USF 1997-98 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 92 - 93 | Course Descriptions |
The School of Mass Communications, accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications, offers approximately 70 courses varying in content from the highly technical and field-specialized in some cases to an essential liberal arts orientation in others. The program introduces students to the theories, principles, and problems of communications, emphasizing the concept of freedom of information as the cornerstone of Constitutional Democracy and preparing students for future leadership roles in communications media. Graduates should understand the structure and functions of mass media systems as well as the basic processes of communication. In addition, students specialize in an area of mass communications (advertising, journalism, public relations, or telecommunications) to blend a strong introduction to professional skills with the theoretical orientation.
Majors seeking careers in the mass media will be directed to the various media with which the School maintains close contact for summer internships, practica and part-time work. A limited number of students will have the opportunity to serve as interns with a mass communications organization and take MMC 4945 for three hours credit. See MMC 4945 in catalog course listings.
Note: Students may not receive credit for both an internship (MMC 4945) and a practicum (ADV 4940, JOU 3940, JOU 4941, PUR 4700, RTV 3941, RTV 4942, VIC 3943).
To be admitted to the core curriculum in Mass Communications, students must have completed 45 hours with a 2.7 minimum Overall Grade Point Average, and ENC 1101 and 1102 with a minimum grade of "C" in each. Applicants must establish a minimum score of 60 percent on the Mass Communications Diagnostic Test prior to entering MMC 2100 (Writing for Mass Media). Both courses in the Mass Communications core curriculum (MMC 2100 and MMC 3602) must be completed with a minimum grade of "C" before any other Mass Communications course may be taken. Students failing to achieve a minimum grade of "C" in both MMC 2100 and MMC 3602 will be disallowed as majors in the School. A 2.5 GPA in Mass Communications courses is required for graduation, and no student may graduate with a grade lower than "C" in any Mass Communications course.
The Mass Communications major requires six hours of core curriculum courses (MMC 2100 and MMC 3602) and 28 hours of a combination of required and selective sequence courses for a total of 34 hours in Mass Communications within the 124-hour degree requirement. Six hours in Mass Communications writing courses (three hours in addition to MMC 2100) are a part of the graduation requirement.
Mass Communications majors are required to take a minimum of 90 hours in courses outside the journalism and mass communications areas, with no fewer than 65 hours in the basic liberal arts and sciences. (Liberal Arts courses are listed in materials available from the School program advisor.) To facilitate this, no more than 34 hours of Mass Communications courses may be applied toward the bachelor's degree within the 124-hour graduation requirement. Mass Communications majors taking more than 34 hours of Mass Communications courses, regardless of the departments in which those courses are listed, must add those hours to the 124 hours required for graduation. In particular, film and photography courses offered in other departments may be considered to be Mass Communications courses and added to the 124-hour degree requirement.
A maximum of nine semester hours in Mass Communications courses will be accepted from a community college or other lower-level program toward a degree in Mass Communications. It is suggested that the nine hours include the equivalent of the School core curriculum and one sequence introduction course. Approval by an appropriate advisor is required.
At least eighteen (18) hours of resident School courses are required.
All material submitted by students as assignments in writing, reporting, editing, photography and electronic news gathering and production classes is subject to publication or broadcast. The School uses a variety of print and electronic media outlets.
Sign Language may be used as an option by Mass Communications majors to fulfill the language requirement.
The School sequence requirements are:
School Core Curriculum - MMC 2100 (3), MMC 3602 (3)
Sequence Requirements
Selective Requirements (9 hrs. required, selected with advisor's approval)
Note: The following courses are required outside the School to complete sequence requirements: ACG 3074, ECO 1000, and MAR 3023. See specific courses for prerequisites.
News-Editorial Option - JOU 2100 (3), JOU 3101 (3), JOU 4104 (3), JOU 4200 (3), JOU 4206 (3), MMC 4200 (3) or PGY 3610 (3)
Selective Requirements (10 hrs. required, selected with advisor's approval)
Magazine Option - JOU 2100 (3), JOU 3101 (3), JOU 3300 (3), JOU 4200 (3), MMC 4200 (3), MMC 4420 (3), MMC 4936 (3)
Selective Requirements (7 hrs. required, selected with advisor's approval)
Note: The following courses are required outside the School to complete sequence requirements: ECO 1000, PHI 1103, POS 2041, and POS 2112 or POS 3142, and SYG 3010. For Magazine sequence, CRW 2100 is also required. See specific courses for prerequisites.
Selective Requirements (7 hrs. required, selected with advisor's approval)
Note: The following courses are required outside the School to complete sequence requirements: ECO 1000, MAN 3025, POS 2041, and POS 2112 or POS 3142.
