Undergraduate Catalog

Broadcasting and Journalism

Interim Chairperson: Dr. Sharon A. Evans
Office: Sallee Hall 306
Telephone: (309) 298-2888
E-mail: SA-Evans@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/bcj

Program Offerings and Locations:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Journalism: Macomb
  • Minor in Advertising and Public Relations: Macomb
  • Minor in Broadcasting and Journalism: Macomb
  • Minor in Emerging Design Technologies: Macomb
  • Minor in Sports Broadcasting: Macomb

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes.

Faculty: Go, Hoon, Parker, Simmons, Tang.

GradTrac is available to Broadcasting and Journalism majors. See more information about GradTrac.

Honors Curriculum—Academically qualified students in this department are encouraged to complete an honors curriculum in University Honors, Departmental Honors, or General Honors. All Honors students must complete the one-hour honors colloquium (G H 299). General Honors includes General Honors coursework. Departmental Honors includes honors work in the major. University Honors combines Departmental and General Honors. View additional information on the Centennial Honors College or visit the Centennial Honors College website at wiu.edu/honors.

Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Program—An integrated baccalaureate and master’s degree program is available for the Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Journalism (Sports Broadcasting option): Master of Science in Sport Management. An integrated degree program provides the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates to earn both degrees in five years. Please refer to the Graduate Studies catalog for details about the integrated program.

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts—Broadcasting and Journalism

All students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Journalism must complete I, II, III, IV, and V below, and the foreign language/global issues requirement for the major#. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h.

  1. University General Education Curriculum: 43 s.h.
  2. Core Courses: 15 s.h.
    BC&J 100, 101, 200†, 201, 400†
  3. Options of Study (Select A, B, C, or D): 24 s.h.
    1. Advertising and Public Relations
      1. Option Courses: 12 s.h.
        BC&J 340, 341; MKTG 327, 331
      2. Directed Electives
        1. One of the following sequences:: 9 s.h.
          1. Advertising: BC&J 342, 343, 344†
          2. Public Relations: BC&J 345, 346†, 456
        2. Any BC&J 300- or 400-level elective course: 3 s.h.
          3. Note: Students enrolled in this option may not minor in Advertising and Public Relations
    2. Broadcast Production
      1. Option Courses: 21 s.h.
        BC&J 112, 212, 311, 312, 331, 410, 450
      2. Directed Elective: 3 s.h.
        Any BC&J 300- or 400-level elective course
    3. Multimedia Journalism
      1. Option Courses: 21 s.h.
        BC&J 230, 330†, 331, 332, 430, 431, 432
      2. Directed Elective: 3 s.h.
        Any BC&J 300- or 400-level elective course
    4. Sports Broadcasting
      1. Option Courses: 21 s.h.
        BC&J 120, 212, 220, 221, 320, 321, 420
      2. Directed Elective: 3 s.h.
        Any BC&J 300- or 400-level elective course
  4. Any Approved Minor: 16–21 s.h.
  5. Open Electives: 17–22 s.h.

# The foreign language/global issues graduation requirement may be fulfilled by successfully completing one of the following: 1) a designated foreign language requirement [see Foreign Language/Global Issues Requirement]; 2) a General Education global issues course; 3) a Broadcasting and Journalism (BC&J) global issues course; or 4) an approved Study Abroad program.

† BC&J 200 and 400 and either BC&J 344 or 346 fulfill the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement for the Advertising and Public Relations option. BC&J 200 and 400 fulfill the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement for the Broadcast Production and Sports Broadcasting options. BC&J 200 and 330 and 400 fulfill the Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) graduation requirement for the Multimedia Journalism option

Minors

Minor in Advertising and Public Relations: 18 s.h.
  1. Core Courses: BC&J 200, 340, 341: 9 s.h.
  2. Select three of the following courses:
    BC&J 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 451, 456: 9 s.h.

Note: Students minoring in Advertising and Public Relations may enroll in BC&J 451 for 3 s.h. only.

Note: This minor is not open to students who are enrolled in the Advertising and Public Relations option of the Broadcasting and Journalism major.

Minor in Broadcasting and Journalism: 18 s.h.

  1. Core Courses: BC&J 100, 101: 6 s.h.
  2. Directed Electives: 12 s.h.
    1. Select either BC&J 200 or 201
    2. BC&J Electives, two of which must be at the 300-400 level
Minor in Emerging Design Technologies
Minor in Sports Broadcasting: 18 s.h.
  • BC&J 120, 220, 221, 320, 321, 420: 18 s.h.

