MCO 140 PUBLIC RELATIONS THEORY AND PRACTICE
This course defines and explores the role of public relations, its subjects, audiences, research methods and functions. Three credit hours. Offered as needed.

MCO 150 MEDIA PROMOTION: ORGANIZATION AND PRACTICE
The purpose of this course is to introduce Media undergraduates to the process of promotion. Each element of the promotional mix--advertising, public relations, sales promotion, and personal selling--is discussed within the framework of integrated marketing communications. Three credits hours. Offered Spring semester (d).

MCO 160 INSTRUCTIONAL/INDUSTRIAL VIDEO PRODUCTION
An introductory course for any novice audio/video user. The student will learn to produce video presentations by hands-on experience with studio cameras, camcorders, video editing and computer graphics. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: WRT 175. Offered as needed.

 

MCO 211 WRITING FOR MEDIA
This course is intended to provide the students with an opportunity to practice non-persuasive and persuasive writing for mass media audiences. Thiscourse will introduce tudents to the various styles of writing for public relations, advertising, radio and television broadcasting and print media (newspaper and magazine). Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 110 and WRT 200. Offered Fall semester (d).

 

MCO 212 NEWS WRITING
This course will teach special writing skills needed to write effective breaking news or "deadline" stories. Students will hone their writing skills and practice efficient organization of facts under time pressure. Police, court, government and sports writing will be examined in depth. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 110, and WRT 175. Offered as needed.

 

MCO 230 RADIO PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES
Students are introduced to various types of radio continuity writing. Using college studio facilities, students are exposed to current radio programming production methods and are given opportunity to use professional broadcasting equipment to produce original programs and "spot" announcements. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 101, MCO 130, and WRT 175. Offered as needed.

MCO 236 BROADCAST MEDIA PERFORMING
A course designed for those persons who wish to develop their skill as "on-air" performers. Attention is given to techniques of delivery, style, announcing and performing on radio and television. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 130 and SPE 130. Offered as needed.

MCO 267 BASIC DESKTOP PUBLISHING
This course will introduce students to the basics of desktop publishing. They will be exposed to a form of communication that combines writing skills, design techniques and computer capabilities. Students will be given the opportunity to create ads, fliers and newsletters through hands-on experience. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: Any CIS course. Offered as needed.

MCO 277 FIELD EXPERIENCE I
Observational and "hands on" introduction to a media form through field placement in a media agency. A total of 120 hours is requried for this field experience. It is a required course for Media/Communications majors. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 101, MCO 110, MCO 130, MCO 150, WRT 200, and a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Offered every semester.

MCO 298 SPECIAL TOPIC IN MEDIA/ COMMUNICATIONS
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)

MCO 301 NEW COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES
An intensive examination of technological innovation and changes in the mass media. This course will discuss how these tech-nologies have impacted on the traditional process of information gathering and dissemination. The impact of technological change on consumers and industries will also be examined. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 101 and WRT 175. Offered Spring semester.

MCO 310 NEWS EDITING
An advanced course in journalism with special emphasis on editing print copy for newspapers, magazines, journals, etc. The course will deal with the development of editorial policy and issues of editorial responsibility.
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: MCO 110. Offered as needed.

MCO 315 FEATURE WRITING
This course is designed to train students with an interest in professional writing careers in print journalism. Elements of this course will prepare students to meet a growing demand in the industry for people who can write features as well as hard news. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 110 and WRT 200. Offered as needed.

MCO 320 COPYWRITING
A course intended to prepare the student to write persuasive advertising copy for newspapers, magazines and the electronic media. Guest lecturers will complement course instruction. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 150 and MCO 211. Offered as needed.

MCO 322 PROMOTION TECHNIQUES
The course studies and analyzes how manufacturers use advertising, public relations, sales promotion and personal selling to communicate with their customers. The functional characteristics of each of these is assessed in terms of varying marketing situations in the process of formulating the firm's strategy. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 120, MCO 150, and WRT 175. Offered as needed.

MCO 330 TELEVISION PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES
A study and implementation of current television production methods and equipment. Students learn the basic conepts of shooting, editing, lighting, producing and directing television program material. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: MCO 230. Offered as needed.

MCO 331 ADVANCED TELEVISION PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES
A continuation of MCO 330 with emphasis on refining techniques in television production, including advanced editing techniques and camera work as well as development of program formats. Students will produce a half hour public service talk show. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: MCO 330. Offered as needed.

MCO 336 BROADCAST NEWS JOURNALISM
A course which covers the operation of radio and television station newsrooms. Concentrates on techniques of reporting and editing news for an audio audience as well as practical instruction development of visual ideas for those media. Students will visit area radio and television newsrooms. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 110, MCO 130, and WRT 175. Offered as needed.

MCO 355 THE THEORY OF MEDIA CRITICISM
This course will not only allow media and non-media majors to become more articulate in their apprisal of media content, but it also will teach them how to assess the validity of other reviews of media content. The course will review form and content of all areas of media, multimedia and the arts, including radio, television, print, Internet and graphic art. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: WRT 200 and Junior standing. Offered Fall semester (d).

 

MCO 377 FIELD EXPERIENCE II
Observational and "hands-on" work experience in a second media placement situation. A total of 120 hours is required for this field experience. It is a required course for Media/Communications majors. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 277 and a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Offered every semester.

MCO 388 FIELD EXPERIENCE
Optional observational and "hands-on" work experience in a third media placement setting. A total of 120 hours is required for this field experience. It is for students wishing to explore a third media situation. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 377 and a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Offered every semester.

 

MCO 398 SPECIAL TOPIC IN MEDIA/COMMUNICATIONS
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)

 

MCO 400 MEDIA COMMUNICATION LAW AND ETHICS
A study of the history of media communication law from the First Amendment of the Constitution to laws in Congress today. Students discuss current issues and regulations involving ethical standards in all media. This course deals specifically with the rights of the reporter, the right of the public to know, government constraints and moral sensibilities. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 377. Offered Spring semester (d).

 

MCO 421 ADVERTISING/PR CAMPAIGN PLANNING
A course involving the students in the design, implementation, and execution of a complete Advertising/PR campaign. Students work in teams on analysis of marketing problems, research expenditures, media selection, and creative plan execution. May include multimedia presentation format. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: MCO 320. Offered as needed.

 

MCO 475 MEDIA AND SOCIETY SEMINAR
A historical investigation of media communications systems and their role in human society. The course will survey the history of communications from early civilizations to the present. After tracing a social history of communications, the course will then relate it to a discussion of current issues in the mass media, including issues of commercialism, information overloas and media convergence. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: SPE 260, WRT 200, and Junior standing. Offered Fall semester (d).

MCO 477 FIELD EXPERIENCE III
An intensive off-campus experience which builds upon the skills/ knowledge/attitudes gained in MCO 277 and MCO 377. It prepares the student for employment in his or her chosen field of media. The student will complete 200 hours of supervised internship at an approved site. Five credit hours. Prerequisites: MCO 377, and a 2.50 cumulative GPA. Offered every semester.

MCO 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MEDIA/COMMUNICATIONS