News Option - MMC 4200 (3), MMC 4420 (3), RTV 3001 (3), RTV 3304 (4), RTV 4301 (3)
Selective Requirements (12 hrs. required, selected with advisor's approval)
Programming and Production Option - MMC 4200 (3), MMC 4420 (3), RTV 2100 (3), RTV 3001 (3), RTV 3304 (4), RTV 4220 (3), RTV 4320 (3), RTV 4500 (3)
Selective Requirements (3 hrs. required, selected with advisor's approval)
Note: The following courses are required outside the School to complete sequence requirements:
Selective Requirements (6 hrs. required, selected with advisor's approval)
Note: Most Mass Communications courses have prerequisites. They are specified in the course description. Refer to each prerequisite listed to determine progressive prerequisites for each course.
This is a limited access program. Students wishing to transfer to USF should complete the A.A. degree at the community college. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education Requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university. A minimum of 60 semester hours must be completed at the university unless prior approval is secured. If students transfer without an A.A. degree and have fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the students must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements.
The transfer student should also be aware of the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university.
Students should complete 18 semester hours outside the Mass Communications curriculum at the lower level prior to entering the University. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they must be completed before the degree is granted. A grade of “C” is the minimum acceptable grade. Students are encouraged to complete the following prerequisites, or major, support, or elective courses if available, during the program of study at the community college, and when feasible in General Education/Gordon Rule courses.
Prior to being admitted to the School of Mass Communications, a student must:
Complete a minimum of 45 semester hours including all General Education requirements and six hours of English composition (with a minimum grade of "C"), earn a 2.7 overall GPA, and pass a School-administered English diagnostic test.
The minor in Mass Communications is available to students pursuing any other major at USF. Students who wish to minor must apply for admission to the School of Mass Communications and must meet all admission standards required of majors. Please see "Requirements for the Major in Mass Communications" for more admission information.
The minor in Mass Communcations requires a minimum of 18 hours of School coursework, including: MMC 2100 (3), MMC 3602 (3)
The other 12 hours may be selected from among School offerings and must include a minimum of 9 hours at the 3000-level or higher. All major course prerequisites must be met. A grade of "D" or "F" will not be counted toward a mass communications minor and a 2.5 grade point average in all minor coursework must be maintained. All minor hours must be completed at USF.
USF 1997-98 Undergraduate Catalog - Page 105
USF 1997-98 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 137 - 139
ADV 3000 INTRODUCTION TO ADVERTISING (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. A study of the structures, functions, and persuasive language of advertising in mass media with attention to social, political, economic, and legal aspects.
ADV 3002 ADVERTISING DESIGN (3)
PR: ADV 3000 for advertising sequence majors; VIC 3000 for other Mass Comm majors. Application of graphic design principles to various areas of advertising. Combining visual and verbal elements effectively.
ADV 3101 ADVERTISING COPYWRITING (3)
PR: ADV 3000 and ECO 1000. Study of laboratory experience in preparation of advertising copy for newspapers, magazines, radio, television, direct mail, outdoor displays, specialty items, and interactive electronic media.
ADV 3103 RADIO-TELEVISION ADVERTISING (3)
PR: ADV 3000. An intensive study and analysis of radio and television for advertising purposes, including copywriting, script and storyboard preparation, time buying and selling techniques, audience research methods, and basic production concepts.
ADV 3300 ADVERTISING MEDIA STRATEGY (3)
PR: ACG 3074, ADV 3000, and ECO 1000. Problems, techniques, strategy of media research, planning, budgeting and effective utilization in advertising.
ADV 3700 RETAIL ADVERTISING PLANNING AND EXECUTION (3)
PR: ADV 3000 and ADV 3101. A study of retail advertising, including management decisions, processes, procedures, media planning, production techniques, and problems affecting the development of advertising to fulfill retail objectives.
ADV 4800 ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS (3)
PR: ADV 3101, ADV 3300, MMC 4420, ECO 1000, and MAR 3023. Advanced advertising course requiring planning and production of complete general advertising campaign, including research, production methods, budgeting, and media schedules.
ADV 4940 ADVERTISING PRACTICUM (1)
PR: CI. For advertising sequence majors. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study. (S/U only.)
FIL 2200 THE FILM AS MASS COMMUNICATION II: RHETORIC AND STYLISTICS (3)
PR: FIL 3004. A continuation of FIL 3004 to include the effective arrangements of scenes and sequences in motion picture and television films.
FIL 3004 THE FILM AS MASS COMMUNICATION I: SYNTAX (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. The language, conventions, elements, and patterns of the film medium as related to current models of effective mass communication and new theories of nonverbal communication.
FIL 4404 SOCIAL HISTORY OF THE FILM, 1945 TO THE PRESENT (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. The development of the film from 1945 to the present.
