Department of Mass Communication

Undergraduate Mass Communication Course Descriptions

MCO 200. Introduction to Mass Communication
An overview of the process of mass communication and the mass media. The difference between human communication and mass communication; the elements, functions, impact and effects of mass communication; the profile of broadcasting, film, journalism, advertising and public relations; careers in mass communication. (Recommended to be taken prior to other MCO courses; not open to first semester freshmen.) Formerly CMA 200. 3 credits.

MCO 210. Advertising
A survey of the field of advertising as an activity of human communication emphasizing the concepts of creation, coordination and control of the advertising function. Not open to students who have taken MKT 306. Formerly CMA 210. 3 credits.

MCO 213. Public Relations
A study of public relations as an organized body of knowledge and a professional discipline examining the techniques of communication, methods, media, and other areas of public relations expertise. Not open to students who have taken MKT 315. Formerly CMA 213. 3 credits.

MCO 225. Broadcasting
History, technology, structure, and regulation of broadcasting in the United States, including a discussion of issues, trends and the impact of non-broadcast technologies such as cable, home video, etc., on the radio and television industry. Formerly CMA 225. 3 credits.

MCO 275. Journalism
The history, philosophies, ethics, and practices of the press with emphasis on newspapers. Basic news and feature writing as well as copyediting techniques will be stressed. Formerly CMA 275. 3 credits.

MCO 300. Media Law and Ethics
The legal and ethical issues related to the practice of mass communication: Federal and State laws regulating the media; freedom of information, libel, privacy, access, copyright, obscenity, advertising and broadcast regulation; ethical issues and problems related to the media; the social responsibility and self-regulation. Prerequisite: MCO 200. 3 credits.

MCO 301. Advertising Writing
An in-depth approach to creating advertising copy for newspapers, magazines, trade publications, radio, television, film, and specialty media. Prerequisite: CMA/MCO 210. Formerly CMA 301. 3 credits.

MCO 302. Advertising Media
An intensive study of the various factors that determine the choice of and placement in advertising media, with an emphasis on the analytical techniques necessary to devise an effective media campaign. Prerequisite: CMA/MCO 210. Formerly CMA 302. 3 credits.

MCO 310. Advanced Advertising and Sales Promotion
An intermediate level course which examines the various marketing components that influence the planning, execution and outcome of advertising and sales promotion campaigns. Special attention is paid to the importance of achieving a proper marketing mix to insure maximum communication effectiveness. Prerequisite: CMA/MCO 210. Formerly CMA 310. 3 credits.

MCO 311. Organizational Communication
Study of the role, functions and use of communication within business and non-profit organizations: the assessment of communication needs in organizations; planning of communication programs and activities; choice and use of different media and evaluation of communication programs. Prerequisite: CMA/MCO 213. Formerly CMA 311. 3 credits.

MCO 312. Communication Graphics
The creative use of typography, layout and design in print media, advertising, and public relations; basic knowledge of various printing processes and computer graphics. Prerequisite: CMA/MCO 200. Formerly CMA 312. 3 credits.

MCO 314. Multimedia Communication
An introduction to the basic concepts and practices of multimedia production, particularly emphasizing computer presentations for business and educational purposes. Students will develop original scripts into full multimedia projects utilizing graphics, animation, sound, and video. Prerequisite: CS 240 or equivalent, or permission of instructor. Special fee required. Formerly CMA 314. 3 credits.

MCO 317. Public Opinion Dynamics
A study of the formation, nature and role of public opinion in a democratic society; investigation of how persuasion and propaganda effects are achieved via mass communication. Formerly CMA 317. 3 credits.

MCO 320. Direct and Mail Order Advertising
Study of direct and mail order advertising. Topics include mailing lists, direct mail, copy writing, planning and creation of direct mail packages, telemarketing, research and evaluation techniques. Prerequisite: CMA/MCO 210. Formerly CMA 320. 3 credits.

