Mass Communication (MCOM)
MCOM 1130. Media Literacy. 1 Hour.
This course requires students to critically examine and analyze media found in the world around them. Through in-class discussions, interactive media demonstrations and other experiences, this course helps students make sense of and control their media environments, as well as develop a critical approach to understanding and creating media.
Prerequisite: None.
MCOM 1300. Mass Communication. 3 Hours.
MCOM 1330. Analysis of Electronic Culture. 3 Hours.
This course will survey the history and theory of mass media in American society with an emphasis on issues in broadcast television, cable television, and print journalism. Topics addressed include the impact of the printing press; evolution of print media, telegraph, film camera, and wireless technologies; structure of contemporary media industries; influence of advertisers, regulatory agencies, and ratings services; production, distribution, and syndication systems; social influence and personal use of mass media content.
MCOM 1332. Writing For Mass Media. 3 Hours.
Designed to introduce writing for media across a wide spectrum of disciplines, this course will provide hands-on practice in basic writing skills for news, broadcast, the web, and public relations. Emphasis is placed on the enhancement of language and grammar skills.
MCOM 1371. Audio Production & Performance. 3 Hours.
This course surveys the mechanics of audio production and the operation of studio equipment. Students study and practice the use of microphone techniques, music, sound effects, and performance. They are introduced to digital audio production and appropriate audio software. Lecture and laboratory projects acquaint students with audio production requirements and responsibilities. Students receive practical hands-on experience with attention to mixing, recording, and editing. Students are expected to produce original content for broadcast on KSHU-FM.
MCOM 2362. News Reporting. 3 Hours.
This course covers theory and practice in covering news stories for mass media outlets, including those of public safety, government, education, health care, legal issues, and politics. Emphasis is placed on covering current events with written text, photos, audio and video.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332, MCOM 1371.
MCOM 2366. Film Appreciation. 3 Hours.
This course uses the film medium to integrate cinematic history and criticism. Production elements such as lighting, sound and character development, as well as genres, themes and narrative pattern will be analyzed. Emphasis is placed on writing critically about the film.
MCOM 2371. TV & Film Production. 3 Hours.
This course introduces students to the basics of visual image production, focusing on graphic design, creative visualization, video editing, lighting, on-camera performance, and studio producing/directing. Students are expected to produce original content for broadcast on Cable Channel 7.
MCOM 2374. Sports Media Production I. 3 Hours.
Students learn the basics of live sports broadcast production. Students learn proper setup and operation of field equipment, roles and responsibilities necessary for a live production, troubleshooting equipment in the field, and working with broadcast crews and sports organizations. The class may include lectures on broadcast policies and politics along with hands-on field experience.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1330 and MCOM 1371.
MCOM 2382. Design for PR & Advertising. 3 Hours.
This course introduces students to the principles of design applicable to publications created using desktop publishing software and computer technology. Special attention is given to design principles, typography, layout, and production techniques.
MCOM 3026. Media Practicum. 1-4 Hours.
Advanced instruction in practice and projects. Students perform assigned work with co-curricular activities (KSHU-FM, Cable Channel 7, The Houstonian, student news, and Priority One PR) in a laboratory environment. Variable Credit (1-3).
Prerequisite: Faculty Approval.
MCOM 3351. Moving Image Aesthetics. 3 Hours.
This course is an in-depth look into pre-production process as it directly pertains to storyboard creation, character development and design, pre-visualization techniques and principles of concept design. Students will script, shoot and edit short films, identifying challenges to the form and discussing the success of these challenges.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3352. Cinematography. 3 Hours.
This course is designed to study emotional and visual qualities of light, and the application of varying strategies in lighting for characters, film composition, lenses, filtration, and manipulation of images in mood creation, and practical techniques, product and narrative style of lightning. Students will utilize their critical thinking skills in producing various original images.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3353. Advanced Editing for Film & TV. 3 Hours.
This course is a continuation of film editing with concentration on standards expected by industry professionals. Students will learn various editing software applications and techniques of fine tuning film and TV projects.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3354. Film History I. 3 Hours.
Students in this course trace the history of film as a mass medium, art form, and industry from 1895-1945. Film's 19th century origins in photographic technologies and popular theater situate understanding of its emergence as a new medium; it progresses to cover the global film history in the silent era, the transition to sound, and the golden age of sound cinema. Specific film concepts, critical historical contexts, and canonical works are analyzed in a discursive setting.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2366 and 6 additional MCOM hours.
MCOM 3355. Film History II. 3 Hours.
