Sports Media Degree Program

Mass communication core courses (18 credits)

• CNA 263 Introduction to Mass Communication

  Credits: 3

  Description: An overview of the historical development, technological evolution, current status, and future direction of mass communication. Differences between mass communication systems will be explored, as well as mass communication effects on its audiences.

• CNA 280 News Writing

  Credits: 3

  Description: An introduction to journalism and journalistic writing. Students in this course work as beginning reporters for the college newspaper.

• CNA 372 Media Ethics

  Credits: 3

  Description: An in-depth investigation of the ethical foundations underlying conduct of media professionals.

• CNA 471 Mass Media and Society

  Credits: 3

  Description: In-depth critical perspective of mass communication theoretical development and audience effects, including short- and long-term media socialization, political propaganda, advertising, social control, and characteristics shared by all media.

  Prerequisite: CNA 263 Introduction to Mass Communication

• CNA 475 Communication Law

  Credits: 3

  Description: An overview of the laws, regulations, and court cases affecting personal and organizational communication. Topics addressed include freedom of speech, libel and slander, privacy, regulation of advertising, copyright and trademark, and internet and media law. Case studies emphasize how the courts interpret and apply the law.

• CNA 480 Senior Seminar in Mass Communication

  Credits: 3

  Description: Students enrolled in this seminar will develop a cumulative portfolio of work that demonstrates the growth of their abilities in various areas of mass communication while developing tools for career readiness. The portfolio may include any of the following types of student work: writing, photography, audio, video, or electronic media projects. In conjunction with faculty, students research regional and national media employment trends, and develop a portfolio that best reflects their chosen mass communication career. Faculty will review the portfolio and conduct a qualitative exit interview for the purpose of program review and assessment. The review of the portfolio and the exit interview must be completed to graduate.

  Prerequisite: 90 hours

• CNA J 120/220/320/420 Mass Communication Arts Workshop (Journalism)

  Credits: 1

  Description: Practical application of skills learned in other classes to direct, produce, and coordinate content development in journalism. Workshop hours beyond those required for Mass Communication majors and minors may be taken as electives with the permission of the advisor. Students who are not majoring in mass communication may enroll with permission of the instructor. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.

  Prerequisites: Approval of instructor and C or above in CNA 280 News Writing. Prerequisite courses cannot be taken concurrently.

• CNA S 120/220/320/420 Mass Communication Arts Workshop (Sports Media)

  Credits: 2

  Description: Practical application of skills learned in other classes to direct, produce, and coordinate content development in sports media. Workshop hours beyond those required for students majoring or minoring in mass communication may be taken as electives with the permission of the advisor. Students who are not Mass Communication majors may enroll with permission of the instructor. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.

  Prerequisites: Approval of instructor and C or above in CNA 162 Audio Production. Prerequisite courses cannot be taken concurrently.

• CNA 162 Audio Production

  Credits: 3

  Description: Audio production techniques including digital recording, broadcast writing, announcing, remote recording, and digital editing software. This course will also introduce students to broadcast vocabulary and radio station management structures. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.

• CNA 297/397/497 Internship in Broadcasting

  Credits: 3

  Description: The internship program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to integrate career-related work experience with classroom learning. Work experiences occur in positions relevant to broadcasting. Internships generally require 40-50 work hours for each 1 hour of credit.

  Contact WSC Career Services, your academic advisor, or department chair for specific details.

• CNA 334 Sports Media Theory

  Credits: 3

  Description: This course applies media theory (such as audience reception, critical cultural studies, and fan participation) to issues pertaining to various sports media. Students explore topics ranging from the history of sports broadcasts to contemporary representations of race, gender, and identity in popular sports. Students can use these investigations to develop content for student media as well as academic inquiry.

• CNA 390 Multiplatform Journalism

  Credits: 3

  Description: An overview of multiplatform journalism from brainstorming story ideas, to interviewing, writing for the web and broadcast, and multimedia journalism skills. Students will learn how to organize electronic newscasts and create online news stories using current applications.

  Prerequisite: CNA 280 News Writing

• CNA 392 Sports Writing

  Credits: 3

  Description: Introduction to theory and practice of sports writing in various media. Students will analyze exemplary literature in the field as well as write game reports for publication in the college newspaper. Useful for students interested in such areas as critical sports studies, sports management, and journalism.

• Additional electives for the 30-hour option

  Students pursuing the 48-hour program will take the above courses from the 36-hour option plus an additional 12 credit hours from the following:

  • CNA 262 Writing for Mass Media (3 credits) - An introduction to writing for print, electronic media, and corporate communications. Writing skills will be emphasized and differences in writing for various avenues of mass communication writing will be explored. The course will give students the writing fundamentals on which other courses in broadcasting and journalism will expound.
     
