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DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATIONBroadcast Journalism | Broadcast Production | Media Sales and Management | Print Journalism | Public Relations | Mass Communication Minor Chair: Janet A. Bridges (936) 294-1341 Faculty: Michael Blackman, Rene Chen, Tony DeMars, Hugh Fullerton, Mickey Herskowitz, Richard Kosuowei, Ruth Pate, Mel Strait, Wanda Reyes Velazquez, Christopher White, Patsy Ziegler Information: (936)294-1341; Dan Rather Communications Building 123 Website: https://www.shsu.edu/~com_www/ The Department of Mass Communication offers five interrelated emphases: Broadcast Journalism, Broadcast Production, Media Sales and Management, Print Journalism, and Public Relations. Journalism, whether print or broadcast format, is vital to the operation of a democracy, because it furnishes the information that citizens must have to participate in their own governance. The business side of mass communication is also important, as it enables not only journalism but also non-journalism, media activities to exist. Public relations provides a mechanism for organizations to communicate effectively with both journalists and other organizational publics; broadcast production provides both the mechanism and the techniques needed for electronic communication to take place, and media sales and management are the backbone of any industry, including the media/mass communication industries. Recognition of the critical importance of journalism as well as these allied fields is the driving force behind the programs offered in the Department of Mass Communication. Our department’s degree emphases offer the opportunity for students to develop the specific skills, background and experiences demanded for a smooth transition into this working world of mass media. MissionThe mission of the Department of Mass Communication is to acquire, synthesize and disseminate knowledge related to print, broadcast and other forms of electronic communication for the purpose of producing media literate, socially aware, professionally competent graduates. Program emphasis is on the preparation of ethical and technologically proficient communication professionals who are capable of making a positive impact on their environment and on society. Our graduates will acquire the skills for today’s media marketplace and also develop the broader, theoretical background for:
Academic Programs
HighlightsThe Department of Mass Communication offers a comprehensive blend of courses to prepare students for media production and reporting, media-related decision making, audience assessment, mass communication theory, and other professional development areas. Our department curriculum introduces our students to each of the five emphasis areas during their first year in the mass communication program. During the remaining three years, classes are offered that include digital audio and video editing, newspaper-style writing, research techniques, communication law, media marketing, script writing, global communication and broadcast journalism. Students with a major or minor in the department will have the opportunity to work with departmental media: KSHU FM, KSHU TV-7, The Houstonian newspaper, or the Alcalde yearbook as part of their college experience. Suggested MinorsStudents in Mass Communication should select a minor compatible with their professional plans. Therefore the list here is only representative, and students should discuss their career plans with an advisor. Minors in Management or Marketing are desirable for public relations, broadcast production and media sales and management emphases. History, English, foreign languages, sociology and other social sciences are helpful to all emphases. Both print and broadcast journalism and/or public relations emphasis students could benefit from a special-interest minor such as political science, community health, finance, and banking and financial institutions. Career OpportunitiesCareer opportunities in Mass Communication vary as widely as our internship opportunities. Traditional preparation is for a reporting or editing position with a newspaper, television or radio station, magazine, or professional newsletter. Mass Communication graduates may also develop careers with public relations and advertising agencies, with corporate communication programs, and within government, hospital and other institutional settings. Graduates can affiliate with nonprofit agencies, and some move into sales and other promotional positions. Graduates may also work with training programs and interactive media. Student Organizations and Activities The Department supports student chapters of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the National Broadcasting Association (NBS), the Minority Multimedia Group (3MG), the Texas Association of Broadcast Students (TABS), the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Internships and Study AbroadJunior and senior level students who meet minimum requirements may enroll in semester-long professional internships. Students have interned nationally with CBS News, Entertainment Tonight, ESPN, David Letterman, The Jerry Springer Show, MTV, Disney World and KTLA News in Los Angeles, plus many professional sites within Texas newspapers, advertising agencies, broadcast stations, and production houses. Examples of these Texas sites include the Conroe Courier, The Victoria Advocate, Pierpont Public Relations, the Houston Symphony and the Texas State Senate. ScholarshipsMany scholarships are available both for incoming freshmen and for outstanding undergraduate students continuing in the program. Most scholarship deadlines are March 1 for the following academic year. Please contact the Department of Mass Communication or visit https://www.shsu.edu/~sfa_www/ scholarship.html#masscommunication. Program Specific RequirementsAll students in the Mass Communication Program will complete a departmental five-course core that provides a foundation for success in any of the media fields. To help students understand the role of media, the core includes an analysis of Mass Communication and Society. Because specific skills are expected, both applied Writing for Mass Media and Information Analysis courses are part of the core. A course in Mass Media Law and Ethics will explain the legal