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Communications & Broadcasting Technology Curriculum and Course Descriptions

 

This program is designed to prepare students for a career in broadcasting.  The course work exposes students to hands-on applications of radio and television concepts and practices through real-life sporting, news, and fine arts performances.  Students will learn on computerized digital technology to better prepare them for the broadcasting industry.

 

A student's class choices should be planned with the requirements of the transfer institution in mind.  See your advisor for enrollment information and transfer institution requirements.

 

Recommended Courses

Additional Courses

To complete an associate degree the program emphasis credit hours and the general education credit hours, which must be taken from the list approved by the General Education Committee, must total at least 64 credit hours.  Also see specific curriculum guide for program emphasis.  Certain general education courses are preferred for different programs.

Associate in Arts Degree

 

Most Communications and Broadcasting majors opt for the Associate in Arts degree.  This degree is meant to transfer to a baccalaureate degree granting institution. The student must complete 64 semester hours with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above. There is a minimum cumulative general education requirement of 36 semester hours. A minimum number of semester credit hours will be required in each of the fields listed below. NOTE: No courses numbered below 100 apply.

Description of Courses

 

COMM-101.  Introduction to Mass Communications.  3 Hours.  This is a three credit hour course focusing on the history and development of print and electronic media, including newspapers, magazines, radio and television.  The class will consist of lecture from the required text and videotape presentations dealing with the various forms of mass communications.

 

COMM-121.  Video Principles for Multi-Media.  3 Hours.  This is a basic course dealing with the disciplines and techniques of video production.  The course will cover audio, lighting, cameras and lenses, the switcher, recording and editing, single-camera talent, directing, and other crew positions.

 

COMM-151.  Introduction to Television Continuity.  3 Hours.  This is an entry-level course dealing with writing and producing scripts for radio and television broadcasting.  Different types of commercials are studied as well as consumer motivation, legal and ethical issues, promotions, public service announcements and copywriter qualifications.  The course is designed to give students an idea of actual working conditions at various sizes of stations.  Students perform exercises that incorporate the skills taught in each chapter.  Since each chapter builds on the previous ones, material learned in earlier exercises is utilized in later assignments.

 

COMM-211.  Video Production Applications.  3 Hours. This course requires self-motivation.  The class will be responsible for producing one or more programs for airing on the College cable channel.  These programs will run on a regular basis, therefore the students must be dedicated and take their work seriously.  There will be some outside reports that will have to be done.  Production deadlines are absolute.

 

COMM-225.  Digital Photography.  3 Hours.  This course has been created for the photographer who would like to use a computer as a darkroom.  By providing a comprehensive introduction to electronic imaging, the course allows beginners and novices to develop the skills and creativity needed to be successful in the field.

 

COMM-230.  Digital Editing.  3 Hours.  This course is designed to further train students interested in video production, web design or other multi-media applications.  The course will focus on techniques for nonlinear digital editing or editing of video and audio using the computer and appropriate software.  There will be comparison made between digital editing and traditional analog editing.  In addition, the course will cover areas such as shooting video and audio and applying graphics used in the editing process.  The course will be taught on PC and MacIntosh platforms.  Prerequisite:  Video Principles for Multi-Media.

 

COMM-235.  Streaming Media for the Web.  3 Hours.  This is a course dealing with specific audio and video applications for use on the World Wide Web.  The course will cover technical specifications for placement of media on the World Wide Web and how it differs from video and audio used in an analog environment such as broadcast television.  The student will learn to combine video, audio and still images to create streaming media.

 

COMM-255.  Practical Applications of Graphic Communications.  3 Hours.  This is an advanced course in which the students will make practical application using what the student has learned so far in the Graphics Communications program.  For example, the student will design a web site using streaming video, audio clips and/or digital images and graphics.  Prerequisite:  Video Principles for Multi-Media.

 

COMM-260.  TV Production Practice I.  3 Hours.  This class will be responsible for producing one or more programs for airing on the College cable channel.  These programs will run on a regular basis, therefore the students must be dedicated and take their work seriously.  The whole value of the learning experience of this course is to simulate a working situation and obtain the "hands-on" experience.  Prerequisite:  Video Principles for Multi-Media.

 

COMM-261.  Broadcast Operations.  3 Hours.  This course is designed to further train the Communications and Broadcasting Technology student.  The student must have already taken Video Principles for Multi-Media.  The course will deal primarily with advanced techniques in station operations.  The student, by working a regular shift at the College-owned TV station, will attain valuable "hands-on" experience.  The course will present ideas and practical knowledge as well as provide the how and whys of special electronic potentials of video equipment.  One of the primary duties of the student will be to insert locally produced programming into the regular broadcast schedule of the station. There is also much time spent on sharpening editing and other production skills.  The student should gain a fresh perspective on video's conventional working methods that will help him/her attain greater control and personal expression using today's technology.  Prerequisite:  Video Principles for Multi-Media.

 

COMM-262.  TV Internship - News.  2 Hours.  This course is designed to further train the Communications and Broadcasting Technology student.  The student must have already taken Video Principles for Multi-Media.  The course will deal primarily with advanced techniques in broadcast news.  The student, by working a regular shift at a TV station, will attain valuable "hands-on" experience.  The course will present ideas and practical knowledge as well as provide the how and whys of special electronic potentials of video equipment.  In this course the student will assume the position of a news reporter at a local television station.  There is also considerable time spent on sharpening editing and other production skills.  The student should gain a fresh perspective on video's conventional working methods that will help to attain greater control and personal expression using today's technology.  While the student is at the television station, he/she will be under direct supervision of the news director.  Prerequisite:  Video Principles for Multi-Media, Video Production Applications and Introduction to Mass Communications.

 

COMM-263.  TV Internship - Production.  2 Hours.  This course is designed to further train the Communications and Broadcasting Technology student.  The student must have already taken Video Principles for Multi-Media, Video Production Applications and Introduction to Mass Communications.  The course will deal primarily with advanced techniques in commercial TV production.  The student, by working a regular shift at a TV station, will attain valuable "hands-on" experience.  The course will present ideas and practical knowledge as well as provide the how and whys of special electronic potentials of video equipment.  In this course the student will assume a position in the commercial production department at a local television station.  There is also considerable time spent on sharpening editing and other production skills.  The student should gain a fresh perspective on video's conventional working methods that will help to attain greater control and personal expression using today's technology.  While the student is at the television station, he/she will be under direct supervision of the production manager.  Prerequisite:  Video Principles for Multi-Media, Video Production Applications and Introduction to Mass Communications.

 

COMM-270.  TV Production Practice II.  3 Hours.  Students in this class should have already taken TV Production Practice I.  This course requires self-motivation.  The class will be responsible for producing one or more programs for airing on the College cable channel.  These programs will run on a regular basis, therefore the production crew must be dedicated and take their work seriously.  There will be some outside reports that will have to be completed.

 

Production quality is a major concern that contributes to the overall look of the station.  This is also very true in an actual broadcast station.  The whole value of the learning experience of this course is to simulate a working situation and obtain the hands-on experience.  Prerequisite:  TV Production Practice I.