MWCC College Catalog 2008-2009 — Broadcasting and Electronic Media
BCT105 INTRODUCTION TO MASS MEDIA
3 credits
Students examine the effects and impact of the mass media on contemporary life.
Emphasis is on the influence of television, film, radio, the Internet, and
the print media in such areas as entertainment, news, politics, advertising,
popular culture, and human behavior. (Not open to students in the Broadcasting and Electronic Media curriculum.) Prerequisites: ENG100, RDG100, or placement.
Offered occasionally.
BCT111 INTRODUCTION TO BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA
3 credits
Students survey the foundation and development of television, radio, and the electronic media; the regulatory, financial, and operating structure of the electronic media industries; programming content and criticism; the role and impact of the electronic media in society; and the electronic media’s current and future applications. Prerequisites: ENG100, RDG100, or placement. Fall.
BCT112 AUDIO PRODUCTION I
3 credits
Students are introduced to the basic procedures and skills used by audio professionals.
In order to achieve a basic understanding of sound as it relates to media
productions, students perform recording and editing techniques of dialog,
radio style production, as well as studio and location sound practices used
for video and film. Two lecture hours and two lab hours per week. Prerequisites:
RDG100, ENG100, or placement. Fall.
BCT115 INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
3 credits
The demand for digital photography and the electronic transmission of digital
images now outpaces all forms of film photography. This course addresses
the needs of film photographers who want to transition to digital as well
as new photographers using this exciting new medium. Students will learn
how to create artistic images for print and for the worldwide web. Emphasis
is placed on the camera and how to use it, lighting, electronic capture and
manipulation techniques, and photographic composition. A digital camera (at
least 3.2mp) is required. One that can be manually controlled is preferred.
Prerequisite: None. Fall and spring.
BCT122 AUDIO PRODUCTION II
3 credits
Students are introduced to equipment, procedures, and techniques used on location
and in studios for careers in audio for the television and film industries,
with an emphasis on post production signal processing and editing. This course
builds on the information and skills acquired in BCT112 Audio Production
I. Two lecture hours and two hours lab per week. Prerequisite: BCT112. Spring.
BCT123 AUDIO PRODUCTION III
3 credits
This course builds on information and skills acquired in BCT112 and BCT122.
Students gain competency with configurations of complex audio systems, matrixes
of multibus mixers, digital mixers, advanced techniques in dialog recording,
tone shaping, and music editing. Foley work, sweetening, and mixing for picture
are major parts of this course. Two lecture hours and two lab hours per week.
Prerequisites: BCT122. Fall.
BCT124 AUDIO PRODUCITON IV
3 credits
This course trains students in techniques of recording and mixing music. Students will record musical performances of single and group vocals and instrument categories including drums, guitars, keyboards, brass, woodwinds, and strings. Students will have the opportunity to mix material recorded at professional recording studios. Training includes analog and digital mixers, outboard processors, and ProTools. Two lecture hours and two lab hours per week. Prerequisites: BCT123. Spring.
BCT202 BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA INTERNSHIP I
3 credits
In this course, students earn academic credit while gaining on-the-job experience
and training at a broadcast operation or other electronic media-related facility.
The student’s performance is evaluated by the instructor and the employer.
The student will participate in periodic seminars with the course coordinator,
and must prepare a detailed account of the internship at the end of the semester.
Prerequisites: permission of department chair and minimum 2.75 QPA. Offered
occasionally.
BCT203 BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA INTERNSHIP II
3 credits
A continuation of BCT202 Broadcasting and Telecommunications Internship I,
this course allows a student to earn additional on-the-job academic credit.
The student’s performance is evaluated by the instructor and the employer.
The student will have periodic meetings in a seminar with the course coordinator,
and must prepare a detailed account of the internship at the end of the semester.
Prerequisites: permission of department chair and minimum 2.75 QPA. Offered
occasionally.
BCT208 BROADCAST WRITING
3 credits
Students are introduced to the various forms of copywriting for electronic media and film including persuasive messages, news, and scripts. Students will be required to produce samples of their writing in audio and video formats. Required for Broadcasting and Electronic Media majors. Prerequisite: ENG101. Spring.
BCT209 BROADCAST JOURNALISM
3 credits
Students are given instruction and supervised exercises in writing, reporting,
editing, and producing radio and television news, public affairs, and documentary
programs. The role of broadcast journalists and their responsibilities to
society are major discussion topics. Two hours lecture and two hours lab
per week. Prerequisites: BCT111, BCT112, ENG101. Offered occasionally.
BCT212 TELEVISION PRODUCTION AND DIRECTION I
3 credits
This course introduces the processes, equipment, facilities, and skills employed
in television production. Emphasis is placed on the operation of studio equipment,
the responsibilities of the production crew, and the production and direction
of studio productions. An overview of video technology is also included.
Two hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Prerequisites: ENG100, RDG100,
or placement. Fall.
BCT213 TELEVISION PRODUCTION AND DIRECTION II
3 credits
Students build upon the skill and knowledge acquired in BCT212 to extend their
production experience out of the studio and into the field. Instruction focuses
on developing the pre-production, production, and post production expertise
required to successfully plan and execute programs recorded on location.
Two hours lecture and two hours lab per week. Prerequisite: BCT212. Spring.
BCT214 BROADCAST AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
3 credits
Students examine the many factors that affect the day-to-day operation of the
television and radio station, cable system, and electronic media operation.
This includes governmental regulation and self-regulation, community service,
programming, management techniques, electronic media ownership and financing,
sales and advertising, industry staffing, and future directions. Prerequisite:
BCT111. Spring.
