Mass Media (BA)

Catalog Year

2019-2020

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Program Requirements

Prerequisites to the Major

This course helps students develop a flexible writing process, practice rhetorical awareness, read critically to support their writing, research effectively, represent others ideas in multiple ways, reflect on their writing practices, and polish their work.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

Nature, functions, responsibilities and effects of the media in contemporary society.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Major Common Core

Basic techniques of gathering information and writing readable and accurate media stories.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, MASS 110 

Principles of the First Amendment, libel, fair trial, privacy, access to news, pornography and regulation of radio and television.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Study, analysis and criticism of the mass media, their ethics and performance.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Major Restricted Electives

Group 1 - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Survey of current practices and problems in the field of public relations. Emphasizes successful case histories and planning techniques.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Exploration of the basic principles of visual media design, stressing the significance of images in a mass media society. Special focus on contextualizing historial and technological changes affecting image production for mass media.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Discussion of and practice in reporting about public affairs and social issues, plus examination of copy editing and headline writing for traditional and new media.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Reporting, writing and packaging news for online audiences with an emphasis on multimedia platforms; includes evaluation of news sites and critical consideration of best practices, and economic, ethical and legal issues.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

This course introduces students to the concepts, approaches and tools for gathering and analyzing information in mass media research. Students will become acquainted with and effectively use the terminology and concepts used in mass media research.

Prerequisites: none

Group 2 - Choose 4 Credit(s). Focused-Writing Course

Discussion of and practice in reporting about public affairs and social issues, plus examination of copy editing and headline writing for traditional and new media.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Reporting, writing and packaging news for online audiences with an emphasis on multimedia platforms; includes evaluation of news sites and critical consideration of best practices, and economic, ethical and legal issues.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Planning, writing and delivering of broadcast news.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Marketing and writing of non-fiction articles for contemporary print and electronic magazines.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Practical skill in the development of public relations writing including news releases, brochures, public service announcements, pitch letters, annual reports.

Prerequisites: MASS 233 

Techniques and practicum in writing of features, reviews, editorials, opinion columns and other specialized fields for print and electronic media.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Major Unrestricted Electives

Choose 12 Credit(s).

Prerequisites: none

Other Graduation Requirements

Choose 8 credit(s): take one series Language

Minor

Required Minor: Yes. Any.

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Nature, functions, responsibilities and effects of the media in contemporary society.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

This course helps students develop a flexible writing process, practice rhetorical awareness, read critically to support their writing, research effectively, represent others ideas in multiple ways, reflect on their writing practices, and polish their work.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Second Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Basic techniques of gathering information and writing readable and accurate media stories.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, MASS 110 

World Languages Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Diverse Cultures Course * 4 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Principles of the First Amendment, libel, fair trial, privacy, access to news, pornography and regulation of radio and television.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

World Languages Course * 4 credits

Writing Intensive Course * 4 credits

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Study, analysis and criticism of the mass media, their ethics and performance.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 12 Credits

.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W, MASS 312, and MASS 411, plus two additional 300/400 level MASS courses, one of which must be MASS 325, MASS 330, MASS 334, MASS 431, MASS 434 or MASS 436

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits