Theoretical aspects of the media in the United States. Focuses on current media industries, issues, and events from coverage of high-profile events to media criticism. Students should gain an understanding of the social, economic, and intellectual forces that have helped shape the media. The course, primarily through lectures and demonstrations, presents concise historical perspectives. Liberal Education Goal Area 9.
Common Course Outline

MASC 1500 Introduction to Mass Media (1 credits)

This course introduces students to the field of mass media by exploring the variety of forms and processes that shape the media landscape; i.e. television, radio, cinema, print, podcasts, web-based streaming, etc. Students new to the Mass Communication major will also be introduced to a variety of student media opportunities including KBSU-TV, FM90, the Northern Student and the Headwaters Film Festival.
Common Course Outline

MASC 1840 Introduction to Media Writing (3 credits)

Applied aspects of techniques and styles of writing for mass media. Students should gain an understanding of elements common to all writing for the mass media and the differences among them. This course requires basic keyboarding skills.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2100 Minorities in the Media (3 credits)

Theoretical and applied aspects of the coverage of disenfranchised groups by the mass media. Students should gain an understanding of the complexity of the cultural, political, and economic forces that shape media coverage of disenfranchised groups. Through case studies, research, class discussion, and reporting and producing one or more stories, students learn how groups outside the power structure in society are portrayed in the mainstream media. Liberal Education Goal Areas 7 & 9.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2110 Media Workshop I (1 credits)

This workshop is designed to give students hands-on learning opportunities by working for the student media. Students will work with the Northern Student magazine and website, KBSU-TV television station and FM-90 radio station. Students work with story and program creation, or on the business and advertising side of the student media. Class is ideal for freshman and sophomores.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2223 Audio Production (3 credits)

Theoretical aspects of waveforms, transmission, and communication. Relationships of analog and digital media technology. Radio communication and broadcasting are discussed, including the FCC's role in broadcast operations. Students gain practical skills in the operation of audio equipment and are introduced to digital audio editing. Incorporates lecture, demonstration, and practical skill building. Lab hours required.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2233 Video Production (3 credits)

Theoretical and applied aspects of video communication, including international television systems. Exploration of all areas of television and delivery are discussed in detail. Creative development, including basic scriptwriting, are offered with practical opportunities for skill building in a studio setting. Students are also introduced to studio production and basic digital video editing concepts. The course incorporates lecture, demonstrations, and studio assignments. Lab hours required. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MASC 2243.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2243 Video Editing (3 credits)

This course focuses on the aesthetics and skill development in editing video and sound for multimedia, broadcast and cinematic productions. This course emphasizes storytelling -- the capture, editing, and outputting of video and audio using a desktop computer.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2300 Independent Film (1 credits)

Two mandatory meetings (flexible--two hours each day) at the Headwaters Film Festival. This online course examines contemporary independent film -- techniques and aesthetics, history, and the business side -- funding models and distribution avenues.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2330 Headwaters Film Fest (2 credits)

Event planning is a sought after skill. Students work in teams to plan and organize the programming, hospitality, fundraising, communication, promotion, judging management and technical parts of a large event - the Headwaters Film Fest.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2460 Digital Photography (3 credits)

Theoretical and applied aspects of digital photography, including camera handling and Photoshop. Students become familiar with all aspects of operating a 35 mm camera and producing quality photographs for media-related work. A survey of the history and principles involved in producing digital photographs, transferring them to computers, enhancing them with software, and incorporating them in publications. Readings, discussions, and individual productions are utilized to familiarize students with the production of digital photos. Lab time required. Digital cameras provided. Lab fees.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2600 Advertising (3 credits)

Advertising is everywhere and we are bombarded by a great number of mediated messages each day. This course examines the theoretical and practical aspects of advertising and gives an overview of the field. Students will gain an increased awareness of how advertising works, where it fits into the fabric of our society, and how it is used--sometimes ethically and sometimes not. The course incorporates lecture, discussion, and projects and students analyze print, broadcast and digital advertising.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2650 Social Media Marketing (3 credits)

Social media has moved from a pastime to a professional endeavor. This course introduces the major social media platforms and theoretical constructs and examines how companies use social media for marketing, analytics and customer service. This course will give future media and communications professionals practical experience needed to successfully utilize social media for strategic endeavors.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2690 Public Relations (3 credits)

Learn the strategic planning process of doing public relations work and how to create a public relations plan. Students will learn and apply the various tactics used by public relations professionals to meet organizational goals.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2700 Reporting and Writing (3 credits)

Knowing how to research and write a good story is important for many professions: journalism, public relations, marketing, blogging and advertising. This class will teach you the important skills of researching, reporting and writing stories. Prerequisite: MASC 1840.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2760 Documentary Film (3 credits)