BCT215 ADVANCED DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
3 credits
This course is designed to go beyond the basic skills learned in BCT115
Intro to Digital Photography. It is designed to allow the student to
reach a new level of artistic achievement. It incorporates use of the
latest tools and techniques of digital capture and manipulation. It
also uses some traditional film techniques which are modified slightly
to apply to a digital environment. A 4 mp digital camera and tripod are
required. Camera must have manual exposure capability. Prerequisite: BCT115.
Fall and spring.
BCT221 BROADCAST PERFORMANCE AND PRACTICE
3 credits
This course introduces the student to all phases of broadcast performing so
that he/she can acquire necessary skills and/or function to direct talent
for both audio and video media. This course combines both classroom lectures
and demonstrations with a variety of practical exercises in both audio and
video performance. Course projects have been chosen and designed to simulate
actual broadcast situations encountered daily in the industry. Prerequisites:
ENG100, RDG100, or placement. Offered occasionally.
BCT223 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA
3 credits
This course is an advanced practicum experience in which the individual
student, under the guidance of a staff member, develops his/her broadcast
telecommunications skills at a professional level. Prerequisites: Permission
of department chair. Offered occasionally.
BCT225 INTRODUCTION TO FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
3 credits
There is nothing that can compare with the elegance of a hand-printed black & white photograph. This introductory course covers the technical and artistic aspects of capturing and printing creative photographs. Topics including lighting, composition, exposure, contrast, printing and developing will be covered. This is photography in its purest form. Students should have a 35mm camera with manual exposure and focus controls. They will be required to purchase film and photographic paper. A tripod is recommended. Prerequisites: ENG100, RDG100, or placement. Fall.
BCT226 ADVANCED FILM PHOTOGRAPHY
3 credits
Long before the advent of computer manipulation, photographers were creating
masterpieces using alternative methods of computer and printing. These low-tech
methods yielded wonderful, creative results that often cannot be duplicated
by high-tech means. Topics include but are not limited to alternative lighting,
alternative means of computer and printing, using overlays and filters, toning
and hand coloring, and Polaroid transfers. Students should have a 35mm camera
with manual exposure and focus controls. They will be required to purchase
film and photographic paper. A tripod is strongly recommended. Prerequisite:
BCT225. Spring.
BCT227 ADVANCED TELEVISION PRODUCTION
3 credits
This course builds on the basic studio production and EFP expertise and skills developed in BCT212 Television Production and Direction I and BCT213 Television Production and Direction II. The emphasis of this course is hands-on production. Through participation in a variety of projects students refine camera, audio, lighting, studio, and postproduction skills. They continue to develop their directorial expertise. Students expand their communication, organizational, and creative talents to produce effective and worthwhile programming. Prerequisites: BCT213 and permission of instructor. Fall.
BCT228 VIDEO GRAPHICS AND DIGITAL VIDEO EFFECTS
3 credits
This course in an introduction to a variety of desktop animation and digital
video effects software. The course focuses on offering students the skills
to creatively and effectively use these programs in a professional manner.
Students will create familiar effects such as dissolves, wipes, and windowshades,
and special effects such as morphing, warping, and 3-D motion control. They
will also learn to import, manipulate, and combine elements from other media
such as stock and original photography and art, scanned images, Quicktime
movies, video, and CDs to create special effects. These projects can be added
to music videos and other videotape productions. The course combines lectures,
demonstrations, and labs. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered
occasionally.
BCT229 EDITING DIGITAL VIDEO
3 credits
Building on their knowledge of television production, students will develop
expertise in the technology and techniques of digital, nonlinear editing.
This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operation
of nonlinear editing systems. Throughout the course, students develop an
understanding of the techniques and aesthetics video and film editors employ
as effective storytellers. Using industry standard, nonlinear editing systems,
students practice applying the craft of editing, assembling sequences of
pictures and sounds to create finished programs including titles, graphics,
and special effects. Prerequisites: BCT213. Spring.
BCT231 TV TECHNICIAN
1 credit
This course will emphasize the technical, rather than the creative side of
video production. Students will acquire troubleshooting and problem-solving
skills through hands-on training in actual and simulated production environments.
At the completion of this course, students will be able to define and demonstrate
the technical responsibilities of a number of production situations. Prerequisites:
BCT227 and permission of instructor. Offered occasionally.
BCT235 DVD AUTHORING
3 credits
The instruction in this course focuses on developing a working understanding
of the DVD format and using that knowledge to design and produce programming
capitalizing on the format’s features. Students will be introduced
to each phase of DVD production including design and planning; preparation
of video, audio, and graphic assets; menu creation; implementation of navigation;
proofing; final output; and replication. Prerequisites: RDG100, ENG100.
Spring.
BCT240 PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
3 credits
The art of photographing people is explored. Lighting, posing, and composition are covered. Various styles of portraiture are introduced. These include corporate portraits, casual and personality portraits, as well as more avant-garde styles such as film noire. Studio, location, and natural lighting will be used. Color balancing and facial retouching will be covered. A 4mp digital camera and tripod are required. Camera must have manual exposure capability. Prerequisite: BCT115. Spring.
BCT245 COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
3 credits
Some of the world’s most artistic photos are made for the purpose of
advertising. This exciting area of photography will be explored. In addition
to small product and catalogue photography, this course explores the more
complex and creative photographs used for various publication covers, web
and magazine ads, and trade show displays. Advanced digital editing and manipulation
will be discussed. A 4mp digital camera and tripod are required. Camera must
have manual exposure capability. Prerequisite: BCT115. Fall.