Students
enter the mass communications program under that year's
catalog and must fufill those requirements to graduate.
Previous catalogs are available in the registrar's office. |
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2007-2008
Catalog Description
(click
here for .pdf file)
The rapidly evolving world of mass media affects our lives
on a daily basis. New technologies are creating a global network
of ideas, information and industries. The objectives of Piedmont
College’s program of study in mass communications as
offered by Piedmont College are: (1) to provide students with
a basic understanding of television, radio and Internet broadcasting,
advertising and promotion, communications networks, journalism,
and the effects of media on society; (2) to provide students
with the knowledge to work successfully in organizations utilizing
mass media technologies and developing mass media content;
and (3) to prepare students for graduate studies in mass communications.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
Major: Mass Communications
Individuals working in mass media-related organizations must
understand the following: television, radio and Internet broadcasting,
telecommunications networks; managing and writing for electronic
and print media; visual communications, advertising and promotion;
film studies; managing media organizations, and the ethical,
sociological and legal effects of mass media on business and
society. Therefore, students majoring in mass communications
must successfully complete a 42-hour sequence (14 courses)
in those academic areas. In addition, students must successfully
complete a 12-hour sequence of general electiveschosen in
consultation with a faculty advisor in mass communications.
The specific required courses for the major are as follows:
MCOM 210. Mass Media Survey
MCOM 220. Writing for Newspapers & Magazines
MCOM 250. Television Production I
MCOM 260. Radio Production I
MCOM 320. Writing for Broadcast Media
MCOM/SOC 340. Media, Technology and Society
MCOM 370. Advertising and Communications
MCOM 380. Media Management
MCOM 400. Advanced Studies in Mass Media
MCOM/PS 420. Telecommunications & Globalization
MCOM/PS 430. Communications Law and Ethics
Electives: Select at least 9 hours from the following
MCOM 110. Practicum
MCOM 300. Mass Media Technology: Layout and Design
MCOM 301. Copy Editing
MCOM 302. Magazine Workshop
MCOM 303. Electronic Media Sales and Programming
MCOM 304. Sportscasting
MCOM 305. Announcing for Radio and TV
MCOM 306. Editing and Graphics for TV and Film
MCOM 310. Web Applications for Mass Media
124 Piedmont College 2007-08 Catalog
MCOM 330. Special Topics in Mass Media
MCOM 350. Television Production II
MCOM 355. Radio Production II
MCOM 390. Public Relations
MCOM 410. Mass Media Internship
* Practicum can be repeated with approval of a mass communications
faculty advisor. Thepracticum requires 30 hours of documented
work and a paper.
Minor: Mass Communications
Students majoring in other academic disciplines may elect
to minor in mass communications. The minor consists of 18
semester hours. Students are required to take MCOM 210, 220,
250, 260 and 320. One course may be selected from MCOM 330,
340, 370, 380, 420 or 430.
Career Options
Two of the most popular majors across campuses in the United
States are mass communications and business. Graduates in
mass communications are highly sought after by employers who
are striving to keep up with the demands of mass media and
global communications networks. Virtually any organization
or corporation can utilize individuals with skills in mass
communications. Specific areas of application include: journalism;
radio, television and multimedia; public relations; Internet
applications; advertising and promotion; Web site management,
sales and telecommunications. Piedmont College’s internship
program in mass communications opens the door for students
to easily migrate from academia to industry.
Course Descriptions
MCOM 100. Public Speaking 3 hours
Prepares students for formal and informal speaking, including
informative, persuasive, demonstration, visual aid and impromptu
speeches, as well as exploring non-verbal, group dynamics
and different styles of propaganda.
MCOM 110. Practicum 1 hour
Provides academic credit to students who work in areas of
responsibility in mass communications, for example, serving
as an editor or reporter for the newspaper, managing and producing
a regularly-scheduled radio program, working on the yearbook
or magazine, reporting, producing or directing for TV Piedmont,
or serving as a member of the Piedmont Debate Team. Students
are required to work individually with the assigned professor,
log a minimum of thirty hours work in the field, and submit
an 8-10 page paper at the end of the semester.
MCOM 210. Mass Media Survey 3 hours
Examines the structure, responsibilities, and influence of
the mass media with an overview of the development and current
status of global media systems, emerging technologies and
the current status of converging media industries.
MCOM 220. Writing for Newspapers & Magazines 3
hours
Prerequisite: ENG 101.
Writing for print and electronic media to include newspapers,
magazines and journals.
MCOM 250. Television Production I 3 hours
Methods of pre-production, production, and post-production
for television. Includes active management of TV Piedmont.
MCOM 260. Radio Production I 3 hours
Introduction to audio production and announcing. Includes
on-air experience on WRFP, the student-run radio station.
