You are in the official 2003-2004 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of
Mass Communication and Journalism
COURSES
- Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ)
- Mass Communication and Journalism (MCOM) --- Graduate Courses
Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ)
1. Mass Communication and Society (3)
Prerequisite: G.E. Foundation A2. Examines the political, economic,
cultural, and behavioral impacts of mass media in national and international
contexts. Analyzes the historical factors that have shaped the structures,
practices, and products of mass media industries, and assesses contemporary
trends in media-society relations. G.E. Breadth D3.
5. Basic Editing (3)
Open only to mass communication and journalism majors. Recommended for all
majors who do not pass the Department Qualification Exam. Application of
basic language skills to media writing and editing.
10. Media Writing (3)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, ENGL 1. Study and practice
in the basics of good writing. Emphases will be placed upon grammar, factual
ac curacy, clarity, conciseness, media styles, fairness, human interest,
and writing to length and deadline. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) (CAN JOUR 2)
17. Beginning Photojournalism (3)
Survey and instruction in beginning photojournalism. Characteristics of
the journalistic photograph and its role in publications. Instruction in
use of cameras and laboratory technique for black-and-white photographs.
(2 lecture, 3 lab hours)
102W. Reporting (3)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, MCJ 10, satisfactory
completion (C or better) of the ENGL 1 graduation requirement, to be taken
no sooner than the term in which 60 units of coursework are completed. Analysis
of news sources; techniques of interviewing applied to specific reporting
situations; coverage of campus and community functions in the preparation
of articles for the media. Meets the upper-division writing skills requirement
for graduation. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
104. Editing of Publications (3)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, MCJ 10, 70 units completed
or permission of instructor. Preparation of copy, headlines, and photos
for newspapers and other publications; advanced concepts of grammar and
style; legal and ethical issues of publications; basic publications layout
and graphic design. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
105. Newspaper Workshop (3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: MCJ 10, permission of instructor. Practice in editorial leadership,
newspaper writing assignments, and newspaper production techniques. Department
newspaper used for laboratory purposes. (1 lab hour, 10 hours arranged)
106. Desktop Publishing (3)
Survey, design, and editing of specialized publications such as newsletters,
brochures, and other materials for editorial, advertising, and public relations
purposes. Emphasis on computerized production techniques. (2 lecture, 2
lab hours)
107W. Magazine Feature Writing (3)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, satisfactory completion
(C or better) of the ENGL 1 graduation requirement, to be taken no sooner
than the term in which 60 units of coursework are completed. Writing and
marketing feature material for magazines, newspaper supplements, and syndicates.
Meets the upper-division writing skills requirement for graduation.
108. In-Depth Reporting (3)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, MCJ 10, 102W, ENGL 1,
70 units completed or permission of instructor. Advanced reporting for the
media; emphasis on covering community sources and issues, including politics,
local government, courts and law enforcement. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
112. Audio Production (3)
Lectures and laboratory experiences in the design and execution of audio-based
programs, as used in the telecommunications industries. (2 lecture, 2 lab
hours)
113. Video Production (4)
Lectures and laboratory experiences in the design and execution of video
programs, as developed in studio environments. (3 lecture, 2 lab hours)
114. Media Operations (1; max total 2)
Not open to students with 2 units of credit in MCJ 114 and 117. Prerequisite:
permission of instructor. Enrollees participate in operation of the university
radio station, production of on-campus video programs, or work in the community
media, on a scheduled basis and under supervision of department faculty.
CR/NC grading only. (1 lab, 4 arranged hours)
115. Electronic Field Production (3)
Lecture and discussion of field-production techniques as used in ENG/EFP;
preproduction planning, production execution, and postproduction processes.
Field assignments required. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
116. Advanced Video Production and Directing (3)
Prerequisites: MCJ 113 and 115 or equivalents, with B or better. Development
of critical and creative skills; study of production theory and practice;
planning and producing for the director's role. Laboratory goal: air-worthy
products for closed-circuit, cable, or broadcast distribution. (1 lecture,
4 lab hours)
118. Corporate Video (3)
Prerequisites: MCJ 113 and 115 or equivalents, with B or better. Advanced
study of the planning, organization, and execution of video field-production
techniques as used in corporate video and documentary program production;
single-camera, film-style video techniques and postproduction. (2 lecture,
2 lab hours)
119. Broadcast Media Projects (3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: senior status in major, permission of instructor. Creative
group projects in radio, television, film; public showing/airing or other
distribution required. (6-8 arranged hours)
124. Broadcast News Writing (3)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, MCJ 10, ENGL 1. Gathering,
writing, and editing news for the broadcast media. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
126. Radio-Television Performance (3)
Prerequisite: DRAMA 22 or COMM 3 or equivalents. Basic theories and techniques
of broadcast and film performance. Lectures and laboratory experiences in
vocal and visual aspects of performance; media characteristics and requirements;
analysis and preparation of material for media performance. (2 lecture,
2 lab hours) (Formerly TCOM 80; TCOM 108)
128. News/Public Affairs Production (3)
Prerequisites: MCJ 124 or equivalent, permission of instructor. Study of
local news operations and programming, use of sources and resources, news
policy, and editorial responsibility, management, and control. Planning
and producing news for presentation on the university closed-circuit channel.
