MC 100 Introduction to Mass Media
3 credit hours – General Education – Students learn the historical development of all forms of mass media, including how culture both shapes and is shaped by mass media products. Course topics also include business and financial aspects of media industries and an introduction to relevant theories of communication and media effects.
MC 200 Introduction to Mass Media Writing
3 credit hours – Writing Reinforcement – Information Literacy Developing and improving news writing and professional skills for print, online, and broadcast.
MC 210 Introduction to Media Production
3 credit hours – Fundamentals of photography, video, and audio production.
MC 215 Producing Video in the Studio
3 credit hours – Principles and practices of television production in a studio environment.
MC 265 Broadcast News Writing and Reporting
3 credit hours – Writing Reinforcement – This course focuses on writing for broadcast news outlets and introductory broadcast reporting skills. The primary focus is on television news, but the course also covers radio news writing. Students will also gain introductory hands-on experience shooting, writing, and editing stories for use on the campus newscast. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or higher in MC 200 and 210.
MC 300 Feature Writing
3 credit hours – Students will build on the fundamental newswriting and newsgathering skills taught in MC 200 by practicing feature storytelling. Students in this course will refine these skills across mediums. The goal is for students to think like a multimodal storyteller in a deadline-driven environment – to develop story ideas; to craft effective pitches; to ask questions; to follow leads; to find untold stories; and above all to think critically and develop an open mind. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 200.
MC 305 Digital Writing and Content Management
3 credit hours – With a focus on the business of digital media, this course also trains students in digital campaign planning, analytics analysis and presentation skills, and search engine optimization of content across digital platforms. Students will get hands-on experience producing content for websites and social media channels. Prerequisite(s): MC 200 grade of C or higher.
MC 310 Publication Layout and Design
3 credit hours – In-depth layout and design for newspapers, magazines, brochures, and other publications using desktop-publishing software.
MC 315 Video Field and Post Production
3 credit hours – Electronic field production for video. Scripting, producing, and directing for location videography, including lighting techniques and audio recording, and the post-production process including basic Photoshop® and video editing. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 210.
MC 320 Multimedia Videojournalism
3 credit hours – Information Literacy – Videography for television and online news. On-camera interviewing techniques. Shooting, writing, and editing news stories for the weekly campus newscast. Students are not required to appear on camera. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 315 and 200.
MC 325 Survey of American Cinema
3 credit hours – General Education – Examining the impact, techniques, theories, and style of American cinema. Includes regular screening of movies.
MC 327 Television and Digital Reporting
3 credit hours – Students reporters combine their videography, writing, and editing skills to create news stories for use on the campus newscast and digital platforms, including websites and social media platforms. This course requires student reporters to appear on camera. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 265.
MC 330 Digital Filmmaking Fundamentals
3 credit hours – Digital Filmmaking Fundamentals is designed to develop the skills and knowledge of digital film production, concentrating on the areas of digital cinematography, narrative editing, and pre-production planning. Prerequisite(s): MC 210 grade of C or higher.
MC 333 Television Newscast Production
4 credit hours – Students work as producers, anchors, and reporters to create a weekly newscast. Course topics also include news judgment, time management, story and tease writing, anchoring, and on-camera performance, and management. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 210 and 265.
MC 347 Exploring Star Trek
3 credit hours – An exploration of the fandom and cultural influences of the Star Trek franchise. The course also examines how various Star Trek series and movies address societal issues, such as race, gender and sexuality, politics, ethics, etc. Includes regular screenings of movies and television episodes.
MC 355 Scriptwriting
3 credit hours – Advanced writing skills, including character, plot development, visualization, action and dialog for television and film scripts.
MC 357 Special Topics in Public Relations
3 credit hours – Varied topics in the field related to public relations agency work. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
MC 360 Mass Communication Theory and Media Effects
3 credit hours – Overview of research in media effects and mass communication theory.
MC 375 Strategies for Video in Social Media
3 credit hours – Using Internet-based video to promote products or issues in a professional setting, either as an entrepreneur or for a client. Includes analytics, social media applications, mobile video, and techniques to increase a video’s reach. Students will develop a plan to increase a video’s impact by using Web-based social and technical video techniques, apply the plan, and analyze the results.