environment of the press and require students to understand ethical obligations of the field. Recognizing that the world is becoming more interdependent, a Global Media Communications course will help students understand media systems outside the United States as well as expose them to the techniques needed to communicate with global audiences. At the end of their programs, all students complete a senior-level professional seminar designed to prepare them for the transition from study to work. In addition to the core, students in four of the emphases will complete six emphasis-specific courses and two electives within a foundation of liberal arts courses. Public Relations students complete five emphasis-specific courses plus two electives. These course requirements are explained below. Each student works with an advisor to select elective courses and an appropriate minor field. All Mass Communication majors and minors must earn a grade of ‘C’ or better in each Mass Communication course. CurriculumTwo journalism emphases are available through the department:
Both Journalism emphases provide students with the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively through the traditional print and broadcast media as well as the developing digital/on-line media. Skills emphasized for both types of media include information gathering, writing, and presentation/ dissemination techniques. Students completing the emphasis in Broadcast Journalism take the Mass Communication five-course core plus audio production and performance, an introductory visual communication course, beginning single camera/nonlinear editing, television studio production, broadcast journalism writing and reporting, television news producing and reporting, and two Mass Communication electives. Those in the Print Journalism emphasis complete the Mass Communication core courses plus reporting, editing, on-line journalism, a practicum, and two Mass Communication electives. Other required Mass Communication courses in this emphasis are Mass Media Messages and Effects and Changing Roles in Mass Media. The practicum ensures that every print-journalism student works on one of the major student media. Computer skills are necessary for all Journalism students. Emphasis In Broadcast Journalism
* Select at least 6 of these liberal arts hours from the courses listed below. Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced-hour requirement. Emphasis In Print Journalism
* Select at least 6 of these liberal arts hours from the courses listed at the end of this section. Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced-hour requirement. Emphasis In Public RelationsThe Public Relations emphasis prepares students for both agency work and leadership positions in corporate and/or nonprofit communication. While writing and presentation skills are essential, emphasis is on application of these writing and presentation skills for managing communication with individuals and groups that make up the stakeholders of each organization. Students in the public relations emphasis complete the Mass Communication five-course core and the professional seminar plus courses in public-relations principles, public-relations writing, and either strategic planning or campaigns for public relations and advertising. They also complete Communication Research Methods, two Mass Communication electives, and two courses in marketing.
* Select at least 6 of these liberal arts hours from the courses listed at the end of this section. Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced-hour requirement. Emphasis in Broadcast ProductionStudents completing the Broadcast Production emphasis are preparing for decision-making and technical responsibilities in electronic communication. Technical, artistic, and management skills combine to ensure that quality electronic content is presented in an effective, appropriate and engaging manner, within budget. Broadcast production students complete the Mass Communication five-course core, the professional seminar, and four of the courses in the Broadcast Journalism emphasis: audio production and performance, introductory visual communication, beginning single camera/nonlinear editing, TV studio production, and two Mass Communication electives. In addition broadcast production students complete a script writing course for fiction and nonfiction and an advanced production course where they create and produce programming for the departmental television station. Every broadcast-journalism student 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. Unless students plan to specialize in a content-specific field, a marketing or management minor is strongly recommended for this emphasis.
* Select at least 6 of these liberal arts hours from the courses listed at the end of this section. Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced-hour requirement. Emphasis in Media Sales and ManagementThe Media Sales and Management emphasis focuses primarily on the unique management issues associated with broadcast media. However, the program is designed to be useful to students with print and/or on-line management interests as well. Media sales and management students complete the Mass Communication five-course core and the professional seminar, plus courses in media sales, management, and marketing and promotions and two Mass Communication electives. In addition they complete Communication Research Methods, Case Studies in Public Relations and Advertising, and the History and Theory of Communication Technologies. A marketing or management minor is strongly recommended for students in this emphasis.
* Select at least 6 of these liberal arts hours from the courses listed below. NOTE: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. Liberal Arts Elective List: ENG 336, 337, 338; HIS 383, 392, 393, 433, 391, 495, 366, 331, 332, 478, 389; SOC 335, 465; POL 361, 368, 387; any advanced literature or culture course in Foreign Languages. Note: Science courses may be used to satisfy the 15-hour Liberal Arts requirement. Minor In Mass CommunicationThe 21-hour minor in Mass Communication requires students to complete the Mass Communication core courses: MCM 130, 132, 232/330, 471 and 493, plus two advanced electives appropriate to the student’s interests and career plans. Students must earn a ‘C’ in each minor course. |