Note: This minor is not open to students who are enrolled in the Sports Broadcasting option of the Broadcasting and Journalism major.

Course Descriptions

BROADCASTING AND JOURNALISM (BC&J)

Applied Studies (Practica). (1 s.h./semester, repeatable to a maximum of 10 semesters) Instruction in and practical application of sports broadcasting announcing, production, or reporting techniques for various sports. Prerequisites: Written consent of instructor. Enrollment in upper division courses (300 level) requires a grade of C or better in the lower division prerequisite course (200 level) having the same title.

260/360 (Formerly BC 201/301) Football Announcing

261/361 (Formerly BC 203/303) Basketball Announcing

262/362 (Formerly BC 204/304) Soccer Announcing

263/363 (Formerly BC 205/305) Volleyball Announcing

264/364 (Formerly BC 206/306) Baseball Announcing

265/365 (Formerly BC 207/307) Softball Announcing

266/366 (Formerly BC 208/308) Radio Sports Talk

267/367 (Formerly BC 209/309) Board Operations for Sports

268/368 (Formerly BC 211/311) Football Production

269/369 (Formerly BC 213/313) Basketball Production

270/370 (Formerly BC 214/314) Soccer Production

271/371 (Formerly BC 216/316) Volleyball Production

272/372 (Formerly BC 217/317) Baseball Production

273/373 (Formerly BC 218/318) Softball Production

274/374 (Formerly BC 219/319) Interactive Media Sports Production

276/376 (Formerly BC 220/320) Sports Reporting 100 (Formerly BC 100) Introduction to Mass Communication. (3) Introduction to the historical, programming, physical, legal, social, and economic aspects of the mass media.

101 (Formerly BC 142) Digital Media Production I. (3) Introduction to digital media production including electronic field production (EFP) and studio camera theory and operation, and editing with an industryrelevant nonlinear digital editing platform. Not open to students who have completed BC 261.

112 (Formerly BC 141) Audio Production I. (3) Introduction to audio production techniques, from simple voice and field recording to multitrack mixdown procedures. Content produced will be suitable for broadcast and internet distribution. Not open to students who have completed BC 250.

120 (Formerly BC 136) Sports, Media and Society. (3) A critical analysis of issues in sports media and the history of sports broadcasting in American culture. Examines the ethics, literature, racial and gender issues, and the business of sports broadcasting.

122 (Formerly BC 122) (Cross-listed with ARTS/ GCOM/IDT 122) Introduction to Emerging Design Technologies. (3) Introduction to concepts and issues related to emerging design technologies. Topics include ethical considerations, production design process, design decision-making process, and design principles. Course will conclude with an overview of career options and introduction to portfolio preparation. Not open to students with credit for ARTS/GCOM/IDT 122.

200 (Formerly JOUR 231) Introduction to AP Writing and Reporting. (3) Foundation course in gathering and writing news according to Associated Press style guidelines. Exercises in the assessment of newsworthiness in the coverage of local and regional events. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. IAI: MC 919.

201 (Formerly BC 200) Introduction to Broadcast Writing and Reporting. (3) Foundation course in the gathering, writing, and presentation of news for the traditional broadcast and modern electronic media.

212 (Formerly BC 247) Introduction to Studio Production. (3) Introduction to studio-based, live and live-to-tape television production. Students acquire creative and technical skills and learn how to work as a production team. Course will prepare students for internships and careers in studio production.

220 (Formerly BC 246) Multimedia Sports Writing. (3) Fundamentals of the sports writing process for broadcast, streaming, and web-based media. Includes an overview of the history of broadcast sports writing in American culture. Prerequisite: BC&J 120.

221 (Formerly BC 256) Interactive Web Sportscasting. (3) Examination of and instruction in new media technologies to deliver sports media content. Emphasis on the interactive nature of the online experience as it changes traditional notions of presentation and distribution.

230 (Formerly BC 222) Multimedia Performance. (3) Development of basic audio and video announcing and performance skills. Prerequisite: BC&J 100.

285 (Formerly BC 285) Broadcasting Practicum. (1, repeatable to 4) Opportunity for freshmen and sophomores to participate in live multimedia coverage of sporting events, to work at student radio station WIUS-FM, and to assist with Broadcasting Department video productions and other production and operation activities.

290 (Formerly BC 290) (Cross-listed with ENG 290) Introduction to Film. (3) (General Education/ Humanities) Screening and discussion of films from around the world, introducing students to selected traditions, questions of social justice, and methods of interpretation (with laboratory). Not open to students with credit in ENG 290. IAI: F2 908.

