Mass Communication (BS)

Catalog Year

2022-2023

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

44

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Program Requirements

Required General Education

Nature, functions, responsibilities and effects of the media in contemporary society.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Prerequisites to the Major

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

Major Common Core

Basic techniques of gathering information and writing readable and accurate media stories.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, MASS 110

Principles of the First Amendment, libel, fair trial, privacy, access to news, pornography and regulation of radio and television.

Prerequisites: none

Creation of photo, audio, video, and written content for multi-platform distribution. Includes critical consideration and application of content creation tools, social media management tools, and legal and ethical issues.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Study, analysis and criticism of the mass media, their ethics and performance.

Prerequisites: none

.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W, MASS 312, and MASS 411, plus two additional 300/400 level MASS courses, one of which must be MASS 325, MASS 330, MASS 334, MASS 431, MASS 434 or MASS 436

Major Restricted Electives

Group 1 - Choose 4 Credit(s).

Survey of current practices and problems in the field of public relations. Emphasizes successful case histories and planning techniques.

Prerequisites: none

Exploration of the basic principles of visual media design, stressing the significance of images in a mass media society. Special focus on contextualizing historial and technological changes affecting image production for mass media.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-07

Diverse Cultures: Purple

Discussion of and practice in reporting about public affairs and social issues, plus examination of copy editing and headline writing for traditional and new media.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

This course introduces students to the concepts, approaches and tools for gathering and analyzing information in mass media research. Students will become acquainted with and effectively use the terminology and concepts used in mass media research.

Prerequisites: none

Group 2 - Choose 4 Credit(s). Focused-Writing Course

Discussion of and practice in reporting about public affairs and social issues, plus examination of copy editing and headline writing for traditional and new media.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Planning, writing and delivering of broadcast news.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Marketing and writing of non-fiction articles for contemporary print and electronic magazines.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Practical skill in the development of public relations writing including news releases, brochures, public service announcements, pitch letters, annual reports.

Prerequisites: MASS 233 

In this advanced nonfiction writing course, students will analyze examples of professional media writing and employ techniques to create a portfolio of persuasive, informative, and personal writing for a variety of media markets.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Major Unrestricted Electives

Choose 12 Credit(s).

Prerequisites: none

Minor

Required Minor: Yes. Any.

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Nature, functions, responsibilities and effects of the media in contemporary society.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-09

Diverse Cultures: Purple

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Students in this course approach writing as a subject of study by investigating how writing works across a variety of contexts.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-1A

General Education Course * 3 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Second Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Basic techniques of gathering information and writing readable and accurate media stories.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, MASS 110

Diverse Cultures Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Spring - 16 Credits

Principles of the First Amendment, libel, fair trial, privacy, access to news, pornography and regulation of radio and television.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Writing Intensive Course * 4 credits

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Study, analysis and criticism of the mass media, their ethics and performance.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

General Education Course * 3 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Spring - 12 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

General Education Course * 4 credits

Transfer Pathways

A Transfer Pathway is a partnership between the Minnesota community colleges and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Pathway suggests a plan for students with a specific associate degree to complete the last two years for a designated bachelor’s degree.

Students who are transferring to Minnesota State Mankato from a Minnesota community college should meet with an advisor in your college advising office to ensure the Pathway is an appropriate option for completing your degree.

More information on Transfer Pathways is available at https://mnsu.edu/pathways/about/

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Basic techniques of gathering information and writing readable and accurate media stories.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, MASS 110

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Creation of photo, audio, video, and written content for multi-platform distribution. Includes critical consideration and application of content creation tools, social media management tools, and legal and ethical issues.

Prerequisites: MASS 221W

Study, analysis and criticism of the mass media, their ethics and performance.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits

Fourth Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Principles of the First Amendment, libel, fair trial, privacy, access to news, pornography and regulation of radio and television.

Prerequisites: none

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Major * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits

Spring - 15 Credits

Elective Course in Minor * 3 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits

Elective Course in Minor * 4 credits