BROADCAST AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION ARTS
College of Creative Arts
(See Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts in the Academic Programs section for information on degrees)
Undergraduate Courses
200 Introduction to Electronic Communication (3)
Enrollment priority given to BECA majors. The evolution of the major electronic media institutions of radio, television, and cable as social, political, economic, and vocational forces in American society. Consideration of the impact and development of new electronic communication technologies.
201 Life on TV: A Critical View (3) [GE]
Exploration of the elements of basic kinds of television programs: drama, sports, comedy, documentary, and variety, in order to develop critical criteria for evaluating programs.
230 Audio Production I (3)
Prerequisite: Broadcast Communication Arts major and departmental permission. Must be taken concurrently with BECA 231. Theoretical aspects of sound, acoustics, and audio signal flow in radio, television, and recording operations. Aesthetic aspects of sound mixing in broadcasting applications.
231 Audio Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: Broadcast Communication Arts major and departmental permission. Must be taken concurrently with BECA 230. Production procedures and student projects utilizing control consoles, turntables, microphones, tape recorders, and editing.
240 Video Production (3)
Prerequisite: Broadcast Communication Arts major and departmental permission. Must be taken concurrently with BECA 241. Use of television equipment and facilities; camera operations, audio and video control, lighting, tape recorders, graphics, scenery, and portable audio and video production units.
241 Video Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: Broadcast Communication Arts major and departmental permission. Must be taken concurrently with BECA 240. Laboratory.
300 Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Research (3)
Prerequisite: sophomore or junior standing, enrollment priority for BECA majors, and consent of instructor. Introduction to communication research. Acquiring and evaluating information and organizing the results into written form. Investigation of sources, methods, cataloging, philosophies of media research, and questions of reliability and validity.
310 Radio Production (3)
Prerequisite: BECA 230, 231; BECA major status; and consent of instructor. Analysis and production of radio programs; experimental approaches designed to explore the potential of radio. Laboratory.
321 Analysis of the Public Arts (3) [GE]
Prerequisite: consent of instructor; enrollment priority given for BECA majors. Analysis of the public arts from the standpoint of structures and themes; relationship of public arts to social value systems; form, vision, and function in the public arts.
322 Integrative Communication (3)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor; enrollment priority given to BECA majors. An integrative theory and skills course in inner communication, interpersonal and professionally-oriented communication; personal awareness; listening and skills of expression; theories of conception and perception; perspectives of choice, responsibility, and self-concept; integrative problem-solving.
324 Law and Regulation of the Electronic Media (3)
F,S
Prerequisites: BECA 200, junior standing, and consent of instructor. Enrollment priority given to BECA majors. Examination of the legal and regulatory aspects of the electronic media emphasizing the impact of F.C.C. licensing and regulation within the framework of the First Amendment.
330 Audio Production II (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 230, 231, or equivalents; BECA major status; departmental permission; and consent of instructor. Radio and television production, in-studio recording on multi-channel recording consoles. Use of board equalization, reverberation systems, graphic equalizers, limiters, and the art of overdubbing integrated in various in-class lectures and productions. Laboratory.
335 Audio for Video (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 230/231; BECA 240/241 and/or consent of instructor; BECA major status. Production theory and practice as applied to audio recording for video. Emphasis on pre-production planning and location/studio recording situations.
340 Media Aesthetics I (3)
Prerequisite: upper division standing and consent of instructor. Enrollment priority given to BECA majors. Aesthetic analysis of video, film, and related electronic media based on an examination of fundamental image and sound elements.
348 Video Editing I (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240, 241, and 340; BECA major status; and department permission. Introduction to the major aesthetic and technical considerations involved in video editing. Laboratory.
350 Media Performance I (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240, 241; BECA major status; and consent of instructor. Performance training for the electronic media; exercises for improving articulation, pronunciation, interpretation, vocal quality, and communicative abilities; study of the international phonetic alphabet. Laboratory.
370 Writing for the Electronic Media (3)
Prerequisite: BECA 300 and consent of instructor; enrollment priority given to BECA majors. Writing scripts for video productions, television and radio programs, public service announcements, commercials, and documentaries.
380 Media Production Techniques (3)
Prerequisites: junior standing and consent of instructor. Open only to non-BECA majors. Use of electronic media equipment, portable video, and sound recording. Emphasis on achievement of technical proficiency and learning to express oneself through the use of media.
385 Images of Work and Leisure (3) [GE]
For course description, see REC 385. (Also offered as HUM 385.)
410 Radio Green Room (3)
F,S
Prerequisites: BECA 230, 231, and 310; BECA major status. Students are responsible for the production of programs for public information radio. May be repeated for a total of nine units.
