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Eastern Illinois University
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Communication Studies: Mass Communication Option

(BA)

This option provides students with a well-rounded approach to understanding the role of mass communication in creating and sustaining social systems. The concentrations in this option provide students with either a practical or theoretical orientation to the study of electronic media. Students select Broadcast News, Electronic Media Production or Media Studies.

Broadcast News Concentration

This concentration is designed to provide the knowledge, values, perspectives and skills necessary to understand the roles, functions, and operations of broadcast news.

Total Semester Hours: 45

Department Core

Total Semester Hours: 12

SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)
SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)
SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)
SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

Option Core

Total Semester Hours: 21

JOU 2101
News Writing I.  (3 credits)
JOU 3610
Broadcast News Writing.  (3 credits)

or SPC 3610

JOU 3620
Electronic News Gathering.  (3 credits)

or SPC 3620

JOU 4102
Journalism Ethics.  (3 credits)
JOU 4771
Communication Law.  (3 credits)
SPC 2525
Electronic Production I.  (3 credits)
SPC 2575
Electronic Production II.  (3 credits)
SPC 3610
Broadcast News Writing.  (3 credits)

or JOU 3610

SPC 3620
Electronic News Gathering.  (3 credits)

or JOU 3620

Select Twelve Hours From

JOU 2950
Introduction to Visual Communication.  (3 credits)
JOU 3000
Advanced Reporting and Research  (3 credits)
JOU 3001
News Photography.  (3 credits)
JOU 3706
Sports Writing  (3 credits)
JOU 3950
Special Topics.  (1 to 3 credits)

(if applicable)

JOU 4761
Advanced New Media Design.  (3 credits)
JOU 4900
Journalism Seminar.  (3 credits)
SPC 2520
Introduction to Mass Communication.  (3 credits)
SPC 2550
Broadcast Announcing.  (3 credits)
SPC 3520
Radio Production.  (3 credits)
SPC 3540
Video Production.  (3 credits)
SPC 3750
Computer Mediated Communication I.  (3 credits)
SPC 3752
Computer Mediated Communication II.  (3 credits)
SPC 4030
Seminar.  (3 credits)

(if applicable)

SPC 4275
Internship.  (1 to 12 credits)
SPC 4500
Topics in Electronic Media Production.  (3 credits)

(if applicable)

SPC 4850
Topics in Computer Mediated Communication.  (3 credits)

(if applicable)

Suggested Four-Year Plan of Study

First Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
ENG 1001G
Composition and Language.  (3 credits)
SPC 1310G
Introduction to Speech Communication.  (3 credits)

or Mathematics

SPC 2525
Electronic Production I.  (3 credits)

First Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 16

  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
  • Science with Lab Credits: 4
ENG 1002G
Composition and Literature.  (3 credits)
SPC 1310G
Introduction to Speech Communication.  (3 credits)

or Mathematics

SPC 2575
Electronic Production II.  (3 credits)

Second Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
  • Science: Credits 3
JOU 2101
News Writing I.  (3 credits)
SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2030

SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2040

SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2010

SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2020

Second Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2030

SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2040

SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2010

SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2020

Third Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15-16

  • Science. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • FLG or Elective. Credits: 3-4
SPC 3610
Broadcast News Writing.  (3 credits)

Third Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15-16

  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • FLG or Elective. Credits: 3-4
SPC 3620
Electronic News Gathering.  (3 credits)

Fourth Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Elective or Senior Seminar. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
JOU 4102
Journalism Ethics.  (3 credits)

Fourth Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Elective or Senior Seminar. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
JOU 4771
Communication Law.  (3 credits)

Electronic Media Production Concentration

This concentration is designed to provide the knowledge, values, perspectives and skills necessary to understand the roles, functions, and operations of various electronic media. This program of study is focused on balancing theoretical issues with practical experience. 

Total Semester Hours: 45

Department Core

Total Semester Hours: 12
SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)
SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)
SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)
SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

Concentration Core

Total Semester Hours: 21

SPC 2520
Introduction to Mass Communication.  (3 credits)
SPC 2525
Electronic Production I.  (3 credits)
SPC 2575
Electronic Production II.  (3 credits)
SPC 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)
SPC 3300
Interviewing.  (3 credits)

And either Radio:

SPC 2550
Broadcast Announcing.  (3 credits)
SPC 3520
Radio Production.  (3 credits)

Or Video:

SPC 3540
Video Production.  (3 credits)
SPC 4540
Advanced Video Production.  (3 credits)

Electives

Total Semester Hours: 12

Selected in consultation with an advisor.

