M.A. in Mass Communication

M.A. IN MASS COMMUNICATION

Fall Semester

Optional

MCO 719 — Teaching Techniques in Mass Communication — 3

Spring Semester

Summer Classes

COURSE DESCRIPTION

MCO 701: Service Learning in Communication Graduate Study:

Permission of instructor and concurrent enrollment in a communication, media, or journalism course designated as a service learning offering. This service component for an existing course incorporates community service with classroom instruction in communications to provide an integrative learning experience that addresses the practice of citizenship and promotes an awareness of and participation in public affairs, agency, or public service provider. Approved service placements and assignments will vary depending on the course topic and learning objectives; a list of approved placements and assignments is available from the instructor and the Citizenship and Service Learning Office.

MCO 711: Quantitative Analysis in Communication Research:

Quantitative research designs and statistical tools used in human communication research. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics, validity and reliability, hypothesis testing, and analysis and interpretation of computer assisted research. Students may design and carry out individual research projects.

MCO 713: Media Resources for Organizations:

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore the interface of profit and non-profit organizations with television, radio, newspapers and the internet to enhance organizational effectiveness. The course is project based focusing on developing specific media resources to meet strategic organizational communication goals.

MCO 714: Qualitative Analysis in Communication Research:

Qualitative approaches to studying human communication. Topics include in-depth interviewing, survey methods, observation and coding techniques in structured and naturalistic settings, and interpretive data analysis. Students may be required to design and complete research.

MCO 715: Mass Media and Society:

A seminar devoted to analysis and discussion of significant contemporary issues in mass communication, including a study of the history of the development of mass communication media.

MCO 716: Theories of Mass Communication:

Examination of the literature of mass communication theory and discussion of theoretical approaches and models.

MCO 717: Research Methods in Mass Communication:

Investigation of the tools and techniques of both qualitative and quantitative research methods used in the study of mass communication, including surveys, content analysis, experimental designs and case studies.

MCO 719: Teaching Techniques in Mass Communication:

Required of, and open only to, graduate teaching and instructional assistants as a condition of employment. This course provides training and planned periodic evaluations of instructional responsibilities.

MCO 721: Special Topics in Mass Communication:

Seminar examining leading work in and about mass communication to give students an in-depth study of special topics.

MCO 722: Media Ethics.

The study of freedom and responsibilities of mass media practitioners and institutions, explored within the framework of ethical theories. Students will learn philosophical constructs as formulated by traditional philosophers as well as contemporary ethicists. Consideration of values, codes of ethics, moral development, professionalism, and institutional constraints as applied to media of information, persuasion, and entertainment.

MCO 723: Seminar in New Media Technology Issues:

This course will examine new technologies such as the Internet, computers, cable, DVD and other digital technologies. Issues discussed will include convergence, digital divide; the role communication will play in the new media environment, diffusion, and the impact of new media technologies on society and culture.

MCO 724: The Internet and Mass Communication:

The course will critically examine the theories, methods, and applications of communicating on the Internet. The course includes designing and writing for the web and techniques used in media management, advertising, public relations, print, and broadcasting. Students will demonstrate the strategies and principles learned through a final web project.

MCO 725: Intensive Research for Communication Specialists:

Planning and conducting a research/investigative project emphasizing one or several common mass communication research and information-gathering techniques.

MCO 727: Gender, Race, and Class and the Media:

This course takes a theoretical approach to the study of representations of gender, race, and class in the mass media and the lives of the media professionals who belong to marginalized groups. A historical overview will be followed by an in-depth look at current conditions.

MCO 728: International Communication Issues:

This course examines the media systems worldwide in different socioeconomic contexts and studies the patterns of international information flow. The course includes theories governing international communication. Students learn how and why communication takes place between different nations and the impact of this communication on individual nations.

MCO 724: Seminar in Advertising and Public Relations:

This course analyzes advertising and public relations issues using an integrated communication framework. Students are introduced to the advertising and public relations decision-making process, learn what problems real organizations experience and evaluate how they resolve issues in such areas as client-agency relationships, strategic planning/management, globalization, channel integration, cyber marketing, evaluation, etc.

MCO 742: Multimedia Design and Production:

This course will address the theories and practice of digital video production, including nonlinear editing, graphics creation, multi-channel audio mixing, and streaming video. The course is designed for the novice editor with the expectation that students complete a creative project for distribution by the electronic media.

MCO 725: Seminar in Media Regulation and Responsibility:

Study of laws and regulations as they pertain to media operations and the internal and external codes that guide media behavior.

MCO 736: Creative Problem Solving in Mass Communication:

This class examines the psychology of creativity and its application in mass communication to media management, broadcasting, advertising, and public relations. Students learn a variety of ideation techniques and structured creative problem solving methods to better understand their own creative thinking process, and how to facilitate creative thinking in groups

MCO 737: Editing for Clear Communication:

This course explores the role of editors in gate keeping and how writing varies by audience and medium. Designed to teach students how to edit using Associated Press style while focusing on accuracy, organization, logic, style and meaning.

MCO 727: Seminar in Media Management.

MCO 789: Internship in Mass Communication:

Students acquire on-the-job experience in an off-campus media setting where they can apply the skills and knowledge acquired through mass communication graduate course work.

789.1 Internship in Broadcast Journalism.

789.2 Internship in Public Relations.

789.3 Internship in Radio Production.

789.4 Internship in Television Production.

789.5 Internship in Print Journalism.

MCO 799: Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollment. On direct extension program The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

799. 1 Graduate Thesis in Broadcast Journalism.

799.2 Graduate Thesis in Public Relations.

799.3 Graduate Thesis in Radio Production.

799.4 Graduate Thesis in Television Production.

799.5 Graduate Thesis in Print Journalism.

SMG 799: Thesis