JOU 2100 BEGINNING REPORTING (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. Basic instruction in news judgment, sources of news, newsgathering, and newswriting techniques. Typing ability is required.
JOU 3101 ADVANCED REPORTING (3)
PR: POS 2041, JOU 2100, or RTV 3304 (RTV majors only), JOU 4200 (may be taken concurrently), and PHI 1103. Getting information and writing the more complex and specialized story, techniques of investigative and analytical reporting, including ethical and legal considerations.
JOU 3300 MAGAZINE ARTICLE AND FEATURE WRITING (3)
PR: CRW 2100 and JOU 2100. Planning, researching, writing, and marketing articles for general and special interest magazines and newspaper magazine supplements; experiences in developing article idea; inductive analysis of contemporary magazine articles.
JOU 3306 CRITICAL WRITING: EDITORIALS, REVIEWS, COLUMNS (3)
PR: JOU 3101, JOU 4200. Interpretive and opinion writing for the mass media. Analysis and discussion of current events as a basis for critical thinking and editorial writing; evaluation of editorial pages of leading newspapers. Study of journalistic techniques involved in personal columns.
JOU 3940 REPORTING PRACTICUM (1)
PR: JOU 3101 and CI. For news-editorial sequence majors. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study. (S/U only.)
JOU 4104 PUBLIC AFFAIRS REPORTING (3)
PR: JOU 3101or RTV 3304 (RTV majors only), POS 2041 and POS 3142 or POS 2112. Covering city council meetings, courthouse, city hall, courts, society, and other special assignments. Emphasis is on coverage of major governmental units of all levels of government, including examination and interpretation of public documents and records.
JOU 4200 NEWS EDITING I (3)
PR: ECO 1000, JOU 2100, and SYG 3010. Evaluating news and its display; editing and rewriting copy for the mass media, with emphasis on the daily newspaper; news judgment, headlines, makeup; ethical problems.
JOU 4206 NEWSPAPER DESIGN AND TYPOGRAPHY (3)
PR: JOU 4200 or CI. Theoretical and practical applications of newspaper design; problems in newspaper layout; the research of newspaper typography and design and its application; redesign of contemporary newspapers.
JOU 4941 EDITING PRACTICUM (1)
PR: Senior standing, JOU 4200 and CI. For news-editorial sequence majors. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study. (S/U only.)
JOU 4944 MAGAZINE PRACTICUM (1)
PR: Senior standing and CI. For magazine sequence majors. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study. (S/U only.)
JOU 5116 EXPLORATIONS IN NEWSWRITING (3)
PR: CC. Students work to develop writing styles, reporting on and creating stories about significant issues, events, and ideas. The course explores the notion that narrative-style journalism can be accurate, thorough, fair, and compelling, effectively bringing readers into stories and giving them a bigger stake in the news. The focus is on going beyond traditional practices of reporting and writing news stories.
MMC 2100 WRITING FOR THE MASS MEDIA (3)
PR: Sophomore standing; 2.7 overall grade point average; grade of "C" in ENC 1101, ENC 1102, and passing score on English Diagnostic Test. An introduction to the basic skills of writing for the mass media with practice in library research, persuasive writing, and informational writing.
MMC 3602 MASS COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIETY (3)
PR: Sophomore standing. A survey of the history, theory, processes, and philosophy of mass communications and the mass media in the United States, and their relationship to the other major institutions of American society.
MMC 4123 MEDIA SCRIPT WRITING (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. An introduction to the techniques of writing scripts for photographic and multi-media presentation, electronic media, and industrial and documentary film.
MMC 4200 HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATIONS LAW (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. Historical and constitutional backgrounds of freedom and control of expression, statutory enactments, major court decisions and administrative rulings which affect print media, telecommunications, advertising, and public relations.
MMC 4203 COMMUNICATION ETHICS (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602 or CI. A study of the fundamental principles and philosophies of ethics and their application to the decision-making process in the various professions of mass communications.
MMC 4420 RESEARCH METHODS IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. An introduction to the theory and practice of quantitative and historical research methods as applicable to the study of media and mass communications. Emphasis on survey research, evaluation of data, and report writing.
MMC 4900 DIRECTED READING IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS (1-3)
PR: Junior standing and CI. Reading and directed study in special topics.
MMC 4910 INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS (1-3)
PR: Junior standing and CI. The course provides means for a student to do independent study in an area not covered by a numbered course.
MMC 4936 SELECTED TOPICS IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS STUDIES (1-3)
PR: MMC 2100, MMC 3602 and CI. Courses designed to meet current or specific topics of interest to instructors and students.
