Mass Communication Courses

Application of journalistic skills through work on the student newspaper. 1 credit (EL)

Training and practice in radio announcing. Introduction to radio and television programming, ratings, newscasts and technologies. Requires work at KSLC-FM. 1 credits (EL)

Majors who enroll in MSCM 111 and 112 receive letter grades; non-majors enroll under MSCM 011 and 012 and receive Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory grades.

Application of journalistic skills through work on the student newspaper. For Mass Communication majors. 1 credit

Training and practice in radio announcing. Introduction to radio and television programming, ratings, newscasts and technologies. Requires work at KSLC-FM. For Mass Communication majors. 1 credit

Introduction to equipment, software and techniques with which modern mass communicators need to be familiar. For majors and those who intend to be majors. Recommended to be taken in the sophomore year. Offered fall and spring most years. 1 credit.

History, theory, technologies, and practice of the mass media in the United States. Emphasis on newspaper, magazine, book, recording, broadcasting, film, Internet-based media, advertising, and public relations industries at an introductory level. 3 credits. (IS or US)

Writing for a media audience. Emphasis on grammar, punctuation, spelling, style, and sentence and paragraph structure. Laboratory work on deadline. Newswriting and copyediting skills, interviewing. Introduction to advanced writing and reporting techniques. $15 lab fee. Prerequisites: keyboard proficiency and consent of instructor. 4 credits. (WI)

Training and preparation for internships and careers in the mass communication fields. Preparation of a resume, cover letter and portfolio. Practice and preparation for interviews and networking. Research skills pertinent to searching for internships and jobs. For Mass Communication majors and minors. Prerequisites: 150 and INQS 125, or consent of instructor. Offered fall semester. 1 credit.

Survey of research strategies, methods, techniques and sources; process of evaluating, preparing and presenting information. Includes personal observation, interviewing, documentary and database searches. Prerequisite: 175. 4 credits.

Principles and practices of design and layout for magazines, newspapers, and other mass media. Introduction to printing processes, typography, and the graphic arts. $25 lab fee. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. 4 credits.

Principles and current practices of visual reporting. Emphasis on photography in a digital age. Exposure to historical, ethical, legal and cultural aspects of photojournalism. $45 lab fee. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Offered alternate years. 4 credits.

Theoretical and applied approach to effective communication in a visual medium. Concepts of a visual composition, continuity, time compression, and other critical videography and editing concepts. Basic scriptwriting and lighting concepts. Introduction to various video genres, such as single camera newsgathering, public service announcements and master shot style of videography. Discussion of legal and ethical responsibilities of shooting and editing video. $25 lab fee. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. 4 credits.

The tools of visual literacy. Responding to and evaluating cinema as art and as mass communication. The vocabulary of film-making and film criticism. Sample topics: genre analysis, directorial study, international film industry, film narrative. In cases where topics differ, may be repeated once for credit. $20 lab fee. Prerequisite: INQS 125. 4 credits.

Critical analysis of the Internet as a communication medium shaped by intersecting and often conflicting cultural, social, economic, technological, ethical and legal imperatives. Applied experience building an effective Web site that reflects audience needs, effective communication of content in a digital environment and in-depth usability testing to evaluate message effectiveness. $20 lab fee. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. 4 credits.

The effects American mass media and society have on each other from theoretical, practical, and ethical perspectives. Consideration of significant, timely social issues and concerns. Prerequisite: INQS 125. 4 credits.

Structures, concerns, and issues in mass communication and mass media industries, including responsibility, confidentiality, privacy, attribution, objectivity, conduct codes, accountability, and the public interest. Prerequisite: INQS 125. 4 credits. (UQ)

Legal, regulatory, and ethical issues involving print and broadcast media and the Internet, including libel, obscenity, invasion of privacy, shielding of sources, freedom of the press, copyright, and government regulation. Prerequisite: INQS 125. 4 credits.

The role of the mass media in the origins, development, and dissemination of American popular culture. Consideration of elite critiques of popular culture. Analysis of popular cultural manifestations in films, television, comic books, recorded music, and other media. Prerequisite: INQS 125. 4 credits.

The role of the mass media in shaping and changing American public opinion and in the political and electoral processes. Examination of the links between mass media and government, and between the media and the individual citizen. Explorations of the interactions between media and attitudes, agendas, and behaviors. Focus on presidential and congressional election campaigns. Prerequisite: INQS 125. 4 credits.

Development and role of public relations in the mass communication discipline and professions. The contributions of mass communication, public opinion and persuasion theories to public relations. The importance of ethics and social responsibility in practice. Public relations research techniques, planning, strategic analysis and application in a variety of situations and organizations, including government, corporate, and not-for-profit. Prerequisite: INQS 125. 4 credits.

Introduction to field of advertising and its importance to mass communication. Research techniques, strategic planning, audience segmentation, creative development, media planning, implementation and evaluation of advertising effectiveness. Analysis of social effects of advertising, what makes an ad effective, and importance of ethics and social responsibility in advertising. Prerequisite: 150 or consent of instructor. 4 credits.

The development of film as a medium of communication, an art form, and a cultural phenomenon, from 1895 to the present. Emphasis on American film and the Classical Hollywood period, with comparative study of other national film industries. Screenings of films in conjunction with lectures and discussion. Prerequisite: INQS 125. 4 credits.

Intermediate-level laboratory and field course creating and producing written materials used in public relations, including news releases, public service announcements, brochures, newsletters and speeches. $15 lab fee. Prerequisite: 275. 4 credits. (MWI)

Intermediate-level field experience course emphasizing story ideas, sources, ethics, and legal questions. Reporting for local paper, lectures and discussions, consultations. $15 lab fee. Prerequisite: 275. 4 credits. (MWI)

Theory and practice of writing for radio, television, and other electronic media. Critical analysis of one's role as both a producer and consumer of media content. Emphasis on news reporting for radio and television, including work at campus radio station. $15 lab fee. Prerequisite: 275. 4 credits. (MWI)

The role of the mass media in the development of the human culture. Includes history of newspapers, books, radio, video, film, advertising, and public relations and their interactions with political, social, and cultural institutions. Prerequisites: 175 and senior standing, or consent of instructor.. 4 credits. (VP)

Advanced seminar combining theory, research, and practice in public relations. Development of a public relations program. Design, implementation, and analysis of social science research; public relations, mass communication, and public opinion theory; application of public relations principles, strategies, and techniques through experiential learning. Prerequisites: 347, and 275 or 320, and instructor’s consent. 4 credits.

Examination of various tools and methods available to the communication scholar to answer theoretical questions. Quantitative and qualitative methods evaluated and utilized. 3 credits.

Advanced reporting seminar with an emphasis on writing skills. Emphasis varies among news analysis, feature writing, editorial writing, and review and criticism. $15 lab fee. Prerequisites: 275 and consent of instructor. 4 credits. (MWI)

Advanced study in fields of mass communication. Prerequisite: consent of department chair. 1-5 credits.

Intensive examination of recurrent and new issues in mass communication. Prerequisite: senior standing. 4 credits.

Supervised work at a newspaper, magazine, broadcast station, or public relations, marketing or advertising agency or department, or other approved media outlet. Arranged through the department by individual students. May be taken multiple times up to a cumulative 4 credits. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. 1-4 credits.

Advanced study resulting in a research paper representing a significant contribution to the student's discipline. Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of department chair. Offered fall semester. 3 credits.