The following are the courses offered by the Department of Communication.
University Studies
UI 100: First Year Seminar - An academic skills-centered seminar which introduces students to the University Studies Program and the value of liberal education while addressing one of a variety of themes. See First Year Experience Website for themes (http://ustudies.semo.edu/UI100/).Required of all students entering the University with fewer than 24 credit hours. (3)
UI 382: History & Philosophy of American Mass Media - An historical investigation of American mass media and the philosophies and concepts underlying their development from colonial to present times. (3) Prerequisite: Completion of 45 hours.
UI 301 Managerial Communication Processes - An examination and application of theories and skills necessary for effective managerial communication in organizations. Prerequisites: SC 105 or consent of instructor. (3)
UI 345 Nonverbal Communication - Study of nonverbal communication. Areas of study include body language, vocal cues, touching behavior, environmental factors, eye behavior, physical appearance. Prerequisites: Junior standing; Artistic Expression; Oral Expression; Behavioral Systems; Social Systems (3)
UI 423 Political Communication - An introduction to communication principles and practices central to election campaigns through the study of political campaigns as communication phenomena. Prerequisite: 3 hours in Communication Studies. (3)
UI 425 Persuasion - Principles, techniques, and theories used to influence the behavior of others through oral communication, with special emphasis on the analytical tools necessary to evaluate persuasive appeals more responsibly. Prerequisites: Junior standing; completion of University Studies core curriculum. (3)
Mass Communication
MC 101: Mass Communication & Society - An examination of the diversity of the American mass media and its use by the audience. (University Studies course) (3)
MC 141: Introduction to Radio – Principles of radio broadcasting and regulations applying to the operation of a low-power FM (LPFM) radio station. (1)
MC 201: Writing For The Mass Media - An introduction to the process of making news judgment and the practical application of news writing techniques used in the mass media. (3) Prerequisites:
EN100 or EN140 with a grade of 'C' or better.
15 hourscompleted
MC240: Radio Station Activity - Course is devoted to practical radio broadcsting experiences. Students will conduct airshifts at KDMC, the radio station laboratory. May be repeaded for up to 3 hours of credit. (1-3) Prerequisites:
MC 141 with a grade of ‘C’ or better.
15 hours completed
MC 301: Mass Communication Theory & Research -A study of research techniques commonly utilized in the mass media with a broad overview of mass communication theory. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 101 with a grade of 'C' or better;
MA 155 Statistical Reasoning;
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 304: Diversity in Communication - Examination of the roles, impact, portrayals, perceptions, contributions, and challenges of minorities in mass media content and media professions. (3) Prerequisites:
MC101 with a grade of "C" or better
45 hours completed
MC 310: Advertising Communication Strategies - A survey of advertising principles and practices, stressing creative, communicative and managerial aspects. (3) Prerequisites:
MC101 with a grade of "C" or better
MC201 witha grade of "C" or better
45 hours completed
MC 312: Advertising Creative Concepts -Principles and techniques of producing advertising for print and electronic media. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 201 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
MC 310 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
MC 314: Advertising Social Issues and Responsibilities -Study of the complex relationship between advertising content and placement with other facets of society. (3) Prerequisites:
MC312 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 316: Advertising Media - Study of advertising placement in media with emphasis on comparison, rating, target audiences, cost efficiency, and effectiveness. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 312 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 320: Reporting - A continued study of daily and weekly newspaper reporting and news room operating methods. (3)Prerequisites:
MC 201 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
MC 322: Publication Editing and Production - Principles and practices in the editing of copy and photographs, writing headlines and designing newspaper and magazine pages. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 201 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
MC 324: Feature Writing - A study of newspaper and magazine features together with practice in writing nonfiction articles for publications of general, professional or trade interest. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 320 with a grade 'C' or better;
45 hours completed
MC 330: Public Relations Principles - An introduction to the modern public relations function emphasizing its tools, processes, publics, communication methods and professional ethics. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 101 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
MC 332: Public Relations Writing and Design - Creative composition of effective writing and design for print and electronic public relations communications (3) Prerequisites:
MC 101 with a grade of 'C' or better
MC 330 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 334: Public Relations Research and Strategy - Constructing and conducting research studies, identifying public relations problems/opportunities and objectives, and applying research finding to the cmposition of effective strategic communications. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 301 witha agrade of "C" or better
MC 332 with a grade of "C" or better
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication Degree program
MC 340: Basic Radio - Historical and contemporary radio broadcasting as technology and business, including its relationship to government and society. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 101 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
MC 141 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
45 hours completed
MC 342: Radio Programming Strategies - A study of the responsibilities of the persons involved in radio programming with emphasis on formats and delivery. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 340 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
MC 344: Audio Production and Performance - Experience oriented course integrating vocal delivery techniques with concepts of program preparation and presentation. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 340 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 346: Electronic News Gathering - A study of the techniques of gathering, writing and producing news stories for radio and television broadcast. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 201 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program.
