MCO 101: Media and Society (1c)
MCO 103: Writing for the Mass Media (1c)
MCO 104: Introduction to Broadcast Production (1c)
CIS 160: Introduction to Computers (1c)
MCO 205: Public Relations: Principles and Practices (1c)
INT 210: Internship Development (.5c)
MCO 362: Communication Law (1c)
MCO 464: Women and Communication (1c)
MCO 483: Advanced Internship: Case Study and Report (.5c)
MCO 493: Senior Project or Thesis (1c)

One of the following three areas of emphasis:

Broadcast Media Emphasis:

MCO 201: Presentation/Performance (1c)
MCO 210: Radio Production (1c)
MCO 211: Television Production (1c)
MCO 221: Broadcast News Writing and Reporting (1c)
MCO 311: Advanced Television Production (1c)
MCO 360: Television Programming (1c)

Journalism Emphasis:

PSC 201S: American Government (1c)
MCO 207: News Gathering and Reporting (1c)
MCO 221: Broadcast News Writing and Reporting (1c)
MCO/PSC 375D: Politics and the Press (1c)

One of the following pairs of courses:
MCO 211: Television Production (1c)
MCO 311: Advanced Television Production (1c)
or
MCO 231: Newspaper Production (1)
MCO 307: Advanced News Gathering and Reporting (1c)

Public Relations Emphasis:

MCO 207: News Gathering and Reporting (1c)
MCO 231: Newspaper Production (1c)
MCO 307: Advanced News Gathering and Reporting (1c)
MCO/BUS 335: Case Studies in Marketing and Public Relations (1c)
MCO 403: Public Relations Writing (1c)

Required Liberal Arts Course

MCO 333E: Media Ethics (1c)

MCO 106: Basic Speech (1c)
MCO 212: Mass Communication Practicum (.5c)
MCO 310: Advanced Radio Production (1c)
MCO 321: Broadcast Writing: Drama and Documentary (1c)
MCO 371: Media Literacy (1c)
MCO/PSC 375D: Politics and the Press (1c)
MCO 380: Topics in Mass Communication (1c)
MCO 393: Communication Theory and Research (1c)
MCO 412: Advanced Mass Communication Practicum (.5c/1c)
MCO 431: Advertising Copywriting (1c)

Requirements for a Minor in Mass Communication
The minor in mass communication with emphases in broadcast media, journalism or public relations requires completion of a minimum of 6.0 MCO courses, including at least 2.0 courses at or above the 300 level. An overall GPA of at least 2.0 in all mass communication courses listed in the minor is required. Students may select additional MCO courses for a total of 8.0 courses within a 40.0 course degree program. Refer to the course descriptions for prerequisites and grade requirements.

Broadcast Media Emphasis:

MCO 101: Media and Society (1c)
MCO 103: Writing for the Mass Media (1c)
MCO 104: Introduction to Broadcast Production (1c)
MCO 362: Communication Law (1c)

One of the following courses:
MCO 210: Radio Production (1c)
or
MCO 211: Television Production (1c)

One of the following courses:
MCO 360: Television Programming (1c)
or
MCO 380: Topics in Mass Communication (1c)

Journalism Emphasis:

MCO 101: Media and Society (1c)
MCO 103: Writing for the Mass Media (1c)
MCO 207: News Gathering and Reporting (1c)
MCO 231: Newspaper Production (1c)
MCO 307: Advanced News Gathering and Reporting (1c)
MCO 375D: Politics and the Press (1c)

Public Relations Emphasis:

MCO 101: Media and Society (1c)
MCO 103: Writing for the Mass Media (1c)
MCO 205: Public Relations: Principles and Practices (1c)
MCO 207: News Gathering and Reporting (1c)
MCO/BUS 335: Case Studies in Marketing and Public Relations (1c)
MCO 403: Public Relations Writing (1c)

Mass Communication and the Liberal Studies Major
In the residential program, the three mass communication minors-broadcast, journalism, and public relations-are available as options to include in the Liberal Studies major. A concentration in commercial media writing is also available. See the Liberal Studies section of the catalog for complete information about the major.

Mass Communication Courses

MCO 101: Media and Society
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
A study of the interplay of influences between mass media and society, including an understanding of the workings of media organizations, the changes brought about by new technology and the media's legal and ethical responsibilities. Offered every semester.

MCO 103: Writing for the Mass Media
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MCO 101 or permission of instructor; lab fee charged)
An introduction to the different styles of writing demanded by the various media, the array of techniques and methods used to find information and present it accurately and appropriately for the medium, and the different forms information may take in the mass media. Areas of study include public relations writing and advertising copywriting, with particular emphasis on print news writing Associated Press style and broadcast writing. Offered every semester.