415 Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Workshop (3)
Prerequisite: audition and consent of instructor. Emphasis to be specified in Class Schedule. Activity in radio and television productions with KSFS or the Television Center. Laboratory. May be repeated once for a total of six units with consent of instructor.
421 Analysis of Television Comedy (3)
Prerequisite: junior standing and consent of instructor. An analysis of television situation comedies from 1948 to the present.
422 Social Aspects of Electronic Media (3) [GE]
Enrollment priority given for BECA majors. Examination of major functions, effects, and uses of public media; roles of media in affecting social, cultural, and political values; avenues of freedom and control in media; problems and opportunities presented by evolving media technology.
423 Economic Aspects of Broadcasting and Electronic Media (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 200, junior standing, and consent of instructor. Enrollment priority given for BECA majors. Business practices and interrelationships of broadcast stations, networks, advertising agencies, and cable companies; buying and selling media, programming, promotion, and legal and ethical considerations discussed.
425 Television/Video Program Design (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 200 and junior standing, or consent of instructor. Process of designing educational television series. Group work on pre-production stages of series development. Series topic and target audience selected by instructor. Paired with BECA/EDT 725. Students who have taken BECA/EDT 425 may not take BECA/EDT 725 later for credit. (Also offered as EDT 425.)
426 Educational Broadcasting (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240, 241, and consent of instructor. Enrollment priority given to BECA majors. Uses of the electronic media in education; theoretical considerations of programmed instruction and the use of computers; studio experience in writing, producing, and evaluating radio and television instructional programs. Laboratory. (Also offered as EDT 426.)
430 Advanced Audio Production I (3)
F,S
Prerequisites: BECA 330, BECA major status, departmental permission, and consent of instructor. A thorough study of advanced audio techniques in the specialized fields of audio recording and sound reinforcement for television, film, and music recording. May be repeated for a total of nine units.
435 Aesthetics of Sound (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 230/231, departmental permission, and consent of instructor. Evaluation of the aesthetics of sound and the basic principles involved in theoretical and critical analysis of audio in media, including radio, television, film, music, and other audio-visual communication.
437 Digital Audio: Theory and Practice (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 230/231 and consent of instructor. Digital audio for broadcasting and electronic media including digital recording (Pulse Code Modulation), sampling, musical instrument digital interface, computer-based systems and SMPTE time code synchronization for television and video.
440 Media Aesthetics II (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240, 241, 340, or equivalents; BECA major status; and consent of instructor. Special problems in applied aesthetics. Laboratory.
450 Media Performance II (3)
Prerequisite: BECA 350 or equivalent, BECA major status, and consent of instructor. Emphasis to be specified in Class Schedule. Special problems in performance for the electronic media; continuation of BECA 350.
460 Introduction to News on Broadcast and Electronic Media (3) [GE]
Prerequisite: BECA 200, enrollment priority given to BECA majors. Survey of values, theories, sources, and content of radio and television newscasts. Study of professional roles, management, and operations of broadcast and cable news at international, national, and local levels.
462 The Television Documentary in the United States (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 200, 300, 340, and 370. History and analysis of documentary programming on American broadcast television and cable to familiarize the student with terminology, standards, and accepted practices associated with television documentary production in the United States.
470 Dramatic Writing for Television and Electronic Media (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 370 and consent of instructor. Televisions as a unique medium for drama; limitations and potentialities of the medium in relation to form, style, timing, characterization, and story selection.
485 Women and Media (3) [GE]
Prerequisite: upper division standing. A survey course which uses a variety of analytic modes, including feminist, psychoanalytic, and economic criticism, to assess both how women are represented in mass media and the status of women employed in mass media. (Also listed as WOMS 540.)
487 Children and Television (3)
Prerequisite: upper division standing. How children come to use and are affected by the mass media, particularly television. Examines the theory and research describing the relationship between children and television. Assesses the role of television in children's development. (Also offered as EDT 487.)
490 Television and Social Change (3)
Prerequisite: upper division standing. The nature of social change: television's potential—or lack of potential—to bring about social change, the role of television in achieving that change, and critique of relevant programming intended to effect change.
495 Exploration in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (3)
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing and consent of instructor. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Exploration of a specific topic relevant to the broadcast communication arts. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
500 International Broadcasting (3)
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Broadcast systems of the world with attention to both developed and developing nations. Programming of many cultures; the role of satellites in promoting exchange of programs. The relationship between governments, societies, and the media. Issues in international communication.