Historical overview of the genre. Students view and analyze a variety of documentary films to gain an understanding of their purpose, their impact, their audiences, and their cultural and artistic value. (Might not be offered every year.)
Common Course Outline

MASC 2900 Topics in Mass Communication (1-3 credits)

Study of a specific mass communication topic or development, person, or time period, with the specific title being announced in each semester's class schedule. (Might not be offered every year.)
Common Course Outline

MASC 2925 People and the Environment: Mass Media Perspectives (3 credits)

For both majors and non-majors. Theoretical aspects of the effect of the mass media on environmental processes. Students should gain an understanding of the complexity of the cultural, political, and economic forces that shape media coverage of the environment, and the importance of such an understanding to maintaining a sustainable global environment. The course is a discussion section of the interdisciplanary lecture on environmental issues for liberal education. Liberal Education Goal Area 10.
Common Course Outline

MASC 2970 Internship (3 credits)

Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only. Student internships may be either full-time or part-time in a public or private agency appropriate to the degree objective. Internships consist of closely supervised periods of service that are arranged in advance of the course registration. Students should consult their advisor concerning prerequisites.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3110 Media Workshop II (1 credits)

This workshop will build on the skills learned in Media Workshop 1. Students will continue to work with the Northern Student magazine and website, KBSU-TV television station and FM-90 radio station. Students will take leadership roles and work on more in-depth projects. Students will work with story and program creation, or on the business and advertising side of the student media. Prerequisite: MASC 2110.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3150 Photojournalism (3 credits)

Applied aspects of press photography and picture editing. Students should gain competence in creating photographs and designing and laying out photo essays. Demonstration and hands-on experience covers darkroom processing, picture story planning and execution, and computer manipulation of images. The course concentrates on the application of basic principles of both photography and journalism, and requires laboratory work, as well as in-class participation. Prerequisites: MASC 1840 and MASC 2450. (May not be offered every year.)
Common Course Outline

MASC 3270 Media Theory and Criticism (3 credits)

Provides an overview of thinking about the mass media and an introduction to the major social science approaches to the study of journalism within the context of mass communication. Explores critical and theoretical approaches to understanding contemporary mass media. Focuses on television, newspapers, and new media in an examination of the meanings, benefits, and practices of one of the most widespread sign systems of our time. Students learn how to decode the media messages that proliferate around us. Prerequisites: MASC 1840 and junior or senior status.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3310 Directing Visual Media (3 credits)

Course focuses on the techniques required to successfully direct a video production. Two distinct styles of directing include directing live multi-camera and on-location single camera production. Students gain experience by directing studio news and entertainment, live sports, and single camera commercial and documentary programs. This course also explores in detail the creative decisions that a director must make, how to manage a production crew, and how to direct on-camera talent. Prerequisite: MASC 2233.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3330 Audio/Video Studio Production (3 credits)

An advanced media production course that provides an in-depth understanding of audience analysis, news and sports programming, advanced multi-camera live production, and field news reporting. Implementation of new digital technologies and production techniques for Web casting are included. Lab hours required. Prerequisites: MASC 2223, MASC 2233, and MASC 2243.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3450 Advanced Field Production (3 credits)

An advanced media course in which students learn hands-on, single camera production on-location. Areas of study include documentary, advanced news gathering, and experimental/music video. All projects are edited with non-linear computer systems and published to DVD and Web. Lab hours required. Prerequisites in this order or concurrently: MASC 2233 and MASC 2243.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3460 Multimedia Production (3 credits)

Learn how to conceptualize and create multimedia projects. This course gives instruction on how to research and produce content across platforms using video, photos, audio and text to create in-depth projects. Prerequisites: MASC 1840, MASC 2223, MASC 2233, MASC 2243, MASC 2460.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3470 Multimedia Marketing Communication (3 credits)

This course focuses on reaching potential customers through the use of multimedia content marketing. Using video, photos, audio and text, you will learn content marketing strategies and how to create content that delivers information about your product or services to your target audience.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3480 Advanced Audio Production (3 credits)

This course emphasizes the techniques of advanced audio production through hands-on experience in script writing, multiple-source audio recording, and multi-track editing. Students will be able to use the techniques learned in this class to produce advanced audio documentaries, advertisements, audio drama or sound tracks for film and video. In addition to lecture and demonstration, this course involves one-on-one, hands-on experience learning. A considerable amount of laboratory time is devoted to completing assigned audio productions. Each student will become proficient at the creative production process in-studio and on-location. The student will master their vocal abilities and become proficient at the production of creative audio ads. This course builds confidence in your production ability. Prerequisite: MASC 2223.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3500 Media Design (3 credits)

