Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies

Mass Communication Course Descriptions

MCOM 101 INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION (3) Issues, theories and structures of mass communication and careers in the mass media.

MCOM 102 HONORS INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION (3) Issues, theories and structures of mass communication and careers in the mass media. Honors College course.

MCOM 214 PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING (3) Review of contribution made by advertising to the U.S. economy and of the principles and practices as applied to mass media. Prerequisites: COMM 131 and MCOM 101.

MCOM 253 PRINCIPLES OF STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION (3) Research, theory, techniques: strategy, planning and management of public relations programs. Law, ethics and professionalism are covered. Prerequisites: COMM 131 and MCOM 101.

MCOM 255 NEWSWRITING (3) Newswriting from the standpoint of style, structure and readability. Prerequisites: MCOM 101 and ENGL 102 or ENGL 190.

MCOM 257 JOURNALISM/NEW MEDIA (3) An introduction to the writing skills required in print, broadcast and online journalism, and emerging news media formats. This course is designed for students choosing the Journalism/ New Media track in the Mass Communication major.

MCOM 258 JOURNALISM/NEW MEDIA II (3) Advanced skills in writing, interviewing, reporting and editing required in print, broadcast and online journalism, and emerging news media formats. This course is a required continuation of MCOM 256.

Upper Division
MCOM 323 ADVERTISING MEDIA PLANNING (3) Application of advertising media principles to the development of a media plan that involves objectives, strategy and execution of electronic, print and new media. Prerequisites: MCOM 214; majors only. $25 lab/class fee.

MCOM 325 ADVERTISING COPYWRITING (3) Creative process and production of copy for various media: print, broadcasting, direct mail and billboards. Prerequisites: MCOM 214; majors only. $25 lab/class fee.

MCOM 333 SOCIAL MEDIA AND STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION (3) Examines the changing world of social media, strategic implications, and its usefulness to advertising, journalism, and public relations practitioners. Prerequisites: MCOM 214 or MCOM 253 or MCOM 257

MCOM 341 DIGITAL PUBLISHING (3) Computer technology to create publications for delivery in print and online. Prerequisite: MCOM 257. $25 lab/class fee.

MCOM 350 MEDIA LAW (3) Examination of libel, slander, invasion of privacy and copyright. Legal considerations in reporting on judicial and governmental activities. Prerequisites: MCOM 101/102; majors only.

MCOM 352 MEDIA CRITICISM (3) Theory and practice of media criticism intended for various audiences, including consumer-oriented criticism, social criticism and scholarly criticism. Prerequisite: MCOM 101 or EMF 140 or COMM 201.

MCOM 356 FEATURE WRITING (3) Researching and writing journalistic articles for publication in newspapers, magazines and other media. Prerequisite: MCOM 255 or MCOM 258. GenEd I.D.

MCOM 357 PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING (3) Composing, editing and producing media materials for both internal and external audiences. Prerequisite: MCOM 253. GenEd I.D.

MCOM 358 NEWS EDITING (3) Practice in editing and headline writing for print and online media. Prerequisite: MCOM 258. $25 lab/class fee.

MCOM 359 MAGAZINE PUBLISHING (3) Examination of the principles, practices, problems and trends in magazine publishing through tracing the process of a magazine from copy to bindery. Steps in periodical production stressing emphasis on layout factors. Intensive analysis of magazine markets and case studies of magazine publishing problems. Prerequisite:MCOM 356.

MCOM 381 BROADCAST JOURNALISM I (3) Theory and practice of broadcast journalism. The gathering, writing and presentation of news for audio-only and audio-visual media. Ethical standards for broadcast journalism will be analyzed. Prerequisites: MCOM 258; junior/senior standing. $25 lab/class fee.

MCOM 383 NEWS REPORTING (3) Experience in reporting. Coverage of specific news beats on- and off-campus and general assignment work. Consideration of newsgathering techniques, including direct and participant observation, use of survey research data and use of official records. Prerequisite: MCOM 258.

MCOM 385 MASS MEDIA AND SOCIETY (3) Seminar on current issues and effects of mass communication. Prerequisite: MCOM 101 or EMF 140.

MCOM 388 CYBERSPACE AND COMMUNICATION (3) Seminar of the social, cultural, technical and behavioral effects and implications of new media and online communication. Prerequisite: MCOM 101 or EMF 140.

MCOM 391 PHOTOJOURNALISM I (3) Photography for the mass media. History, aesthetics and ethics are covered. Prerequisite: MCOM 258 or consent of instructor. $25 lab/class fee.

MCOM 402 SPORTS WRITING (3) Researching and writing news and feature articles and opinion columns focusing on local, state and national sports. Prerequisite: MCOM 356.