Students in this course trace the history of film as a mass media, art form, and industry from 1945 to the present day. World War II and the advent of electronic media fundamentally changed the societal and technological nature of cinema. Students analyze the global film history in the postwar era and the age of new and emerging media; they also explore specific film concepts, historical contexts and canonical works in a discursive setting.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2366 and 6 additional MCOM hours.
MCOM 3356. Select Film Genre. 3 Hours.
Students in this course examine the history, nature, and major works of a selected film genre. Emphasis is placed on story design, production techniques, and cultural meanings specific to the particular genre. Topics and instructors rotate every semester, and may include sports, horror, melodrama, science fiction, or western films.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2366 and 6 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3359. Directing for Film and TV. 3 Hours.
In this course students explore directorial techniques and methods of narrative films and narrative TV drama. Emphasis will be placed on directing a shoot, scene construction, coverage, staging, blocking, camera perspectives and directing actors.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3360. Specialized Writing. 3 Hours.
This course will cover study and practice in writing for mass media in specialized areas. Emphasis is on developing a level of writing suitable for publication. Course may be repeated as topics vary.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3361. Broadcast Journalism Writing. 3 Hours.
This class emphasizes the theory, techniques, and practice of television journalism. Emphasis is on writing and editing news copy and honing style and content skills appropriate for effective broadcast news writing. MCOM 3361 also requires production of broadcast news content and involves discussion of current issues facing broadcast journalists. Students are expected to produce original content for broadcast on Cable Channel 7.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3362. Media Criticism. 3 Hours.
This course explores mass communication theory, focusing on social-behavioral and critical-cultural approaches. It emphasizes how the same issues (e.g. media violence) recur over time and how ideas about media have changed as new media technologies have emerged.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3363. Spanish-Language Broadcasting. 3 Hours.
Students report and produce bilingual English and Spanish-language news content for the El Gato streaming radio station. Students will conduct interviews, field recordings, audio editing and other procedures both in English and in Spanish. Spanish-language media markets, differences and similarities between English and Spanish journalism practices, bilingual reporting techniques, and job-hunting strategies will also be covered.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1371 and instructor approval.
MCOM 3364. News Editing. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on the editor’s functions in handling news copy from writing to production. Content includes copy editing and headline writing, picture cropping, caption writing, typography, graphics, source verification and leadership in the newsroom.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332, MCOM 2362, and 6 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3365. Broadcast Performance. 3 Hours.
This course will prepare students for positions in announcing broadcast journalism for television, radio, and online. Students will examine techniques of voice and movement on television news, broadcast news announcing styles, interviewing techniques, and specialized announcing of events such as sports or cultural events.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3366. Photojournalism. 3 Hours.
This course will focus on reporting through the photo. The student will study the applications of news, feature, sports, weather, environmental portraiture and the photo essay. Fundamental principles of photojournalism such as history, freedom of press, ethics and the power of the image to convey the message.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3369. Designing and Producing Scholastic Media. 3 Hours.
Students examine the principles of layout and design of school newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks. This course is designed for future educators preparing to teach journalism and may serve as advisors for student publications. Through in-depth examination of each publication’s function, students will develop skills necessary to effectively communicate with readers through visual elements.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3370. Media Programming. 3 Hours.
Students in this course analyze programming techniques and strategies for broadcast and cable television, radio, and the internet. Special focus is given to exploration of emerging trends, including multiplatform strategies, new and emerging media, wireless media, and pay-per-view structures. Students consider how programs are selected or rejected, arranged, evaluated, promoted, and regulated.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3372. Single Cam & Non-Linear Edit I. 3 Hours.
This course teaches pre-production, field production, and post-production techniques. Elements include field camera setup and operation, remote lighting, remote sound, and basic continuity editing with an emphasis on underlying principles of video technology. Students are expected to produce original content for broadcast on Cable Channel 7.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3373. Studio Production. 3 Hours.
This course covers fundamentals of video production in a studio environment, including pre-production, in-studio production, and in-studio direction. Students will become familiar with the functions and responsibilities of the production crew, studio environment, and studio equipment. Emphasis is given to multiple camera techniques in studio production. Students are expected to produce original content for broadcast on Cable Channel 7.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3375. Scriptwriting. 3 Hours.
This course emphasizes the study of style, format, principles, and techniques of writing for radio, TV, and feature film. The process of writing fiction and non-fiction will examine the development of the script from research to marketing. Students will learn techniques for writing promotional scripts, public service announcements, documentary scripts, film scripts, and television scripts.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3376. Field & Studio Audio Recording. 3 Hours.
