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for California State University, Fresno.
Department of
Mass Communication and Journalism
Mass Communication and Journalism
COURSES
- Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ)
- Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ) --- Graduate Courses
Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ)
MCJ 1. Mass Communication and Society (3 units)
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.
MCJ 2A. MCJ Convocation (0)
Department student advising and enrichment. Required of all undergraduate
MCJ majors. New MCJ majors must enroll in MCJ 2A prior to completing 9 units
in MCJ at Fresno State. CR/NC grading only.
_________
*Students who do not complete all the requirements of the class will receive
a NC grade and a "block" will be placed on the students' records.
MCJ 2B. MCJ Convocation (0)
Prerequisite: MCJ 2A. Department student advising and enrichment. MCJ majors
must enroll in MCJ 2B before they have taken 21 MCJ units. CR/NC grading
only.
_________
* Students who do not complete all the requirements of the class and/or
who do not complete the course prior to taking 21 MCJ units will receive
a NC grade and a "block" will be placed on the students' records
so they will not be able to enroll in additional MCJ courses.
MCJ 5. Basic Editing (3 units)
Application of basic language skills to media writing and editing. Recommended
for all majors who must take an approved English language course prior to
attempting the Department Qualification Exam a third and final time; course
does not substitute for passing DQE.
MCJ 10. Media Writing (3 units)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, ENGL 5B or 10. 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)
MCJ 17. Beginning Photojournalism (3 units)
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)
MCJ 30. Introduction to Multimedia Production
(3 units)
Fundamentals of multimedia production. Lecture and laboratory experiences
in cross media production theories and techniques. Exploration of digital
storytelling using text, graphics, audio, video, and the Web. (2 lecture,
2 lab hours)
MCJ 102W. Reporting (3 units)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, MCJ 10, satisfactory
completion (C or better) of the ENGL 5B or 10 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)
MCJ 104. Editing of Publications (3 units)
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)
MCJ 105. Newspaper Workshop (3; max total 6 units)
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)
MCJ 106. Desktop Publishing (3 units)
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)
MCJ 108. In-Depth Reporting (3 units)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, MCJ 10, 102W, ENGL 5B
and 10, 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)
MCJ 112. Audio Production (3 units)
Lectures and laboratory experiences in the design and execution of audio-based
programs, as used in the telecommunications industries. (2 lecture, 2 lab
hours) F
MCJ 113. Video Production (3 units)
Lectures and laboratory experiences in the design and execution of video
programs, as developed in studio environments. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours)
MCJ 115. Electronic Field Production (3 units)
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)
MCJ 116. Advanced Video Production and
Directing (3 units)
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 cable, or broadcast distribution. (1 lecture, 4 lab hours)
F
MCJ 118S. Corporate and Nonprofit Media Projects
(3 units)
Prerequisites: MCJ 30 and 115. Advanced study of the planning, organization,
and execution of media production techniques for informational and educational
communications projects for corporations and nonprofits; a service-learning
approach provides practical experience working in production teams with
clients. (Formerly MCJ 118) S odd
MCJ 124. Broadcast News Writing (3 units)
Prerequisites: pass Department Qualification Exam, MCJ 10, ENGL 5B or 10.
Gathering, writing, and editing news for the broadcast media. (2 lecture,
2 lab hours)
MCJ 126. Radio-Television Performance (3 units)
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) F
MCJ 128. News/Public Affairs Production (3 units)
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) S
MCJ 131. Online Media Design (3 units)
Prerequisites: MCJ 106, 115, or permission of instructor. Fundamentals
of online media design and practical experience designing and producing
online media. Web authoring and media production tools will be used to design
online media, including elements of style, navigation, text, graphics, images,
video, music, and forms. (2 lecture, 2 lab hours) S
MCJ 142. Advertising Procedures (3 units)
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.
MCJ 143. Newspaper Advertising Staff (3; max total 6 units)
Prerequisite: MCJ 142. Selling and servicing accounts and creating and producing
advertisements for the university newspaper.
