St. Clair County Community College 2004-2005 Catalog
COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA
Communications Department 810-989-5578
CM 101 Introduction to Mass Media. An introduction to all mass communications media, this course includes a review of the history of the development of mass media in the areas of television, radio, newspapers, magazines, books and film. Students participate in discussions, projects, and readings that focus on the importance and significance of mass media in all of contemporary life.
Prerequisite: None
3 credits = 3 lecture
CT
CM 102 News Writing. Emphasis is placed on the daily newspaper. The fundamentals of news writing, highlighting style and structure are also stressed. Practical experience may be given in covering assignments for the college newspaper and radio station.
Prerequisite: None
3 credits = 3 lecture
CM 103 Basic Photography. This class presents a survey of the history of photography that includes an introduction to the camera - its lens opening, shutter speeds, and effective lighting techniques. Photographic darkroom techniques including film processing and print development are also discussed and practiced. This class is open to all students.
Prerequisite: None
3 credits, plus 2 contact hours* = (2 lecture, 3 laboratory)
CM 104 Radio/Television Production. Students will produce programs for St. Clair County cable television in this introduction to performing, directing and producing campus based television programs. Students also host their own radio programs on the campus AM radio station. Students will make audition tapes for both radio and television employment opportunities.
Prerequisite: None
3 credits, plus 2 contact hours = (3 lecture, 2 laboratory)
CM 105A-E Journalism Practicum. This course will serve as a description for 105A, 105B, 105C, 105D, and 105E. The student will have supervised experience producing the college newspaper, The Erie Square Gazette. The practicum student earns credit working in newswriting, advertising, photojournalism or composition. No previous experience is necessary. Four semester hours are required in the Journalism degree program. CM 105E may be taken to satisfy one elective credit.
Prerequisite: None
1 credit each = 1 lecture/laboratory
CM 106A-D Radio Broadcasting. This course will serve as a description for 106A, 106B, 106C, and 106D. There will be supervised study in the college radio station, WSGR-FM. Students are expected to work in the station a minimum
of two hours per week during the semester. The student will learn to operate radio equipment and to produce his or her own radio program for the station. Opportunities to work in news, sports, public service, music and programming will be available. Students may receive credit for each of four semesters. Four semester hours are the maximum amount of credits to be earned at one credit per semester. No previous experience is necessary. The student will work a minimum of 60 hours on-air and on related assignments to earn one credit hour.
Prerequisite: None
1 credit each = 1 lecture/laboratory
CM 200A Internship in Broadcasting. This internship is meant to give students the opportunity to practice skills learned in class in a real work setting. Students who are recommended by a communications instructor make an application to the area of communications business that they are interested in working with. If the business is willing to participate, the student will work either 20 or 40 hours per week for the duration of the semester for either 3 or 6 hours of credit. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Semesters
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
3 to 6 credits
CM 200B Internship in Journalism. This internship provides experience for the journalism student at one of our area newspapers. Students are required to work 20 to 40 hours per week for either 3 or 6 hours of credit. Approval must be obtained from the journalism instructor and the newspaper. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer Semesters. Special requirements may be necessary. Check with instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
3 to 6 credits
CM 201 Editing. This course will help the student become proficient in copy reading, headline writing and styles, and in laying out a newspaper or house magazine correctly.
Prerequisite: CM 102
3 credits = 3 lecture/laboratory
CM 202 Advanced News Writing. This course is a continuation of CM 102 and is intended to provide practice in reporting more complex and specialized stories and to study how news is obtained from the various governmental and community agencies.
Prerequisite: CM 102
3 credits = 3 lecture
CM 203 Photojournalism. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of news photography, including composition, layout, cropping, and general photographic editing for publication. Laboratory exercises include photographic assignments, darkroom techniques, and picture essays.
Prerequisite: CM 103
3 credits, plus 2 contact hours* = (2 lecture, 3 laboratory)
CM 204 Advanced Television Workshop. Students will learn fundamentals of television anchoring, weather and sports casting and street reporting. Students will work on producing cable television programming focusing on the County. Programs will include County Government Beat, Spotlight on the County Sheriff's Department, and Today in St. Clair County. Work completed in the semester will be added to each student's audition tape resume.
Prerequisite: CM 104 or permission of instructor
3 credits, plus 2 contacts = (3 lecture, 2 laboratory)
CM 206 Radio and TV Production Workshop. News and public affairs programming will be the focus of this course. Students will work on a weekly SCR-TV newscast originating from campus studios in the Wismer Communicatons Center. The newscast will appear on St. Clair County cable television. Students will work on daily newscasts on the campus FM radio station, WSGR. News programs will include campus news, city and county news, sport, weather and entertainment. Students will gain experience through working with National Public Radio Broadcasts and Public Radio International programming. Offered Winter semester only.
Prerequisite: CM 104 or permission of instructor
3 credits, plus 2 contacts hours = (3 lecture, 2 laboratory)
CM 207A Broadcast Announcing. CURRENTLY INACTIVE. See note at the end of the course listings.
CM 207B Broadcast Writing. CURRENTLY INACTIVE. See the note at the end of the course listings.
CM 207C Television For Non-Majors. CURRENTLY INACTIVE. See note at the end of the course listings.
CM 208 Radio/Television Writing. This course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge necessary to function as employees in the news or copywriting departments of commercial radio, public radio, or television stations. Students develop writing skills and interviewing techniques that are basic to news department operation, and they develop skills necessary to write and produce radio and television commercials. Laboratory time will be spent writing and assembling copy for WSGR newscasts and for a college-oriented television newscast produced for cable.
Prerequisite: ENG 101 or permission of instructor
3 credits, plus 1 contact hour* = (3 lecture, 1 laboratory)
NOTE: CURRENTLY INACTIVE classes may be offered in the future. If students are interested in having a currently inactive course listed in the fall, winter, spring or summer schedule, contact the department chair or an instructor in the appropriate area.