MCOM 407 (507) WRITING FOR NEW MEDIA (3) Research and create multimedia news and feature articles incorporating hypertext, graphics, photographics, audio and video elements. Prerequisites: MCOM 356 and MCOM 341 or consent of instructor. $25 lab/class fee.

MCOM 409 LITERARY JOURNALISM (3) Literary technique and dramatic structure for print and online journalistic media. Prerequisite: MCOM 356.

MCOM 411 COMMUNICATION PROCESS (3) Prominent theories and research on mass media and human communication. Prerequisites: 9 units of MCOM/COMM including COMM 131 and junior standing.

MCOM 415 MASS MEDIA GRAPHICS (3) Communication potential of design elements in a variety of graphics using computer technology. Prerequisites: MCOM 101 and junior/senior standing.

MCOM 431 [550] PUBLIC OPINION AND THE PRESS (3) Journalistic aspects of public opinion and propaganda; the impact of mass communication media on the formation of public opinion. Techniques of polling and testing public opinion. Prerequisites: MCOM 101 and junior/senior standing.

MCOM 433 [543] MEDIA ETHICS (3) Ethical principles, issues, dilemmas in mass communication; professional codes; personal, interpersonal, small group, organizational and societal factors affecting ethical, mediated communication. Prerequisites: MCOM 101/102, and majors only.

MCOM 440 ADVERTISING MEDIA SALES (3) Procedures for selling media space and time: strategy, training and preparation. Prerequisites: MCOM 214 and junior/senior standing.

MCOM 443 [543] INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS (3) Role of advertising and public relations in the world marketplace. Consideration of global and local perspectives, key decisions in agency operations, creative aspects and media. Prerequisites: MCOM 214 or MCOM 253, and junior/senior standing.

MCOM 447 [547] ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS (3) Application of advertising principles and practices to the development of campaigns and the preparation of a plan book. Prerequisites: MCOM 323 and MCOM 325; majors only.

MCOM 451 [551] PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (3) Fundraising and development, implementing and evaluating public relations campaigns for nonprofit organizations. Practical experience lab sessions. Prerequisite: MCOM 357.

MCOM 453 [553] STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS (3) Research, planning, implementing and evaluating programs and campaigns. Prerequisites: MCOM 357; majors only.

MCOM 457 PHOTOJOURNALISM II (3) Color photography for the mass media, including electronic imaging. Prerequisite: MCOM 391.

MCOM 459 [559] PROFESSIONAL ISSUES IN STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS AND INTEGRATED COMMUNICATION (3) Technical, managerial, legal, ethical and accreditation issues and concerns involved in the practice of public relations and integrated communications. Prerequisite: COMM 419 or MCOM 453 or MCOM 447.

MCOM 460 INTERNSHIP IN MASS COMMUNICATION (1–6) Under faculty supervision, students work as interns with a professional in the field of mass communication. Graded S/U. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 units, but only 6 units will apply to the major. Prerequisites: junior/senior standing; cumulative GPA of 2.75 and 3.00 in the major; completion of appropriate courses determined by the department; majors only.

MCOM 477 SPECIAL TOPICS IN MASS COMMUNICATION (3) In-depth study of a selected area dependent upon faculty and student interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing or consent of instructor.

MCOM 478 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS (3) In-depth study of a selected area dependent upon faculty and student interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing or consent of instructor.

MCOM 479 SPECIAL TOPICS IN JOURNALISM (3) In-depth study of a selected area dependent upon faculty and student interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is covered. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing or consent of instructor.

MCOM 481 BROADCAST JOURNALISM II (3) Advanced news and feature writing, interviewing, reporting and editing for broadcast and new media. Prerequisites: MCOM 381, or (EMF 373 and consent of instructor). Majors/minors only. $25 lab/class fee.

MCOM 490 MASS COMMUNICATION RESEARCH (3) Survey of methods and uses of research in mass media fields. Prerequisite: majors and seniors only.

MCOM 496 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN MASS COMMUNICATION (1–6) Directed study through readings, projects and papers in a specific area of joint faculty/student interest. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisites: junior/senior standing and approval of planned project by the instructor.

MCOM 499 HONORS THESIS IN MASS COMMUNICATION (3) Intensive research paper or media production project in the areas of newspaper/magazine journalism, photojournalism, public relations, advertising or new media as chosen by the student in consultation with the thesis adviser. Restricted to candidates for Departmental Honors in Mass Communication. Prerequisites: 3.50 GPA in major, 3.20 GPA overall and junior standing.

Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies
Media Center, Room 114 (map)
Phone: 410-704-3431
Fax: 410-704-3656

Mailing address: 8000 York Rd., Towson, MD 21252
Advising and program information: jarmstrong@towson.edu
Webmaster: mccs@towson.edu