Mass Media Programs

The Department of Mass Media and Communication offers a major and minor in Mass Media with two possible emphases. Students interested in the study of Mass Media may also look into the following disciplines offered at Baker University’s Baldwin City undergraduate campus:
Art Studio | Communication | Education – Secondary Journalism | English

Major in Mass Media

Students majoring in Mass Media will develop knowledge of the function of mass media in society and the skills for communication in at least one mass medium or area of emphasis: print/online journalism or broadcasting. In addition, students will be required to cross over into at least one other area of emphasis, in order to prepare them for work in converged media, meaning those that disseminate information on multiple platforms, including the Internet.

Students majoring in Mass Media must successfully complete at least 40 semester hours in mass media courses. Fifteen of these hours must be upper-college.
The following common core courses are required:

• MM 140 Mass Media and Society
• MM 250 Writing for Mass Media I
• MM 251 Writing for Mass Media II
• MM 265 Web Media Design I
• MM 331 Mass Media Ethics
• MM 376 Media Theory and Methods
• MM 476 Senior Seminar in Communication
• MM 478 Mass Media Law

EMPHASIS IN BROADCASTING

Students who choose the broadcasting emphasis must select at least nine semester hours of courses from the following:

• MM 205 Introduction to Broadcasting
• MM 262 Audio/Video Production
• MM 270 Sports Broadcasting
• MM 275 Broadcast Engineering
• MM 305 Broadcast News and Public Affairs
• MM 350 Documentary Production
• MM 355 TV Newscast Production

EMPHASIS IN PRINT MEDIA

Students who choose the print media emphasis must select at least nine semester hours of courses from the following:

• MM 310 Sports Writing for Media
• MM 341 Editing
• MM 342 Publications Design
• MM 345 Advanced Reporting
• MM 365 Web Media Design II
• MM 366 Multi-Media Imaging
• MM 368 Media Photography I
• MM 378 Media Photography II
• MM 430 Opinion Writing

All Mass Media majors also must earn credit for a minimum of four semesters of participation in the following mass media workshops. A minimum of two semesters of participation must be in an activity area related to the student’s chosen field of emphasis.:

• MM 241 Newspaper
• MM 243 Radio
• MM 244 Television
• MM 245 Yearbook
• MM 246 Advanced Radio
• MM 247 Advanced Television

SUPPORTING COURSEWORK

In addition, all mass media majors must successfully complete the following courses:

• HI 127 History of U.S. to 1877
• HI 128 History of U.S. from 1877
• PS 115 Introduction to American Politics
• EC 111 Economic Analysis of Social Issues
• A three-hour communication course numbered above 200 (excluding CO 230)

While mass media majors are not required to complete a minor in another discipline, they are encouraged to develop an area of expertise by taking coursework in another discipline related to their interests.

Minor in Mass Media

A minor in mass media requires a minimum of 15 semester hours of mass media courses, including:

• MM 140 Mass Media and Society
• MM 250 Writing for Mass Media I
• MM 251 Writing for Mass Media II
• MM 331 Mass Media Ethics
• Three additional semester hours of upper-college mass media courses

Minor in Cinema Studies

A minor in cinema studies requires a minimum of 15 semester hours of coursework, including:

• MM 110 The Cinematic Language
• MM 210 History of Cinema
• MM 220 International Cinema
• MM 410 American Genre Film

This program information has been taken from the current College of Arts and Sciences catalog. This information is subject to change and is updated with each academic year.