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Department of Mass Communication and Theatre

Chair and Associate Professor: Mr. Gale, 450-3162
Distinguished Professor Emeritus: Dr. Anderson
Associate Professor: Dr. Browne, Mr. Harvey, Dr. Hutchinson, Ms. Meador
Assistant Professors: Dr. Blakey, Mr. Brown, Mr. Dull, Mr. Fritzges, Mr. Gunter, Dr. Heo, Mr. Meador, Dr. Lampkin Stephens,
Dr. Walter, Mr. Yang
Lecturers: Mr. Churchill, Mr. Keith, Mr. Marhenke
Instructor: Mr. Lovel

Jump to a section of this page: BA/BS Digital Filmmaking | BA/BS Journalism | BA/BS Theatre

[1] Purposes

The Department offers professional training in the areas of filmmaking, mass communication, and theatre. It also seeks to educate interested non-professionals who seek to become participating members of a knowledgeable audience. Additionally, through broadcast, print, cinematic, and theatrical productions, students and faculty of the department share their work with the people of Arkansas.

[2] Facilities

State-of-the-art facilities support each program of the department. Mass Communication is housed in a new facility that includes two television production studios, audio studios, Final Cut Pro, Avid, and Discreet editing suites, 2 computer labs, production areas, and a darkroom. Theatre facilities include a well-equipped technical area, a CAD laboratory, a 150-seat studio theatre, a 300-seat proscenium theatre, and the new 1200-seat Reynolds Performance Hall.

[3] The Honors Program in Mass Communication and Theatre

A student may be invited by the faculty of the department to enter the honors program in the first semester of the senior year. To earn departmental honors, the student must major in one of the areas offered by the Department of Mass Communication and Theatre and enroll in MCOM 3322. In addition, the student submits a final honors project paper or performance no later than February 1 for Spring graduation, October 1 for fall graduation, or June 1 for summer graduation.

[4] Baccalaureate Degrees

[4.1] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Digital Filmmaking

The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in digital filmmaking requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) specific degree requirements; (3) the digital filmmaking core courses MCOM 1300 and 1362; (4) major requirements and electives as described below; and (5) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

[4.1.1] Major in Digital Filmmaking (44 hours)

Digital filmmaking core courses (6 hours):

FILM 1305 Introduction to Film
FILM 1310 Introduction to Visual Storytelling

Required digital filmmaking courses (24 hours):

FILM 2310 Script Analysis
FILM 2466 Digital Filmmaking 1
FILM 3315 Classical Film Theory
FILM 3350 Cinema History 1
FILM 3351 Cinema History 2
FILM 3456 Digital Filmmaking 2
FILM 4356 Digital Filmmaking 3
FILM 4357 Digital Filmmaking 4

Electives (12 hours, chosen from the following):

FILM 3316 Film Theory Since 1960
FILM 3321 Internship (120 clock hours)
FILM 3322 Directed Study in Digital Filmmaking
FILM 3363 Audio Production and Design for Film
FILM 3373 Documentary Production
FILM 4380  Seminar in Film Studies
FILM 4392 Topics in Digital Production (Cinematography, Directing, Editing, etc.)
JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
JOUR 4315 Advanced Television Production
MCOM 3307 Media Theory and Research
THEA 2320 Stage Make-Up
THEA 3310 Costume Design
WRTG 3320 Forms of Scriptwriting
WRTG 3376 Screenwriting Workshop

[4.1.2] Minor in Digital Filmmaking (22 hours)

Students must complete a minor declaration form to enroll in the program.

Students seeking a minor in Digital Filmmaking are required to complete the following:

Required (16 hours):

FILM 1305 Introduction to Film
FILM 1310 Introduction to Visual Storytelling
FILM 2310 Script Analysis
FILM 2466 Digital Filmmaking 1
FILM 3315 Classical Film Theory
or
FILM 3350 Cinema History 1

Electives (6 hours, chosen from the following):

FILM 3305 Production Design
FILM 3316 Film Theory Since 1960
FILM 3320 Film Editing
FILM 3351 Cinema History 2
FILM 3355 Visual Effects Compositing
FILM 3356 Animation for Visual Effects
FILM 3363 Audio Production and Design for Film
FILM 3373 Documentary Production
FILM 3456 Digital Filmmaking 2
FILM 4356 Digital Filmmaking 3
FILM 4357 Digital Filmmaking 4
FILM 4380 Seminar in Film Studies
FILM 4392 Topics in Digital Production
JOUR 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II
JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
MCOM 3307 Theories of Mass Communication
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
WRTG 3320 Forms of Scriptwriting
WRTG 3376 Screenwriting Workshop

