Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.03.03
Mass Communication and Theatre
Chair and Professor: Dr. Anderson, 450-3162
Professor: Dr. Roden
Associate Professor: Mr. Gale
Assistant Professors: Dr. Blakey, Dr. Browne, Mr. Dull, Mr.
Fritzges, Dr. Heo, Dr. Hutchinson, Ms. Lu, Ms. Meador
Lecturers: Mr. Gunter, Mr. Meador, Ms. Stephens, Ms. Walter
Professional Staff: Ms. Parker
[1] Purposes
The Department offers professional training in the areas of filmmaking, mass communication, and theatre. It also seeks to educate interested non-professionals who seek to become participating members of a knowledgeable audience. Additionally, through broadcast, print, cinematic, and theatrical productions, students and faculty of the department share their work with the people of Arkansas.
[2] Facilities
State-of-the-art facilities support each program of the department. Mass Communication is housed in a new facility that includes two television production studios, audio studios, Final Cut Pro, Avid, and Discreet editing suites, 2 computer labs, production areas, and a darkroom. Theatre facilities include a well-equipped technical area, a CAD laboratory, a 150-seat studio theatre, a 300-seat proscenium theatre, and the new 1200-seat Reynolds Performance Hall.
[3] The Honors Program in Mass Communication and Theatre
A student may be invited by the faculty of the department to enter the honors program in the first semester of the senior year. To earn departmental honors, the student must major in one of the areas offered by the Department of Mass Communication and Theatre and enroll in MCOM 3322. In addition, the student submits a final honors project paper or performance no later than February 1 for Spring graduation, October 1 for fall graduation, or June 1 for summer graduation.
[4] Baccalaureate Degrees
[4.1] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Digital Filmmaking
The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in digital filmmaking requires the successful completion of 124 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) specific degree requirements, (3) the core courses MCOM 1300 and 1362, (4) major requirements and electives as described below, and (5) a minor as arranged through the student's minor advisor.
[4.1.1] Major in Digital Filmmaking (44 hours)
Core courses (6 hours):
MCOM 1300 Media and Society
MCOM 1362 Mass Communication Practices and Processes
Required digital filmmaking courses (24 hours):
FILM 2310 Script Analysis
FILM 2466 Digital Filmmaking 1
FILM 3315 Classical Film Theory
FILM 3350 Cinema History 1
FILM 3351 Cinema History 2
FILM 3456 Digital Filmmaking 2
FILM 4356 Digital Filmmaking 3
FILM 4357 Digital Filmmaking 4
Electives (12 hours, chosen from the following):
MCOM 3307 Media Theory and Research
FILM 3316 Film Theory Since 1960
MCOM 3363 Audio Production
MCOM 3373 Documentary Production
MCOM 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
MCOM 4315 Advanced Television Production
FILM 4380 - Seminar in Film Studies
FILM 4392 Topics in Digital Production (Cinematography, Directing,
Editing, etc.)
WRTG 3300 Creative Writing: Scriptwriting
WRTG 3320 Forms of Scriptwriting
MCOM 3321 Internship (120 hrs.)
[4.2] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication
The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in mass communication requires the successful completion of 124 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) specific degree requirements, (3) the core journalism courses, (4) required, elective, and application courses for one of the mass communication emphasis areas as described below, (5) MCOM 3321 (internship), and (6) a minor as arranged through the student's minor advisor.
[4.2.1] Broadcast Journalism Emphasis (43 hours)
Journalism core (15 hours):
MCOM 1300 Media and Society
MCOM 1362 Mass Communication Practices and Processes
MCOM 2300 Beginning Reporting
MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics
MCOM 3308 News Editing
Required broadcast journalism courses (12 hours):
MCOM 2340 Broadcast Journalism Production I (new course; see
description below)
MCOM 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II
MCOM 4315 Broadcast Journalism Production III
MCOM 3365 Broadcast Management
Electives (9 hours, chosen from the following):
MCOM 2301 Broadcast Announcing
MCOM 3300 Advanced Reporting and Editing
MCOM 3302 Media History
MCOM 3307 Media Theory and Research
MCOM 3322 Directed Study in Communication
MCOM 3334 Non-Fiction Writing
MCOM 3363 Audio Production
MCOM 3373 Documentary Production
MCOM 3391/4391 Topics in Mass Communication
MCOM 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
MCOM 4331 In-Depth and Computer-Aided Reporting
Application courses (4 hours):
All students complete 1 hour credit at each level and then choose one more at any level. Each level may be repeated for a maximum 2 hours credit.
