Radio/Television Program

Course Descriptions

Major
Minor

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: Maryjo Adams Cochran
FACULTY: Dunlap, Prisco, White

The Radio/Television Program at Sam Houston State University offers a comprehensive array of theory and production classes. Our philosophy encourages entering freshmen and transfer students to immediately embrace the Radio/Television curriculum and take at least two RTV classes every semester. Students are strongly encouraged to declare their major as early as possible - preferably their freshman year. We also recommend that students meet with a Radio/Television advisor EVERY semester to plot out their degree plan.

The Radio/Television curriculum is based on a strong philosophical foundation with a strict prerequisite sequence for the production classes. Please check with your advisor to make sure you are taking courses in the proper order.

Internships

The Radio/Television Program has a strong internship program for qualified majors. Interning is not a requirement for graduation but strongly encouraged IF the student has the mandatory prerequisites. Those non-negotiable requirements include:

¥ Junior standing (minimum 65 hours completed college course work)

¥ BA minimum 30 hours completed coursework in RTV

¥ BFA minimum 40 hours completed coursework in RTV

¥ 2.5 overall GPA

¥ 2.8 RTV GPA

¥ Two letters of recommendation from past employers or organizational officers

¥ Current resume

¥ Typed letter to Program Coordinator applying for an internship with area of specialty and location preference

 
Curricula: Major in Radio/Television
BACHELOR OF ARTS
 
First Year  Credit Second Year Credit
RTV 116, 163, 178, 263 10 RTV 117, 264, 265, 319 8
ENG 164, 165 6 ENG 265, 275, or 295 3
FL (one field) 8 ENG (200 level or higher) or SCM 162 3
MTH (164, 170 or approved substitute) 3 FL (one field) 6
MTH (excluding MTH 031D, 032D), CS, statistics, or PHL 262 or 362 3 BIO, CHM, GEL/GEO 131/111, or PHY (from two different departments)  8
KIN 215 or accepted substitute 1 HIS 163, 164 6
KIN activity or accepted substitute  1-3 34
32-34
Third Year     Credit Fourth Year Credit
RTV 270, 330, 373, 377  12 RTV 319, 371, 479, 494 10
POL 261, POL elective 6 Criterion VI 9
ART, DNC, MUS, or THR, or PHL 366  6 Minor 11-12
PHL elective 3 30-31
Minor 6
33
 
 
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
 
First Year  Credit
RTV 116, 117, 163, 178, 263  14 Please see your RTV advisor 
ENG 164, 165 6 for an individualized degree 
HIS 163, 164 6 plan update EVERY semester.
MTH (164, 170 or approved substitute) 3
CS 3
KIN 215 or accepted substitute 1
KIN activity or accepted substitute 1-3 
30-35 
 
  Bachelor of Arts
Radio/Television Minor 24 hours 
Required Courses  18 hours 
RTV 163/116, 178, 263, 264/117, 270/319 
Choose two 300-400 level RTV courses (must be 3-hour course) 6 hours
  

Bachelor of Arts
 
Radio/Television Major 43 hours
Required courses 37 hours
RTV 163/116, 178, 263, 264/117, 270/319, 373, 377, 371/319, 474, 479, 494 
Choose 6 elective hours from:
COM 131; RTV 265, 330, 335, 370, 374/318, 375, 376, 378, 472, or any other RTV course
    

Bachelor of Fine Arts
 
Radio/Television Major - Production Track 62 hours
Required courses 56 hours
PHO 181 or PHO 182; RTV 163/116, 178, 263, 264/117, 270/319, 335, 370 or 376, 373, 374/318, 377, 379, 371/319, 472, 474, 479, 493, 494 
Choose 6 elective RTV hours from: 
COM 131, JRN 180, PHO 183, PHO 263, PHO 364, ART 234, PHY 139, THR 431, THR 461, THR 466 or any other RTV course. 
                                  & nbsp;                  
 
Bachelor of Fine Arts
 
Radio/Television major-Broadcast Journalism Track 62 hours 
Required courses:  56 hours
PHO 181 or 182; JRN 131; RTV 163/116, 178, 263, 264/117, 265, 270/319, 335, 371/319, 373, 374/318, 375, 377, 379, 474, 479, 494 
Choose 6 elective RTV hours from:
COM 131; JRN 180, 261, 334, 433 or 434 or any other RTV course.
 

Bachelor of Fine Arts
 
Radio/Television major-Promotions & Public Relations Track 62 hours
Required courses: 55 hours
JRN 266; RTV 163/116, 178, 263, 264/117, 265, 270/319, 330 or 370 or 376, 371/319, 372, 373, 377, 378, 474, 475, 479, 494 
Choose 6 elective RTV hours from: 
COM 131; JRN 180, 269; MKT 371, 372, 374, 378; MGT 380, 474; GBA 181; PHO 181 or 182; ART 234, 335; or any other RTV course. 
 

Bachelor of Fine Arts
 
 
Radio/Television major-Marketing & Management Track  62 hours  
 
Required courses:  55 hours 
RTV 163/116, 178, 263, 264/117, 270/319, 330, 371/319, 372, 373, 377, 378, 380, 474, 475, 479, 493, 494 
Choose 7 elective RTV hours from: 
COM 131; MKT 371, 372, 374, 378; MGT 380, 381, 474; GBA 181, 362; ACC 231; JRN 266 or any other RTV course. 
 

Bachelor of Fine Arts
 
 
Radio/Television major-Advertising Track 62 hours
Required courses:  49 hours 
RTV 163/116, 178, 263, 264/117, 270/319, 371/319, 372, 373, 377, 378, 380, , 474, 475, 479, 494 
Choose 13 elective hours from: 
COM 131; JRN 131, 180, 266, 269; MKT 371, 372, 374, 378; MGT 380, 381, 474; GBA 181, 362; ACC 231, 232; PHO 181 or 182; ART 234, 335 or any other RTV course. 
 

 RADIO-TELEVISION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
RTV 116 RADIO WORKSHOP I. All workshops are practical production efforts. RTV 116, 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 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. RTV 319 lab must be taken concurrently. 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, 270 and 373. RTV 319 lab must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.
RTV 371 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. 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 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-film, with practice in preparing all necessary types of written material for broadcast: promotion 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. 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. RTV 319 lab must be taken concurrently. Credit 3.
RTV 377 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. Concurrent enrollment in RTV 319 is required. 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 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 INTERNATIONAL/INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION. 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 station’s 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 will allow him/her to pursue a particular problem beyond the limits of current offerings including non-linear editing, internships and student station management positions at both Cable Channel 7 and KSHU. The problem, however, will be within the student’s area of specialization. Prerequisite: Permission of the RTV Program 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. Problems of educational and industrial mass media are covered as well as those of commercial broadcasting. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Credit 3.

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