MC 351: Basic Video and Film -principles of video and film productin, with emphasis on multi-camera production, basic field tecniques and linear editing. (3)Prerequisites:
MC 101 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
MC 352: Intermediate Film and Video Production - A continuation of Basic Video and Film Production with empasis on single-camera production, intermediate, field techniques, and non-linear editing. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 351 with a grade of 'C' or better
45 hours completed
MC 353: Film History - An examination of the artisitic and social impact of the cinema, from its beginnings in the late 19th century to the present. (3) Prerequisite:
EN 140 with a grade of "C" or better
45 hours completed
MC 354: Writing for Video -A study of contemporary formats commonly utilized in the fields of video production, including practice in the application of those formats through the writing of production scripts for video and film. (3) Prerequisites:
EN 140 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
45 hours completed
MC 361: Advanced Video Production - Application of video techniques while working with a professional client to prepare and execute all pre-production phases of a corporate television project. (3) Prerequisite:
MC351 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 367: Converging Media Systems - This course defines media convergence & the impact that the digital realm will have on all aspects of telecommunication. (3) Prerequisites:
MC352 with a grade of "C" or better
45 hours completed
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 371: Broadcast Field Techniques - An introduction to the art of visual storytelling in broadcast field production and reporting (3). Prerequisites:
MC352 with a grade of "C" or better
45 hours completed
MC372: Broadcast Reporting - A comprehensive course of writing, editing, and on-camera broadcast news reporting (3). Prerequisites:
MC201 with a grade of "C" or better
MC352 with a grade of "C" or better
45 hours completed
MC 401: Communication Law -Introduction to law as it pertains to the mass media. (3) Prerequisite:
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 418: Advertising Campaigns - Application of advertising principles and techniques in working with a professional client to prepare and execute an advertising campaign. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 314 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
MC 316 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 425: Public Affairs Reporting - Study of the reporting techniques used in covering courts, government agencies, public interest organizations, and economics. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 320 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 426: Sportswriting - Theory and practice in the techniques of sportswriting for print and broadcast media. (3) Prerequisites:
MC320 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 428: Editorial Page -An examination of problems, content, selection and writing of opinion for newspapers and an introduction to editorial page design. (3) Prerequisites:
MC320 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program.
