Mass Communication Core Required Courses: (15 semester hours)
All students in the Mass Communication major must take the following five courses. The number after the course title is the number of credit hours earned in the particular course.

100 Mass Media & Society (3)
Sociological examination of the interrelationship of mass media and society in contemporary America.

210 Visual Communication (3)
Basic visual communication theory including basic photographic theory, camera handling and darkroom experience as related to graphic communication and mass dissemination. Weekly critiques. Lab required.

232 News Writing (3)
Style and structure of news stories; news sources; newsroom practices and procedures; with reporting assignments for publication and broadcast. Prerequisite: ENG 111.

300 Mass Media Law (3)
Major issues and survey of the media's current legal status. Prerequisite: MCOM 100.

405 Mass Media Issues & Ethics (3)
Introduction to perspectives on ethics, applied to case studies and issues in journalism, advertising, and public relations. Prerequisite: MCOM 100.

499 Electronic Assessment Portfolio (0)
For this arranged class, each student completes an assessment portfolio to fulfill a graduation requirement.

Core Electives: (3 semester hours)
All students in the Mass Communication major must take one of the following three courses.

305 Mass Media History (3)
Development of the mass media including historiography, examination of movements and current research problems.

400 Mass Communication Theory (3)
Theories of mass influence on society and culture. Prerequisite: MCOM 100.

450 International Broadcasting (3)
Examines the structures, processes, functions and significance of various international broadcasting systems and services. Emphasis is placed on the scope and complexity of such systems and their impact on global understanding. Prerequisite: MCOM 100.

Journalism Required Courses: (18 semester hours)
Students in the journalism option must take the following six courses.

175 Mass Communication Computer Applications (3)
Computer skills for the mass media using word processing, page layout, database, spreadsheet, image generation, image manipulation and other applications for the Macintosh computer.

275 Publication Design (3)
Using the Macintosh computer to learn layout, design principles and processes for the print media. Prerequisite: MCOM 175.

332 News Gathering (3)
Interviewing, observation and research as information-gathering methodologies; with reporting assignments for publication and broadcast. Prerequisite: MCOM 232.

334 Feature Writing (3)
Developing, writing and marketing feature stories to a variety of media. Prerequisite: MCOM 332.

336 News Editing (3)
Operation of the newsroom including copy editing, gatekeeper decisions, headline writing, layout. Prerequisite: MCOM 332.

437 Publication Practicum (3)
Practical hands-on application of journalism concepts and skills through team leadership, story generation, copy editing, page layout, and production for the departmental printed laboratory publication as well as editing for electronic dissemination. Prerequisites: MCOM 232, MCOM 332, MCOM 336.

Journalism Electives:  (6 semester hours)
Students in the journalism option must take two of the following eight courses.

205 - Principles of Internet Communication (3)
An overview of the specialized nature of communicating to mass audiences via the Internet. Students learn website development using Dreamweaver and Flash to communicate clearly and maintain interest while providing effective communication.

215 Photocommunication (3)
Advanced visual and technical skills for black-and-white photography. Prerequisite: MCOM 210.

220 Broadcast Writing (3)
Radio and television writing including commercial copy and feature programs. Prerequisite: ENG 111.

226 Video/Multimedia Planning and Design (3)
An overview of the television/video and multimedia production process with special attention to organizing, scripting, budgeting, equipment and personnel. This course deals with essential pre-production planning, rather than production techniques.

240 Public Relations (3)
Nature and role of public relations in a democratic society. Case problems and projects.

310 Photojournalism (3)
The photograph as a means of visual reporting. Lab required. Weekly critique. Prerequisite: MCOM 215.

345 Public Relations Writing (3)
Preparing news releases, speeches, profiles, scripts, employee publications, newsletters, brochures, plus other promotional and PR technique. Prerequisites: MCOM 332.

356 - Media and Society International (3)
Involves study abroad. Designed to provide students with exposure to concepts and principles involved in understanding the interrelationship between the mass media and society in a country other than the United States. The course is similar in content to MCOM 100. In this case, however, the relationship being examined is specific to the country visited during that particular term.

408 Research in Mass Media (3)
Investigation and interpretation of mass media research; introduction to procedures for studying media control, content, audience and effects; problems in applying theoretical concepts. Prerequisites: Junior standing, MCOM 232 and two of the following: MCOM 317, MCOM 340, MCOM 345, MCOM 360, MCOM 361, MCOM 437 or one Mass Comm 300-level course and instructor's permission.

430 Specialized Reporting (3)
Interpretative writing, investigative reporting, editorial persuasion and other topics. May be repeated for credit on a second topic. Prerequisite: MCOM 332.

Some important things to keep in mind as you plan your studies at WSU:

* Students in WSU's mass communication major can choose among options in advertising, broadcasting, journalism, photojournalism, and public relations.
* The major requires 42 semester hours.
* In addition to the major, you will also need to complete a minor in another academic area at WSU.
* You will need a total of 128 semester hours of coursework to earn a B.A. degree.
* You must maintain an average course load of 16 hours per semester to graduate in four years.
* Courses numbered 100 and 200 are primarily for freshmen and sophomores; those numbered 300 and 400 are primarily for juniors and seniors.
* You must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to graduate with a degree in mass communication.
* Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all Mass Communication courses in order for them to be counted toward graduation.
* Transfer students must satisfy the requirements from the appropriate option and must take at least 12 credit hours of mass communication courses at 300 level or above while in residence at WSU.
* For additional information, see the WSU undergraduate catalog.

Contact us for more information on the Mass Communication major, Winona State University, our programs, faculty, students, and facilities.