(2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
131. Interactive Media Design (3)
Prerequisites: MCJ 106, 115, 132. Fundamentals of interactive media design
and practical experience designing and producing digital media. Interactive
authoring and management tools will be utilized to include elements of style,
graphics, images, video, music, bookmarks, forms, worksheets, and questionnaires.
(2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
132. Photo Editing and Digital Imaging (3)
Study of photographs and other visual elements in publications; principles
of graphic design for mass media. Practical experience in selecting photographs
and design elements for content, aesthetic values, and technical quality.
Computer processing of images. (2 lecture, 3 lab hours)
134. Intermediate Photojournalism (3)
Prerequisite: MCJ 17. Study and practice of photojournalism; evaluation
of photographs for publication; field and laboratory experience; emphasis
on lighting, lenses, and special processing methods. (2 lecture, 3 lab hours)
138. Advanced Photojournalism (3; max total 6)
Prerequisites: MCJ 17, 134, permission of instructor. Individualized study
and practice in advanced skills, including lighting, color, laboratory techniques,
and electronic imagery.
142. Advertising Procedures (3)
Overview of all aspects of the field of advertising. Study of history, agent-client
relationships, media, relationship to the behavioral sciences, production
of copy and layouts, and advertising legislation and responsibility.
143. Newspaper Advertising Staff (3; max total 6)
Prerequisite: MCJ 142. Selling and servicing accounts and creating and producing
advertisements for the university newspaper.
144. Advertising Copy Writing (3)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, MCJ 10, 142. Develops
print and broadcast copy writing for magazine, direct mail, outdoor, newspaper,
radio, television, and new advertising media. Examines the role of the copy
writer, creative strategies, research target marketing, copy styles, and
laws regulating advertising.
146. Advertising Media (3)
Prerequisite: MCJ 142. Media planning and buying for advertising media.
Evaluating and selecting media to meet specific marketing and communication
goals; designing specific media plans and making buys in various media.
148. Advertising Campaigns (3)
Prerequisites: MCJ 142 and 144 or 146. Background, research, planning, and
preparation of national advertising campaign as advertising agency with
client-agency set-up; marketing plan and creative execution. (2 lecture,
2 lab hours)
152. Public Relations (3)
Development of public relations practice; principles and methods; application
in business, education, and other fields.
158. Public Relations Writing (3)
Prerequisites: MCJ 10, 102W, 152. Creating messages tailored to multiple
groups via a range of media, including mass media and organizational media
such as employee newsletters and annual reports. Practice writing news releases,
opinion articles, direct mail pieces and so on. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
159. Public Relations Cases and Campaigns (3)
Prerequisites: MCJ 10, 102W, 152, 158, 164. Public relations teams plan
a public relations campaign. Covers use of research findings, setting measurable
objectives, identifying key publics, defining strategies, setting budgets,
and evaluating results. Analyses and application of recent cases to solve
public relations problems.
160. Investigating Media Issues (3)
Explores current issues in mass communication, emphasizing independent collection,
analysis, and critical interpretation of available information. Papers required.
(Formely MCJ 101)
163. Radio/TV as Popular Culture (3)
Prerequisite: to be taken no sooner than the term in which 60 units
of coursework
are completed. A consideration of the media as popular cultural arts through
study of development of program forms, social influences. Term paper required.
164. Applied Media Research (3)
Not open to students with credit in MCJ 167. Study of survey research methods
as used in program ratings, opinion analysis and tracking, and message assessment
in radio, television, advertising, and public opinion. Project participation
required.
166. Film/Television Criticism (3)
Study of traditional and new critical approaches to film and their application
to television; analysis and interpretation of films and television programs
through humanist critical methodology.