[4.2] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Journalism

The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in mass communication requires the successful completion of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) specific degree requirements; (3) the core journalism courses; (4) required, elective, and application courses for one of the mass communication emphasis areas as described below; (5) JOUR 3321 (internship); and (6) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

[4.2.1] Major in Journalism (43 hours)

Journalism core (24 hours):

MCOM 1300 Media and Society
JOUR 2300 Beginning Reporting
JOUR 2305 Basic Press Photography
JOUR 2325 Principles of Online Journalism
JOUR 2340 Broadcast Journalism Production
JOUR 3308 News Editing
MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics
MCOM 3307 Theories of Mass Communication

Electives (6 hours, chosen from the following):

JOUR 2301 Broadcast Announcing
JOUR 3122 Directed Study in Communication
JOUR 3222 Directed Study in Communication
JOUR 3300 Advanced Reporting and Editing
JOUR 3305 Publication Design & Makeup
JOUR 3311 Digital Imaging
JOUR 3334 Non-Fiction Writing
JOUR 3345 Online Publishing I
JOUR 3346 Online Publishing II
JOUR 3363 Audio Production
JOUR 3365 Broadcast Management
JOUR 3373 Documentary Production
JOUR 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II
JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
JOUR 4315 Broadcast Journalism Production III
JOUR 4331 In-Depth and Computer-Aided Reporting
JOUR 4333 Writing Editorials & Reviews
MCOM 3302 Media History
MCOM 3322 Directed Study in Communication
MCOM 3320 Introduction to Mass Communication Research Methods
MCOM 3391/4391 Topics in Mass Communication
MCOM 4302 Media Effects
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
SPCH 3310 Writing for Public Relations
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing

Application courses (4 hours):

All students are to complete 1 hour credit at each level.  (Each level many be repeated for a maximum 2 hours of credit).  Online Journalism students must complete at least one hour of print and one hour of electronic applications among the four hours.

JOUR 1121 Print Media Applications
JOUR 2121 Print Media Applications
JOUR 3121 Print Media Applications
JOUR 4121 Print Media Applications

OR

JOUR 2123 Electronic Media Applications
JOUR 3123 Electronic Media Applications
JOUR 4123 Electronic Media Applications

Internship (3 hours):

JOUR 3321 Internship (120 hours)

[4.2.2] Emphasis Areas

Required (6 hours): Must complete both courses in at least one of the four options:

Broadcast Journalism Emphasis:

JOUR 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II
JOUR 4315 Broadcast Journalism Production III

Online Journalism Emphasis:
JOUR 3345 Online Publishing I
JOUR 3346 Online Publishing II

Print Journalism Emphasis:
JOUR 3300 Advanced Reporting
JOUR 3305 Publication Design & Makeup

Mass Communication Research
MCOM 3320 Introduction to Mass Communication Research Methods
MCOM 4302 Media Effects

[4.2.3] Minor in Journalism (26 hours)

Journalism Minor Core (8 hours):

MCOM 1300 Media and Society
JOUR 2300 Beginning Reporting (Prerequisite WRTG 1320)
JOUR 1121 Print Media Applications or JOUR 2123 Electronic Media Applications
JOUR 2121 Print Media Applications or JOUR 3123 Electronic Media Applications

Electives (18 hours, chosen from the following courses):

JOUR 2301 Broadcast Announcing
JOUR 2305 Basic Press Photography
JOUR 2325 Principles of Online Journalism
JOUR 2340 Broadcast Journalism Production I
JOUR 3122 Directed Study in Communication
JOUR 3222 Directed Study in Communication
JOUR 3300 Advanced Reporting
JOUR 3305 Publication Design & Makeup
JOUR 3308 News Editing
JOUR 3311 Digital Imaging
JOUR 3334 Non-Fiction Writing
JOUR 3345 Online Publishing I (Prerequisite JOUR 2325)
JOUR 3346 Online Publishing II (Prerequisite JOUR 3345)
JOUR 3363 Audio Journalism
JOUR 3365 Broadcast Management
JOUR 3373 News Documentary Production
JOUR 3374 Broadcast Journalism Production II (Prerequisite JOUR 2340)
JOUR 4313 Writing for Electronic Media
JOUR 4315 Broadcast Journalism Production III (Prerequisite JOUR 3374)
JOUR 4331 In-Depth and Computer-Aided Reporting (Prerequisite JOUR 3308)
JOUR 4333 Writing Editorials and Reviews
MCOM 3320 Introduction to Mass Communication Research Methods
MCOM 3301 Media Law and Ethics
MCOM 3302 Media History
MCOM 3307 Theories of Mass Communication
MCOM 3322 Directed Study
MCOM 3391/4391 Topics in Mass Communication
MCOM 4302 Media Effects
MCOM 4323 Seminar in Mass Communication
SPCH 3310 Writing for Public Relations
WRTG 3310 Technical Writing

Prerequisite courses for all other courses except Media Applications; MCOM 1300 and JOUR 2300, may be taken concurrently.