302 (Formerly BC 302) Broadcast Research and Writing II. (3) Examination of story structure, dialogue writing, and character development techniques for broadcast content. Exploration of non-scripted and scripted broadcast writing methods. Prerequisites: BC&J 201; BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better.

311 (Formerly BC 361) Digital Media Production II. (3) Selected topics of interest in digital media production such as, but not limited to, corporate video, animation, documentary, and interactive media content production. Prerequisites: BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better.

312 (Formerly BC 350) Audio Production II. (3) Selected topics of interest in audio production such as, but not limited to, radio/talk production, music program production, internet radio, and other emerging audio technologies. Prerequisites: BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better.

320 (Formerly BC 326) Sports Production I. (3, repeatable to 6) Theory and practice of remote radio and television sports production for volleyball, soccer, and baseball. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280.

321 (Formerly BC 312) Broadcast Sports Performance. (3) Students receive instruction on play-by-play announcing and on the preparation and extemporaneous discussion of player and team statistics and other appropriate sports-related information. Prerequisite: junior standing.

322 (Formerly JOUR 332) Sports Writing. (3) Development of reporting skills needed to cover traditional and new sports; development of critical thinking to clarify rules, regulations, and problems in sports. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 200, or consent of instructor.

330 (Formerly JOUR 330) Magazine and Feature Writing. (3) Practice in writing and placing fact-based articles for general-interest and specialized magazines, and for newspapers. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 200, or consent of instructor.

331 (Formerly BC 315) Multimedia News Reporting. (3) Production of self-contained news stories for the BC&J department’s newscasts and on the department website and student radio station. Students are responsible for all aspects of production, from identification of the story and reporting performance to final editing. Prerequisites: junior standing; BC&J 101 with a grade of C or better; BC&J 201.

332 (Formerly JOUR 328) Multimedia News Editing. (3) Techniques of news editing for various media, including evaluation and processing of news, practice in copy editing, headline and lead writing, picture editing, and editing for online audio/video streaming and reading. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 200, or consent of instructor.

333 (Formerly BC 333) The Hollywood Studio System: Structure & Process. (3) Analysis of the American film industry, with an emphasis on the structure of the studio system. Comparison of the historical period with the current corporate structure of the industry. Prerequisite: ENG/BC&J 290.

340 (Formerly JOUR 329) Fundamentals of Public Relations. (3) Principles, methods, and activities used by individuals, corporations, governmental bodies, and organizations to promote a favorable relationship with their publics. Open to non-majors.

341 (Formerly JOUR 331) Advertising Principles and Practice. (3) Advertising fundamentals; economic and social issues; research needs; and creative and production practices of advertising agencies. Open to non-majors.

342 (Formerly JOUR 343) Creative Strategy in Advertising. (3) Techniques and strategies used to create advertising including those related to design, graphics, makeup, and production. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 341, or consent of instructor.

343 (Formerly JOUR 344) Advertising Media Planning. (3) Analysis of the various advertising media in terms of markets served, client needs, media interactions, and message factors considered in the planning and selection of media. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 341, or consent of instructor.

344 (Formerly JOUR 348) Advertising Copy and Layout. (3) Principles and practice of writing advertising copy for mass media; using technology to prepare layouts; portfolio development. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 341, or consent of instructor.

345 (Formerly JOUR 336) Public Relations Strategy and Campaigns. (3) Analysis of public relations problems and procedures; practice in applying social science principles and research techniques to solve public relations problems; preparing public relations materials. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 340, or consent of instructor.

346 (Formerly JOUR 340) Public Relations Writing: Techniques and Style. (3) Techniques of public relations writing for print and broadcast media, and for special audiences; public relations research; legal considerations. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisite: BC&J 100 or consent of instructor.

350 (Formerly BC 323) Broadcasting and Society. (3) Traces the development of broadcasting as a major cultural form in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries through a critical review of historic and contemporary literature. BGS online writing course.

351 (Formerly BC 325) Comparative Broadcasting Systems. (3) (Global Issues) Classification and analysis of the structure of international broadcast systems. The role of media in developing nations, as well as CATV, public broadcasting, and satellite communication systems are discussed. BGS online writing course. Prerequisite: junior standing.

352 (Formerly BC 328) Mass Media and Minorities. (3) (General Education/Multicultural Studies) Examination of relationships between minority groups and mass media. Reviews the portrayals of minorities in the electronic media and discusses effects on our society. BGS online writing course.