MCOM 2123 Electronic Media Applications
MCOM 3123 Electronic Media Applications
MCOM 4123 Electronic Media Applications
Internship (3 hours):
MCOM 3321 Internship (120 hours)
[4.2.2] Online Journalism Emphasis (43 hours)
Journalism core (15 hours):
MCOM 1300 Media and Society
MCOM 1362 Mass Communication Practices and Processes
MCOM 2300 Beginning Reporting
MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics
MCOM 3308 News Editing
Require online journalism courses (12 hours):
MCOM 2325 Principles of Online Journalism (new course; see
description below)
MCOM 3311 Digital Imaging (new course; see description below)
MCOM 3345 Online Publishing I (new course; see description
below)
MCOM 3346 Online Publishing II (new course; see description below)
Electives (9 hours, chosen from the following):
MCOM 3300 Advanced Reporting and Editing
MCOM 3302 Media History
MCOM 3305 Publication Design & Makeup
MCOM 3307 Media Theory and Research
MCOM 3322 Directed Study in Communication
MCOM 3391/4391 Topics in Mass Communication
MCOM 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
MCOM 4331 In-Depth and Computer-Aided Reporting
Application courses (4 hours):
All students complete 1 hour credit at each level and then choose one more at any level. Each level may be repeated for a maximum 2 hours credit.
MCOM 2123 Electronic Media Applications
MCOM 3123 Electronic Media Applications
MCOM 4123 Electronic Media Applications
Internship (3 hours):
MCOM 3321 Internship (120 hours)
[4.2.3] Print Journalism Emphasis (43 hours)
Journalism core (15 hours):
MCOM 1300 Media and Society
MCOM 1362 Mass Communication Practices and Processes
MCOM 2300 Beginning Reporting
MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics
MCOM 3308 News Editing
Required print journalism courses (12 hours):
MCOM 2305 Basic Press Photography
MCOM 3300 Advanced Reporting
MCOM 3305 Publication Design & Makeup
MCOM 3334 Non-Fiction Writing
Electives (9 hours, chosen from the following):
MCOM 3302 Media History
MCOM 3307 Media Theory and Research
MCOM 3322 Directed Study in Communication
MCOM 3391/4391 Topics in Mass Communication
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
MCOM 4331 In-Depth / Computer-Aided Reporting
MCOM 4332 Writing Editorials and Reviews
MCOM 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
PRLS 3310 Writing for Public Relations
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing
Application courses (4 hours):
All students complete 1 hour credit at each level. Each level may be repeated for a maximum 2 hours credit.
MCOM 1121 Print Media Applications
MCOM 2121 Print Media Applications
MCOM 3121 Print Media Applications
MCOM 4121 Print Media Applications
Internship (3 hours):
MCOM 3321 Internship (120 hours)
[4.2.4] Mass Communication Minor (26 hours)
Students seeking a minor in mass communication are required to complete MCOM 1300, MCOM 1362, and at least 2 hours of credit in print media applications or electronic media applications. The remaining hours are to be selected in consultation with a departmental advisor from courses listed under the emphasis area.
[4.3] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Theatre
The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in theatre requires the successful completion of 124 hours, including (1) the general education component, (2) specific degree requirements, (3) requirements for the major as described below, and (4) a minor as arranged through the student's minor advisor.
[4.3.1] Major in Theatre (40 hours)
Required theatre courses (27 hours):
THEA 1360 Text Analysis
THEA 1370 Voice and Movement
THEA 2325 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
THEA 2331 Stagecraft
THEA 2390 Acting I
THEA 3324 Theatre History I
THEA 3325 Theatre History II
THEA 3332 Stage Lighting or THEA 3310 Costume
Design or THEA 4340 Scene Design
THEA 4320 Directing
Electives (9 hours, chosen from the following):
THEA 2310 Costume Construction
THEA 2320 Stage Make-Up
THEA 2330 Stage Management
THEA 3310 Costume Design
THEA 3320 Digital Design
THEA 3331 Stagecraft II
THEA 3332 Stage Lighting
THEA 3390 Acting Styles: Farce, Commedia, Comedy of Manners
THEA 3391 Acting Styles: Shakespeare, Greek
THEA 4100 Professional Issues
THEA 4305 Acting for the Camera
THEA 4315 Topics in Theatre Performance (May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4321 Topics in Technical Theatre (May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4322 Theatre Workshop
THEA 4326 Costume History
THEA 4340 Scene Design
Application Courses (4 hours):
THEA 1122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 2122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 3122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 4122 Theatre Production and Performance
Optional Courses:
THEA 3150, 3250, 3350 Directed Study in Theatre
MCOM 3321 Internship
(Directed Study and Internship not included in hours for the major)
[4.3.2] Theatre Minor (26 hours)
Students seeking a minor in theatre are required to complete THEA 1350, 1370, 2331, 2390, and at least 2 hours of theatre production and performance. The remaining 12 hours are to be selected in consultation with a departmental advisor from courses listed under theatre (THEA).
[5] Courses in Digital Filmmaking (FILM)
Follow this link for FILM course descriptions: course link.
[6] Courses in Mass Communication (MCOM)
Follow this link for MCOM course descriptions: course link.
[7] Courses in Theatre (THEA)
Follow this link for THEA course descriptions: course link.