Students in this course negotiate technical, aesthetic, production and recording differences between field and studio environments. Recording high-quality audio in diverse field settings is emphasized. Proper techniques for recording and reinforcing sound in live studio environments is also prioritized. Pre-production planning, equipment selection, and post-production editing will be studied.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3377. Multi-Camera Studio Production. 3 Hours.
Students will learn television studio procedures and address studio program preparation as well as presentation as it applies to multi-camera production.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3378. Production Management. 3 Hours.
This course emphasizes the study of legal clearances, budgeting, funding, resource management, and scheduling as these activities relate to radio and television production.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3379. Multi-Camera Field Production. 3 Hours.
This course emphasizes the techniques and approaches to multi-camera directing and production. MCOM 3379 will train students in various remote production contexts, including sports, dance, music, and special events coverage. Students are expected to produce original content for broadcast on Cable Channel 7.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3381. Principles Of Public Relations. 3 Hours.
This course examines principles of public relations, the problem-solving processes to analyze and resolve major problems, and practical applications of these tactics to real world situations. The traits of leadership, crisis management, and ethics will be explored.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3382. Principles of Advertising. 3 Hours.
This course explores the changes in today's world of advertising communication and the implications of these changes to traditional practice. Industry developments such as social media and the impact of globalization are included, as well as the increased focus on consumers and branding in today's advertising strategies.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3383. Writing for PR & Advertising. 3 Hours.
This course examines the process of communicating to persuade and inform. Students learn the techniques of strategic thinking and practice writing for advertising and promotions, news media, and special audience materials, such as newsletters, brochures, and catalogues. Online communications for internal and external audiences will also be explored.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3385. Advanced Writing for PR & Adv. 3 Hours.
This course emphasizes the strategic, goal-oriented mission of high-quality media writing. Using a multidisciplinary and multimedia approach, students will learn to write successful and strategically for public relations, advertising, sales, marketing, and business communications formats.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 6 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 3388. Sales and Marketing. 3 Hours.
This course provides students with an overview of marketing strategies used by mass media companies. MCOM 3388 examines media marketing, market surveys, advertising, content promotion, and public relations as efforts to create and support customer bases and maintain goodwill. Students have the opportunity to create model marketing strategies. Special attention is paid to industry changes and professional ethics.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4022. Special Topic. 1-3 Hours.
This course will examine special topics/issues in the field of media. Different subject matter will be addressed each semester. This course may be repeated as topics change. Variable Credit (1 to 3).
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4099. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.
This course provides an opportunity to conduct supervised investigation in an area of special interest. This course is designed specifically for advanced students who are capable of independent research and/or creative activity. This course may not be used to replace a required course.
Prerequisite: 12 advanced hrs of MCOM and permission of department chair.
MCOM 4350. Film Theory. 3 Hours.
Students in this course confront interrelated philosophical and social questions of film's nature as an art form, instrument, and mass medium. Major thinkers from different eras will be studied in a humanistic, critical, and discursive fashion through writing and discussion. Comparison of different critical approaches empowers a comprehensive understanding of film's cultural roles and potential.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2366 and 6 additional MCOM hours.
MCOM 4351. New Media Platforms. 3 Hours.
This course examines how ideas move from concepts and funding to distribution and profits in the new media frontiers. Students analyze case studies and apply entrepreneurial principles to create delivery models for new media content.
Prerequisite: MCOM 3378 or permission of instructor.
MCOM 4361. TV News Producing. 3 Hours.
This course offers advanced instruction and practice in student-produced TV newscasts. Students are assigned duties for producing a newscast once a week, as well as gathering, shooting, writing, and editing TV news. Students are expected to produce original content for broadcast on Cable Channel 7.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4364. Investigative Reporting. 3 Hours.
This course examines strategies for gathering, analyzing and developing background information necessary for in-depth news writing and reporting. Students will be expected to use the research and analysis techniques to produce investigative journalism.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4365. Online Journalism. 3 Hours.
Students use techniques drawn from various media and forms of writing to produce well-designed, effective communication packages for online distribution. Students integrate written material, video, sound, and graphics into a multimedia online publication.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4366. Social Implications of Media. 3 Hours.
This course offers assessments of professional and industry trends, regulatory practices, socio-economic developments, and technological innovations that influence the institutions and traditions of the American mass media including news, entertainment and sports. Emphasis is placed on the changing roles of media and the impact of new communication technologies.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4367. Reporting Sports Journalism. 3 Hours.
