This curriculum presents an overview of the theory, history, and socioeconomic aspect of mass communications. In addition, students examine techniques and problems of boadcast management, operations, and programming. This course has two major segments. In Modern Radio Production and Operations, students are involved in an extensive examination of the history and development of the medium, the role of the governmental regulatory agencies, and the responsibilities of the broadcaster to the communities served.
Students survey the wide range of radio station programming and operating strategies and techniques.
During the second segment of the course, Television Studio and Field Production, students survey the major tools of television studio and field programming and production. Intensive emphasis is placed on program conception, planning, writing, and producing. Students utilize the television studio, field equipment, and linear and non-linear video editing facilities of Cable Channel Two, the University's cable access channel. This course provides a hands-on review of community newspapers and newspapering. This course examines the development of First Amendment jurisprudence, the law of defamation, privacy, access, free press-fair trial, and journalist's privilege.