  • CNA 274 Video and Film Production I (3 credits) - An introduction to studio and remote production including live broadcasts of news, sports, talk, narrative film, and special events. Students will learn current concepts and theories of pre-production, production and post-production procedures and will apply them utilizing video and audio equipment for digital storytelling. Lab hours required. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.
     
  • CNA 301 Advertising Copywriting (3 credits) - An introduction to the strategies of writing and presenting promotional and advertising copy, including brand promises, calls to action, and the stylistic content requirements of traditional print and broadcast media, social media, and other content sources, in written, audio, and video formats, Includes an introduction to the purposes of advertising, sales, and marketing.
     
  • CNA 352 Organizational Presentations (3 credits) - Develop expertise, poise, and confidence in presenting professional informative, persuasive, deliberative, and epideictic speeches for public, private, or business organizations. Emphasis is placed on both theory and application of public speaking, speech criticism, and listening skills in culturally diverse business and professional settings. Students employ presentation software when delivering a variety of business presentations such as informative, after dinner, persuasive, sales advertising, and team speeches.
     
  • CNA 374 Public Relations (3 credits) - A study of the principles and practices of effective public relations with exercises and projects emphasizing application of media skills for business, educational, and political communication.
     
  • CNA 377 Public Relations Writing (3 credits) - This course emphasizes writing skills needed in public relations work, awareness of public relations as a management strategy, the role of public relations in generating social awareness and responsibility, and the study of ethics in public relations.
     
  • CNA 389 Photojournalism (3 credits) - An introduction to planning, shooting, and processing still photographs for newspapers, magazines, and other print media. Designed for the student with little or no background in news photography. Laboratory experience on the college newspaper. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required.
     
  • CNA 391/491 Special Project in Communication (3 credits) - Study of a topic, or a presentation in a special area of interest. Title of the project will be entered on the permanent record. A maximum of 12 hours to apply toward a major or endorsement is determined by the appropriate department chair. Prerequisite: approval of the instructor and department chair.
     
  • CNA 426 Public Relations Through Social Media (3 credits) - An introduction to current systems and practices used in public relations to create and maintain internet-based interactive communications with customers and constituents. Students will create content hands-on and will be able to apply a conceptual framework including branding programs, integrated marketing communications, and other professional, legal, and ethical standards and practices. This course draws from the fields of public relations writing, photography, video production, and/or other types of multimedia content creation.
     
  • CNA 450 Media Design Applications (3 credits) - Survey of contemporary media software and design elements which includes the creative use of current print (newspaper, yearbook, and newsletters), video (editing, motion graphics, and animation), and audio software packages in professional content creation.
     
  • CNA 453 Integrated Brand Promotion (3 credits) - An exploration of strategic communication combining advertising, public relations, sales promotions, direct marketing, and other marketing communication functions to build relationships with constituents for business, organizations, and other groups. Includes case studies and hands-on projects. Prerequisite: junior standing or by approval.
     
  • CNA 457 Special Topics in Communication (3 credits) - A detailed study of a particular aspect of communication, such as but not limited to political communication, gender and communication, communication and aging. Topic varies and the course can be repeated up to three times for credit covering a different topic.
     
  • CNA 458 Advanced News Writing and Reporting (3 credits) - Course deals with major political, social, and economic developments that have local news interest. Complex, off-campus reporting on judicial system and court reporting, environmental, criminal justice, budgets, labor and employment, housing, poverty, etc. Will examine how bias and ideological framing arise from news routines. Prerequisites: CNA 280 News Writing and one course in social sciences.
     
  • CNA 472 Sound Design (3 credits) - Study of advanced techniques in preparation, production, and presentation of audio materials in electronic media. Includes multitrack recording and editing, film soundtrack audio, radio and podcast production, and audio needs of developing media. Prerequisite: CNA 162 Audio Production.
     
  • CNA 473 Video and Film Production II (3 credits) - Study of advanced video and film-making techniques for program and non-program content in standard, cable, and specialized video. Instruction includes post-production, digital editing, color correction, sound engineering, and distribution. Lab hours required. Course fee of $10 per credit hour required. Prerequisite: CNA 162 Audio Production.
     
  • PED 277 Media Relations in Sports (3 credits) - An examination of the role of the sport information department in relation to media, coaches, athletes, and society. The course will focus on oral and written communication, statistics, and ethical dilemmas. Case studies and current events will be stressed.
     
  • PED 295 Sports Management Public Relations and Communications (3 credits) - Studies the nature and function of communication and public relations in sport management. Emphasis on personnel, time and conflict management, mass media relations, interviewing, technology, and the use of computers in the sport industry. Prerequisite: PED 277 Media Relations in Sports.
     
  • PED 410 Sports Law (3 credits) - Shows the impact of the legal process on sport. Collective bargaining agreements, agent representatives, liability concerns, control of amateur, professional, and school sport, risk management.
     
  • PED 485 Sport in American Culture (3 credits) - The course is a study of sport and the ways in which it influences people in America.