MCJ 144. Advertising Copy Writing (3 units)
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.
MCJ 146. Advertising Media (3 units)
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.
MCJ 148. Advertising Campaigns (3 units)
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)
MCJ 152S. Public Relations (3 units)
Development of public relations practice; principles and methods; application
in business, education, and other fields. (Formerly MCJ 152)
MCJ 158S. Public Relations Writing (3 units)
Prerequisites: MCJ 10, 102W, 152S. 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)
(Formerly MCJ 158)
MCJ 159S. Public Relations Cases and Campaigns
(3 units)
Prerequisites: MCJ 10, 102W, 152S, 158S, 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. S (Formerly
MCJ 159)
MCJ 163. Radio/TV as Popular Culture (3 units)
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.
MCJ 164. Applied Media Research (3 units)
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.
MCJ 172. Media Law (3 units)
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.
MCJ 173. Media Ethics (3 units)
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.
MCJ 174. History of Mass Media (3 units)
Historical background of American media from colonial to modern times.
MCJ 175. Multicultural Mass Communication
and Media Stereotypes (3 units)
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.
MCJ 176. International Mass Communication
(3 units)
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.
MCJ 177T. Media Topics (3; max total 6 units)
Prerequisite: upper-division standing. Topics explore various aspects of
the relationships between media and society in national and international
arenas.
MCJ 178. New Information Technologies (3 units)
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.
MCJ 179. Cineculture (3 units)
Prerequisites: G.E. Foundation and Breadth Area D. Explores a wide range
of socio-cultural-political topics through a series of film and lectures.
Emphasis is on critical analysis of diverse cultures as they are represented
in film. Students develop a global awareness and understanding of cultural
diversity. G.E. Multicultural/International MI.
MCJ 190. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6 units)
See Academic Placement -- Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
MCJ 191. Internship (3 units)
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 and Journalism (MCJ)
MCJ 204. Introduction to Mass Communication
Graduate Studies (3 units)
Introduces students to the field of mass communication. Discussion includes
an overview of various research methods in the field, the process and production
of research proposals, and the process of planning a program of study. Emphasizes
a scholarly style of writing.
MCJ 205. Mass Communication Theory (3 units)
Examines the history and development of prominent mass communication theories
and their application in the field of mass communication research.
MCJ 206. Quantitative Methods in Mass Communication
(3 units)
Introduces quantitative research designs and statistical procedures. Areas
of examination include various statistical tests used in mass communication
research, criteria for evaluating scientific research, and computer-assisted
(SPSS) statistical procedures. Students will design and complete a research
project.
MCJ 207. Qualitative Methods in Mass Communication
(3 units)
Examines various qualitative methods used in mass communication research,
such as historical analysis, legal research, cultural analysis, content
analysis, and participant/observer analysis. Students will design and complete
a research project.
MCJ 214. Media Technology and Systems (3 units)
Seminar in emerging communications media. Technological developments, corporate
and governmental policies, and the sociopolitical implications of current
and projected applications.
MCJ 215. Media Ethics and Regulation (3 units)
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.
MCJ 216. Global Media and International
Relations (3 units)
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.
MCJ 240T. Seminar in Media Industry Practices
and Management (3; max total 9 units)
Exploration of current challenges and advanced practices in the media or
management in a particular media-related industry: advertising, broadcasting,
public relations, journalism, Internet.
MCJ 290. Independent Study (1-3; max total 6 units)
See Academic Placement - Independent
Study. Approved for RP grading.
MCJ 298. Project (6)*
Prerequisites: 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.
MCJ 299. Thesis (6)*
Prerequisite: See Criteria for Thesis
and Project. Preparation, completion, and submission of an acceptable
thesis for the master's degree. Presentation to the faculty is required.
Approved for RP grading.
_________
* For 298C and 299C courses, see Graduate
Studies.
Mass Communication and Journalism
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