Mass Communications Courses
These listings are sourced from Curricunet, and some courses may not be offered every semester. For additional information, contact the academic department, speak with counseling or refer to the current Class Schedule and College Catalog.
MCOM 9 - Colloquium-Mass Communications
( 1.00 - Units )
Exploration in interdepartmental collaboration between Journalism, Radio and Television. Experience in working on cross-platform projects in content creation. Designing material for newspaper, radio and television. Learning production techniques for newspaper, radio and television. Discussions may include programming philosophies, formatting content for specific media, marketing, promotions, news and sports.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively in newspaper, radio or television.
- Students will be able to explain production techniques for newspaper, radio or television.
- Students will be able to design material for newspaper, radio or television.
- Students will be able to describe programming philosophies.
MCOM 20 - Introduction to Journalism Reporting and News Writing
( 3.00 - Units )
This course is an introduction to gathering, synthesizing/organizing, and writing news in journalistic style across multiple platforms. Topics include the role of the journalist and related legal and ethical issues. Students will report and write based on their original interviews and research to produce news content. Experiences may include covering speeches, meetings, and other events, writing under deadline, and using AP Style.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Given a list of traditional news values (timelines, conflict/action, consequence, proximity, sex/humor, human interest, novelty/uniqueness, prominence, demographics) students shall create a list of 18 potential news stories for the college and community, listing two possible stories per news value category, to be presented orally for discussion
- Students will be able to evaluate a list of 10 news story facts and write an appropriate lead sentence within 30 minutes incorporating the 5 W's of Journalism
- Students will be able to identify, explain and provide an example of the traditional elements/values of news judgment
- Students will be able to show understanding of basic AP writing style including (punctuation, abbreviations, job titles, states, numerals, percentages, dates, capitals, proper names, etc)
MCOM 21 - Newspaper Production I
( 3.00 - Units )
This course focuses on writing the student-produced school newspaper, The Spectator, and its online version, spectator.news, as a practical laboratory that creates a journalistic product for distribution to a college and community audience. Students will work primarily in the following areas: researching, writing, and editing articles for the publication; taking photographs and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories or designing pages. This course includes practical experience in design/layout, visual, online, multimedia journalism, and emerging technologies.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- All students will show knowledge of basic newspaper layout and design by developing pages for the school newspaper
- All students will show knowledge of basic newspaper layout and design by developing pages for the school newspaper.
- All students will show knowledge of intermediate newspaper layout and design by developing pages for the school newspaper that include elements such as text wraps, background colors, image cutouts and font variety in addition to the basic elements learned in MCOM 2
- Students show understanding of components and processes needed for a successful publication.
- Students will develop a portfolio with at least 12 items of work representing their contribution and skill development in on major area of the student publication
MCOM 22 - Newspaper Production II
( 3.00 - Units )
This course focuses on intermediate writing the student-produced school newspaper, The Spectator, and its online version, spectator.news, as a practical laboratory that creates a journalistic product for distribution to a college and community audience. Students will work primarily in the following areas: researching, writing, and editing articles for the publication; taking photographs and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories or designing pages and mentorship. This course includes practical experience in design/layout, visual, online, multimedia journalism, emerging technologies, and editorial mentorship.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Students will show knowledge of intermediate newspaper layout and design by developing pages for the school newspaper that include elements such as text wraps, background colors, image cutouts and font variety in addition to the basic elements learned in MCOM 21.
- Students will develop a portfolio with at least 15 items of work representing their contribution and skill development with at least 6 items in two major area of the student publication.
- Students will be able to participate in the development of components and decision making for the processes needed for a successful publication.
MCOM 23 - Newspaper Production III
( 3.00 - Units )
This course focuses on advanced writing the student-produced school newspaper, The Spectator, and its online version, spectator.news, as a practical laboratory that creates a journalistic product for distribution to a college and community audience. Students will work primarily in the following areas: researching, writing, and editing articles for the publication; taking photographs and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories or designing pages and leadership. This course includes practical experience in design/layout, visual, online, multimedia journalism, emerging technologies, and editorial leadership.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Students will show knowledge of advanced newspaper layout and design by developing pages for the school newspaper that include elements such as text wraps, background colors, image cutouts and font variety in addition to the basic elements learned in MCOM 22.