MCO 325. Online Resources for Mass Communication
This course introduces students to the use of the Internet as a resource and a tool of mass communication. Topics of study include the Internet as an information source, the use of the Internet in different areas of mass communication, and Web site design, production and aesthetics. Prerequisite: MCO 200. 3 credits.

MCO 326. Race and Gender in Mass Communication
This course examines the role of the media in constructions of race and gender in society. It also analyzes race and gender issues related to media representations, media ownership and media workforce. 3 credits.

MCO 327. Television Studio Production
Techniques of television production from scripting to directing; topics of study include elements of various forms of television writing, production, design, lighting, graphics, program planning and production practices in a workshop setting. Lab hours and special fee required. Prerequisite: MCO 225. Formerly CMA 438. 3 credits.

MCO 329. Radio Production
A laboratory study of the basics of audio and radio production; conducting informal interviews; script writing for radio commercials and announcements; the implementation of format and the evaluation of studio performance. Lab hours and special fee required. Formerly MCO 429. Prerequisite: MCO 225. Formerly CMA 329. 3 credits.

MCO 330. Broadcast Journalism
The content, techniques, structure, impact, and limitations of electronic journalism; basic script models; the informative interview; news stories with actualities for radio and television; the planning of radio and television newscasts. Formerly CMA 430. Prerequisite: MCO 225 or MCO 275. 3 credits.

MCO 377. News Reporting and Writing
An intensive study of copy preparation and news reporting and writing for the print medium: basic and advanced skills of reporting and writing; structure and style of news stories and news features. Formerly CMA 377. Prerequisite: MCO 275 or MCO 213. Formerly CMA 377. 3 credits.

MCO 386. Photo Communications
A critical study of the potential of still photography as a medium of communication and its creative use in mass communication; practical instruction in the use of cameras, lenses and lighting. Lab work not included. Prerequisite: MCO 200. Formerly CMA 386. 3 credits.

MCO 387. Magazine Concepts
A study of the principles and practices of magazine editing and publishing: historical analysis of the magazine industry and of specific types of magazines; editorial objectives and formulas; various stages of the planning and editing of general interest magazines. Formerly CMA 387. 3 credits.

MCO 388. Sports Journalism
An advanced course in reporting and writing on sports for the print and broadcast media. Topics of study include coverage of sports events, interviews, profiles, columns, investigative stories, and analysis and commentaries. Prerequisite CMA/MCO 275 and word processing skills. Formerly CMA 388. 3 credits.

MCO 389. Online Journalism
This course familiarizes students with the use of online information sources in reporting and information gathering. Topics of study include the use of databases and the Internet for information gathering and computer-assisted reporting, critical evaluation of Internet content and the legal and ethical implications of online journalism. Formerly CMA 389. Prerequisite: MCO 275. 3 credits.

MCO 397. Research Methods in Mass Communication
The course focuses on the theory and methodology of applied mass communication research. Topics include reviews of literature, interviews, case studies, surveys, historical analysis; content analyses and focus groups. Formerly CMA 397. Prerequisite: MCO 200. 3 credits.

MCO 399. International Communication
A comparative study of the mass communication and media systems of nations under varying social, political and economic systems; their development, structure, function and current state; political and economic factors that influence them; factors that facilitate or restrict the flow of national and international communication in those countries. Formerly CMA 399. 3 credits.

MCO 403. Advertising Campaigns
A presentation of the skills necessary to design, implement and manage advertising campaigns, with an emphasis on planning and decision-making procedures applied to specific advertising problems. Prerequisite: MCO 302. Formerly CMA 403. 3 credits.

MCO 410. Public Relations Case Studies
Case Studies of typical public relations problems in industry, labor, education, government, social agencies and trade associations. Prerequisite: MCO 213. Formerly CMA 410. 3 credits.

MCO 413. Publicity Campaigns
Developing and implementing public relations campaigns; hands-on experience in designing and producing materials for campaigns; emphasis on use of planning and evaluation techniques. Prerequisite: CMA 213. Formerly CMA 413. 3 credits.

MCO 415. Internet Advertising
This course focuses on the fundamental principles of interactive advertising. Emphasis is on positioning products and services to reach specialized markets and users of the Internet. Prerequisite: MCO 210. 3 credits.

