Communication Studies: Mass Communication Option

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(BA)

This option provides students with a well-rounded approach to understanding the role of mass communication in creating and sustaining social systems. The concentrations in this option provide students with either a practical or theoretical orientation to the study of electronic media. Students select Broadcast News, Electronic Media Production or Media Studies.

Broadcast News Concentration

This concentration is designed to provide the knowledge, values, perspectives and skills necessary to understand the roles, functions, and operations of broadcast news.

Total Semester Hours: 45

Department Core

Total Semester Hours: 12

SPC 2010 - Introduction to Communication Theories. Credits: 3
SPC 2020 - Communication Research. Credits: 3
SPC 2030 - Applied Communication. Credits: 3
SPC 2040 - Argumentation and Critical Thinking. Credits: 3

Option Core

Total Semester Hours: 21

JOU 2101 - News Writing I. Credits: 3
JOU 3610 - Broadcast News Writing. Credits: 3
or SPC 3610
JOU 3620 - Electronic News Gathering. Credits: 3
or SPC 3620
JOU 4102 - Journalism Ethics. Credits: 3
JOU 4771 - Communication Law. Credits: 3
SPC 2525 - Electronic Production I. Credits: 3
SPC 2575 - Electronic Production II. Credits: 3
SPC 3610 - Broadcast News Writing. Credits: 3
or JOU 3610
SPC 3620 - Electronic News Gathering. Credits: 3
or JOU 3620

Select Twelve Hours From

JOU 2950 - Introduction to Visual Communication. Credits: 3
JOU 3000 - Advanced Reporting and Research Credits: 3
JOU 3001 - News Photography. Credits: 3
JOU 3706 - Sports Writing Credits: 3
JOU 3950 - Special Topics. Credits: 1 to 3
(if applicable)
JOU 4761 - Advanced New Media Design. Credits: 3
JOU 4900 - Journalism Seminar. Credits: 3
SPC 2520 - Introduction to Mass Communication. Credits: 3
SPC 2550 - Broadcast Announcing. Credits: 3
SPC 3520 - Radio Production. Credits: 3
SPC 3540 - Video Production. Credits: 3
SPC 3750 - Computer Mediated Communication I. Credits: 3
SPC 3752 - Computer Mediated Communication II. Credits: 3
SPC 4030 - Seminar. Credits: 3
(if applicable)
SPC 4275 - Internship. Credits: 1 to 12
SPC 4500 - Topics in Electronic Media Production. Credits: 3
(if applicable)
SPC 4850 - Topics in Computer Mediated Communication. Credits: 3
(if applicable)

Suggested Four-Year Plan of Study

First Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3

ENG 1001G - Composition and Language. Credits: 3
SPC 1310G - Introduction to Speech Communication. Credits: 3
or Mathematics
SPC 2525 - Electronic Production I. Credits: 3

First Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 16

Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
Science with Lab Credits: 4

ENG 1002G - Composition and Literature. Credits: 3
SPC 1310G - Introduction to Speech Communication. Credits: 3
or Mathematics
SPC 2575 - Electronic Production II. Credits: 3

Second Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
Science: Credits 3

JOU 2101 - News Writing I. Credits: 3
SPC 2010 - Introduction to Communication Theories. Credits: 3
or SPC 2030
SPC 2020 - Communication Research. Credits: 3
or SPC 2040
SPC 2030 - Applied Communication. Credits: 3
or SPC 2010
SPC 2040 - Argumentation and Critical Thinking. Credits: 3
or SPC 2020

Second Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
Elective. Credits: 3

SPC 2010 - Introduction to Communication Theories. Credits: 3
or SPC 2030
SPC 2020 - Communication Research. Credits: 3
or SPC 2040
SPC 2030 - Applied Communication. Credits: 3
or SPC 2010
SPC 2040 - Argumentation and Critical Thinking. Credits: 3
or SPC 2020

Third Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15-16

Science. Credits: 3
SPC Elective. Credits: 3
Elective. Credits: 3
FLG or Elective. Credits: 3-4

SPC 3610 - Broadcast News Writing. Credits: 3

Third Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15-16

SPC Elective. Credits: 3
Elective. Credits: 3
Elective. Credits: 3
FLG or Elective. Credits: 3-4

SPC 3620 - Electronic News Gathering. Credits: 3

Fourth Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

Elective or Senior Seminar. Credits: 3
SPC Elective. Credits: 3
Elective. Credits: 3
Elective. Credits: 3

JOU 4102 - Journalism Ethics. Credits: 3

Fourth Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

Elective or Senior Seminar. Credits: 3
SPC Elective. Credits: 3
Elective. Credits: 3
Elective. Credits: 3

JOU 4771 - Communication Law. Credits: 3

Electronic Media Production Concentration

This concentration is designed to provide the knowledge, values, perspectives and skills necessary to understand the roles, functions, and operations of various electronic media. This program of study is focused on balancing theoretical issues with practical experience.