- Students show advanced understanding of components and processes needed for a successful publication.
- Students will develop a portfolio with at least 20 items of work representing their contribution and skill development in on major area of the student publication.
- Students will develop a portfolio with at least 20 items of work representing their contribution and skill development in on major area of the student publication.
MCOM 26 - Introduction to Photojournalism
( 3.00 - Units )
This course focuses on photography for the student-produced school newspaper, The Spectator, and its online version, spectator.news. This course deals with the photographer as a journalist, focusing on theory and practice in press and publications photography, emphasizing the camera as a reporting and communications tool. Covered are news and feature photography and photographic essays, including composition, impact, and creativity, for newspapers, the Internet, and other mass communications media.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Students will be able to cover a news event and capture compelling event images and provide corresponding caption written using appropriate AP Style caption format.
- Students will apply the first of three acceptable alterations to a photograph, as defined by the Associated Press (AP), which is cropping the photo using Photoshop, to add creativity to the page, and bring impact to the photo’s meaning.
- Students will create a photo story essay using a variety of lenses and focal lengths that captures the three basic types of photojournalism images, as defined by the Associated Press (AP): 1) the overall shot, which captures the scope of the scene. 2) The medium?long shot, which comprises about 90 percent of all photos taken, 3) the close?up photo, a detailed image of a small but important item.
MCOM 40 - Introduction to Broadcasting
( 3.00 - Units )
Introduces the history, theory, structure, function, economics, content and evolution of radio, television, film, the Internet, new media and their impact on culture and society. Includes, technological development, programming, ratings, legal aspects, and political and social control of broadcasting in America, and cross-cultural, international comparisons. Regulatory, ethical and occupational impact of the electronic media are also studied.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Describe/explain major radio and TV careers and their hierarchy;
- define and discuss the role and purpose of the FCC;
- demonstrate understanding of electronic media forms as a means of communication, their impact on society and the impact convergence has had.
MCOM 41 - Introduction to Mass Communications
( 3.00 - Units )
Survey of the interrelationships of media with society including history, structure and trends in a digital age. Discussion of theories and effects, economics, technology, law and ethics, global media, media literacy, and social issues, including gender and cultural diversity.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Define media convergence, give examples and explain its impact on society and media careers;
- describe/explain major careers in Mass Communications;
- identify forms of Mass Media in society and give a specific example of each.
MCOM 42 - Writing for Broadcasting
( 3.00 - Units )
Techniques of writing for radio, television, film and electronic media; script writing in proper formats, including fundamental technical, conceptual and stylistic issues related to writing fiction and non-fiction scripts for informational and entertainment purposes. Includes a writing evaluation component as a significant part of the course requirement.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Demonstrate, through writing of commercials, various appeals including persuasion;
- explain the principles and fundamentals of writing for radio, audio, television and other visual media;
- evaluate a print media story and condense it into broadcast form within 30 minutes.
MCOM 43 - Advertising Sales & Media Management
( 3.00 - Units )
Introduction to media advertising sales, including research, sales presentation, and airing of the commercial campaign. Media managerial objectives and procedures, including leadership, motivation, dealing with personnel and operations problems; and managing departments within media organizations.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Explain at least three theories of management.
- List and define the variables on a sales rate card.
- Summarize the roles of the station manager as it relates to personnel, community members and Federal Communication Commission.
MCOM 44 - Radio & Television Announcing
( 3.00 - Units )
Developing skills in projection of personality, vocal performance and pronunciation necessary for communication of ideas in radio and television broadcasting under studio circumstances. Activities will equip students in understanding and developing themselves as integrated physiological, social, and psychological media personalities.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- demonstrate how to read a teleprompter in a conversational manner;
- implement proper microphone technique through studio work and critique their performance;
- understand and perform the duties and responsibilities of the announcer/performer;
- utilize terminology, cues and hand signals;
- critique their performance based on 10 criteria.
