DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION

Journalism

Major in Radio-Television | Major in Radio-Television - Production | Major in Radio-Television - Broadcast Journalism | Major in Radio-Television - Promotions and Public Relations | Major in Radio-Television - Marketing and Management | Course Descriptions

CHAIR: Janet Bridges

The Department of Mass Communication offers sequences in two interrelated areas: Journalism and Radio-Television. Mass media play a significant role in society. Whether it is informing the public on the economic effect of a widely fluctuating stock market or providing photographic images of critical events around the world, effective mass communication is critical. That recognition is the driving force behind the programs offered in the Department of Mass Communication. The degree sequences offer the opportunity for students to develop the specific skills and experiences demanded for a smooth transition into the working world of mass media.

RADIO-TELEVISION SEQUENCES

FACULTY: Balas, Cochran, DeMars, White

The predominant media forms at the dawn of the 21st century are television and radio. Radio-Television offers an exciting and unique combination of classes designed to provide a comprehensive education in mass communication theory, media production and reporting techniques, and professional development. The program includes a curriculum that exposes students to each of these areas during their first year. Classes are offered in digital editing, research techniques, communication law, media marketing, script writing, intercultural/multicultural media, and broadcast journalism. Every major will work at KSHU-TV during his/her college tenure and each will write, produce, shoot and edit his/her own television series for KSHU-TV.

The RTV program sponsors junior and senior level students, who meet minimum requirements, in semester-long professional internships. Students have interned nationally with Dan Rather at 48 Hours, Entertainment Tonight, ESPN, Disney World, David Letterman, KTLA News plus many other internships within Texas.

Scholarships: Scholarships are available for outstanding undergraduate students. Please contact the Department of Mass Communication or visit the website.

Website: www.shsu.edu/~rtf_www

NOTE: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.

NOTE 1: The BFA in Radio/Television is being phased out. No new students are being accepted into the program. Students who have already filed an official degree plan for the BFA in Radio/Television will be able to complete the degree.

NOTE 2: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.

NOTE: The BFA in Radio/Television is being phased out. No new students are being accepted into the program. Students who have already filed an official degree plan for the BFA in Radio/Television will be able to complete the degree.

See the Program Coordinator of RTV for lists of restricted electives for the degrees described above.

RADIO-TELEVISION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

RTV 116 RADIO WORKSHOP I. All workshops are practical production efforts. RTV 116, 117, 318, and 319 may be repeated for credit. To be taken concurrently with RTV 163. Credit 1.

RTV 117 RADIO WORKSHOP II. To be taken concurrently with RTV 264. Credit 1.

RTV 163 INTRODUCTION TO BROADCASTING. A survey of the mechanics of audio and video production as related to broadcast law and the operation of studio equipment. RTV 116 must be taken concurrently. Must pass with a grade of C or better to continue with RTV 264 and RTV 270. Your may not repeat RTV 163 and take RTV 264 or RTV 270 in the same semester. Credit 3.

RTV 178 ELECTRONIC MEDIA AND SOCIETY. Radio and television in our society and how they affect the individual. A survey of the history of broadcasting with emphasis on contemporary problems. Covers what an informed person should know about a station, the FCC, voluntary codes, networks, advertising agencies, audience ratings, new technology. Credit 3.

RTV 263 BEGINNING WRITING AND SCRIPTING FOR THE MEDIA. [COMM 2339] Structuring and scripting the materials used in various types of radio-television-film presentations, covering the style, forms and content needed for effective copy (typing skills are required). Credit 3.

RTV 264 BASIC AUDIO PRODUCTION. [COMM 2303] Study and repeated practice in the use of microphone techniques, music, and sound effects. Each student receives intensive practice in actual production. Productions of sufficient merit have the possibility of being broadcast. RTV 117 must be taken concurrently. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better. Credit 3.

RTV 265 MEDIA PERFORMANCE. Speech in the radio-television-film situation, preparation and presentation of material commonly used in those mediums, and practice of useful techniques with microphones and cameras. Designed for RTV majors, but also appropriate for those in many professional fields where a knowledge of presenting one’s self to the best advantage on the air is important. Prerequisite: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better. May take concurrently with RTV 163. Credit 3.

RTV 270 BASIC VIDEO PRODUCTION. Study of basic studio production techniques. Students gain practice in directing and producing different types of in-studio television programs. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better, 263 and 264. RTV 319 lab must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.

RTV 318 TELEVISION WORKSHOP. (TV News workshop to be taken concurrently with RTV 374.) All workshops are practical production efforts. RTV 116, 117, 318, and 319 may be repeated for credit. Credit 1.

RTV 319 TELEVISION WORKSHOP. All workshops are practical production efforts. RTV 116, 117, 318, and 319 may be repeated for credit. Credit 1.

RTV 330 CRITICISM OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA. An analysis of the impact of contemporary electronic media on today's society. Prerequisites: RTV 178 and 263. Credit 3.

RTV 335 SINGLE CAMERA AND EDITING PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES. Study and repeated practice in camera operation, video editing, and post-production processes. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a C or better and 263, 264 and 270. Credit 3.

RTV 370 MEDIA PROGRAM PLANNING AND SCRIPTING. Study of the research, legal clearances, budgeting and funding, resource management and scheduling. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better and 263, 264, and 270. Credit 3.

