M.A. in Media Communications

Locations

Media communications courses are offered at the following locations:

Continental United States

• Little Rock Metropolitan Campus, AR
• Louisville Metropolitan Campus, KY
• St. Louis, MO
  • Home Campus
  • WingHaven Campus

International

• Hua Hin/Cha-am, Thailand
• Leiden, The Netherlands

Program Description

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in media communications is for students who have both an interest and background in communications.

The M.A. in media communications is a specialized concentration available to individuals who qualify for the program. Qualifications include an educational background in their intended area of graduate communications study or professional experience in their area of interest. Students without educational background or experience in the communications field are required to enroll in 6 credit hours of prerequisite coursework. The selection of prerequisites will depend on the student's area of academic interest in communications and will be determined through consultation with an academic advisor. Students must earn a grade of "B" or better in the prerequisite courses before they will be allowed to enroll in graduate courses. The prerequisite courses do not count toward the 36 credit hours required for the degree, nor will they be considered as part of the credit hours required for advancement to candidacy.

Student Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand the breadth of media communications;
• Use multiple perspectives to examine media;
• Examine media in multiple contexts: cultural, economic, political, etc.;
• Look at media as product, process and commentary;
• Apply research strategies to analyze media;
• Apply qualitative and quantitative research methodologies

Program Curriculum

M.A. in Media Communications

The 36 credit hours required for the M.A. in media communications degree must include the following courses (21 credit hours):

• MEDC 5000 Media Communications (Requisite Course)
• MEDC 5310 Media and Culture
• MEDC 5350 Media Organization and Regulations
• MEDC 5360 International Communications
• MEDC 5400 Media Production Management
• MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications
• MEDC Elective--One additional core course from MEDC electives, as determined through consultation with an academic advisor

In addition to the seven core courses, the student can choose elective courses offered in the other School of Communications majors. Courses from program curricula outside the School of Communications may be considered, if appropriate and approved in advance using a program option request form. Students taking courses that are a part of their approved curriculum and that are from outside of the School of Communications should verify prerequisites with the appropriate school or college.

MEDC 5000 Media Communications is the requisite course in the media communications program. It examines communications theory and its application to mass media, as well as introduces students to the graduate program, describes program expectations, and discusses academic preparation for MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications. Therefore, students must take this course even if they have academic and/or professional experience in media communications.

Course Descriptions

JOUR 4250 Methods of Teaching Secondary Publications/Journalism (3)
This course will provide the instruction necessary for the teacher to aid in the publication of the high school newspaper, yearbook, or broadcasting courses. The student will learn the process of writing bids for selecting the printing company to publish the school paper or yearbook. The student will also learn classroom organization, photography (both digital and darkroom procedures), assigning beats, the public relations of scholastic journalism distribution and mailing of publications, press freedom and mass media in society, advertising and business skills for teaching journalism, and newspaper and yearbook production. The course is designed specifically to prepare journalism teachers at the high school and elementary level for Missouri state certification.

JOUR 5345 News Writing and Reporting (3)
Writing for journalism is intended to give the student an understanding of the various genres of journalistic expression, including the hard-news story, feature story, and investigative story, as well as interpretive and explanatory journalism. Additionally, students are introduced to the trends of journalistic writing, from yellow and tabloid journalism to muckraking and the new civic journalism. Students can expect a number of writing/reporting assignments in this course. Cross-listed with MEDC 5345 Writing for Media Communications: Journalism. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

JOUR 5350 Communications Law (3)
The student examines the legal structure of the media communications industry. The course focuses on the formation, rationale, and implications of policies that form the basis of media law and regulation. Cross-listed with MEDC 5350 Media Organization and Regulations. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

JOUR 5352 Scholastic (High School) Publications (3)
This course provides preparation for instructing and advising in the area of publication production. The course will provide knowledge of publishing houses and the printing business; knowledge in content and style of contemporary publications; knowledge of available texts and teaching aids; and knowledge of legal and ethical issues in journalism. The course is designed specifically to prepare journalism teachers at the high school and elementary level for Missouri state certification.

JOUR 5360 Teaching Journalism Topics (3)
Designed as a seminar, this course will provide an overview of teaching and advising publications. Topics to be discussed include: press rights and responsibilities, news gathering and reporting, design, photojournalism, copyediting, communication law, electronic journalism, management and business skills necessary for advising publications. Participants will receive hands-on experience that can be used in the classroom.