MC 380 Film Theory
3 credit hours – A survey of the literature and films associated with classical film theory (1916-1958) and also film theory from the mid-twentieth century to the present. The course will consider the questions and answers early film theorists considered about the new art form of film. The course addresses semiotic, psychoanalytic, Marxist, feminist, and cognitive theories of film.
MC 391 XPression Graphics
3 credit hours – This course is designed to provide in depth instruction and practical experience with Ross XPression Studio. The course will cover the operational aspects of XPression studio for image creation, animation and playout control as well as industry standard concepts of TV Graphic Design. Students in the course are encouraged to practice and apply their skills in various productions in the MC program or across the College. Prerequisite(s): MC 210 or ART 250.
MC 400 Special Topics in Journalism
3 credit hours – Varied topics in the field, offered on a one-time basis. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
MC 405 Emerging Media
3 credit hours – Students will explore emerging trends in media and their effects on culture, politics, information, and journalism and other media-related fields. Students will also complete hands-on projects to gain experience with emerging media technology.
MC 411 Video Engineering
3 credit hours – Theoretical and practical application of video engineering principles in a modem digital broadcast environment, including working as technical crew for weekly newscasts. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 215.
MC 412 Audio Engineering
3 credit hours – Aesthetic and technical considerations for digital multi-track recording, mixing, and sound reinforcement. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 315.
MC 415 Advanced Video Post Production
3 credit hours – Philosophy and technical considerations in software based, non-linear video editing. Restricted to junior or senior MC majors. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 315 or 330.
MC 425 Documentary Production
3 credit hours – Individual projects completed under faculty supervision. Includes documentaries, dramas, animation, or other appropriate subjects. Topic must be approved by Instructor prior to registration Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 330 or MC 415.
Prerequisite(s) with concurrency allowed: MC 415.
MC 433 Advanced TV Newscast Production
4 credit hours – As Executive Producer, the student will gain advanced managerial experience in producing and overseeing the operations of the campus newscast. Consent of instructor required. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 333
MC 450 Seminar in Mass Communication
3 credit hours – In-depth examination of critical Mass Communication issues. May be repeated for credit as topics change.
MC 452 Public Relations Writing
3 credit hours – Writing Reinforcements – Writing news releases, videos, online material, fact sheets, position papers, and other PR-oriented messages.
MC 453 Advanced Journalism Practicum
3 credit hours – Practical experience in the production of the campus newspaper.
MC 455 Media Law and Ethics
3 credit hours – Examination of laws and ethical decision-making related to mass media.
MC 460 Media Management
3 credit hours – Management and motivational theories applied to print, broadcast, and cable industries.
MC 475 Internship
1-6 credit hours – Practical experience in a professional environment. May be repeated for a total of 6 credit hours on a pass/fail basis. Open to juniors and seniors only with departmental consent. Applications available in the departmental office.
MC 491 Directed Study
1-3 credit hours – Supervised, directed study in media related area. Faculty advisor must approve research topic the semester prior to registration.
MC 494 Location Production
3 credit hours – Theoretical and practical instruction in the techniques of advanced video production. Teamwork aspects of location production are emphasized. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 315 or 330.
MC 495 Broadcast Production Capstone
1 credit hour – Production of an advanced media project and e-portfolio with detailed critical analysis. Project topics and guidelines must be approved by faculty advisor the semester prior to registration. Broadcast Production senior in last 30 hours of study. Prerequisite(s): C or higher in MC 415.
MC 497 Digital Filmmaking Capstone
3 credit hours – Theoretical and practical instruction in advanced digital filmmaking. Teamwork aspects of filmmaking are emphasized. Students will learn the role of the Producer and Director in filmmaking, as well as how to create and control the visual and aural structure of a scene. Students will learn to plan and execute complex and creative visual images using digital filmmaking cameras, dollies, Steadicams, and other lens accessories. Lighting to support the visual message of a narrative will be applied and explored. The course will consist of lectures, analysis of film scenes and narratives, applied class exercises, and creation of creative short narrative films. Prerequisite(s): C or better in MC 210 and 355. Recommended: Completion of the History and Production requirements for the Digital Filmmaking Minor.
MC 499 Multimedia Journalism Capstone
3 credit hours – Information Literacy – Students report stories across print, television, and digital platforms. Students are required to create a portfolio. Prerequisite(s): MC 300 and 327.