MCOM 300. Mass Media Technology: Layout and Design
3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
Description: This course focuses on technology applications
in the following areas: database management, layout and design,
project management, calendar and e-mail management and spreadsheet
applications. Students will achieve a working knowledge of
the following technology programs: Microsoft Project, Publisher,
Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and Microsoft Office templates.
Students will use their technology and communication skills
to contribute to the development of a major project that demonstrates
use of all the technologies covered in the class and includes
mass media research.
MCOM 301. Copyediting 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210 and 220
Examines concepts of writing and copyediting and provides
practical experience in copyediting with an emphasis on print
and broadcast journalism.
MCOM 302. Magazine Workshop 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
This course examines advanced writing concepts focusing on
the magazine industry. Students will complete an individual,
original, feature-length article which they will submit to
a professional magazine for consideration for publication.
They will also produce shorter feature articles for the Piedmont
College newspaper and magazine.
MCOM 303. Electronic Media Sales and Programming 3
hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
This course will provide students the opportunity to develop
a basic understanding of the workings of professional, electronic
media programming decision-making along with a basic understanding
of the broadcast sales function and how to best present a
non-tangible product offering.
MCOM 304. Sportscasting 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
This course will provide students an overview of the numerous
tasks involved in producing a live, play-by-play, sports broadcast.
This course will also introduce the student to the skills
needed to produce a daily/weekly sports report.
MCOM 305. Announcing for Radio & TV 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
This course will provide students an overview of the skills
and techniques required to be a professional announcer for
a radio or TV station. Oral communication techniques such
as voice articulation and enunciation will be explored.
MCOM 306. Editing & Graphics for TV and Film 3
hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
Study of methodologies and techniques of video and film editing.
Utilizes the latest digital editing programs to produce programs
to air on TV Piedmont.
126 Piedmont College 2007-08 Catalog
MCOM 310. Web Applications for Mass Media 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
In this course students develop Web sites utilizing Macromedia
Dreamweaver and Flash software and learn best practices for
Web site development in mass media.
MCOM 320. Writing for Broadcast Media 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210 and 220
Advanced writing for print and electronic media including
television, radio and the Internet.
MCOM 330. Special Topics in Mass Media 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
Selected topics in mass media include: Introduction to Film
Studies, Film Production, Screenwriting, Documentary Films,
Community Journalism, Advanced Public Speaking and Debate,
Entertainment Programs for TV, Web Design, Writing Opinions
and Editorials.
MCOM/SOC 340. Media, Society, and Technology 3 hours
Analysis of relationships among media, technology and society
in relation to economic, political, professional, institutional
and ethical dimensions within a global context.
MCOM 350. Television Production II 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 250
Active management of the College television station including
student-produced television programming (utilizing CNN Newsource),
technical assistance, directing, anchoring and promotion.
MCOM 355. Radio Production II 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 260
Active management of the College radio station including student-produced
radio programming, technical assistance, announcing and promotion.
MCOM 370. Advertising and Communications 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
Emphasis on understanding advertising concepts, organization,
and practice including theeconomic and social effects of advertising
and promotion.
MCOM 380. Media Management 3 hours
Prerequisites: MCOM 210
A study of the various departments within media organizations
and how they integrate into an efficient business operation.
This study includes an overview of the regulatory and technical
landscapes that face today’s media managers.
MCOM 390. Public Relations 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
Examines the methodologies for producing successful public
relation campaigns for corporations, non-profits, community
based organizations and political campaigns.
MCOM 400. Advanced Studies in Mass Media 3 hours
Prerequisite: Senior standing.
Application for graduation must be submitted when registering
for this class. A seminar designed to synthesize and integrate
the theories and skills of mass communications. Students are
required to give both a written and oral presentation of their
senior capstone project. This senior thesis project demonstrates
the student’s abilities in the following areas: technology,
public speaking, content knowledge, creativity and organization.
Students must score 80 percent or better on the capstone thesis
and presentation to pass the course. Capstone projects are
evaluated by all members of the mass communications faculty.
MCOM 410. Mass Media Internship 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210 and Mass Communications faculty
approval.
Supervised experience in mass media with organizations and
companies in the field such as CNN and CBS affiliate, Channel
32.
MCOM 420. Telecommunications & Globalization 3
hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
Overview of traditional and emerging global telecommunications
technologies, including understanding traditional and emerging
networks and the cultural, economic and political impact of
these technologies on a global basis.
MCOM/PS 430. Communications Law and Ethics 3 hours
Prerequisite: MCOM 210
Provides an overview of current and emerging communications
law and public policy as it relates to the purpose and operation
of public and private institutions, freedom of speech and
the media, privacy, equal access, copyright, public opinion,
monopoly, anti-trust laws and media ethics.
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