MEDC 5000 Media Communications (Requisite Course) (3)
This is the requisite course in the media communications program. Students examine communications theory and its application to mass media. Consideration is given to the distinctive characteristics of each of the major mass communications systems, including print, radio, film, television, and interactive media. The course introduces students to the graduate program and describes program expectations as well as introduces research methodologies used throughout the program and discusses academic preparation for MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications. Therefore, students must take this course even if they have academic and/or professional experience in media communications. Prerequisite: students should have an educational background or professional experience in media communications, or they must enroll in 6 credit hours of additional preparatory undergraduate coursework, as determined by an academic advisor.

MEDC 5200 Directed Studies in Media Communications (3-6)
Under faculty supervision, students examine an area of specialty not currently offered in the media communications curriculum. The student must have prior approval before enrolling. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs, not to exceed 6 credit hours.

MEDC 5290 Issues in Media Communications (3-6)
Current and significant issues in media communications are examined. The course focuses on existing theories and practices, with emphasis given to new and emerging topics in the field. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs.

MEDC 5310 Media and Culture (3)
This course examines the mass media as it reflects and influences the attitudes, values, behaviors, myths, and preoccupations that define a given culture. The course considers the functions of mass media in society and the effect on the individual. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5332 Media Communications Production: Graphics (6)
This course is composed of two elements. First, the student is introduced to the prepress environment, which includes the production process, the current utilization of offset lithography in conjunction with advanced digital technology, and the production controls necessary for timely development of printed materials. The second element of the class is a hands-on production deployment of a prepress project using advanced print-ready techniques. The course will analyze the use of color, budget impacts, and new advances in printing and information distribution technology. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5346 Writing for Media Communications: Interactive Scriptwriting (3)
Development of the script in adherence to the planning vehicle requires a thorough understanding of the primary and secondary tasks of the interactive environment. This script must provide full detail for execution of the planning vehicle. Scripting for computer-based training, point of information, point of sale, and other deployments are discussed in this course. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications, MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications, and MEDC 5342 Writing for Media Communications: Scriptwriting.

MEDC 5350 Media Organization and Regulations (3)
The student examines the legal structure of the media communications industry. The course focuses on the formation, rationale, and implications of policies that form the basis of media law and regulation. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5360 International Communications (3)
This course focuses on the history, issues, and future of international communications. The class considers individual media systems, including different understandings of the role of the media, freedom of press and information in different areas of the world, parity between distribution of news and the shaping of the public mind, international stereotyping, and international propaganda. The course also examines the relationship between national and global media systems and the role of international communications in the development of the new world order. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5390 Practicum (3)
Students undertake, with the supervision of a qualified professional, an approved internship in a media-related setting. The work experience involves professional media duties. The academic experience involves attendance at seminars and written work. The outline of duties and evaluative methods are established by the student and the internship mentor and approved by the mentor prior to initiation of the program. Prerequisite: completion of at least 21 credit hours in the M.A. in media communications program, including MEDC 5000 Media Communications, meeting program criteria, permission of the Internship Coordinator and the Director of Graduate Studies. Note: Internships should be directly relevant to students' course of studies, emphases and majors.

MEDC 5400 Media Production Management (3)
This course exposes the student to the principles of management, planning, and execution of media-oriented activities and events. The student examines the role and functions of the producer of media-oriented projects: pre-production organization and research; proposal and grant writing; copyright laws; union regulations; budgeting; and staff, crew, and talent coordination. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5401 Media Production Management: Interactive (3)
This course will prepare students to manage the variety of disciplines involved in the development and production of interactive media. Students will learn to manage projects from the concept and script, video, audio, and screen design to programming and testing. Budgeting, invoicing, scheduling, flowcharting, treatment, presentation, and delivery platforms will be examined. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications, MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications, and MEDC 5615 New Media Tools, or permission of the program coordinator.

MEDC 5430 Media Communications Technology (3)
The student explores new technologies in mass communications and the choices that these technologies present in the area of media communications. Course content focuses on the impact of interactive video, computers, and videotext on business and government and the increasing reliance on the management and communication of information. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5500 Professional Seminars (1-3)
Students may supplement the core and elective courses in media communications with professional seminars designed to examine contemporary issues in this field. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. Graduate students may apply to substitute 3 seminar credit hours for one emphasis course by completing a program option request form. Prerequisite: Undergraduate seniors require permission of academic advisor.