Suggested Four-Year Plan of Study

First Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
ENG 1001G
Composition and Language.  (3 credits)
SPC 1310G
Introduction to Speech Communication.  (3 credits)

or Mathematics

SPC 2525
Electronic Production I.  (3 credits)

First Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 16

  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
  • Science with Lab Credits: 4
ENG 1002G
Composition and Literature.  (3 credits)
SPC 1310G
Introduction to Speech Communication.  (3 credits)

or Mathematics

SPC 2575
Electronic Production II.  (3 credits)

Second Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15-16

  • FL1 or Elective. Credits: 3-4
SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2030

SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2040

SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2010

SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2020

SPC 2520
Introduction to Mass Communication.  (3 credits)
SPC 2550
Broadcast Announcing.  (3 credits)

or SPC 3540

SPC 3540
Video Production.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2550

Second Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15-16

  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
  • FL2 or Elective. Credits: 3-4
SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2030

SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2040

SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2010

SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2020

SPC 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)

or SPC 3520

SPC 3520
Radio Production.  (3 credits)

or SPC 3100

Third Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Science. Credits: 3
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
SPC 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)

or SPC 3300

SPC 3300
Interviewing.  (3 credits)

or SPC 3100

SPC 3520
Radio Production.  (3 credits)

or SPC 4540

SPC 4540
Advanced Video Production.  (3 credits)

or SPC 3520

Third Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
SPC 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)

or

SPC 3300
Interviewing.  (3 credits)

Fourth Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Elective or Senior Seminar. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3

Fourth Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Elective or Senior Seminar. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3

Media Studies Concentration

This concentration provides students with a theoretical understanding of the role of media in creating and sustaining social systems.

Total Semester Hours: 45

Department Core

Total Semester Hours: 12

SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)
SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)
SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)
SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

Concentration Core

Total Semester Hours: 18

SPC 2520
Introduction to Mass Communication.  (3 credits)
SPC 2525
Electronic Production I.  (3 credits)
SPC 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)
SPC 3530
Film Communication  (4 credits)
SPC 4750
Advanced Theory of Mass Communication.  (3 credits)
SPC 4770
Television Criticism.  (3 credits)

Electives

Total Semester Hours: 15

Selected in consultation with an advisor.

Suggested Four-Year Plan of Study

First Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15-16

  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
  • FLG or Elective. Credits: 3-4
ENG 1001G
Composition and Language.  (3 credits)
SPC 1310G
Introduction to Speech Communication.  (3 credits)

or Mathematics

First Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15-16

  • Science. Credits: 3
  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
  • FLG or Elective. Credits: 3-4
ENG 1002G
Composition and Literature.  (3 credits)
SPC 1310G
Introduction to Speech Communication.  (3 credits)

or Mathematics

Second Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 16

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
  • Science with Lab: Credits 4
SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2030

SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2040

SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2010

SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2020

SPC 2520
Introduction to Mass Communication.  (3 credits)

or

SPC 2525
Electronic Production I.  (3 credits)

Second Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences. Credits: 3
  • Humanities/Fine Arts. Credits: 3
SPC 2010
Introduction to Communication Theories.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2030

SPC 2020
Communication Research.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2040

SPC 2030
Applied Communication.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2010

SPC 2040
Argumentation and Critical Thinking.  (3 credits)

or SPC 2020

SPC 2520
Introduction to Mass Communication.  (3 credits)

or

SPC 2525
Electronic Production I.  (3 credits)

Third Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
SPC 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)

or

SPC 3530
Film Communication  (4 credits)

Third Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • SPC Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
SPC 3100
Persuasion.  (3 credits)

or

SPC 3530
Film Communication  (4 credits)

Fourth Year, First Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Elective or Senior Seminar. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
SPC 4750
Advanced Theory of Mass Communication.  (3 credits)

or

SPC 4770
Television Criticism.  (3 credits)

Fourth Year, Second Semester - Total Hours: 15

  • Elective or Senior Seminar. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
  • Elective. Credits: 3
SPC 4750
Advanced Theory of Mass Communication.  (3 credits)

or

SPC 4770
Television Criticism.  (3 credits)

Information sourced from the 2004-2005 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.

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