MCO 104: Introduction to Broadcast Production
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: MCO 101 or MCO 103 or permission of instructor and CIS 160 or
equivalent skills; lab fee charged)
An introduction to basic equipment and techniques of television and radio production through lectures, demonstrations and crew participation. Elements and skills covered include operation of audio consoles, microphones, audio tape editing, television cameras, switchers, lighting and studio procedures. Students are responsible for some materials required. Offered spring semester only.

MCO 106: Basic Speech
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
Skill development in writing and delivering the various kinds of speeches needed in social and business situations. Development of self-confidence through performance experience with audio tape, videotape and live audiences. Offered every semester.

MCO 201: Presentation/Performance
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: MCO 104 or permission of instructor; lab fee charged)
Practice in performance skills with particular emphasis on many styles of radio and television announcing, including use of microphones and teleprompters. Opportunity for extensive work on individual vocal and physical performance through the use of specially tailored assignments and audio-video tape production and evaluation. Offered spring semester only.

MCO 205: Public Relations: Principles and Practices
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: MCO 103 and sophomore standing)
A survey course of public relations principles and theories practiced today in business, nonprofit organizations, associations, government and education. The historical, legal, organizational and social context of public relations. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 207: News Gathering and Reporting
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ENG 102 and grade of C- or better in MCO 103; lab fee charged)
An introduction to news writing and reporting for the print media. Students learn news gathering, interviewing, organizing, writing and editing skills for basic types of articles and also write for and assist in producing the campus newspaper, Stephens Life. Students also review Associated Press style. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 210: Radio Production
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MCO 104; lab fee charged)
Introduces students to the regulations of radio broadcast, as well as to the planning and production of various forms of radio programming. Special emphasis is placed on production usage of audio studio and field equipment and DAW editing. Selected assignments are for broadcast on Stephens' own KWWC-FM. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 211: Television Production
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MCO 104; lab fee charged)
Introduces the student to the planning, execution and editing of television programming involving field and studio production. Includes practical experience in operating a variety of audio and video field equipment, as well as additional experience in operating studio and post-production editing equipment. Students are also involved in production of a weekly video magazine. Offered spring semester only.

MCO 212: Mass Communication Practicum
(.5 course)
(May be taken two times for credit) (Prerequisite: permission of department faculty; can be taken for either S/U or A-F credit; lab fee charged)
Open to all majors and minors working at KWWC-FM, in SCMCom Production, PR Prose or Stephens Life. Work to be evaluated by appropriate faculty adviser. Offered every semester.

MCO 221: Broadcast News Writing and Reporting
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: MCO 103 and sophomore standing; lab fee charged)
A course in news writing for broadcast media. Through lectures and practical projects, students engage in gathering, organizing, writing, editing and reporting the news for broadcast. Special emphasis is placed on production usage of audio studio and field equipment and digital editing. Students produce daily newscasts for KWWC-FM. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 231: Newspaper Production
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MCO 207 or permission of instructor; lab fee charged)
Gathering information, reporting and writing articles for publication in Stephens Life, selling and designing advertisements and page production of the newspaper. Offered every semester.

MCO 280: Topics in Mass Communication
(1.0 course)
Topics courses are devoted to special subjects that may not be covered in depth in other courses.

MCO 283: Internship: Case Study & Report
(.5 course, may be repeated once for credit)
(Prerequisites: INT 210, permission of instructor and completion of industry internship approved by instructor)

NOTE: All appropriate agreement and approval forms must be on file with the faculty supervisor prior to beginning the internship.

This course will serve as a preliminary experience for those students who wish to gain some familiarization with an industry internship prior to undertaking their required internship for the major. During the internship, students will have compiled information concerning their internship sponsoring organization and their organizational supervisor will complete an intern evaluation. After the internship, students will share and discuss their internship experience in a series of meetings with a mass communication faculty member during the first seven weeks of the fall semester, culminating in a formal presentation of their case study. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 307: Advanced News Gathering and Reporting
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MCO 207 or permission of instructor; lab fee charged)
An advanced course in writing in-depth news stories, features, editorials and columns with emphasis on strengthening interviewing, reporting and writing skills. Students learn about public documents for all areas of government. Students also write for and help produce Stephens Life. Offered spring semester only.