Students gain hands-on experience covering sports for the media, including game stories, features on players and coaches, hard news articles, and investigative and critical journalism on socio-political issues related to sports. 12 hours of MCOM.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2362.
MCOM 4369. Leadership in the Scholastic Media Newsroom. 3 Hours.
Students examine leadership functions of scholastic media from coaching story development and advertising sales to budgeting and editorial decision making. This course focuses on the structures and procedures for effectively building and managing school newspaper and yearbook staffs, and is intended for future educators preparing to teach journalism, who will likely serve as an advisor for student publications.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4371. Mass Media Law And Ethics. 3 Hours.
This course will examine legal and ethical concepts as they apply to broadcast and cable television, radio, print media, and Internet-based publishing. It will focus on the evolution of the American legal system with specific attention to state statutes, regulatory agencies, ethical issues, and precedent-setting cases as they relate to free speech, open records, privacy, libel, copyright, and obscenity laws.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4373. Advanced Production. 3 Hours.
This course requires students to assume the primary responsibility, under faculty supervision, of creating and producing programming for Cable Channel 7. This course will also develop portfolio material for graduating students.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332, MCOM 3372, and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4374. Sports Media Production II. 3 Hours.
Students learn advanced production techniques for live sports broadcast productions, as well as advanced broadcasting policies, ethics and standards. They learn crew management and organization, pre-production strategies, production techniques, and post-production skills; students will also get extensive field experience in directing live and recorded sports productions for a variety of distribution platforms.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2374 and 9 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4375. Advanced Screenwriting. 3 Hours.
The student develops original ideas from initial concept through completion of a full-length screenplay in a workshop environment. Screenplay structure for feature-length screenplays will be analyzed for character development and plot points.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4376. Advanced Audio Production. 3 Hours.
This course presents advanced concepts in audio and radio recording and editing. Students are expected to produce original content for broadcast on KSHU-FM.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4378. Multi-Camera Remotes. 3 Hours.
In this course students learn to explore multi-camera coverage of specific events, organizations, activities or people to be used as part of a live or recorded media presentation.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4379. Directing Multicam Productions. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on techniques students need to direct multi camera productions, which involve elements such as several camera operators, graphics, and video playback.
MCOM 4381. Social Marketing for PR & Adv. 3 Hours.
Students critically examine examples of social change initiatives that target deeply-held beliefs and entrenched personal behaviors. Students develop an understanding of social marketing principles, a proven behavior change discipline, and will learn techniques for conducting social marketing campaigns to improve a social good such as individual health, the environment, or the community.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2382 or instructor approval.
MCOM 4383. Audience Research & Analysis. 3 Hours.
This course introduces students to the history and application of research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, that are employed in commercial media markets and academic environments to assess media audiences, media content, and media use. Topics addressed include survey methods, content analysis, experimental research, ethnographic and critical research, research ethics, and statistical analysis. Special attention will be devoted to research in print and electronic media.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4384. Advanced Design for Public Relations & Advertising. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on higher-level publishing formats and media used in today's persuasive communication environment. This course builds on basic print design and production skills introduced in MCOM 2382.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2382 or department approval.
MCOM 4385. Social Media for PR & Adv. 3 Hours.
Students develop a comprehensive understanding of the social media landscape and its impact on public relations and advertising campaign strategies. Students develop a strategic social media campaign plan to solve specific communication problems for a particular client; topics also include key social media terminology, techniques, design plans and implementation strategies.
Prerequisite: MCOM 3381 or MCOM 3382, or instructor approval.
MCOM 4390. Campaigns for PR & Advertising. 3 Hours.
This course emphasizes integration of theory, research, and communication techniques for implementing and evaluating public relations campaigns. Focus on creative strategies and media planning, target analysis and buying tactics. Students research, develop, and present an integrated communication plan.
Prerequisite: MCOM 3381, MCOM 3383, MCOM 4383.
MCOM 4393. International Media. 3 Hours.
This course studies world media systems in a variety of countries. Emphasis is placed on how history, politics, government, culture, and other social relations influence international media systems, international development projects, and the global flow of information.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCOM.
MCOM 4398. Professional Internship. 3 Hours.
On-the-job application of skills and knowledge learned in the classroom for students who have completed their sophomore year, completed appropriate courses, and achieved an acceptable GPA. Internships may be with print media, electronic media, agencies, institutions, businesses, non-profit groups, or government agencies. MCOM and AGRC majors only.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Internship Coordinator.
