Mass Media

Advertising, Electronic Media, Public Relations, Media Writing and Publishing

Henderson Learning Center
Room 316
(785) 231-1010 ext 1836
www.washburn.edu/cas/massmedia

The Faculty
The Major
The Minor
Course Offerings
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Source: 2005-2006 Catalog

Mission: The Mass Media curriculum provides Washburn students with a rich diversity of media studies in the areas of electronic media, public relations, advertising, and media writing and publishing. The courses of study within these areas of emphasis are designed to prepare students for careers in the field and graduate studies in the applied areas. The courses are also designed to meet the needs of students interested in media studies but not planning to pursue a major. The major and minor can be selected in combination with other majors offered in the College of Arts and Sciences and other Schools within the University.

Student Learning Outcomes

Mass Media students at Washburn University, upon graduation, are expected to have:

• mastered the concepts of information gathering and writing;
• acquired an understanding of the legal and ethical concepts related to mass media;
• acquired an understanding of the basic principles of mass media in a variety of environments;
• acquired the ability to conceptualize and carry out information campaigns that meet specific organizational needs;
• developed aesthetic awareness and values in the mass media field; and
• developed the ability to make judgments appropriate to the professional environment

On-Campus Laboratories

Mass Media majors have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in electronic media, advertising, public relations, and print media at Washburn University. Instructional Media's television studio, WUCT-CH 13 cable channel, and public TV station, KTWU, provide majors with broadcast experience. The Review newspaper and the KAW yearbook provide print media, advertising, 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 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.

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 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 (1)
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

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 202 Basic Media Writing (3)
MM 210 Beginning Video Technologies (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 (1)
Department Electives (12)
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 skills 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 202 Basic Media Writing (3)
MM 210 Beginning Video Technologies (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 (1)
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

Media Writing and Publishings

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 202 Basic Media Writing (3)
MM 300 Mass Media Law (3)
MM 320 Advanced Newswriting (3)
MM 321 Publication Technology (3)
MM 322 Editing (3)
MM 430 Feature Writing (3)
MM 431 Publication Layout and Design (3)
MM 490 Senior Seminar (1)
Department Electives (12)
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