MCO 310: Advanced Radio Production
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MCO 210 or permission of instructor; lab fee charged)
Continuation of MCO 210. The planning, writing and execution of radio programming, including news and public affairs, continuity, public service and specialty programs. Class activities include practical experience through participation in the operation of KWWC-FM. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 311: Advanced Television Production
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MCO 211 or permission of instructor; lab fee charged)
Continuing practical experience in field and studio production. Focuses on the planning, pre-production, production and post-production of television programs with emphasis on the separate roles of the producer and director. Students are involved in producing programming to air on cable access. Offered spring semester only.

MCO 321: Broadcast Writing: Drama and Documentary
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: MCO 103 and ENG 102)
Advanced course in developing and writing documentaries, teleplays, adaptations and/or other programs. Principles and practice in research and program presentation.

MCO 333E: Media Ethics
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ENG 102 and junior standing)
This course introduces a variety of ethical theories that are applied by students to specific cases and issues addressed daily by professionals in the news media and in advertising, public relations and entertainment fields. Offered every semester. Writing intensive.

MCO 335: Case Studies in Marketing and Public Relations
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: grade of C- or better in MCO 205 or BUS 250 and junior standing or permission of instructor; cross-listed as BUS 335)
A combination case study and hands-on course designed to increase research, writing and assessment skills in marketing and public relations. Cases will focus on research, planning, strategies, tactics and evaluation. Course culminates in researching and writing a marketing and public relations case history. Offered every other spring semester.

MCO 360: Television Programming
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor)
A study of the creation of television programming from the viewpoints of networks, affiliates, syndicators, cable systems and public broadcasting. Includes programming strategies and ratings along with their impact on commercial, public and cable television, as well as new media. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 362: Communication Law
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor)
A study of the legal issues concerning communication and individuals, organizations and the media of mass communication. Reviews the development of such areas as First Amendment freedoms: free speech, free press, fair trial; privacy and access; libel, defamation, obscenity and indecency; advertising, copyright and trademark; and new media regulation. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 371: Media Literacy
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of instructor)
Examines media literacy through theoretical, critical and socio-psychological modes of analyzing and assessing media in terms of audience participation, their power as consumers and agents of American mass media, and in terms of media effects and influence on the audience. Representative examples from still images, recordings, film and video will be examined. Offered only every other year.

MCO 375D: Politics and the Press
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: ENG 102, completion of at least 1.0 "S" category liberal arts course and junior standing; cross-listed as PSC 375D)
Course focuses on relationship of electoral politics and mass media. Topics include historical look at media in campaigns, negative and positive influence of media on campaigns, impact of political ads and debates, political communication theories, campaign reform and election/media laws, and improvements in political coverage. Course also relevant to those interested in political science or public policy. Offered each semester.

MCO 380: Topics in Mass Communication
(1.0 course)
Topics may include such areas as Children & Television, Women & Film, Crisis Management in Public Relations. Topics offered in rotation and in response to interest. Course may be repeated with different topic.

MCO 393: Communication Theory and Research
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: junior standing)
A study of the theories and research methods of the communication discipline. Content ranges from those theories particular to individuals to those particular to the media, both in terms of scholarship and application. Reviews development of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including methods used in the industry of mass communication. Offered spring
semester only.

MCO 403: Public Relations Writing: Form and Style
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: grade of C- or better in MCO 205 and senior standing or permission of instructor)
An advanced-writing course concentrating on the forms and styles used by public relations practitioners when communicating with general and specialized audiences. Includes news releases for print and broadcast, advertising copy, speeches, film and slide presentation scripts, annual reports, newsletters, brochures, backgrounds and position papers. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 412: Advanced Mass Communication Practicum
(.5-1.0 course; may be taken twice at .5)
(Prerequisites: junior standing and permission of department faculty; can be taken either for S/U or A-F credit; lab fee charged)
Open to all majors and minors working in an executive/management position at KWWC-FM, in SCMCom Production, PRProse, Stephens Life or other organization or working on an independent project approved by the faculty. Work to be evaluated by appropriate faculty adviser. Offered every semester.

MCO 431: Advertising Copywriting
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: BUS 331 or permission of instructor)
This writing-intensive course covers the craft of writing copy and designing ads and commercials for print, broadcast and direct mail. Students work through the creative process, learn how to capture their creative potential, develop strategies and executions. The course culminates in the creation of a multimedia campaign that is presented to a group of professionals. Offered spring semester only.

