Courses in Mass Media (MM)
1311 Writing for Mass Media (3-0). The fundamentals of purpose, context, voice, techniques, and structure for effective written and broadcast communication.
1361/COMM 1335 Introduction to Radio/Television/Film (3-0). A survey of the radio/TV cable industry in America including programming, regulations, technology and history. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 1361.)
2305/COMM 1307 Media Literacy (3-0). An analysis of media and its impact on society. Emphasis is on understanding the cultural, political, economic and social impact of media in the United States and the world.
2311 Reporting Principles (3-0). Advanced elements of writing for mass media, including audience analysis, news evaluation, fact gathering, and information dissemination. Emphasis on techniques and procedures of writing for student publications or programs. Prerequisite: Mass Media 1311.
2321/COMM 1318 Photography (2-2). An introductory course in operating a 35mm camera and developing and printing black and white film.
2344 Communication, Media Design and Technology (3-0). Creative and fundamental aspects of graphics, typography, layout, design, and production of printed communication. Emphasis on both the theoretical and practical principles of design. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 2344.) Prerequisite: Communication or Mass Media 2345.
2345 Multimedia Development and Design (3-0). The use of computers to incorporate elements of design and layout into a variety of documents including brochures, newsletters, programs, magazines, and books. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 2345.)
2362 Beginning Television Production (2-2). Operation and use of television production equipment; fundamentals of television production and direction using single camera and multi-camera formats. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 2362.)
3311 Media Law (3-0). A study of statutory, administrative, and case law relevant to the First Amendment and U.S. print and broadcast media. Attention given to applicable Texas state law.
3313 Magazine and Feature Writing (3-0). Concepts and a practical approach to research, writing, and marketing of feature stories for magazines and newspapers.
3314 Copy Editing (3-0). Principles and practices in copy editing, photograph selection and editing, headline writing, use of the language, and news judgment. Prerequisite: Mass Media 1311 or approval of instructor.
3315 History and Principles of Journalism (3-0). A survey of the development of U.S. media with emphasis on American newspapers, magazines, radio, and television with attention to the latest technology of cable and satellite communications.
3317 Reporting Public Affairs (3-0). Investigation of and reporting from the many sources of public information that the reporter must cover. Prerequisite: Mass Media 2311. Strongly recommended: Political Science 2301 and 2302.
3322 Advanced Photography (2-2). A continuation of work started in 2321 with more advanced and more specific projects. Increased emphasis on print and negative quality. Advanced study of composition. Prerequisite: Mass Media 2321.
3335 Public Relations (3-0). Fundamentals of public relations with emphasis on the preparation of PR campaigns, including news releases for various media, newsletters, and speeches. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 3335.)
3342 Advertising Principles (3-0). Fundamentals of advertising with an emphasis on the preparation of advertising for print and broadcast media. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 3342.)
3352 Communication in Professional Life (3-0). A course designed to investigate the role of human communication in professional life. Attention to interviewing, workplace culture, interpersonal and team communication, technology professional presentations, leadership, and work life balance. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 3352.)
3361 Electronic Media Programming (3-0). Theories and strategies of program selection, scheduling and evaluation for electronic media. Theory and practice of producing and scheduling prime time television programs. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 3361.)
3363 Electronic News Gathering and Production (2-2). A practical approach to the news story specifically for radio and television. Lab experience is directed toward producing news stories for broadcast media. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 3363.) Prerequisite: Advanced standing.
4101 Senior Seminar (1-0). This capstone course for all areas of mass media, emphasizing portfolio development and other preparation for entry into the mass media profession. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4101 or Mass Media 4101.) Prerequisite: Senior standing.
4314 Magazine Development and Design (3-0). The publishing, production, and management of publications. Focus on creation, development, budgeting, content, layout, sales, and technical procedures. Students will participate in an individual or group project developing and producing a publication.
4322 Combining Film and Digital Technology (2-2). Optimization and enhancement of color and black and white images from both film and digital capture. Topics will include scanning, alteration techniques, and creating effects traditionally created in the photographic darkroom. Prerequisite: Mass Media 2321 or the equivalent and basic Photoshop skills.
4325 Digital Imaging (3-0). Introduction to the digital imaging process using the industry standard software. Course will include image capture, file formats, calibration, manipulation, composing, storage and output of both black and white and color prints. Prerequisite: Mass Media 2344 or 4322. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4325.)
4335 Advertising/Public Relations Campaigns and Cases (3-0). Case-method and campaign planning as they pertain to advertising and public relations administration. Emphasis on development of creative strategy and media selection. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4335.) Prerequisite: Mass Media 3335 or 3342.
4338 Communication Technology (3-0). Surveys a wide variety of communication media including books, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, cinema, the telephone, recorded music, and the Internet. The class covers the history of these communication technologies, the structure of their industries, and the social implications of their spread and use for communication and culture. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4338.)
4355 Mass Media Effects and Ethics (3-0). An in-depth study of the impacts of mass media on a changing America including a study of the effects of mass media on government, demographic groups, and the military. The study of moral reasoning and ethical decision making as they relate to the mass media. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4355.)
4364 Media Management (3-0). Management functions, advertising, sales, and internal organizational structure of media. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4364.) Prerequisite: Advanced standing.
4365 Advanced Video Production (2-2). Theories and techniques of producing, directing, and editing single and multi-camera productions; to include script writing, shooting, and post producing for television, field and studio work. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4365.) Prerequisite: Communication 2362 or Mass Media 2362.
4367 Alternative Electronic Discourse (3-0). This course will investigate the current rhetorical strategies to maintain identity and privacy in the age of mass communication and growing electronic communication. Challenges presented by the growth of immediate news, electronic connections, and increased sensationalism will be addressed. Strategies for maintaining individual voice will be addressed. Current digital trends such as blogging, YouTube and Facebook will be addressed with special attention to the communities created through such activities. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Communication 4367).
4379 Mass Communication Internship. Students gain on-the-job experience by working in the industry. Limited to advanced students majoring in Mass Media with options in Print, Radio-TV, Advertising, Public Relations, and Photography. Participants are selected on the basis of written application submitted to the department head one semester in advance. (May be repeated once for credit for a maximum of 6 semester hours credit.) Prerequisite: Advanced standing.
4381 Special Topics (3-0). Selected topics in journalism and mass communication. (May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.) Prerequisite: Senior standing and department head approval.
4391 Research. A specialized course that may be directed reading or research for superior students majoring in mass media. Prerequisite: Senior standing and department head approval.