168. Media Culture (3)
An exploration of television, film, radio, and print media as distinctive
artistic forms which draw on and interact with the traditional arts. Critical
examination of the cultural, aesthetic, and humanistic value of these media.
172. Media Law (3)
Study of federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the media,
covering such topics as freedom of information, libel, right to privacy,
fair trial-free press, copyright, obscenity and indecency, advertising regulation,
and broadcast law and regulation.
173. Media Ethics (3)
Study of ethical choices in the context of the political, social, and economic
structure of U.S. communications systems. Also emphasizes applying traditional
ethical theories to current media issues and problems.
174. History of Mass Media (3)
Historical background of American media from colonial to modern times.
175. Multicultural Mass Communication and Media Stereotypes (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Explores psychological,
social, economic, institutional, and political factors related to media
stereotypes. Analyzes specific media stereotypes involving gender, sexual
orientation, race, ethnicity, age, and physical conditions; looks at their
behavioral and cultural effects. Reviews strategies for improving media
portrayals. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.
176. International Mass Communication (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Assesses complex international
forces shaping global media, and ways mass media of North America and other
nations affect international relations. Focuses on impacts of international
news flows, role of media in national development, effects of transnational
entertainment, and advertising content. G.E. Multicultural/International
MI.
177T. Media Topics (3; max total 6)
Prerequisite: upper-division standing. Topics explore various aspects of
the relationships between media and society in national and international
arenas.
178. New Information Technologies (3)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Addresses the social,
political, economic, and philosophical implications of new digital media,
as well as the corporate, government, and institutional forces that have
shaped the new digital media landscape. Particular attention is given to
uses of the technologies and the dynamic relationship linking technology,
culture, and social change. G.E. Integration ID.
182. Broadcast Programming (3)
Study of strategies and practices in programming radio and television stations
and cable television operations. Lecture, discussion, and analysis/evaluation
are primary course methods. Term project and paper required.
186. Radio-Management Practicum (1; max total 2)
Prerequisite: MCJ 114 or permission of instructor. Enrollees participate
in management of the university FM radio station with a specific, assigned
responsibility for an operational element, under faculty supervision.
188. Proseminar in Broadcast Media Management (3)
Prerequisites: BA 120 and MCJ 172 or equivalents, permission of instructor.
Organization, operation, and administration of radio and television stations
and cable television facilities; correlation of department functions within
stations; relationship to regulatory agencies and the marketplace. Term
project required.
190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
191. Internship (3)
Prerequisites: senior standing in the major with 2.5 GPA, permission of
instructor. Applied practical experience in an appropriate media outlet,
recording studio, production company, advertising agency, or public relations
firm with on-the-job and faculty supervision/instruction. Conferences and
reports required. CR/NC grading only.
GRADUATE COURSES
Mass Communication (MCOM)
201. Mass Communication Research (3)
(Core) Introduction to media research methods, including readership and
ratings surveys, content analysis, and other media research methods; evaluation
of research quality and suitability; interpretation and applicability of
research results. Analytic exercises and papers required.
203. Mass Media Industry and Issues (3)
(Core) Examination of the ownership structure, economics, content, and effects
of mass media. Contemporary media controversies are examined from both societal
and industry points of view. Papers required.
214. Media Technology and Systems (3)
Seminar in emerging communications media. Technological developments, corporate
and governmental policies, and the sociopolitical implications of current
and projected applications.
215. Media Ethics and Regulation (3)
Seminar in the law and ethics of mass communication, with emphasis on current
social and ethical controversies and the impact of regulatory trends on
media professionals.
216. Global Media and International Relations (3)
Focus on mass communication and international relations by examining global
flow and impact of news, entertainment content, transnational advertising,
and information technologies. Issues discussed in the context of international
mass communication theory and research. (Formerly MCOM 205T)
240T. Seminar in Media Industry Practices and Management (3; max total
9)
Exploration of current challenges and advanced practices in the media or
management in a particular media-related industry: advertising, broadcasting,
public relations, journalism, Internet.
290. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6)
See Academic Placement - Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
298. Project (3-6; max total 6)
Prerequisites: MCOM 201, 203, and permission of instructor; see Criteria for Thesis and Project. Completion
of a significant project appropriate to the student's area of specialization.
A written report and a presentation to the faculty are required. Approved
for RP grading. One or two semesters, depending upon project complexity.
299. Thesis (6)
Prerequisite: See Criteria for Thesis
and Project. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable
thesis for the master's degree. Approved for RP grading.
Mass Communication and Journalism
Degrees