353 (Formerly JOUR 410) International Communication and the Foreign Press. (3) (Global Issues) Comparative study of journalism practices and of the mass media in representative countries; factors that determine the international flow of news. Open to non-majors. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

354 (Formerly JOUR 427) History of Mass Communications. (3) History of journalism and the mass media in the context of political, social, and economic change with an emphasis on press freedom and responsibility. Open to non-majors. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

355 (Formerly JOUR 335) Photojournalism. (3) Digital photojournalism: the production of news and feature page photographs as singles, spreads, stories, and essays. Prerequisite: BC&J 200 or consent of instructor.

356 (Formerly JOUR 305) Reviewing and Criticism. (3) Practice in reviewing books, plays, films, concerts, radio-television programs, and exhibits. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 200, or consent of instructor.

357 (Formerly JOUR 306) Editorials. (3) Practice in writing editorials and columns with an emphasis on calling for action, taking a position, analyzing events, and supporting assertions with research. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 200, or consent of instructor.

385 (Formerly BC 385) Production Practicum I. (1) Guided practicum in audio or video production. Student must apply for and be accepted into a specific practicum experience related to the operation of broadcast services or production of broadcast content. Prerequisites: BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better, or permission of instructor.

386 (Formerly BC 386) Production Practicum II. (1) Guided practicum in audio or video production. Student must apply for and be accepted into a specific practicum experience related to the operation of broadcast services or production of broadcast content. Prerequisites: BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better, or permission of instructor.

390 (Formerly BC 390) (Cross-listed with ENG 390) Film History. (3) This course is an historical survey that covers the international history of cinema from its origins to the present. It considers issues including the development of national film industries, national and international film movements, and the social history of film (with laboratory). Not open to students with credit in ENG 390. Prerequisite: ENG/BC&J 290 or consent of instructor.

394 (Formerly BC 394) (Cross-listed with ENG 394) Documentary Film and Video. (3) History of documentary film and video with focus on the documentary as a medium of communication, information, and interpretation (with laboratory). Not open to students with credit in ENG 394.

400 (Formerly BC 425) Mass Communication Law and Ethics. (3) Legal rights and constraints on the mass media. Topics include prior restraint, source protection, libel, privacy invasion, indecency and the safe harbor, and other legal and ethical issues. Includes print, broadcast, satellite/cable, and web-based mass media. Not open to students with credit in BC 425 or JOUR 417. Writing Instruction in the Disciplines (WID) course. Prerequisite: Upper division standing or permission of instructor.

402 (Formerly BC 402) Advanced Broadcast Writing. (3) Students will write longer and more complex screenplays. Students will see projects through from idea through revisions to completed scripts. Regular critiques of student writing. Prerequisite: BC&J 302 with a grade of C or better.

410 (Formerly BC 420) Digital Media Graphics. (3) Students design computer graphics and animation. Projects include news anchor boxes, graphic backgrounds, and animated feature introductions. Prerequisites: BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better, or permission of instructor; ENG 180 and 280.

420 (Formerly BC 426) Sports Production II. (3, repeatable to 6) Theory and practice of remote radio and television sports production for football, basketball, softball, and baseball. Students produce and direct coverage of sporting events. Prerequisite: BC&J 320.

422 (Formerly BC 422) (Cross-listed with ARTS/ GCOM/IDT 422) Applied Emerging Design Technologies. (3) The course allows students to focus on personal portfolio development using emerging technologies. Students will also have the opportunity to work collaboratively on real-world projects that apply principles in emerging technologies. Not open to students with credit for ARTS/GCOM/IDT 422.

430 (Formerly JOUR 440) Digital Media Skills for Journalists and Public Relations Practitioners. (3) The course will enhance digital media skills such as social media tools, multiplatform storytelling, and data visualization so students know how to generate and deliver news stories to web-based audiences. Prerequisite: BC&J 200 or consent of instructor.

431 (Formerly JOUR 412) Problems in Contemporary Mass Communication. (3) Research into current social, economic, political, and professional problems affecting the mass media. Open to nonmajors. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

432 (Formerly BC 415) Multimedia News Producing. (3, repeatable to 6) Students produce and direct the BC&J department’s newscasts and make content for the department website and student radio station. Students act as assignment editors, photographers, and reporters, and polish skills learned in earlier classes. Prerequisites: BC&J 101 with a grade of C or better and BC&J 201 with a grade of C or better.

450 (Formerly BC 490) Senior Workshop in Production. (3) Capstone course in which Production emphasis majors create their own audio or video programs using journalistic, art, and entertainment forms found in news, drama, narration, and comedy. Students may perform published work or write their own. Prerequisites: Senior standing; BC&J 311 or 312.

