You are in the official 2001-2002 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of
Mass Communication and Journalism
Department of
Mass Communication and Journalism
COURSES
- Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ)
- Mass Communication and Journalism (M COM) --- Graduate Courses
Mass Communication and Journalism (MCJ)
1. Mass Communication and Society (3)
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.
(CAN JOUR 4)
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) (Computer lab fee, $15) (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) (Computer lab fee, $15)
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, 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, 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)
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)
Assesses complex international forces shaping global media. Examines
ways mass media of North American countries 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.
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)
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: B A 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 SP 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 (M COM)
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 M COM 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 SP grading.
298. Project (3-6; max total 6)
Prerequisites: M COM 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 SP 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
SP grading.
Mass
Communication and Journalism Degrees