Media Studies Course Descriptions

MDS 1950-4950. Study Abroad in Media Studies (1-16).

MDS 1990-4990. Independent Studies (1-3).Courses designed with a professor for independent study purposes. MDS 2990 Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (S – Service Learning).

MDS 1895-4895. Special Topics (1-3). Special Topics or pilot courses.

MDS 1100. Foundations of Journalism (3).An examination of the craft of journalism, from the required skills of observation, critical thinking and concise writing to the literal aspects of producing journalism for changing platforms. A segment of the course will emphasize grammar, punctuation and style in preparation for Media Writing I and Media Writing II. 

MDS 1130. Media Writing I (3).  Pre-requisite MDS 1100. An introduction reporting and writing, focusing of structure, purpose and function of news from story inception to completion. Typing skills required.

MDS 1450. Introduction to Audio and Video Production (3). An introductory course in the basics of audio and video production employing both lecture and practical experience. Emphasis will include video and audio acquisition and Avid nonlinear editing techniques.

MDS 1500. Mass Media and Society (3). This course serves as an introduction to mass media, including radio, television, film, and newspapers. It is designed to lead the student to basic media literacy by exploring the evolution of  mass media and their effects on society – politically, economically, and socially.

MDS 1550. Introduction to Sports Production (3). The course is designed to introduce the student to the theory and process of multi-camera video production of sporting events. The principles of program design, live audio mixing, camera operation, and directing are covered. The course includes both in-class and lab components. The in-class component covers logistical and aesthetic concepts that are part of the planning and implementation of live sports production, while the extensive lab component gives the student the opportunity to apply those concepts in an actual live production context for A-Sun TV.

MDS 1800. Sports Writing (3). This course is designed to offer students an introduction to writing in the world of sports media. Topics covered include team and game coverage, media guides, game notes, press releases, and sports writing protocol.

MDS 2000. Media Performance (3). The course is designed to be an introduction to the communication concepts and skills involved in on-microphone and on-camera tasks, such as interviews, voice-overs, and announcing. Attention will be given to both aural and visual components of talent development.

MDS 2130. Media Writing II (3). Prerequisite: MDS 1130. This course combines appropriate content drawn from previous courses in Advanced News Reporting and Feature Writing, and adds an emphasis on techniques for information-gathering and story production..

MDS 2140. Broadcast News Reporting (3). Prerequisites: MDS 1130 . A course designed to teach students common practices in journalistic storytelling for broadcast.

MDS 2170. Multimedia Publishing (3).  Students will receive training on computer-based typesetting and desktop publishing equipment widely used in the professional print media. A combination of class work and independent practice. Typing skill required.

MDS 2200. Visual Journalism (3). Prerequisite: MDS 1130. This course will serve as an introduction to the basic skills and practices of telling stories not only with words but images, both still and moving. Students will be introduced to a variety of storytelling methods in this workshop-style class.

MDS 2230. Digital Storytelling (3).This course focuses on audio and video storytelling skills. Utilizing digital tools like mobile devices, students will learn how to produce quality stories using multimedia. The craft and art of storytelling is critical. Students will learn skills necessary to act as a "backpack" journalist.

MDS 2300. Entrepreneurial Media (3). A study of the business of media, startups, mobile application development and marketing.  Students will present revenue models focusing on entrepreneurship and the media and develop mobile applications.  Legal and ethical issues in the new media world will be addressed.

MDS 2450. Remote Video Production (3).This course is designed to teach students the common practices of electronic field production (EFP) including preproduction, production, postproduction, electronic graphics, and DVD authoring. Students will use Final Cut Pro nonlinear editing technology.

MDS 2460. Television Production (3). Prerequisite: MDS 1450. An introductory course in the basics of television studio production employing both lecture and practical experience. Emphasis will include gaining an overview of the major pieces of television production equipment and their operation, the specific responsibilities of production personnel, and becoming familiar with the language of television. Production emphases will include directing, creating electronic graphics, studio camera operation, and audio mixing techniques.

MDS 2470. Broadcast Workshop (3). A practicum designed for students who wish to participate in a variety of broadcast activities at the co-curricular level. Students may receive from 1 to 3 credit hours on a graded basis. Students may enroll each semester but no more than three credit hours will apply to the major or minor program.

MDS 2480. Audio-Video Production Workshop (1-3).  Prerequisite: MDS 1450 or permission of the instructor. A practicum designed for students who wish to participate in a variety of audio-video production activities at the co-curricular level. Students may receive from 1 to 3 credit hours on a Pass/Fail basis. Students may enroll each semester but no more than three credit hours will apply to the major or minor program.

MDS 2500. Mass Communication Theory (3). Prerequisite: MDS 1500. This course provides an examination of and research in mediated communication processes, and potential barriers to effectiveness. It involves a review of literature on effects of mass communication on individuals and groups, contrasting channels and message structures, and considers media as social, economic and cultural institutions.

MDS 2800. Sports Presentation (3).The course is designed to offer students an introduction to on-mic and on-camera presentation of sports content. Topics covered include interviewing, sports reporting, play-by-play, color commentary, public address, editing, production, and game-day operations and protocol.

