Department of Mass Communication - Bachelor (BA) in Mass Communication
Undergraduate Faculty
Interim Department Head: Dr. Sandra Lee
Professors: Dr. Martin Edu, Dr. Parvin Lalehparvaran
Associate Professors: Dr. Sharon Ford-Dunn and Dr. Edward Welch
Assistant Professors: Dr. Edrene Frazier, Dr. Sandra Lee, Ms. Wanda Peters
Lecturer: Mr. Santoria Black
Overview
The main objectives of the Department of Mass Communication are to 1) provide a broad
understanding of the role of communication and mass media in society; 2) provide an
understanding of the role and responsibilities of a journalist in society; 3) prepare
students for careers in broadcasting, business journalism, public relations, sports
journalism and multimedia journalism; 4) provide an intellectual climate for students
to think critically about issues related to mass media, 5) provide students with the
academic foundation to pursue graduate education, and 6) offer services to the community
through workshops and seminars.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication is offered for students who complete
the specified course requirements of the Department of Mass Communication and the
College of Educational, Professional & Graduate Studies. Students must complete 40
credit hours in mass communication (Core 25 hours, and 15 hours from an area of concentration
in the first four concentrations). Business Journalism requires completion a core
of 18 semester hours, 21 hours from the concentration, and six credits from the electives.
Sports Journalism requires completion of a core of 18 credit hours, 21 hours from
the concentration, and six credit hours from the electives. Multimedia Journalism
students must complete 45 credit hours for graduation. The 45 credit hours in the
Multimedia Journalism concentration include a core of 25 semester hours and 21 cognate
and elective hours. Film Studies requires completion of a core of 15 semester hours
and 30 hours from the concentration. Only grades of ―C or above in major courses and
C or better grade in English 101, English 102 are acceptable for graduation.
Minor in Mass Communication
Students must complete a minimum of 9 semester hours in mass communication from the
Core – MC 100, MC 225, and MC 295, and 12 hours from any one area of concentration
for a total of 21 hours. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication is offered
for students who complete the specified course requirements of the Department of Mass
Communication and the College of Educational, Professional and Graduate Studies.
Mass Communication Curriculum Plan
Freshman Year
|
Biology 103
|
3
|
|
Biology 104
|
3
|
|
English 101 & 102
|
6
|
|
First Year Experience 101 & 102
|
2
|
|
Foreign Language
|
3
|
|
History 101
|
3
|
|
History 104
|
3
|
|
Mathematics 147 & 148
|
6
|
|
Social Science 101
|
3
|
|
Total Hours
|
32
|
Sophomore Year
|
Mass Communication 100
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 225
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 324
|
1
|
|
Art 210
|
3
|
|
English 200
|
3
|
|
Foreign Language
|
3
|
|
Physical Science 105
|
3
|
|
Theatre 212
|
3
|
|
General Education Electives
|
6
|
|
General Education Testing 300
|
0
|
|
Total Hours
|
28
|
Junior Year
|
Mass Communication 240
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 303
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 315
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 333
|
3
|
|
English 213
|
3
|
|
English 310
|
3
|
|
General Education Elective
|
3
|
|
Political Science 201
|
3
|
|
Psychology 200
|
3
|
|
Sociology 201
|
3
|
|
Total Hours
|
30
|
Senior Year
|
Mass Communication 335
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 336
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 409
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 444
|
3
|
|
Minimum of 5 courses from selected area of concentration in Mass Communication
|
15
|
|
Economics 201
|
3
|
|
Total Hours
|
30
|
|
TOTAL
|
120
|
Students must complete minimum of 40 Credits in Mass Communication (45 credits for
Multimedia Journalism), depending on the concentration, in order to earn a degree
in one of the four concentrations: Broadcasting, Business, Multimedia Journalism,
Public Relations and Sports Journalism.
Broadcasting Concentration
The objectives of the broadcasting sequence include teaching students the philosophy
and how to use audio and video techniques to record/shoot, edit, direct and produce
programs that inform the public via radio, TV and the Web. Students will also learn
writing skills to use digital media to tell their stories. They may focus on production
(behind the scenes) work or on-camera work, like news reporting. We have an elective
course specifically for that purpose, MC 370. This sequence has a 25 hour core and
15 concentration hours.
|
Mass Communication 240
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 260
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 330
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 331
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 445
|
3
|
Business Journalism Concentration
Business Journalism is an innovative breakaway from the traditional print journalism
curriculum that offers training for students to write news stories on events, situations,
and people. It is a rigorous and unique curriculum that offers an opportunity for
potential journalists to address the growing need for understanding the workings of
the markets and business. The concentration prepares students with the ability to
report on banking, real estate, economy, health, the self-help industry, small businesses,
sports, and the business of government, etc. Undergraduate students will learn the
skills and techniques needed for news reporting on such topics. This sequence has
an 18 hour core and 24 concentration hours, plus a 3-hour elective.
|
Mass Communication 270
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 355
|
3
|
|
Accounting 201
|
3
|
|
Management 301
|
3
|
|
Finance 301
|
3
|
|
Marketing 301
|
3
|
|
Marketing 312
|
3
|
Multimedia Concentration
The objectives of the multimedia concentration are to teach students the philosophy
and how to use various types of media to inform the public. As its name implies multimedia
involves the use of print, photos, video, audio, graphics, text, animation, interactivity
and the social media to communicate on-line. The media used for a particular story
will vary according to the type of story. Students will learn writing skills to help
them tell their stories. This sequence has a 25-hour core, 15hours of cognate courses
and 6 hours of electives.
Core Courses
(25 Credit Hours)
|
Mass Communication 103
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 226
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 230
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 303
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 310
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 335
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 409
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 444
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 471
|
1
|
Cognate Courses
(Choose Any Five Courses for 15 Credit Hours)
|
Mass Communication 250
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 260
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 304
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 330
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 331
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 355
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 435
|
3
|
Electives
(Choose Any Two Courses 6 Credit Hours)
|
Mass Communication 240
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 295
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 308
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 350
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 404
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 450
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 464
|
3
|
Public Relations Concentration
Students who choose a career in public relations have many options. For example,
they can work for nonprofit organizations, corporations or public relations agencies.
They can become publicists, event planners, fund raisers, or public affairs counselors.
Some graduates work for sports teams. During their required off-campus internship,
students can gain valuable experience that can boost their careers. This sequence
has a 25-hour core and 15 concentration hours.
|
Mass Communication 340
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 446
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 448
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 460
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 308
|
3
|
Sports Journalism Concentration
Students who choose the sports journalism concentration can become professional sports
writers for newspapers, magazines, and broadcast channels such as ESPN. Sports journalism
majors can gain practical experience through off-campus internships and on campus
with The Gramblinite student newspaper, the Sports Information Director, or the Media Bureau. This sequence
has a 16-hour core, a 21-hour concentration, plus a 3-hour elective.
|
Mass Communication 101
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 320
|
3
|
|
Mass Communication 308
|
3
|
|
Kinesiology 201
|
3
|
|
Sport Management 405
|
3
|
|
Sport Management 409
|
3
|
|
Sport Management 417
|
3
|
