THE
FACULTY SENATE
Senate
Document Number 3905S
Date
of Senate Approval
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Statement
of Faculty Senate Action:
Add
MCOM 104;
Replace
VMP 205 with VMP 207 and 209
Effective Date: Fall 2005
1.
Delete: On pgs. 166, 167 and 167:
The
entries for MCOM 321, 362, 386, 486
Impact:
Elimination of these courses makes room for other
proposed changes in the MCOM curriculum.
Rationale:
MCOM 321 has been replaced by modifications in the
existing MCOM 341and 421.
MCOM 362 and 386 have been offered infrequently and
are not needed. MCOM 486 is redundant with MCOM 499.
2. Add: On pg. 166, new course, MCOM 104
104 Media, Ethics and Society (3)
An examination of the impact of
media on society, with a focus on American media, but with consideration of international
media as well. The course emphasizes the role of diversity
in media as it impacts on society. Both
news and entertainment media are studied. The course also examines the ethics
of media content and use as tools of information, commerce and decision-making
in society. Fall and Spring.
Impact:
MCOM 104 will be required for Mass Communication
majors, and will be prerequisite to all “conceptual” (even numbered) MCOM
courses. This course will be created as
a “Diversity Intensive” course, for ILS purposes.
Other
Programs:
MMAS may need to add MCOM 104 to their list of
recommended courses to account for it’s prerequisite
status. Please note, however, that this
does not add hours to their curriculum, as this prerequisite will replace that
of MCOM201, newswriting.
Resources:
No discernable impact on resources, as MCOM 101 and
102 will be phased out over the next three years to accommodate new ILS
requirements.
Rationale:
Many mass communication programs (including our own
in a previous version) feature an entry-level course on the subject of mass
media and society. Our department, as an
experiment, eliminated this introductory course. That has proved a mistake. We find our students lacking a common basis
of knowledge of issues important to study in our field. Coincidentally, the revision of UNCA’s general education program has stimulated a
discussion among the mass communication faculty of the need to get ethics
issues and diversity issues into the program earlier in the student’s career. Thus this new introductory course will be
constructed as part of a possible cluster in ethics and a diversity intensive
experience for beginning students. With
the gradual elimination of the MCOM101 and 102 social science courses, we
expect to make MCOM 104 available to student across the campus. We believe that we can offer a course that
has both general and specific relevance, challenging non-majors and majors
alike. We would envision this course as a prime candidate for clusters. Finally, we have introduced this course as
prerequisite to all other mass communication conceptual (even numbered) courses
because the previous prerequisite of newswriting will
intensify its skills focus as it moves to four-credit status. Newswriting is,
thus, not a very good choice for prerequisite status.
3.
Delete: On pgs. 167-168, in course descriptions
for MCOM 364, 382, 384, 460, 482, 484:
Prerequisite:
MCOM 201 or 205;
Add: On
pgs. 167-168, in place of deleted entries and
in entries for MCOM 380 and MCOM 388:
Prerequisites:
MCOM 104;
Impact: None.
Rationale: This is an editorial change to reflect the changes in
the curriculum.
4.
Delete: On pgs. 168-169, in course descriptions
for MCOM 390, 490, 492:
Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MCOM 201 and 205;
or MMAS 121;
Add: On pgs. 168-169, in place of deleted entries:
Prerequisite:
MCOM 104.
Impact: None.
Rationale: This is an editorial change to reflect the changes in
the curriculum.
5.
Delete: On pg. 169, entry for VMP 205
Add: On pg. 169, new courses, VMP 207 and
VMP 209
207 Video Production Design (2)
Introduction to the process of
visual media production, from a video perspective, emphasizing writing, aesthetics,
visual composition and design. Heavy emphasis on format,
structure, terminology, and safety issues. This course is prerequisite to all VMP
courses. Fall and Spring.
209 Video Production Elements (2)
Introduction to the practice of visual
media production, from a video perspective, emphasizing the elements of camera,
light, sound and editing. This course emphasizes the actual production
of video projects and requires an extensive out-of-class time commitment. Prerequisite: VMP 207. Fall and Spring.
Impact:
This proposed addition expands and replaces the old
VMP205 (Basic Video Production). For
majors interested in print media and/or research, the size of the major is
reduced by one credit hour in the requirement of VMP 207 only. For students interested in video and film,
the major is increased by two hours, as VMP 209 is prerequisite to all other
production courses.
Other
Programs:
MMAS will need to consider how to address the
elimination of VMP 205.
Resources:
No perceivable impact on resources, except that
equipment might receive a bit gentler handling, as only students completing
VMP207 will be qualified to make extensive use of equipment and lab resources
beginning with VMP 209.
Rationale:
Students typically underestimate the time, effort,
and teamwork required for successful and effective visual media production. By
breaking up the material into design and practice courses, and by requiring
students to complete the rigorous design course first, students will need to have
learned important basics before getting their hands on the equipment for
extensive project work (in VMP 209). For
students in MMAS interested in visual media, and for MCOM majors who wish to
focus on print media or communication research, VMP 207 will provide the
necessary video essentials.
6.
Delete: On pg. 169, in course description for
VMP 303:
Prerequisite:
MCOM 205;
Add: On pg. 169, in place of deleted
entry:
Prerequisite: VMP 209;
7.
Delete: On pg. 169, in course description for VMP 305:
Prerequisite: MCOM 303;
Add: On pg. 169, in place of deleted
entry:
Prerequisite: VMP 303;
8.
Delete: On pg. 169, in course description for VMP 307:
Prerequisite: MCOM 305;
Add: On pg. 169, in place of deleted
entry:
Prerequisite: VMP 305;
Impact: None.
Rationale: This
is an editorial change to reflect the changes in the curriculum.