Mass Communication

Program Description

The Mass Communication program provides students with a concentration in media strategies and applications. A series of core classes offer students the opportunity to develop the knowledge, theory, and skills that prepare them for the ever-changing, broad field of mass communication. Students have the opportunity to take a wide range of elective courses that focus on audio and video production, journalism, public relations, and emerging content creation, such as managing social media platforms. In addition, all students work with at least one of the campus student media organizations or clubs (CMU-TV, KMSA radio, The Criterion newspaper, Horizon Magazine, and the Photo Club) as well as an outside media business or a client for an internship to gain real-world experience. The Mass Communication program prepares graduates to enter graduate school and/or find successful careers across the country in traditional mass media (magazines, newspapers, radio, TV stations, public relations, and advertising), as well as in non-traditional settings such as online media, non-profits and government agencies.

Contact Information

Department of Languages, Literature, and Mass Communication
Escalante Hall 237
970.248.1687

MASS 110 Mass Media: Impact and History-GTAH23 Credits

Investigation of the role played by media in everyday life and media's social, economic, and historical influence on society.

Essential Learning Categories: Humanities
Colorado Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathways General Education Curriculum

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

MASS 140 Media Theory Introduction3 Credits

Introduction to theories of Mass Communication. Exploration of theory constructs, audience research, effects of emerging media and technologies, and message content.

Prerequisites: MASS 110.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

MASS 144 Multimedia Storytelling3 Credits

Journalism-based techniques and methods for modern storytelling of accurately written information through the use of the internet, video, and audio.

Prerequisites: MASS 110.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

MASS 196 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

MASS 213 Introduction to Media Writing and Reporting3 Credits

Fundamentals of news gathering and reporting through a variety of media. Exploration of ethical and legal aspects of journalistic endeavors.

Prerequisites: MASS 140.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

MASS 251 Mass Media: Advertising and Promotions3 Credits

Principles of media advertising and promotions. Considers research, analysis, strategy, advertising barriers, design, and perspective.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

MASS 261 Audio Announcing and Production3 Credits

Exploration of the art and science of announcing for media and the importance and use of the spoken word in persuasive messages. Creation and execution of programs and formats for audio source distribution both traditional and emerging.

Prerequisites: MASS 140.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

MASS 271 Video Production3 Credits

Fundamentals of electronic field production and non-linear editing with hands-on experience with broadcast-quality equipment. Creation and execution of productions involving videography, scripting, graphic layout, and editing.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

MASS 296 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

MASS 310 Media Law and Ethics3 Credits

Ethical principles and laws affecting media. Includes study and application of ethics and laws involved in print, broadcasting, and emerging media.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

MASS 313 Broadcast Journalism Reporting3 Credits

Introduction to broadcast writing styles and history. Specific applications for radio, television, and internet. Emphasis on formatting, newsgathering, interviewing, and researching.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

MASS 315A Specialized Writing for Media: Science3 Credits

Specialized writing about science for various media platforms.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

MASS 315B Specialized Writing for Media: Sports3 Credits

Specialized writing about sports for various media platforms.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

MASS 315C Specialized Writing for Media: Health3 Credits

Specialized writing about health for various media platforms.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

MASS 315D Specialized Writing for Media: Crime3 Credits

Specialized writing about crime for various media platforms.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

MASS 315E Specialized Writing for Media: Arts Journalism3 Credits

Specialized writing about the arts for various media platforms. Subjects include: theory and creation of art critiques, fluency in a broad range of arts journalism contexts, and the law and ethics of arts journalism.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

MASS 317 Writing Opinion for Impact3 Credits

Persuasive and insightful writing. Subjects include public issues, supporting beliefs, analysis, and documentation for targeted audiences through broadcast, print, and internet/web.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

MASS 342 Photojournalism I3 Credits

Fundamentals of camera techniques, qualities of print and digital images, history and ethics of photojournalism, uses of software in image acquisition and use, and development of esthetic values.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