MC 430: Strategic Communication Issues - Course is designed to provide in-depth experiential learning in specific career fields in communication and specific career skills areas with these feields. May be repeated for up to 9 hours of credit. (3) Prerequisites:
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 434: Public Relations Campaigns - Plannin and analysis of actual and proposed campaigns to solve public relations problems through agencies, not-for-profit organizations, corporations, retail firms, trade associations, government and political clients and employers. (3) Prerequisites:
MC334 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 448: Radio Station Administration - Administering contemporary commercial and noncommercial radio. (3) Prerequisites:
MC342 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
MC344 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
MC346 with a grade of ‘C’ or better
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 451: Film Directing - Theory and Practice of narrative film directing, with emphasis on script analsis, working with actors, and the production of a short film. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 352 with agrade of "C" or better
MC 353 with a grade of "C" or better
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
MC 466: Television Directing -Theory and practice of directing for television. Emphasis on visualization, pre-production and post-production procedures. (3) Prerequisites:
MC 361 with a grade of 'C' or better
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 482: Special Problems - Seminar designed for in-depth study and research of a specific aspect of mass communication. Content Varies. (3) Prerequisites:
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix)
Admission to Mass Communication degree program
Consent of department chair
MC 483(1)/485(3): Independent Study in Mass Communication - Topical study beyond content of course offerings.For majors only. Prerequisites:
75 hours (including 15 hours with MC-prefix
Consent of the department chair
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 486: Internship in Mass Communication - Practical involvement in an appropriate professional organization. (3) Prerequisites:
75 hours (including 12 option hours)
Minimum university GPA of 2.75
Minimum departmental GPA of 2.75
Consent of department chair
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
MC 496: Practicum - A course devoted to practical media experiences. (3) Prerequisites:
Admission to the Mass Communication degree program
75 hours (including 12 option hours)
Minimum university GPA of 2.5
Minimum departmental GPA of 2.5
Consent of the department chair
Speech Communication
SC 105 Fundamentals of Oral Communication: The development of proficiency in oral communication through the study of rhetorical theories, principles, and strategies. (University Studies Course) (3)
SC 155 Fundamentals of Interpersonal Communication: Consideration of the elementary principles involved in effective person to person communication. (3)
SC 160 Intercollegiate Debate: (For those in intercollegiate debate.) Introduction to contest debate and study of the intercollegiate debate question. (2)
SC 161 Intercollegiate Debate: (For those in intercollegiate debate.) Continued study of the intercollegiate debate question. (2)
SC 200 Advanced Public Speaking: Designed to extend skills acquired in SC 105 through the study of different types of speeches for various occasions. Prerequisite: SC 105 or the consent of instructor. (3)
SC 215 Intercultural Communication: Study of such cultural variables as language, values, institutions, traditions, customs, and nonverbal behavior on the communication process. (3)
SC 310 Speech Writing: Theory and practice of writing the spoken word. Special attention given to matters of style.Study of the role of the illustration as a composition device. Accumulating and structuring supporting material for manuscript speaking. Prerequisite: SC 105. (3)
SC 314 Argumentation & Problem Solving: Study of argumentation and decision-making in questions of controversy and public policy (i.e., law, business, social action, politics, education). (3)
SC 320 Group Communication & Decision-Making: Principles of group communication and decision-making. Development of skills necessary for effective participation in group settings. (3)
SC 330 Corporate & Professional Communication: The study of basic communication principles and the opportunity to apply those principles to typical business and professional communication situations. (3)
SC 335 Interviewing: Principles and Practices: A study of the basic principles of interviewing used in informational, persuasive, employment and appraisal interviews. Extensive practice in questioning techniques, structuring and conducting various types of interviews. Prerequisite: 3 hours in Communication Studies. (3)
SC 355 Relational Communication Strategies: Study of concepts and theories of communication strategies in building and maintaining relationships, with emphasis upon improving communication in the workplace. (3)
SC 400 Advanced Debate: (For those in intercollegiate debate.) Intensive study of the intercollegiate debate question. (3)
SC 406 Communication Principles of Negotiation and Conflict Management: Study of the utility of negotiation and mediation in community, interpersonal, labor/management, legal, commercial, and international disputes. (3)
SC 483 Internship in Speech Communication: Supervised work with professionals in communication studies. Prerequisites: 75 hours with minimum 3.0 GPA; 18 hours of speech communication with minimum of 3.25 GPA; consent of department chairperson. (3)
SC 505 Seminar in Criticism of American Public Address: A course in rhetorical criticism. Treatment of the methodology of speech criticism as it has developed from prominent rhetorical theories throughout the history of public address. Prerequisite: SC 200. (3)
SC 510 Leadership and TeamBuilding: A study and survey of leadership theories and concepts of team building. Emphasis on communication competencies necessary for successful leadership and teamwork within the organizational culture. (3)
SC 560 Organizational Communication: Study of communication functions and networks in organizations. Emphasis on leadership functions and principles needed for effective management of organizational communication processes. Prerequisite: 3 hours in Communication Studies. (3)
