MDIA 2000 Introduction to Mass Media 3-0-3
The study of the processes, elements, uses, and impacts of mass media, including history, development, operation, and cultural effects of books, newspapers, magazines, motion pictures, radio, television, sound recordings, and computer media.

MDIA 2000H Introduction to Mass Media (Honors) 3-0-3
An honors-level study of the processes, elements, uses, and impacts of mass media, including history, development, operation, and cultural effects of books, newspapers, magazines, motion pictures, radio, television, sound recordings, and computer media.

MDIA 2050 Introduction to Electronic Media Production 3-0-3
Concurrent registration for MDIA 2000 is recommended. An introduction to the processes of radio and television production. Designed to provide an understanding of the concepts and applications employed in production for radio and television and to teach the basic skills required to operate the audio and video equipment utilized for radio and television production.

MDIA 2100 Introduction to Broadcast Writing 3-0-3
Prerequisites: MDIA2000 and MDIA2050 or consent of instructor. An introduction to the variety of standard writing styles employed by media professionals. Topics include news writing, advertising copy, public service announcements, and an introduction to copy writing formats for television and radio. Basic television scripting for short and long-form programming is also introduced.

MDIA 2150 Radio Studio Production 2-4-4
Prerequisites: MDIA 2050 and MDIA 2100 or consent of instructor. Introduction to radio studio production techniques and applications. Topics include editing and the incorporation of music, sound effects, and voice to produce effective commercial and public service announcements. Station formats, live on-air production techniques, news, sports, and remote production are also addressed.

MDIA 2500 Computer Mediated Communication 3-0-3
Prerequisite: Restricted to MDIA majors or consent of instructor. An introduction to the processes of mediated communication. Topics include the Internet, mass media and the Web, virtual communities, and now computer mediated communication affects privacy, interpersonal relationships, and the global village.

MDIA 3050 Broadcast Performance and Announcing 3-0-3
Prerequisites: Major status, MDIA 2050, and THEA 1000, or consent of instructor. Application of the fundamentals of voice and articulation for effective on-air performance on both radio and television. Topics include vocal techniques and delivery styles, appearance for on-camera performance in television, audience perceptions, station sound and image, and limited voice characterizations for “voice-over” media. Required of all majors in audio emphasis and broadcast journalism emphasis.

MDIA 3120K Television Studio Production I 2-4-4
Prerequisites: Major status, MDIA 2050, and MDIA 2100, or consent of instructor. Intermediate television production focusing on the applied skills required for television production. Topics include studio operations, camera operation, control room competency, as well as scripting, producing, and directing. Pre-production, production, and post-production will also be addressed.

MDIA 3130K Audio Production I 2-4-4
Prerequisites: MDIA 2050; restricted to MDIA majors. An introduction to audio production and postproduction techniques in field and studio settings. Topics include the use of audio in visual media, sound recording and editing techniques, and the correct use of audio production and postproduction equipment.

MDIA 3150K Electronic Field Production I 2-4-4
Prerequisites: Major status, MDIA 2050, and MDIA 2100, or consent of instructor. Introduction to electronic field and remote productions, including single and multiple camera operations. Basic field camera operations, tape to tape editing, editing techniques, single/multiple camera continuity, and scripting are all addressed.

MDIA 3200 Broadcast Radio Programming 3-0-3
Prerequisites: Major status and MDIA 2000, or consent of instructor. A comprehensive overview of radio station programming practices. Topics include station formats, basic principles of music format selection, personality development, promotion, and the growth of “narrowcasting.”

MDIA 3300 The Music Industry 3-0-3
Prerequisites: MDIA 3110K and MDIA 3130K, or permission of instructor. Also offered as MUSC 3300. Introduction to the music industry, including business aspects and the application of multitrack recording techniques. Topics include recording contracts, legal and copyright issues, music promotion and distribution channels, and technological developments affecting the industry. Students will learn music recording software, MIDI, the multitrack recording console, and microphone design and placement. Students will gain practical experience by recording music performances and producing them on compact disc.

MDIA 3350 Aesthetics of Electronic Media 3-0-3
Prerequisite: MDIA 2000 or consent of instructor. The study of the application of advanced film and video techniques. Topics include narrative structure, cinematography, directing technique, editing, sound design, and the language of production.

MDIA 3400 Broadcast Script Writing 3-0-3
Prerequisite: MDIA 2100 or consent of instructor. An advanced writing course building upon the skills acquired in MDIA 2100. The student will develop a full-length teleplay, screenplay, or radio drama. Topics include development of treatments, plotting, sequencing, character analysis, and synopsis. The techniques required for effective scene construction, plot twists, comedic slants, dramatic tones, and other advanced script writing techniques are also introduced.

MDIA 3450 Media Ethics 3-0-3
Prerequisites: Major status and completion of lower division major core, or consent of instructor. A comprehensive overview of the major ethical philosophers and perspectives and how these works impact ethical decisions in today’s media. Topics will be discussed and analyzed to help the mass media student form a foundation for decision making within an ethical framework.

MDIA 3500 Broadcast News Writing 3-0-3
Prerequisite: MDIA 2100 or consent of instructor. An advanced writing course building upon the skills learned inMDIA2100. Students will develop their skills in researching, writing, and editing broadcast news. Interviewing techniques, in-depth study of Associated Press broadcast writing style, and scripting for both radio and television news will be emphasized.

MDIA 3800 Audio Theory and Design 3-0-3
Prerequisites: Restricted to MDIA majors or consent of instructor. This course provides a theoretical investigation into the properties of audio and sound. Topics include the physiology and psychology of hearing, acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound design, sound environments, ambience, sound theory, and audio’s relationship with radio, television, and film.