MASS 350 Public Relations Concepts3 Credits

Historical and theoretical approach to contemporary public relations with emphasis on the persuasion process and ethics, propaganda, and advertising techniques in mass media.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

MASS 352 Print Design and Production for Editors3 Credits

Various essential processes and duties editors face in preparing articles, graphics, and photos for print publication - including digital design and pre-press, typography, press-ready PDFs, CMYK offset printing, writing headlines and cutlines, and meeting all expectations in the printed final product. Adobe InDesign also is introduced and utilized.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

MASS 357 Documentary and News Producing3 Credits

Creation of multimedia content for students to develop their skills as producers, researchers, interviewers, writers, and videographers, as well as on-camera and voice talent. The focus of study will be on analyzing and practicing the aesthetic and technical elements of documentary and news content in order to create original stories for broadcast, print, and web.

Prerequisites: MASS 271.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

MASS 372 TV Studio Production3 Credits

Combination of multi-camera studio and electronic field productions. Includes videography, live-editing, non-linear editing, graphic creation, audio manipulation, and script writing, culminating in broadcast-quality programming.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

MASS 387 Structured Research1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

MASS 395 Independent Study1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

MASS 396 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

MASS 397 Practicum1 Credit

Practical experience with student media outlets under faculty advisor supervision or with CMU Sports Information. Practicum coordinator must be consulted in first week of term.

Prerequisites: MASS 140 and MASS 144 or permission of instructor.

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 10 credit hours.

MASS 415 Advanced Media Writing and Reporting3 Credits

In-depth journalism writing and reporting course. Focuses on the development of long-form journalism pieces, including magazine features, public affairs reporting, news analysis, and news investigations using public records and interviews. Emphasis on fair and accurate reporting and writing under deadline, with critical attention paid to law and ethics.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

MASS 417 Writing for Public Relations and Advertising3 Credits

Copywriting function in public relations and advertising for organizations and agencies.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

MASS 441 Emerging Media3 Credits

Experimentation with tools, techniques, and concepts of social and new media resulting in the creation of online content.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

MASS 442 Photojournalism II3 Credits

Advanced skills to capture and edit images to high aesthetic values, professionalism, news photography, photo illustration, creation of image portfolios for public display or potential employers, and use of image management software.

Prerequisites: MASS 342.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

MASS 450 Public Relations Campaigns3 Credits

Survey of campaigns and case histories representing the scope of public relations (PR), research methodology, and audience targeting. Practical application of PR theory.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

MASS 452 Designing for Brand and Message3 Credits

Publication of attractive and effective content. Includes designing print materials, such as company newsletters, logos, brochures, magazines, as well as electronic publishing.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

MASS 471 Advanced Video Production3 Credits

Aesthetic values of electronic field productions and post-production projects. Builds upon concepts and skills acquired in MASS 271 to create and execute high quality video and creative productions for air and/or web use.

Prerequisites: MASS 271.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

MASS 494 Seminar: Advanced Theory and Research3 Credits

Capstone course. Examination and exploration of mass communication theories. Focus on research and its importance to media disciplines and industries.

Prerequisites: MASS 213.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

MASS 495 Independent Study1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 6 credit hours.

MASS 496 Topics1-3 Credits

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.

MASS 497 Practicum1 Credit

Practical experience with student media outlets under faculty advisor supervision or with CMU Sports Information. Practicum coordinator must be consulted in first week of term.

Prerequisites: MASS 397 or permission of instructor.

Course may be taken 10 times for credit.

MASS 498 Senior Project Portfolio1 Credit

Identification and preparation of projects that highlight mass communication skills, abilities, talents, and applications.

Prerequisites: MASS 213 and MASS 397.

Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

MASS 499 Internship1-12 Credits

Work in media industry positions.

Prerequisites: MASS 213, MASS 310, and at least junior standing with at least half of major requirements completed.

Course may be taken multiple times up to maximum of 15 credit hours.