Good visual design is everywhere; from ads and magazines, to mobile content and websites, to marketing reports and brochures. Learn and apply effective design principles to a variety of projects using Adobe InDesign. Also learn the basics of interactive digital publishing.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3650 Media Production for Social Entrepreneurship (3 credits)

Are you passionate about solving social and environmental problems? We'll study social entrepreneurship -- a rapidly growing field that uses standard business methods to address problems. You'll work collaboratively to create a business model, pitch and video to promote your business.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3750 Communication History (3 credits)

A survey in communication technologies from prehistory to contemporary times. This course will examine the important historical developments in human communication and will explore how these advances shaped the modern world.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3760 Documentary Film Workshop (3 credits)

A hands-on course in which students write, produce, and direct a "short subject" documentary. In the process of working together, the student crew learns documentary storytelling methods and cinematic technique. Together, the student production team selects a worthy topic regarding persons or activities locally and tells a compelling human-interest story that culminates in a public film debut. Prerequisites: MASC 2233. (Might not be offered every year.)
Common Course Outline

MASC 3790 Screenwriting (3 credits)

This is an advanced writing course in which students learn the process of writing a dramatic screenplay for film and digital cinema. Students learn to develop the critical dramatic elements that are central to a successful screenplay: characterization, plot development, and cinematic description. Each student develops and writes a screenplay that is formatted to film industry standards. Prerequisites: ENGL 1151 and MASC 1840. (Might not be offered every year.)
Common Course Outline

MASC 3850 Media Ethics and Law (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the study of media ethics and the principles of media law as they apply to the work of media and communications professionals in a variety of fields. Examines the principles on which American law is based and discusses the creation, interpretation and the role of law, while analyzing ethical issues through case studies concerned with different media, including advertising, film, photojournalism, print and broadcast journalism, public relations, television and World Wide Web. Introduces a variety of key issues in media law and ethics and demonstrates the complexities in reaching outcomes.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3900 Topics in Mass Communication (1-3 credits)

Study of a specific mass communication topic or development, person, or time period, with the specific title being announced in each semester's class schedule.
Common Course Outline

MASC 3970 Internship (3 credits)

MASC 4110 Capstone Preparation (3 credits)

Students develop a project proposal for the Capstone Project class. This includes a focus on 1) a survey of methods for investigating mass communication processes and effects; 2) practice of survey research, including planning, sampling, interviewing, and analysis of data; and 3) an introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods. Projects may include, but are not limited to, in-depth media projects, thesis papers, marketing plans and documentaries. Students will create both the written proposal, as well as the critical/research/conceptual component of their project during this class. Proposal must be approved by Mass Communication Department to be able to move on to Capstone Project. Prerequisites: MASC 3270 (may be taken concurrently) and Senior status.
Common Course Outline

MASC 4330 Engineering for Electronic Media (3 credits)

A very practical "mini course" in electronic fundamentals. Explores the basic theory of how things function in a broadcast environment. Practical use and repair of audio/video connectors, components, and circuitry. Reading of instruments, levels, and oscilloscope patterns in a television/radio studio. Techniques of soldering connectors, and cable repair used in everyday television/radio stations. Audio theory and components, as well as video signal operation. At the end of this course, students will have sufficient electronic knowledge to pass the FCC Amateur Radio license exam. This class builds confidence and understanding of broadcast operations. Lab hours required. Prerequisites: MASC 2223 or MASC 2233.
Common Course Outline

MASC 4340 Digital Cinema (3 credits)

Introduction to the theory and practice of motion picture filmmaking as it applies to digital media. Topics include familiarity with filmmaking equipment; basic cinematic techniques; converting ideas to images; the use of lighting, editing, and sound in cinema; scheduling, casting, and location scouting; and the role of acting, directing, and good storytelling in the filmmaking process. Students work in small groups to make short digital video films that manifest their ideas and beliefs in content and process. Forms of distribution are also explored, including DVD, the Internet, and Web streaming. Prerequisites: MASC 1840 and MASC 2233. (Might not be offered every year.)
Common Course Outline

MASC 4350 Media Economics and Leadership (3 credits)

This course explores how the economics of convergent media and emerging forms of dissemination drive changes in the way media related companies do business. Areas of study include organizational structure and management, entrepreneurship and leadership practices and the effects economic models in media related businesses. This class contains a significant writing and presentation element as well as trips to area broadcast stations and media businesses.
Common Course Outline

MASC 4892 Capstone Project (3 credits)

Students will carry out the project proposal they created during Capstone Preparation class. They will present their project and demonstrate a thorough understanding of their topic during an oral presentation. Prerequisites: MASC 3270, MASC 4110 and senior status.
Common Course Outline

MASC 4900 Topics in Mass Communication (1-3 credits)

Study of a specific mass communication topic or development, person, or time period, with the specific title being announced in each semester's class schedule.
Common Course Outline