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Please see “Independent Studies” section.

IGETC AREA 5B (Biological Sciences, + LAB)

• Prerequisite: Chemistry 19 (preferred) or Chemistry 10 or eligibility for Chemistry 11; and Physiology 3 or Biology 3 or 21.
• Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1.

This course involves study of several types of microorganisms with emphasis on bacteria. Principles of microbiology, metabolism, genetics, immunology, and medical and nonmedical applications are considered. The laboratory includes aseptic transfer techniques, cultural characteristics, methods of microscopy, and analytical techniques for identifying microbial organisms. The course content is related to both general and clinical applications including recent molecular biological and serological techniques.

C-ID: JOUR 100.

IGETC AREA 4 (Social & Behavioral Sciences)

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Communication 1.

This course introduces aspects of communications and the impact of mass media on the individual and society. The survey includes newspapers, magazines, radio, television, cable, motion pictures, online media, advertising, public relations, theories of communication, and mass communication modes, processes and effects.

IGETC AREA 4 (Social and Behavior Sciences)

Satisfies Global Citizenship

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Communication 10.

This course is a historical overview of class, gender, and race/ethnicity of the media in the United States. Using readings from selected texts, clips from movies, radio and television broadcasts, as well as period literature, students analyze and debate representations in the media with a focus on at least 3 of the following racial/ethnic groups: Latinx, African American, Asian American, and Indigenous peoples. Critical thinking skills are developed in this course.

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Broadcasting 1.

Radio, television and related electronic media are introduced in this course with emphasis on history, programming, FCC regulations, operations, economics, and social impact. The course also includes an examination of the newer technologies such as the Internet, cable, direct broadcast satellites, computers, wireless phones, and the communications technology revolution.

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Broadcasting 2.

Principles of radio and television programming and management, including program sources, programming theories, station organization, community involvement, market demographics, and fulfillment of FCC requirements are covered in this course.

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Broadcasting 3A.

This course offers training and practical experience in announcing for radio and television and for radio control room operation, combining voice, recordings, editing, and other elements in broadcasting performance and production.

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Broadcasting 4A.

This course familiarizes the student with the expectations of journalism by the public and teaches the student the basic newswriting guidelines used in broadcast journalism. Through newswriting assignments and exercises, the student will become adept in basic broadcast news writing.

Media Studies 14 is the same course as Journalism 4A. Students may earn credit for one, but not both.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: Media Studies 14.

Formerly Broadcasting 4B.

This course builds upon Broadcast 4A/Journalism 4A and offers students an opportunity to further develop their newswriting and newscasting skills The student will write broadcast copy for a variety of news situations in radio and television. More complex assignments such as covering political campaigns and breaking news stories will be covered. Assignments include writing broadcast copy for SMC’s campus radio KWRF. Issues in media ethics and career opportunities will also be discussed.

Media Studies 15 is the same course as Journalism 4B. Students may receive credit for one, but not both.

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Broadcasting 5A.

Sports reporting for the broadcast media, including a study of sources of information, statistic and personal background on athletes, as well as techniques of interviewing, color reporting, and play-by-play announcing are covered in this course. Special emphasis will be given to the particular demands and playing environments of fall sports such as football. Field work in coverage of football and other fall sports involves interview shows with coaches, players, and sports figures.

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Broadcasting 5B.

Sports reporting for the broadcast and internet media, including a study of sources of information, statistic and personal background on teams and athletes, as well as techniques in TV and Radio anchoring, interviewing, sideline reporting, play-by-play announcing and color analyst/commenting along with ESports are covered in this course. Special emphasis will be given to the particular demands and playing environments of spring sports such as basketball and track and field. Field work in coverage of spring sports involves interview shows with coaches, players, and sports figures and more.

• Prerequisite: None.

Media Studies 18 is the same course as Business 33. Students may receive credit for one, but not both.

This course examines advertising as an economic support for commercial broadcast, cable, and related telecommunications media. Audience surveys, rate structures, client, ad rep firms and advertising agency relationships are discussed and explored.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: Media Studies 13 or 14.

Formerly Broadcasting 9.

This course offers further training and practical experience in producing and announcing for radio. Students use digital audio workstations to produce commercials, newscasts, promos and various other audio projects. Lecture topics include an overview of current industry trends, plus instruction on voice overs, digital editing and mixing, podcasting, Internet streaming and satellite radio.

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Communication 2.

This course will acquaint students with the inquiry process as applied to electronic and print media texts from sources such as television, radio, film, podcasting, World Wide Web sites and video games. Students will gain the necessary skills to understand their multi-media world and its many layers of meanings and messages. Students will learn to “read” and design visual, as well as print messages through the processes of analysis, deconstruction and decoding. This course is designed to meet Information Competency guidelines.

• Prerequisite: None.

Formerly Broadcasting 20.

Basic introductory course in writing for all forms of screen and new media. Emphasis on preparing scripts in proper formats, including fundamental technical, conceptual and stylistic issues related to writing scripts for sports, informational and entertainment purposes. This course also offers basic training and practical experience in writing, producing, shooting, music selection, and directing voice-over talent for short-form media projects. These project forms include on-air promos, commercials, public service announcements, web series, and special marketing campaigns. The course will take a hands-on approach to enable the development of basic copywriting and production skills, and will provide students with an introductory understanding of television, radio, and alternative media branding and marketing strategies. Includes a writing evaluation component as a significant part of the course requirement. Storytelling, scriptwriting, and coordinating essential production elements will be emphasized.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: Media Studies 20.

Formerly Broadcasting 21.

This course offers advanced instruction and focused practical experience in concept development, writing and producing for short form visual media projects. These project forms include on-air promos, commercials, public service announcements (PSA’s), webisodes, and special visual marketing campaigns. The major course objective is to enable professional visual writing and production skills through immersion in short-form producing and writing assignments applicable to television, radio, internet, mobile device, and other digital media formats. Story and script development, and short form project conception and production will be emphasized.

Student media practicum and lab where students produce engaging social media journalism content for the campus community. Students learn how to plan, pitch, innovate and execute news content pieces across the social and digital landscape. Students collaborate with student newsroom writers, photojournalists, designers and editors to develop audience engagement strategies following media industry best practices. Students use analytics and metrics to analyze how audiences engage with created content.

MEDIA 25 is the same course as JOURN 7. Students may earn credit for one, but not both.

• Skills Advisory: Spanish 25.

This survey class, taught in Spanish, will introduce students to the historical and current trends in Spanish-language media and LatinX-oriented media in the United States. Students will compare demographic evolution and resultant effects on media contexts. Students will practice media production techniques and create media content. As a part of this course, students will experience work in the communications field through experiential learning placements.

Media Studies 26 is the same course as Spanish 26. Students may earn credit for one but not both.

IGETC AREA 4 (Social and Behavioral Sciences)

Satisfies Global Citizenship

• Prerequisite: None.

This course provides a detailed introduction to global media systems around the world, examining the main economic and cultural dimensions of the international media environment. Key theoretical approaches to international and global communication will be examined. Consideration will be given to the key issues, main actors, and significant developments in global media.

Media 3 is the same course as Global Studies 3. Students may earn credit for one, but not both.

IGETC AREA 4 (Social and Behavioral Sciences)

• Prerequisite: None.

This introductory course examines the medium of video games. The course studies how video games have developed historically, culturally, and technically. Issues of narrative, design, interactivity, and spatiality, which inform both the medium as a whole and individual games in particular, are examined. The function of video games as media texts within popular culture is also assessed.