Mass Media Department

Henderson Learning Center
Third Floor
(785) 231-1010 ext. 1836

The Major

 

 

 

Majors must complete a total of 40 hours which includes a variety of basic course requirements, courses in a selected area of emphasis, and elective offerings chosen in consultation with an advisor. All majors must complete a 15-22/hour minor. Upon completion of the minor the student must fill out the appropriate minor form provided by the registrar's office. Students must submit the list of courses in the minor to the media advisor prior to the completion of the minor. That list should be signed by a minor advisor and be retained in the department file for advising purposes.

On Campus Laboratories
Mass Media majors have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in electronic media, public relations, and print media at Washburn University. The Instructional Media's television studio, WUCT-CH 13 cable channel, and KTWU-CH 11 provide majors with broadcast experience. The Review newspaper and the KAW yearbook provide both print media and public relations opportunities. The writing and design courses are taught in the Stauffer Mass Media computer lab.

Internships
Internships are required for most students. The Mass Media faculty maintain a network of contacts with professionals in radio, TV and cable network companies, newspapers, advertising and public relations agencies, and business and professional organizations. Internships must be approved by the chairperson, in consultation with the advisor. Twenty-four hours of credit in the major must be completed prior to the internship experience.

Teaching endorsement qualifications in Journalism
Students may receive a secondary teaching endorsement to teach journalism only if they are certified to teach English. There are no exceptions to this rule. Students seeking this endorsement must take the following courses or their equivalent, 21 hours required:
MM 100 Introduction to Mass Media (3)
MM 201 Information Gathering (3)
MM 221 Publication Technology (3)
MM 320 Advanced Newswriting (3)
MM 322 Editing (3)
MM 491 Supervision of School Publications (3)
AR 220 Photography I. (3)

Students seeking this endorsement to teach must also be formally admitted to the University Professional Teacher Education Program. For admission requirements see EDUCATION in this catalog.

ADVERTISING
The advertising emphasis in Mass Media prepares students to work in either the creative or the business side of advertising. The curriculum is a combination of mass media and business courses. In addition, students are expected to minor in one of three areas: Electronic Art, Business, Psychology.

MM 100 Introduction to Mass Media (3)
MM 201 Information Gathering (3)
MM 202 Basic Media Writing (3)
MM 300 Mass Media Law (3)
MM 321 Publication Technology (3)
MM 351 Mass Media Research (3) OR
BU 362 Marketing Research (3)
MM 352 Advertising (3)
MM 432 Advertising Copy & Design (3)
BU 360 Marketing (3)
BU 363 Promotion (3)
MM 490 Senior Seminar (3)
Department Electives (6)
Supervised Learning Experience (3): (Any combination of the following for a total of 3 hours)
MM 294 (1-3) Campus Media Practicum
MM 413 (1-3) TV Production Lab
MM 494 (1-3) Internship
Total Hours = 40

ELECTRONIC MEDIA
The electronic media emphasis prepares students who seek careers in production, performance , and broadcast management. Students in other fields may wish to take courses in this area to prepare themselves to serve as liaisons between members of their own field and professionals in the electronic media. The emphasis stresses hands-on production experience.

MM 100 Introduction to Mass Media (3)
MM 110 Introduction to Broadcast Production (3)
MM 201 Information Gathering (3)
MM 202 Basic Media Writing (3)
MM 300 Mass Media Law (3)
MM 309 Broadcast Writing (3)
MM 310 TV Production I (3)
MM 311 Broadcast Performance (3)
MM 410 Broadcast Programming and Sales (3)
MM 490 Senior Seminar (3)
Department Electives (9)
Supervised Learning Experience (3): (Any combination of the following for a total of 3 hours)
MM 294 (1-3) Campus Media Practicum
MM 413 (1-3) TV Production Lab
MM 494 (1-3) Internship
Total Hours = 40

PUBLIC RELATIONS
The mass media degree with a public relations emphasis prepares students to manage communication programs of public and private organizations. The curriculum emphasizes writing, communication theory, and techniques including research, production, and desktop publishing. The course sequence provides a traditional body of knowledge and skills needed by professionals, as well as emerging information, issues and trends.

MM 100 Introduction to Mass Media (3)
MM 110 Introduction to Broadcast Production (3)
MM 201 Information Gathering (3)
MM 202 Basic Media Writing (3)
MM 300 Mass Media Law (3)
MM 319 Public Relations (3)
MM 320 Advanced Newswriting (3)
MM 321 Publication Technology (3)
MM 322 Editing (3)
MM 420 Public Relations Campaigns (3)
MM 490 Senior Seminar (3)
Supervised Learning Experience (3): (Any combination of the following for a total of 3 hours)
MM 294 (1-3) Campus Media Practicum
MM 413 (1-3) TV Production Lab
MM 494 (1-3) Internship
Total Hours = 40

MEDIA WRITING AND PUBLISHING
The media writing and publishing emphasis sequence prepares students for careers as writers, reporters, editors and layout designers, with newspapers, magazines, and wire services. The curriculum emphasizes writing, reporting, editing, and layout and design.

MM 100 Introduction to Mass Media (3)
MM 201 Information Gathering (3)
MM 202 Basic Media Writing (3)
MM 221 Publication Technology (3)
MM 320 Advanced Newswriting (3)
MM 322 Editing (3)
MM 430 Feature Writing (3)
MM 431 Publication Layout and Design (3)
MM 300 Mass Media Law (3)
MM 490 Senior Seminar (3)
Department Electives (9)
Supervised Learning Experience (3): (Any combination of the following for a total of 3 hours)
MM 294 (1-3) Campus Media Practicum
MM 413 (1-3) TV Production Lab
MM 494 (1-3) Internship
Total Hours = 40

Return to Main Page

Return to Catalog Index

 


[ WU Home ] [ Directory & Information ] [ Emergency Contacts ] [ Site Map ] [ Contact WU ] [ Important Policies ] [ Accessibility ]
© 2000-2010 Washburn University, 1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, Kansas 66621 (785) 670-1010
Contact webmaster@washburn.edu with questions or comments.