MCO 464: Women and Communication
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: MCO 101 or WST 210S and senior standing; cross-listed as WST 464)
This is a capstone course for majors in mass communication and communication studies and is also appropriate for seniors in the women's studies minor. It incorporates theoretical, critical and socio-psychological modes of analyzing and assessing the roles of women in communication and media both in terms of their participation, their power as consumers and agents of American mass media and in terms of effects of the portrayals and perceptions of women in the media. Offered spring semester only.

MCO 483: Advanced Internship: Case Study and Report
(.5 course)
(Prerequisites: INT 210, senior standing and completion of industry internship required by Department)

NOTE: All appropriate agreement and approval forms must be on file with the faculty supervisor prior to beginning the internship.

This course brings together students who have completed summer industry advanced internships in order to debrief. During the industry internship, students will have compiled information concerning their intern sponsoring organization, and their organizational supervisor will complete an intern evaluation. Students share information on internship experiences, facilities, positions and responsibilities, and evaluate their internships, culminating in a formal presentation of their case study. Offered fall semester only.

MCO 493: Senior Project or Thesis
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisites: senior standing and permission of department faculty; lab fee charged)
This is the senior capstone experience of the major. For B.S. students, this course requires the application of various media writing and production tasks to a specific project. All the skills from their course of study are applied to the creation and execution of a "real-life" broadcast production, news or public relations project. Broadcast projects are evaluated by jury and premiered before a public audience. For B.A. students, this course requires writing a substantive essay of thesis length demonstrating competence in the major while advancing original scholarship in some area of the discipline utilizing a critical, historical, or empirical mode of research. An oral defense of the thesis is required with faculty and invited audience. A grade of C- or better is required for graduation.

Independent Study
Independent studies (special studies, tutorials, readings, projects) may be proposed by students who wish to investigate a subject not otherwise available. Information about independent study may be obtained in department offices or in the Office of the Registrar.

Stephens College Mass Communication Internship Program
The Mass Communication department at Stephens College requires all of its Bachelor of Science students participate in the Internship Program and allows all Bachelor of Arts and Mass Communication minors to participate. The program provides mass communication students the opportunity to experience ways the theories, concepts and principles they learned in the classroom are translated into practice in the industry. The department assists students in identifying and acquiring intern positions with sponsoring organizations approved by the program. These sponsors are expected to treat the student as a regular member of their organization and to provide the intern with a significant project for which they are responsible. Students can derive a number of personal, academic and career benefits from their internship experience.

• Confidence Building
  Project responsibility and other on-the-job experiences and duties help students develop more confidence, self-esteem and maturity.

• Interpersonal Skills
  The importance of and specific techniques for workplace interpersonal skills are generally not addressed directly in the classroom, however, such skills can be crucial in determining career success or failure. Professional association with people in the industry helps students become aware of and to develop effective interpersonal skills for the professional environment.

• Personal Improvement
  Feedback from sponsoring supervisors, faculty sponsors, and periodic evaluations, based actual work experiences, assist students in identifying personal performance strengths and weak points. Students can then work to further develop their strengths and to address their weaknesses.

• Academic Growth
  Students can use the internship as an opportunity to apply the principles and theories presented in the classroom. This experiential learning enhances their retention of the information and, therefore, their learning, which improves their understanding and increases their academic motivation.
  
  
• Academic Credit
  Students obtain course credit for an internship by successfully completing the three components of the internship experience. The student prepares for the internship by completing INT 210: Internship Development. Once the student has been offered an internship and the sponsoring organization and internship has been approved by the program, the student performs the industry internship. After the internship, the student must successfully complete the appropriate debriefing course, MCO 283: Internship Case Study and Report or MCO 483: Advanced Internship Case Study and Report.

• Career Clarification
  By learning firsthand the actual responsibilities of a particular industry job, students can explore, confirm, modify or change their career choices based on practical experience. Students often have idealistic expectations when choosing a career. Actual work experience of the internship provides them the opportunity to test the reality of their career choices, their interests and their abilities in light of real world expectations.
  
  
• Career Skill Building
  By having a project for which they are responsible, students apply knowledge and skills from their classroom experience, acquire new industry skills and experiences, and identify industry skill needs for the future. Internship organization sponsors understand that the internship is a learning experience and are responsible for assigning projects at appropriate levels and with sufficient supervision.
  
  
• Competitive Edge
  Student interns gain an employment advantage by acquiring the experience and job skills that employers want and expect while they are still in college.
  
  
• Career Contacts
  The people interns meet while on an internship can be an excellent resource for networking to identify and secure jobs after graduation either with the sponsoring organization or other industry organizations. Organization contacts have the opportunity to observe students in the professional setting and to reference their capabilities to potential employers.