Course Description:

In the Mass Communication Foundations (MCF) - Broadcast Journalism course, students will learn and apply the principles of broadcast journalism and video production. Emphasizing attention to process and storytelling, students apply critical thinking and their knowledge of the laws and policies governing the use of copyrighted materials to create and produce entry-level quality television spots and radio products. The broadcast video curriculum builds on the storytelling foundation achieved in the MCF course. The lessons further promote a clear understanding of a story’s purpose and characteristics, and explore video storytelling techniques and the tools a storyteller uses to connect with the audience.

Throughout the course, students will refine and strengthen their writing skills from MCF by learning and applying various broadcast writing techniques to write news stories, news features, as well as television and radio spots. They write scripts and other broadcast writing products, and use professional quality equipment to produce video products for use in multiple media platforms. Students are introduced to the stand-up technique, which adds depth to a story, provides another view of the action or helps the viewer better understand part of the story. Students will synthesize current theories and best practices of aural and visual media and shoot, edit and create video features about people, places, or events using a more creative approach than used for a traditional news story. Students learn about the different types of spots, and identify the appropriate strategy and approach to effectively communicate themes and messages, and create public service announcements that focus on command information to keep target audiences informed. The “hands-on” radio broadcast experience puts the student into a radio control room where they learn how to use radio automation to manage audio products, create automation playlists, carts, and stacks that interface with live radio shows. Using an audio control console, students learn and practice controlling audio while delivering news and information to their audience.

Students will use industry best practices to integrate social media into their music shows, and will learn to brand their music shows using elements such as produced show “bits,” promos and liners. They will learn and apply the appropriate use of sound effects and natural sound, and will effectively communicate ideas and information aurally. Students apply professional interviewing and reporting techniques to live, in-studio interviews. Students produce a radio newscast, a reporter package, and solo- and multi-host radio shows.

Location: 6500 Mapes Road, Ft. Meade, Md. 

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