MCO 417. Advertising Media Sales
This course provides students with an understanding of principles and techniques of effective advertising media sales. It provides a comprehensive approach to understanding the media account management process as it applies to all forms of mass media as well as integrated marketing communications. Prerequisite: MCO 210. 3 credits.

MCO 426. T.V. and Cable Programming
A structural and critical examination of television and cable programming: genres, strategies, programming practices, criticism, regulations, issues and trends. Prerequisite: MCO 225. Formerly CMA 426. 3 credits.

MCO 428. Video Production
A course in the setting up and operation of portable video equipment, as well as writing and production of various video program forms. Lab hours and special fee required. Prerequisite: MCO 225 or permission of the instructor. Formerly CMA 428. 3 credits.

MCO 439. Advanced Radio Production
Studio course designed to familiarize the student with procedures and techniques that characterize operation of a professional radio station. Special fee required. Prerequisite: MCO 329. 3 credits.

MCO 447. Advanced Television Production
This course provides the study and working knowledge of advanced television studio production. Students will be taught more advanced varieties of television production and will apply that knowledge toward the actual production of programs. Prerequisite: MCO 327. 3 credits.

MCO 448. Advanced Video Production
Advanced video production is designed as a continuation and enhancement of the skills first mastered in the basic video production course (CMA 428). Students will produce "cable ready" feature programs both on an individual and group basis in a guided workshop format. Students will be introduced to computerized editing. Lab hours required. Prerequisite: MCO 338. Formerly CMA 448. 3 credits.

MCO 449. Writing for TV and Video
This course is designed to give the beginning student an overview of screenwriting specifically for the television and video industry. Concepts to be introduced include: various media formats, concept developments, plot developments, writing treatments, scene construction, character development, idea generation, brainstorming and marketing. Prerequisite: MCO 225. 3 credits.

MCO 476. Feature Writing
Preparation of feature articles for the print media: discovering and researching ideas; techniques of writing various kinds of feature articles, emphasizing human-interest factors and literary devices. Prerequisite: MCO 275. Formerly CMA 476. 3 credits.

MCO 478. Copy Editing
A detailed study of contemporary copy editing practices: the role and responsibilities of the copy editor; techniques of news editing, headline writing and photo editing; basics of newspaper layout. Prerequisite: MCO 275 or MCO 213. Formerly CMA 478. 3 credits.

MCO 487. Specialty Publications
The principles and practices of editing publications such as brochures, newsletters and specialty magazines for business and non-profit organizations: planning, editing, design, production and circulation. Prerequisite: MCO 213 or 275. Formerly CMA 487. 3 credits.

MCO 491, 492, 493. Independent Research in Mass Communication
A guided independent study on a topic in mass communication. Regular meetings with the instructor required. A final research paper or project to be submitted at the end of the course. Prerequisite: Senior Status and permission of department chair. Formerly CMA 491, 492, 493. 1-3 credits.

MCO 494-495. Special Topics in Mass Communication
Designed to offer an extensive study opportunity in an area of specialization not covered in great depth by existing courses. Topics such as "Media Management," "Educational Broadcasting," "Editorial Writing," "Women and Film," "Desktop Publishing" and "Web Page Design" may be offered. This course may be taken a second time for an additional 3 credits. Prerequisite: Majors with senior status. Formerly CMA 496. 3 Credits

MCO 496. Seminar in Mass Communication
A synthesis of theoretical knowledge and applied research skills in student's area of specialization in mass communication. It is the culminating experience of the BA program in mass communication. Capstone Course. Prerequisite: Majors with senior status. Formerly CMA 496. 3 credits.

MCO 498. Internship in Mass Communication
Participation in an off-campus, supervised work experience at a media organization. Regular meetings with the internship coordinator, periodic reports, as well as a final paper relating the work experience to the student's coursework in mass communication required. Prerequisite: Majors with senior status and good academic standing and permission of undergraduate coordinator or department chair. Formerly CMA 498. 3 credits