Speech 101, 203, 300, and 301.

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SPEECH COMMUNICATION COURSES (SPCO)

101 Basics of Oral Communication (3) F, S, SU. Fundamental principles of oral communication: delivery, audience analysis, and holding listener attention. Practice in extemporaneous speaking and in constructive criticism of speaking.

203 Voice and Diction (3) F, S. Improvement in voice and diction through understanding of the basic physiology of the speech communication mechanism, through application of the International Phonetic Alphabet, and through the oral interpretation of literature.

300 Argumentation and Persuasion (3) (Prerequisite: 101) Students learn the basic principles of argumentation and persuasion with a focus on the fundamentals of Lincoln-Douglas style debate and classical rhetorical appeals. Topics include Internet database research, synthesis of collected data, analysis of evidentiary quality, refutation of counter claims, identification of logical fallacies, framing of issues and coherent storytelling. Students are prepared to work with a great range of issues and coherent storytelling. Students work with a great grant of opinion and evidence. Class debates on contemporary issues are used as an evaluative tool. Debates outside class are offered as well.

301 Small Group Methods and Discussion (3) (Prerequisite: PSY 206) Provides students with the opportunity to explore and apply research in small group communication. Students will learn the skills necessary to participate effectively in small groups. Special attention will be given to the role and function of decision-making in groups. Other topics to be covered include (but are not limited to) leadership, power, and conflict management.

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