RTV 372 RADIO AND TELEVISION MARKETING. Station sales, market surveys, advertising and public relations; a survey of the manner in which the broadcast media support themselves. Examination of current publications in each of these areas. Sample sales, marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns will be drawn up by each student. Attention is centered not only on professional methods but also on professional ethics. Prerequisites: RTV 178 and 263. Credit 3.

RTV 373 MEDIA SCRIPT WRITING. Writing for radio-television, with practice in preparing all necessary types of written material for broadcast: promotions and public service announcements, commercials, and full length programs. Prerequisite: RTV 263. Credit 3.

RTV 374 BROADCAST JOURNALISM I. Philosophy and techniques of electronic journalism: practice in writing and editing news copy; development of audio/video skills applied to news; discussion of current issues facing broadcast journalists. Concurrent enrollment in RTV 318 (studio crew for newscast) is required. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better, 263, 264, 270. Credit 3.

RTV 375 BROADCAST JOURNALISM II. Advanced instruction and practice on student newscast. Students are assigned duties in gathering and writing news, video production, and producing. May be repeated once. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better, 263, 264, 270 and 374. This course may be repeated for credit. Credit 3.

RTV 376 ELECTRONIC MEDIA FOR NONBROADCAST APPLICATIONS. An analysis of radio and television as a medium of communication and as a tool for instruction. Practical experience in utilization of available resources and production of instructional materials for education and industry. Prerequisites: 163 with a grade of C or better and 263, 264, 270. Credit 3.

RTV 377 MASS COMMUNICATION RESEARCH METHODS. Introduction to the study of the methods of research in communication with special emphasis on broadcast communications. Application of scientific methods of communication research. Design of communication studies for laboratory and field examination and sample surveys. Prerequisites: RTV 178, 263 and MTH 164 or 170. Credit 3.

RTV 378 BROADCAST PROGRAMMING. Audience psychology and principles of audience analysis. Examination of methods for determining characteristics of greatest program appeal to a desired audience. Examination of program types, ratings, and program selection. Prerequisite: RTV 178 and 263. Credit 3.

RTV 379 MULTI-CAMERA DIRECTING AND FIELD PRODUCTION. Study of the technique and approaches to multi-camera directing. Emphasis on ability to adapt to varied projects and circumstances of production including sports, dance, music and special event coverage. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better, 263, 264, and 270. Credit 3.

RTV 380 BROADCAST SALES. This course includes the basic tools of the salesman in developing accounts and designing and developing sales campaigns specifically for the broadcast media. Included are strategies for the interviews and meetings leading to the actual close of the sale and the implementation of the commercial process at the local, regional, and national levels. Prerequisites: RTV 178, 263 and 372 or consent of instructor. Credit 3.

RTV 471 ADVANCED PRODUCTION AND DIRECTING. Assumption of primary responsibility, under faculty supervision, for creating and producing a program series during one semester. Such a series will be designed for use over university facilities. Formerly RTV 371. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better and 263, 264, 270, 373 and 335, 370 or permission of instructor. RTV 319 lab must be taken concurrently. This course may be repeated for credit. Credit 3.

RTV 472 NEW TECHNOLOGY AND THE RADIO/TELEVISION INDUSTRY. A study of new technology, cable and related industries with emphasis on their relationship to and integration into the broadcast communication field. This course will cover financing, operation, programming, and franchising. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better, 178, 263, 264, 270 or junior standing. Credit 3.

RTV 474 GLOBAL MEDIA SYSTEMS AND MULTICULTURALISM. Study of comparative media systems, with stress upon problems of present day developing nations in the effective use of mass media. Some consideration of media and methods by which peoples speak from country to country. Emphasis will be placed on media as instruments for change. Prerequisites: RTV 163 with a grade of C or better, 178, 263 or junior standing. Credit 3.

RTV 475 RADIO AND TELEVISION MANAGEMENT. A study of station procedures, problems, and management responsibility. Covers required reports (FCC), financial problems, personnel organization and management, public service responsibilities in comparison to profits, the stations position within the social structure of an area, and all the problems involved in keeping a station operating successfully. Prerequisites: RTV 178, 263 or junior standing. Credit 3.

RTV 479 COMMUNICATION LAW: ELECTRONIC MEDIA. The law as it applies specifically to radio, television, cable and other related technology. A study of current statutes and regulations with precedent cases. The structure and work of regulatory agencies, as well as industry policies and codes are examined. Prerequisite: RTV 178, 263 or junior standing. Credit 3

RTV 493 UNDERGRADUATE SEMINAR IN BROADCASTING. An independent study course for the undergraduate student which allows the pursuit of an internship, station management for Cable 7 and KSHU, and/or special projects in mass media. Prerequisite: Permission of the RTV Coordinator. May be repeated for credit. Credit 3.

RTV 494 PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR IN MASS MEDIA. A survey of current material dealing with all phases of mass media. Investigation of new trends in broadcast production, management, research, programming, and government regulation. Thorough investigation of the job search process including resume writing, cover letters, portfolios, and interviewing techniques. Credit 3.

RTV 495 INTERNSHIP IN RADIO-TELEVISION. On-the-job application of skills and knowledge learned in the classroom for RTV majors who have completed at least 65 hours of general coursework including (BA) 30 hours or (BFA) 40 hours of coursework in RTV. Prerequisites: 2.5 overall gpa and permission of RTV Coordinator. Credit 3.

* Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.