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Social Science
Program Courses
MC111 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 credits
A study of the history, production methods, and social and economic factors of the mass media. This
course gives students an understanding of print media, broadcast media and public relations by
analyzing the technical development and social impact of media.
MC201 Reporting I 3 credits
Principles and practice in journalistic writing and related skills and theory, including style and
conventions of journalistic writing, news judgment criteria, techniques for interviewing, ethical
dimensions. Extensive writing in and out of class. Offered spring semester only. Prerequisites: keyboard
fluency and either E120 or E220.
MC230 Principles of Public Relations 3 credits
Theory, history, and practice of public relations in society; consideration of public relations programs,
the process of influencing public opinion, the responsibilities of the public relations practitioner, ethics
of public relations practice, and professional public relations organizations. Offered spring semester
only. Prerequisite: MC111.
MC298 Field Exploration 1-3 credits
Practical application of various media communications techniques. Prerequisite: consent of mass
communication coordinator.
MC301 Reporting II 3 credits
Hands-on experience in identifying, pursuing, and writing news stories; principles and practice in
writing various news-story types. Offered fall semester only. Prerequisites: MC111 and MC201.
MC308 Editing 3 credits
Exploration of and experience in the professional skills needed to produce news and public relations
materials. Includes copy editing, grammar, style and headline writing; organization and structure of
texts in news and public relations; computerized editing functions. Offered spring semester only.
Prerequisites: MC111 and MC201. Students who take MC201 and MC301 must take them prior to, not
concurrently with, MC308 unless permission is granted by instructor of MC308.
MC312 Electronic Prepress Publishing Systems 3 credits
This is an advanced course in which state-of-the-art computer software is integrated with the
fundamentals of publishing. Prerequisite: AR403.
MC314 Public Relations Writing 3 credits
Intensive writing in the forms characteristic of public relations; practice in writing news releases, fact
sheets, newsletters, company periodicals, brochures, annual reports, and corporate advertising. Offered
fall semester only. Prerequisites: MC111, MC201, and MC230.
MC331 Reporting Governmental Affairs 3 credits
An examination of units of local and state government and their coverage in the news media; projects
designed to familiarize students with the workings of governmental and quasi-governmental agencies.
Offered spring semester only. Prerequisites: MC111, MC201, and MC301.
MC400 Public Relations Research 3 credits
This course provides students with an understanding of terms and applications of both quantitative and
qualitative public relations research, measurement and evaluation. Students learn what public relations
practitioners do to research and evaluate PR campaigns, and then conduct research projects. This course
is usually taken in the junior or senior year, but must be taken prior to enrollment in MC443. Offered fall
semester only. Prerequisites: MC230 and ST132.
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