BSU Catalog Home | Mass Communication Program | All-University Courses and Descriptions

Mass Communication Course Descriptions

(MASC) College-Program: 12-02. Check with Department for quarter when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisite.

102 INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA WRITING (3 credits). Introduction to the techniques and styles of writing for mass media: newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. Minimal typing skills are required.

110 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONIC MEDIA (3 credits). Introductory survey course covering the social, historical, and future development of radio, television, cable, public broadcasting, and the developing media.

200 PERSUASION IN THE MEDIA (3 credits). An introductory course covering the theory of persuasion used as a basic feature of mass communication, including advertising, public relations, and editorial communication.

201 INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOGRAPHY (3 credits). An entry level course covering all aspects of black and white photography, with emphasis on the methodology and operational theory necessary to achieve a working proficiency with a camera and in a darkroom. Also included are history, picture composition, use of lighting, and the aesthetics of photography. Requirements: Laboratory work and 35 mm adjustable camera.

202 NEWS REPORTING (3 credits). An introduction to the techniques and styles of news writing. Minimal typing skills are required. Prerequisite: MASC 102 or consent of the instructor.

220 INTRODUCTION TO RADIO (3 credits). A basic introduction to the theory and operation of radio. The course covers FCC rules, operator requirements, basic production techniques, and the operation of the campus cable station.

225 INTRODUCTION TO TELEVISION (3 credits). An overview of the television broadcast industry, including international television systems and operation, and operating theories of video equipment, cameras, tape, lighting, and audio. Emphasis is on theory and utilization of television equipment.

231 DESIGN COMMUNICATION (3 credits). A study of the elements of visual literacy and the processes of visual perception. The course includes application of visual communication theory and principles to various media forms. (May not be offered every year.)

282 INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION (3 credits). A comparative study of Communist, Third World, and Western media, and how systems affect global order in respect to economic, social, and political interaction. (Applies to Liberal Education Area VII ).

300 MEDIA ETHICS AND CRITICISM (3 credits). An exploration of the major ethical and moral issues confronting media practitioners and the public. Prerequisite: MASC 200.

301 PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING (3 credits). An introductory survey for both majors and non-majors of the theory, principles, and functions of advertising. The role of advertising in social, economic, and marketing systems.

303 PUBLIC RELATIONS METHODS (4 credits). An intensive exposure to the tools of public relations such as news releases, public service announcements, press conferences, and photo cutlines. Practical publicity problems and experience involving all communication media are included. Prerequisite: MASC 202.

309 COMMUNICATION HISTORY (3 credits). A survey of communication media from Guttenberg to the present. (May not be offered every year.)

312 ADVANCED NEWS REPORTING (3 credits). An interpretive, in-depth reporting course for print media that covers techniques of researching story leads and cultivating sources, while maintaining ethical standards in the process. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MASC 202.

320 BROADCAST ANNOUNCING TECHNIQUES w (4 credits). The theory and principles of professional broadcast announcing as a specialized area of human communication. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MASC 220.

321 MODERN RADIO STATION PRACTICES (4 credits). The principles and theory of modern radio station operation. This course includes lecture, discussion, field observations, and research. (May not be offered every year.)

322 TELEVISION AND RADIO IN SOCIETY (4 credits). An examination of relationships between broadcast stations and industry organizations, regulatory agencies, advertisers, and audience, with emphasis on case studies and legislative decisions for and against broadcast industry. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisites: MASC 220 and 225

325 ELECTRONIC EDITING AND FIELD PRODUCTION (3 credits). The application of television to classrooms and the production of programs. This course emphasizes color camera operation using KBSU educational TV studio facilities. Sports remotes, engineering, interviews, and studio operation over cable channel are also stressed. Prerequisite: MASC 225.

327 TELEVISION DIRECTING (3 credits). The principles and practices of directing scripted and non-scripted television programming. Student participation in the direction of news, sports, and educational programs for use over KBSU cable. Prerequisite: MASC 225 or consent of adviser.

330 NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION (3 credits). A course covering all aspects of the production of a newspaper, from an analysis of organizational structure to editorial content.

332 INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES (3 credits). A course covering the theory and process of interviewing as a means of gathering information in preparation for writing a story. Prerequisite: MASC 202.

340 FEATURE WRITING (3 credits). The writing of non-fiction for magazines and newspapers. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MASC 102.