MDIA 3950 Directed Study 1 to 3 hours credit
Prerequisite: Major status and approval of advisor, instructor, and department head. Individualized study in an area or subject not normally found in established courses offered by the department, may also allow the student to explore in more detail a topic that is normally covered by the department.

MDIA 4030 Selected Topics in Mass Media 1 to 3 hours credit
Prerequisites: MDIA2050 and MDIA2100, or consent of instructor. Intensive study of a topic relevant to broadcast media. The introduction of alternative approaches to the study of media themes, applications, trends, and media issues. Provides an opportunity to explore other topics outside the prescribed curriculum of mass media. Offerings will reflect current issues relevant to those students interested in a specific area of interest.

MDIA 4100 Media Economics and Management 2-4-4
Prerequisites: Restricted to MDIA majors with upper-division status or consent of instructor. An examination of the economic structure of the American radio and television systems focusing upon audience measurement and delivery, ownership consolidation, cross media platforms, standard practices of achieving fiscal stability, community outreach and service, and personnel utilization.

MDIA 4120K Television Studio Production II 2-4-4
Prerequisite: MDIA 3120K or consent of instructor. Advanced television production focusing on the hands-on application of skills for the construction of television programs. Students are expected to enter with a working knowledge of the television studio since this is a rigorous and labor intensive course in which students are expected to produce broadcast quality programs.

MDIA 4130K Audio Production II 2-4-4
Prerequisites: MDIA3130K; restricted to MDIA majors. An advanced course of audio production techniques for radio, television, and film. Topics include digital audio techniques, mixing soundtracks for visual media, advanced electronic audio editing, and the use of music, sound effects, and Foley recording.

MDIA 4150K Electronic Field Production II 2-4-4
Prerequisite: MDIA3150K or consent of instructor. Advanced field production involving field shoots, remote shoots, and editing. Advancing technologies in the area of post-production editing will be introduced, and students will be responsible for development of script ideas, scheduling, and project completions on deadline. The class is labor intensive.

MDIA 4240K Television Directing and Producing 2-4-4
Prerequisite: MDIA 3120K or consent of instructor. Advanced television production allowing for the free flow of development and construction of television programming. Requires the thoughtful articulation of project proposals that must be approved by the instructor within the first five class meetings.

MDIA 4270 Diversity in Media 3-0-3
Prerequisites: Restricted to MDIA majors or consent of instructor. A critical examination of the relationships between the media and different races, classes, ethnicities, and genders. Topics include how the media represent various groups, how audiences are affected by these representations, how minorities are employed in the media industry, and alternative media.

MDIA 4350 Broadcasting and Culture 3-0-3
Prerequisites: Major and senior status, or consent of instructor. A critical examination of the broadcast media, with emphasis on the connections among the message, the medium, society, and culture. This synthesis will help the student develop a clearer understanding of uses and gratifications, society’s relation to media, and how media may effect society.

MDIA 4400 Media Criticism 3-0-3
Prerequisites: Major status and upper division status, or consent of instructor. An overview of the theoretical and practical study of the critical media examination. It includes describing, interpreting, and judging mediated messages utilizing critical methods. Students will examine various approaches to media criticism and how they are be applied to the broadcast media.

MDIA 4450 International Media 3-0-3
Prerequisite: Junior or senior status or consent of instructor. A critical examination of media systems around the world and the societies in which they function. The role of governmental regulation, cultural factors, and language will be studied. Students will be required to analyze global media, national identities, and the concept of international communication. A comparative analysis of various systems is also required.

MDIA 4600 Digital Media Production 2-4-4
Prerequisite: MDIA 3150K or consent of instructor. Advanced applications of digital video editing, storage, and delivery systems. Areas to be covered include advanced editing on computer-based non-linear systems, digitizing media, encoding, DVD authoring, CD video, streaming video, live web broadcasting and web page design. Students must complete a digital media presentation for their portfolio.

MDIA 4800 Media Law 3-0-3
Prerequisites: Restricted to MDIA majors with senior status, or consent of instructor. A comprehensive overview of First Amendment principles, communication law, and the regulatory practices of the Federal Communications Commission. Topics include media regulation, libel issues, prior restraint, and copyright.

MDIA 4950 Senior Seminar 1-0-1
Prerequisite: Restricted to student in their final semester of study in Mass Media. A seminar bringing together all second semester seniors, focusing on student contribution to discussion and critiques of his/her fellow student’s portfolio presentation and defense of his/ her work in the program as evidenced by the materials placed into his/her portfolio during progress through the major. Examples of writing and creative endeavor will be presented and critically analyzed. The student will also successfully complete a comprehensive proficiency exit exam and/or interview.

MDIA 4961 Audio Workshop 1 hour credit
Prerequisites: MDIA3110K or MDIA 3130K, or consent of instructor. Student participation in the production of audio and radio programming. May be repeated for credit. MDIA 4962 Video Workshop 2 hours credit
Prerequisites: MDIA3120K or MDIA 3150K, or consent of instructor. Student participation in the production of programming for VSU-TV, the University programmed cable access channel. May be repeated for credit.

MDIA 4963 International Documentary Production Workshop 3 hours credit
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Student participation in the production and postproduction of international video documentaries. May be repeated for credit.

MDIA 4970 Internship 3 to 9 hours credit
Prerequisite: Major and senior status; approval of faculty internship director. Graded “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.” The placement of students in apprentice and intern positions in professional environments including radio and television stations and other media industry organizations in order to enlarge the student’s professionalism. May be taken only during the student’s final two semesters.