Mass Communications Emerging Media (MCEM)

MCEM 1125. Intro to Emerging Media Tech – AI and XR. 1 Hour.

Students are introduced to generative artificial intelligence, extended reality and other pivotal technologies shaping media landscapes. The course incorporates hands-on experience in AI content creation and usage, virtual character and environment creation to prepare students for a wide range of careers. Credit: 1.

MCEM 2321. Spotting Future Trends in New Media. 3 Hours.

Students practice recognizing emergence of trends, developing skills to analyze their impact on society and predicting new media innovation needed in the rapidly changing digital landscape. The course covers how innovations in new media developed, cases of successful and unsuccessful trend spotting, and ethical considerations of forecasting the future.

MCEM 2323. Introduction to Storytelling with Data. 3 Hours.

Students explore how audiences perceive, interpret and make meaning from media messages that include images, videos and data-driven graphics, with an emphasis on visual storytelling. Using human-centered design frameworks, students evaluate and refine storytelling and visual communication strategies to improve clarity, accessibility and impact of complex or abstract topics.

MCEM 3321. Immersive Media Prod Tools & Content Creation. 3 Hours.

Students engage with tools needed to create immersive content that defines today’s new media landscape. The course dives into immersive media technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, exploring the intricacies of 360-degree video production and virtual environment creation. Students receive hands-on experience in 360-video production and virtual world building. Credit: 3.

MCEM 3322. Generative AI Prod Tools & Content Creation. 3 Hours.

Students use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools and applications in the creation of extended reality (XR) content. The course covers various tools and techniques for generating and manipulating text, images, audio, and other forms of media content. Through hands-on projects and case studies, students use generative AI tools creatively and ethically in media production and storytelling. Credit: 3.
Prerequisite: None.

MCEM 3323. Advanced Storytelling and Data Visualization. 3 Hours.

Students examine real-world case studies, learning how raw data is turned into clear and engaging visuals used to tell stories. The course emphasizes practical applications within interactive media and entertainment environments. Areas including weather, public safety, health, immersive media, eSports, and AI-driven graphics will be discussed. Through hands-on projects, students practice creating media-driven, effective visuals that are easy to understand and make informed decisions.
Prerequisite: MCEM 2323.

MCEM 3324. Immersive Storytelling with 360° Video. 3 Hours.

Students create immersive media with 360° cameras, VR-ready video, and action cameras. Students design, capture, and edit experiences in which viewers can freely explore the scene or inhabit a dynamic point of view, and analyze how these perspectives transform storytelling, blocking, and shot design. Topics may include immersive story structure, 360° camera operation, action camera rigs and stabilization, stitching workflows, spatial audio, and basic interactive or platform-specific elements such as hotspots, simple branching narratives, and short-form social/mobile export.
Prerequisite: MCOM 2371.

MCEM 3325. Emerging Media Effects & Influence. 3 Hours.

Students explore how emerging media influences and affects how people think, feel, and behave. Emphasis is on analyzing real-world examples involving digital platforms, AI-mediated content, extended reality environments, and creator economies. Students apply principles of media effects to evaluate the ethical and psychological implications of emerging media and to design engaging experiences and campaigns for immersive environments.
Prerequisite: MCEM 2321.

MCEM 4321. Adv Storytelling with Motion Graphics & Effects. 3 Hours.

Students apply principles of 3D animation and industry techniques to create and render 3D films and media products such as training videos. Students use post-production editing methods to create a variety of visual effects (VFX). Emphasis is on 3D storytelling.
Prerequisite: MCEM 3321 or MCEM 3322.

MCEM 4322. Ethics in Emerging Media. 3 Hours.

Students develop an ethical foundation necessary for understanding how emerging media, such as virtual and augmented reality, artificial general intelligence, and social media are irrevocably reshaping society. Students explore ethical issues related to producing and consuming emerging media. Using theories of ethics derived from a variety of sources, students enhance their critical reasoning skills by engaging with case studies and scenarios developed from real-world ethical dilemmas. Credit: 3.
Prerequisite: MCEM 3321 or MCEM 3322.

MCEM 4324. Interactive Installations & Experiences. 3 Hours.

Students explore interactive media in physical space, including projection-based installations and sensor-driven environments. Students design small-scale interactive experiences for exhibitions, performances, events, or public spaces and learn how to create, map, and control real-time visuals that respond to people and place. Topics may include experiential and interactive design principles, basic sensing hardware, real-time visual tools, projection mapping, large-display content strategies, camera and lighting considerations, and documentation and critique of installations and performances.
Prerequisite: MCEM 3321.

MCEM 4329. Innovation Incubator. 3 Hours.

Students in this capstone course work together in teams to critically examine and address important challenges in the community, on campus and in society. Using emerging and immersive technology, including multi-faceted generative AI programs, students will design innovative solutions that demonstrate creativity, critical thinking and teamwork. This experiential learning course empowers students to embrace meaningful digital innovation and emerging job readiness skills.
Prerequisite: MCEM 3321 or MCEM 3322 and Instructor Approval.

MCEM 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. Equivalents: MCPD 4351, MCFL 4351, MCOM 4351.
Prerequisite: MCOM 1332 and 12 additional hours of MCPD, or MCFL, or MCJR, or MCOM, or MCPA, or MCEM.