341 NEWSPAPER EDITING (3 credits). A course covering copy editing and the basics of managing a newspaper operation.

342 PUBLIC OPINION AND MASS COMMUNICATION (3 credits). The use of polling to determine public opinion; decision making for media operations and persuasive techniques based on such polling. (May not be offered every year.)

344 MINORITY AFFAIRS REPORTING (3 credits). Covers reporting for minority media and covering minorities in the general media. (Applies to Liberal Education Area VII ).

346 RADIO WRITING & PRODUCTION (4 credits). The writing and producing of news for radio; includes research and script writing as well as production and radio broadcast. Prerequisites: MASC 102 and 220.

348 TELEVISION WRITING & PRODUCTION (4 credits). The writing and producing of news for television; includes research and script writing as well as production and television broadcast. Prerequisites: MASC 102 and 225.

350 MEDIA SALES (4 credits). An overview of sales techniques, issues and strategies in response to changing markets. The course focuses specifically on Radio/TV and newspaper sales. Students have the opportunity to put into practice processes discussed in class.

353 ADVERTISING COPYWRITING FOR RADIO/TV (1 credit). Principles and practice of writing advertising copy for radio and Television. Creative strategy and execution of advertisements are key components.

360 COMMUNICATION THEORY (3 credits). Theoretical approaches to the study of human communication and mass communication, with an emphasis on explaining, measuring, and reporting the impact of mass communication.

402 COMMUNICATION LAW (4 credits). A capstone course that covers legal systems, statutes, case law, and agency regulations, which have impact on all aspects of media. Analysis of differences in laws affecting print and broadcast media, with focus on professional response to these laws. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.

403 ADVANCED PUBLIC RELATIONS METHODS (3 credits). This class consists of case problems and live role practice in public relations situations involving government, business, and education.

410 ADVERTISING CASES IN PRINT (2 credits). This course offers students the opportunity to apply knowledge they have gained in lower level advertising courses to realistic cases. It uses specific problem cases to teach students how to anticipate the needs of clients, and how to focus resources in the most effective and efficient manner to meet those needs.

412 ADVERTISING CASES IN BROADCASTING (2 credits). Explores specific successful and unsuccessful promotions in the electronic media to determine public reaction.

420 BROADCAST AUDIO PRODUCTION (3 credits). Scripting, acting, and production of original audio broadcast programs(May not be offered every year.). Prerequisites: MASC 220.

421 BROADCAST MANAGEMENT (4 credits). The theory and principles of management, leadership, power, status, roles, and conflict. Field research and case studies are included. Prerequisites: MASC 220 and 225.

440 NEWSPAPER DESIGN (3 credits). The use of computer technology for word processing, graphics, and pagination, including analysis of design as a component of newspaper readability and marketability. Prerequisite: MASC 202.

441 PICTURE EDITING, LAYOUT, AND DESIGN (3 credits). This class includes photo selection, cropping, sizing, and layout for newspapers and magazines. (May not be offered every year.)

442 EDITORIAL WRITING (3 credits). An introduction to the selection, organization, and writing of editorial opinion. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MASC 312.

444 COMMUNITY JOURNALISM (3 credits). The study of community publications (weeklies and small dailies) from all angles, including reporting, editing, photography, the backshop, job printing, and business management. Discussion of the role of editors in the community is included. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MASC 332.

450 NEWSPAPER MANAGEMENT (3 credits). An examination of basic management techniques and problems applicable and unique to the journalism enterprise. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisite: MASC 330.

457 BROADCAST AUTOMATION AND ENGINEERING (3 credits). The theory and operation of an automated broadcast facility, including integration of computers with radio and television, emphasis on electrical aspects of a studio and knowledge of FCC regulations. (May not be offered every year.) Prerequisites: MASC 220 and 225.

Updated: 492 DIRECTED GROUP STUDY (1-3 credits). An advanced seminar for junior and senior Mass Communication majors. Seminars vary from one to three quarter hours, and cover a variety of topics in the discipline. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing or consent of instructor.

498 RESEARCH (3 credits). When taken as Communication Research the following description applies: An advanced course covering the conceptual and philosophical constructs of communication and the carrying out of original research suitable for scholarly analysis and publication.

499 THESIS (3 credits). When taken as Senior Thesis the following description applies: Carrying out of original research suitable for scholarly analysis and writing of papers suitable for publication. Prerequisite: MASC 360 and 498.