MMC 4945 MEDIA INTERNSHIP-SEMINAR (3)
PR: CI and 15 hours in Mass Comm. courses and completion of an 8-12 week paid media internship with newspaper, broadcast station, or other media-related agency approved by the School. Reports on experiences for discussion and evaluation. (S/U only.)
PGY 2110C COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY (3)
PR: PGY 3620. Laboratory required. Development of knowledge and skills of color photography for publication and presentation. Emphasis is on the use of transparency and negative color materials in their application to the media.
PGY 3610 PHOTOJOURNALISM I (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. Laboratory required. Camera operation, darkroom techniques, picture composition; editing, ethics, history, and laws in connection with photojournalism.
PGY 3620 PHOTOJOURNALISM II (3)
PR: PGY 3610. Laboratory required. Advanced process and practice of photography for publication. Content includes advanced camera and laboratory techniques, publication requirements, and theory of photochemical color separation used in magazine and newspaper. Emphasis is placed on student production.
PUR 3000 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. The underlying theory and professional practice of public relations within corporate and institutional structures and its vital role in society; ethical standards of practice, and relationships of the practice to the public media; public relations problem-solving process.
PUR 4001 ADVANCED PUBLIC RELATIONS (3)
PR: PUR 4401, PUR 4100, and MMC 4420. As the final course in the public relations sequence, it involves intensive study of counseling and problem-solving techniques used in professional practice. Analysis of case studies and preparation of complete public relations program. Extensive reading in the literature of contemporary practice.
PUR 4100 WRITING FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS (3)
PR: JOU 2100 and PUR 3000. Techniques for creating effective written public relations communications to achieve organizational goals, including news releases, proposal letters, broadcast scripts, and memos. Exercises based on case study scenarios.
PUR 4401 PUBLIC RELATIONS: ISSUES, PRACTICES AND PROBLEMS (3)
PR: PUR 3000. The theory of public relations practice and its application in the real world. The role of the public relations practitioner in business, government, and social institutions, and the nature of specialized areas of the practice. Identification of public issues, analysis of potential impact on organizations and development of strategies to deal with them successfully and responsibly. Communication techniques and trends.
PUR 4700 PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTICUM (1)
PR: Senior standing and CI. For public relations sequence majors. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study. (S/U only.)
RTV 2100 WRITING FOR RADIO AND TV (3)
PR: ENC 3310 or CRW 2100 and RTV 3001. The art and practice of script writing for radio and television.
RTV 3001 INTRODUCTION TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. A survey of the organization, structure, and function of the broadcasting industry.
RTV 3210 RADIO PRODUCTION AND DIRECTION (3)
PR: RTV 3001. Radio production and direction; laboratory and broadcast experiences.
RTV 3225 VIDEO WORKSHOP (1)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. An introduction to the techniques and applications of field television production and electronic editing.
RTV 3304 BROADCAST NEWS (4)
PR: MMC 3602 and MMC 2100. Methods in gathering, writing, and editing newscasts for radio and television.
RTV 3941 RADIO PRACTICUM (1)
PR: RTV 3001 and CI. For telecommunications sequence majors. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study. (S/U only.)
RTV 4220 TV PRODUCTION AND DIRECTION (3)
PR: RTV 3001 and RTV 3304. A basic course in the techniques of producing and directing TV programs.
RTV 4301 TV NEWS (3)
PR: RTV 3001 and RTV 3304. Techniques in writing and video taping for television news.
RTV 4320 ELECTRONIC FIELD PRODUCTION (3)
PR: RTV 3001 and RTV 3304. Advanced producing, scripting, lighting, camera, and editing for video production on location. Introduction to computer editing and graphics.
RTV 4500 TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMMING (3)
PR: RTV 3001. Program concepts, resources, costs, selection and scheduling. Analysis of programming in terms of structures, appeals and strengths.
RTV 4700 TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW AND POLICY (3)
PR: for broadcast news option: RTV 3001, RTV 3304, MMC 4200, POS 3142 or POS 2112; for programming option: RTV 3001, RTV 4500, RTV 2100 or RTV 3304, and Senior standing. A study of the electronic media from the perspective of governmental regulation and the political process with special emphasis on how regulatory policy is determined.
RTV 4942 TV PRACTICUM (1)
PR: RTV 4220 and CI. For telecommunications sequence majors. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study. (S/U only.)
VIC 3000 INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS (3)
PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. The survey of visual communication theory, techniques, and their contemporary application and social influences as applied to the visual media with emphasis on still photography, motion pictures, video tape, and graphics.
VIC 3943 VISUAL COMMUNICATION PRACTICUM (1)
PR: Senior standing and CI. For visual communications sequence majors. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study. (S/U only.)
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Karen M. Hall - webCat@ugs.usf.edu
Effective Date: Semester I, 1997
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/9798/masscomm.htm