[4.3] Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Theatre

The degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in theatre requires the successful completion of 124 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) specific degree requirements; (3) requirements for the major as described below; and (4) a minor as arranged through the student’s minor advisor.

[4.3.1] Major in Theatre (40 hours)

Required (27 hours):

THEA 1360 Text Analysis
THEA 1370 Voice and Movement
THEA 2325 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
THEA 2331 Stagecraft
THEA 2390 Acting I
THEA 3324 Theatre History I
THEA 3325 Theatre History II
THEA 3332 Stage Lighting or THEA 3310 Costume Design or THEA 4340 Scene Design
THEA 4320 Directing

Electives (9 hours, chosen from the following):

THEA 2310 Costume Construction
THEA 2320 Stage Make-Up
THEA 2330 Stage Management
THEA 3310 Costume Design
THEA 3320 Digital Design
THEA 3331 Stagecraft II
THEA 3332 Stage Lighting
THEA 3390 Acting Styles: Farce, Commedia, Comedy of Manners
THEA 3391 Acting Styles: Shakespeare, Greek
THEA 4100 Professional Issues
THEA 4305 Acting for the Camera
THEA 4315 Topics in Theatre Performance (May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4321 Topics in Technical Theatre (May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4322 Theatre Workshop
THEA 4326 Costume History
THEA 4340 Scene Design

Application (4 hours):

THEA 1122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 2122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 3122 Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 4122 Theatre Production and Performance

Optional:

THEA 3150, 3250, 3350 Directed Study in Theatre
MCOM 3321 Internship
(Directed Study and Internship not included in hours for the major)

[4.3.2] Minor in Theatre (20 hours)

Students seeking a Minor in Theatre are required to complete the following:

Required (6 hours):

THEA 2325  Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
THEA 2390  Acting I

Electives (12 hours – at least 9 hours to be Upper Division) from the following:

THEA 1360  Text Analysis
THEA 1370  Voice and Movement
THEA 2331  Stagecraft
THEA 2320  Stage Makeup
THEA 2330  Stage Management
THEA 3310  Costume Design [Note 1]
THEA 3320  Digital Design [Note 1]
THEA 3324  Theatre History I [Note 3]
THEA 3325  Theatre History II [Note 3]
THEA 3331  Stagecraft II [Note 4]
THEA 3332  Stage Lighting [Note 1]
THEA 3390  Acting Styles: Farce, Commedia, Comedy or Manners [Note 2]
THEA 3391  Acting Styles: Shakespeare, Greek [Note 2]
THEA 4100  Professional Issues
THEA 4305  Acting for the Camera [Note 2]
THEA 4315  Topics in Performance [Note 2]
(May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4320  Directing [Note 2] and [Note 3]
THEA 4321  Topics in Technical Theatre [Note 1]
(May be repeated once under a different topic)
THEA 4322  Theatre Workshop
THEA 4340  Scene Design [Note 1] and [Note 4]
THEA 4326  Costume History

Application courses (2 hours):

All students are required to complete 1 hour credit at any two levels.  (Each level may be repeated once for a maximum 2 hours credit.)  Minimum grade of ‘B’ for Minor credit.

THEA 1122  Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 2122  Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 3122  Theatre Production and Performance
THEA 4122  Theatre Production and Performance

Notes:
Note 1: Prerequisite THEA 2325 Fundamentals of Theatrical Design
Note 2: Prerequisite THEA 2390 Acting I
Note 3: Prerequisite THEA 1360 Text Analysis
Note 4: Prerequisite THEA 2331 Stagecraft

[5] Course Links

[5.1] Courses in Digital Filmmaking (FILM)

Follow this link for FILM course descriptions: course link.

[5.2] Courses in Journalism (JOUR)

Follow this link for JOUR course descriptions:  course link.

[5.3] Courses in Mass Communication (MCOM)

Follow this link for MCOM course descriptions: course link.

[5.4] Courses in Theatre (THEA)

Follow this link for THEA course descriptions: course link.