MDS 3010. Media Programming (3). A course designed to provide students with the principles for understanding and interpreting programming strategies and to familiarize them with the concepts, vocabulary, and practices of programmers in the electronic media.

MDS 3015. Junior Cornerstone Seminar (3). The junior cornerstone experience.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R – Undergraduate Research).

MDS 3100. Covering Diverse Populations (3). This course will encourage students to utilize their critical thinking skills as they learn about stereotypes, perceptions, bias and prejudice. They will analyze different populations and how those groups are represented on the news and in the media including but not limited to television, radio, newspapers, Internet, cable and satellite. Further, students will begin to address their own attitudes and feelings based on their experience and exposure to different people, cultures and beliefs.

MDS 3130. Social Media Reporting (3). Prerequisite: MDS 1130.This course is designed to help students use social media to report, share and spread their stories using digital tools. It will strengthen ability to pitch, source and identify stroies and enhance research and interviewing skills. In addition, students complete an online portfolio as part of this process. This course promotes storytelling, writing and ethical reasoning.

MDS 3200. TV Newscasting (3). Prerequisite: MDS 2140. This performance-based studio and laboratory course introduces intermediate and advanced students to common practices, techniques and skills utilized in writing, producing and anchoring broadcast television news briefs and newscasts.

MDS 3300. Media Research Methods (3). This course provides an introduction to methodological approaches to the study of media. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies will be introduced. The class emphasizes learning and applying research skills to scientifically evaluate messages, media and audiences. Each student executes a research project.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R – Undergraduate Research).

MDS 3330. Arts and Entertainment Reporting (3). Prerequisite: MDS 1130. Classroom and field instruction and individual coaching in writing feature stories and criticism in various fields of arts and entertainment, including, but not limited to music, film, food, theater, and art.

MDS 3400. Media Operations (3). This course is designed to acquaint the student with the structure and function of the various departments in a broadcast station or cable system and the relationship between those departments.

MDS 3450. Advanced Video Production (3). Prerequisite: MDS 1450 and MDS 2450, or permission of instructor. This course is designed to provide students exposure to advanced video production techniques and technology. Emphasis will include lighting, chromakey, color correction, and HDTV. Students will be required to produce creative and in-depth productions.

MDS 3940/4940. Directed Studies (3). Student development of a project or study of special interest. Consent of the instructor is required.

MDS 3970. Journalism Workshop (3). Students who work on the news-editorial staff of campus student media may receive from 1 to 3 hours per semester credit. The criteria for credit is established by the faculty advisor to the publication, online or broadcast operation. No more than 6 hours of credit may be applied toward a major and no more than 3 hours toward a journalism minor.

MDS 4100. Communication Law (3).  Examines governmental regulations affecting news media, advertising, radio broadcasting and telecasting, and the direct effects of such regulations upon management and daily operations.

MDS 4110. Media Ethics (3).  A study of the social ethic for mass communication, establishing a system of checks and balances to measure fair and truthful news and diversified entertainment. Course work involved case study analysis to help understand the roles of the communicator and the audience as individual and group.

MDS 4130. Documentary Project (3). Prerequisite: MDS 2230. An Advanced course that requires the student journalist to discover, examine and film all the elements of a complex human story and to use them to write, edit and produce a short documentary film.

MDS 4200. Media Leadership (3). Prerequisite MDS 3900 or MDS 3400. The course encourages students to strategically address personnel and organizational issues and opportunities presented in media leadership roles. It includes study of leadership strategies, seeks to foster an appreciation for the responsibilities of media organizations, and encourages ethical decision making. It also addresses challenges faced by leaders in developing better-performing media organizations and the employees who work within them.

MDS 4300. Global Media Systems (3). A comparative study of major media systems around the world, the course is designed to explore the role that public policy plays in the creation and distribution of media content (both information and entertainment), as well as the cultural impact of that content.

MDS 4450. Producing and Directing (3). Prerequisite: MDS 2450, MDS 3450, or permission of instructor. This course was designed in collaboration with the Theatre Department to give advanced acting students the opportunity to perform in front of the camera. Video production students provided the technical support necessary to produce dramatic productions both in theatre and on-location. This course includes preproduction planning, single-camera film-styleshooting, multicamera production, and advanced postproduction techniques.

MDS 4900. Journalism Internship (3-6). On-the-job training in a communication organization. Student assignments will be consistent with vocational objectives. Normally taken during senior year. May be taken up to six hours in student’s major. Permission of instructor is required for 6-credit-hour internship.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).

MDS 4975. Audio-Video Production Internship (3-6). On-the-job training in a communications organization. Student assignments consistent with vocational objectives. Normally taken during senior year. May be taken up to six hours in student's major. Permission of instructor required for 6-credit-hour internship.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).

MDS 4980 Mass Communication Internship (3-6). On-the-job training in a communications organization. Student assignments consistent with vocational objectives. Normally taken during senior year. May be taken up to six hours in student’s major. Permission of instructor required for 6-credit-hour internship.
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (I – Internships, Clinicals, Practica).