MCOM 50 - Radio Studio Techniques
( 3.00 - Units )
Introductory course in theory and application of audio production techniques for radio. Students will gain a basic understanding of audio equipment in both live and pre-recorded broadcasting. This includes recording equipment, mixers, digital audio production, radio program formats, broadcast writing and announcing skills.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Construct a complete radio audition tape, utilizing live and recorded sources, with smooth control of continuity and appropriate on-air production techniques.
- Explain the operation of a general broadcast station.
- Operate all types of standard broadcast studio equipment.
MCOM 56 - Introduction to KCRH Radio Experience
( 4.00 - Units )
Introduction to practical experience in KCRH radio station operations. Radio programming content, music automation systems, audio production techniques, promotions, news, live sports, and underwriting sales will be explored. Development of on-air, talent, DJ, host and web streaming will be emphasized.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- operate on-air studio console;
- properly conduct their own radio show;
- produce two liners and two public service announcements.
MCOM 57 - KCRH Radio Leadership Experience
( 3.00 - Units )
Leadership experience in KCRH radio station operations. Skills in performing appropriate station departmental leadership duties, planning meetings, organizing duties and responsibilities, as well as maintaining necessary station logs will be developed. Aptitudes in programming, music, audio production techniques, promotions, news, live sports, and underwriting sales will be furthered. Explaining KCRH operations and mentoring new students will be emphasized.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Plan departmental meetings;
- organize departmental duties and responsibilities;
- explain KCRH operations and mentor new student.
MCOM 58 - Intermediate KCRH Radio Experience
( 3.00 - Units )
Intermediate practical experience in KCRH radio station operations. On-air studio equipment operation and troubleshooting, radio programming and format philosophies, music rotation automation software, audio production techniques, promotions, news, live sports, and underwriting sales will be taught. The hierarchical organization structure of departments in radio and their functions will be utilized in operating KCRH. Experience in broadcast operation of KCRH-FM.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Produce two liners and two public service announcements;
- operate on-air studio console;
- properly conduct their own radio show.
MCOM 59 - Advanced KCRH Radio Experience
( 3.00 - Units )
Advanced practical experience in KCRH radio station operations. Leadership skills in running departments in the station organizational hierarchy will be developed. Skill in remote, on-location events where DJ equipment will be assembled for entertaining audiences and promoting KCRH will be broadened. Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations will be explored. Further development of programming, music, audio production, promotions, news, live sports, and underwriting sales department skills will be emphasized.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Coordinate remote broadcasts;
- demonstrate leadership in promotional events by creating, organizing, setting up, and executing successful events;
- record and review air-checks and provide feedback to department members.
MCOM 60 - Beginning TV Studio Production
( 3.00 - Units )
This course introduces the theory, terminology, and operation of a multi-camera television studio and control room. Topics include studio signal flow, directing, theory and operation of camera and audio equipment, switcher operation, fundamentals of lighting, graphics, video control, video recording, and real-time video production.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Utilize basic television studio video production equipment correctly, safely, and creatively, including cameras, lights and audio, and control room equipment such as audio mixers, switchers, video recording, character generation, and teleprompter.
- Conceive and execute standard pre-production skills.
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and problem-solving as a member of a production crew.
- Analyze, interpret, and exercise critical judgment in evaluating media productions.
MCOM 61 - Television Studio Techniques II
( 3.00 - Units )
Further experience in television studio operations, control room procedures, and program production. Designed to advance skills in operating television equipment, producing and directing television programs.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Explain educational telecommunications as related to cable and closed-circuit transmission.
- Perform job duties operating all types of standard television studio and control room equipment, including recording and play back of both audio and video devices.
- identify, explain and demonstrate the duties of specific jobs in a television studio
- properly interpret and implement TV studio and production terminology;
- identify the components and operation of a production television studio.
MCOM 68 - KCTH Television Experience
( 3.00 - Units )
Practical experience in television production and programming.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Apply the television trade skills of videotape operation and studio lighting.
- Demonstrate skill of television announcing.
- Design television programs.
- Write television scripts.
MCOM 69 - KCTH Television Experience II
( 3.00 - Units )
Advanced practical experience in television production and programming.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)
- Apply full television engineering skills, including technical directing, editing, and audio control board.
- Demonstrate skill of television announcing.
- Design television programs.
- Operate as a crew member in field productions.
- Write television scripts.