451 (Formerly JOUR 404) Field Work in Journalism. (1–12, repeatable to 12) Credit for internships at newspapers, magazines or other publications, or in advertising or public relations offices. By arrangement. See department chair or Journalism coordinator. No more than 6 s.h. can be used in the Journalism major, and no more than 3 s.h. of that can count toward the 400-level elective requirement. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

452 (Formerly BC 418) Independent Research in Communication. (1–6, repeatable to 6) Individual reading or research under supervision of the faculty. Open to juniors and seniors who have demonstrated competence in broadcasting, communication, rhetoric, public address, or the speech-language-hearing sciences. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280; consent of instructor and department chairperson.

453 (Formerly BC 400) Senior Honors Thesis Research. (3) Bibliographic and other preliminary work in preparation for a senior honors thesis (see BC&J 454). Students will produce a final, graded project for this course. This course may not be taken concurrently with BC&J 454. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280; students must be in good standing in the Centennial Honors College and must be second-semester juniors or first-semester seniors major in Broadcasting.

454 (Formerly BC 401) Honors Thesis. (3) Students will write a senior honors thesis. This course may not be taken concurrently with BC&J 453. Prerequisites: BC&J 453; ENG 180 and 280; students must be in good standing in the Centennial Honors College and must be seniors major in Broadcasting.

455 (Formerly BC 429) Broadcast Internship. (3) Senior practicum at a selected professional broadcast production center for a semester. In addition to a prescribed work schedule, the intern must submit regular station activity reports. Prerequisites: BC&J 312, 320, or 331; ENG 180 and 280; permission of internship coordinator; 2.50 GPA. Graded S/U only.

456 (Formerly JOUR 436) International Public Relations. (3) (Global Issues) Comparative study of the nature, scope, and practice of international public relations for businesses, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, and educational and governmental institutions. Global and intercultural aspects of public relations will be emphasized. Open to non-majors. Prerequisite: BC&J 340 or consent of instructor.

457 (Formerly BC 480) Special Topics in Media Communications. (3, repeatable for different subtitles to 6) This course deals with selected topics of interest in broadcasting and media communication such as but not limited to radio, television, and film criticism, broadcast history, mass communication theory and effects, and popular culture. Prerequisites: BC&J 100; BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better; ENG 180 and 280.

458 (Formerly JOUR 415) Mass Communications Research Methods. (3) Introduction to questionnaire construction, sampling, research design, and statistical methods used in mass communications research including those in advertising and public relations. Open to non-majors. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

459 (Formerly JOUR 425) Directed Study. (1–6, repeatable to 6) Opportunity for promising students of Journalism to pursue Journalism and mass communications material in depth. By arrangement. See department chair or Journalism coordinator. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing.

460 (Formerly JOUR 400) Topics in Journalism. (3, repeatable for different topics) Discussion, research, and creation of content about special topics related to gathering, packaging, and presenting nonfiction material to an audience in various media, and how audiences receive and respond to the communication. Prerequisites: BC&J 100 and 200.

485 (Formerly BC 485) Production Practicum III. (1) Guided practicum in audio or video production. Student must apply for and be accepted into a specific practicum experience related to the operation of broadcast services or production of broadcast content. Prerequisites: BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better; or permission of instructor.

486 (Formerly BC 486) Production Practicum IV. (1) Guided practicum in audio or video production. Student must apply for and be accepted into a specific practicum experience related to the operation of broadcast services for production of broadcast content. Prerequisites: BC&J 101 and 112 with grades of C or better; or permission of instructor.

494 (Formerly BC 494) (Cross-listed with ENG 494 and WS 494) Women and Film/Television. (3) An overview of women in film and television that considers the on-screen images of women as well as the positions of women working behind the scenes (with laboratory). Not open to students with credit for ENG 494 or WS 494. Prerequisites: ENG 180 and 280.

496 (Formerly BC 496) (Cross-listed with ENG 496) Topics in Film. (3) Study of major subjects and themes in film. Topics vary but may include intensive study of directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Federico Fellini, or artistic movements such as Italian Neorealism, French New-Wave, Contemporary Spanish Cinema, or Russian Formalism. Not open to students with credit in ENG 496. Prerequisites: ENG/BC&J 290, ENG/BC&J 390, and 6 s.h. in approved film minor electives, or permission of instructor.

499 (Formerly BC 499) Field Work in Broadcasting. (3) Supervised applied experience in a sports organization or news broadcasting organization. Prerequisites: BC&J 312, 331, or 420; ENG 180 and 280; or permission of instructor.