MEDC 5550 Topics in Media Communications (3)
This course offers a variety of topics to address emerging theories, practices, and applications in the field of communications. Topics are timely and of interest to professionals currently working in or pursuing media-related careers. Classes may focus on such topics as graduate-level writing, research and critical thinking; media literacy and video production; ethical issues in the media, account planning for advertising and public relations, applications for podcasting and blogs, creating cultural change through organizational communications, etc. Prerequisite may vary with the topic. May be repeated once for credit if content differs and is appropriate for student's course of study.

MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications (3)
A practical introduction to interactive media. The course will address concept, design and production strategies, technical aspects of production and publication, and practical applications of interactive media in educational, commercial, and public environments. Students will create flowcharts, treatments, and scripts, and will publish their final project as a design document. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5610 Video for Interactive Communications (3)
The production of short segment video bytes for interactive applications differs significantly from conventional video production. Video production for nonlinear access is discussed, and tools and methods are examined. Students are responsible for the planning and development of a series of video shorts. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications or permission of the program coordinator.

MEDC 5615 New Media Tools
Students learn about a variety of media used in electronic and digital environments, from the World Wide Web to DVD. Topics include streaming video and audio on the Web, compression, and equipment or tools necessary to use an interactive program or Web site. Students study examples of existing interactive programs (e. g. Web sites, CD-ROM, DVD) as well as develop strategies to solve real-world problems. Note: This is not a production course. Prerequisite: MEDC 5000 Media Communications.

MEDC 5620 Audio for Interactive Communications (3)
Students learn how to develop and produce the audio component for a variety of interactive programs. The students will learn how to work with sound engineers and composers, how to record sound in the studio and the field, and how to use ProTools software. Students will also explore different compression techniques and study a variety of delivery systems/environments. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications or permission of the program coordinator.

MEDC 5630 Visual Design for Interactive Communications (3)
Integration of traditional commercial art techniques into dynamic interactive modules is the focus of this course. Proper visual cues for response, efficient use of color, and logical design of decision points are examined in detail. Still-frame images from live video are used in combination with graphic design. Human factor issues in the development of interactive media are analyzed. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications or permission of the program coordinator.

MEDC 5631 Interactive Media Applied to the Internet (3)
Students will review concepts of interactive digital media and the methodologies used to deliver interactive media over the Internet. This course will introduce students to web-based distribution languages such as HTML, XML, JavaScript, and ASP, as well as the authoring tools that assist in creating content for the web. Students will be required to design content that incorporates Internet technologies and a minimal amount of HTML coding, which will be introduced during the class. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications.

MEDC 5650 Special Topics in Interactive Media (3)
This course will address current and significant issues in interactive media and interactive communications. The course focuses on existing theories and practices, with emphasis on new and emerging topics and technologies in this field. The course topics could include computer-based training, games and entertainment, journalism on the Internet, and interactive narrative writing. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications recommended. Can be repeated for credit if content varies.

MEDC 5690 Interactive Project Management (6)
The interactive project represents the integration and implementation of all previous interactive courses. This project is composed of two elements: the interactive project itself, and the planning and production documents associated with the project. The project culminates in a demonstration and presentation to the project review faculty. Prerequisites: MEDC 5000 Media Communications and permission of the program coordinator.

MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications (3)
In this course, students synthesize and integrate the learning experiences acquired in all previous media communications courses and research current topics relative to production of a thesis document. Also, current topics in media communications are shared in a seminar setting. Techniques used to accomplish these goals may vary. Prerequisite: Completion of all other graduate courses in program. This should be the last course taken before graduation. Any exceptions must be approved prior to registration by submitting a program option request to be signed by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the School of Communications.

MEDC 6250 Thesis Project in Media Communications (3-6)
The student will synthesize and integrate the learning experiences from all previous media communications courses and research a specific topic to complete a thesis project relevant to the major. Techniques used to accomplish these goals may vary and must be summarized in a written project proposal. Prerequisite: Completion of all other graduate courses and approval by the Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the School of Communications.