510 Concert Hall Broadcasting (3)
F,S
Prerequisites: BECA 230, 231, and 310; BECA major status; departmental permission; and consent of instructor. Student production teams have total responsibility for the production of weekly, on-air, stereo radio concert program featuring major campus concert performances. May be repeated for a total of nine units.
515 Television Center Crew (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240, 241, and 340; BECA major status; and consent of instructor. Students receive "hands-on" experience: camera operator, lighting, technical director, audio technician, videotape recorder, floor director. Class is for advanced students to apply skills in real time setting. Complex productions with multiple cameras, sets, and lighting set-up.
523 Broadcast Station and Cable Operations (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 200 and either BECA 324 or BECA 423, and consent of instructor. Enrollment priority given for BECA majors. Factors in day-to-day broadcast operations, program scheduling, syndication, audience research, labor relations, political and legal considerations, station promotion, community services.
526 Public Broadcasting in the United States (3)
Prerequisite: BECA 200 or consent of instructor. Analysis of the history, growth, and development of non-commercial public broadcasting in the United States; licensing and financing of public radio and television stations; cultural and educational functions of public broadcasting; the future of public broadcasting.
530 Advanced Audio Production II (3)
F,S
Prerequisites: BECA 430, DAI 332, or equivalents; BECA major status; and consent of instructor. The completion of major audio productions skills through active participation in challenging audio media productions. Audio for television, film, record production, and sound reinforcement is covered. May be repeated for a total of nine units.
535 Advanced Audio for Video (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240/241, BECA 335, BECA 430; consent of instructor; BECA major status. Advanced sound theory and practice as applied to post-production audio for video. Emphasis on time code synchronization of sound effects, music, and dialogue. Field recording and mixing for picture.
541 Television/Video Lighting Design (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240/241 or equivalents, BECA 340; BECA major status; departmental permission; and consent of instructor. Designing and implementing lighting for television productions, black and white and color. Studio experience. Laboratory.
545 Television Directing I (3)
F,S
Prerequisites: BECA 240/241; BECA major status; departmental permission; and consent of instructor. Creating and directing a variety of television productions. Laboratory.
546 Electronic Field Production I (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240, 241, and 340; BECA major status; departmental permission; and consent of instructor. Technical and aesthetic elements of small format television field production; videotape recording and editing; lighting and sound for remote productions; program pre-planning, production and post-production. Emphasis on program conceptualization, design, and production.
547 Desktop Video Production (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240 and 241, BECA major status, and department permission. An introduction to the use of the personal computer for video production, including software applications for program titling and image manipulation, machine control, and non-linear video editing.
550 The Broadcast Interview (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 240/241 and departmental permission. The interview as an essential tool for broadcast information gathering and presentation. Interview styles, question research, production approaches for television and radio, and consideration of special interview formats such as talk shows and political debates.
555 Directing Actors for Television and Video (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 545, BECA major status, and audition. The preparation, execution, and recording of dramatic performance for the medium of television. Emphasis is on the collaboration between actor and director at every stage of the process.
560 Radio and Television News Writing (3)
Prerequisite: junior or senior standing; BECA major or consent of instructor. Introduction to techniques of radio and television newswriting, reporting, editing, and production. Legal restraints. Includes general assignment field reporting. Laboratory.
561 News Reporting and Editing for Television (3)
Prerequisite: upper division standing; BECA 560; BECA major or consent of instructor. Basic techniques of broadcast and cable reporting; writing for visual production; production of field reports; use of research retention techniques; and the experimental use of visuals in newscasts.
562 Television/Video Documentary Production (3)
Prerequisites: department permission, BECA 370, 462, and 546. Continuation of BECA 462 with an emphasis on pre-production, production, and post-production methods for the production of documentaries for broadcast and cable television.
570 Writing for Electronic Media Genres (3)
Prerequisites: BECA 370, 470, or consent of instructor. Topic to be specified in the Class Schedule. Writing scripts for the generic forms of the electronic media, including situation comedies, soap operas, and serial dramas. May be repeated when topics vary.
576 Internship in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (3)
Prerequisites: major in BECA; junior standing or higher; and consent of instructor. Internship experience in broadcasting. May be repeated once for credit; repeat credit may not be counted for major. CR/NC grading only.
580 Media in Community Service (3)
Prerequisite: BECA 546 or consent of instructor. The use of media for public agencies and institutions and by non-profit groups; creating and placing public service announcements; developing media programs for agencies, institutions, and community groups; budgeting; grant-seeking. Field work. May be repeated for a total of six units with consent of instructor.
595 Explorations in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Production (3)
F,S
Prerequisite: departmental permission. Topic to be specified in Class Schedule. Special production problems selected from broadcast communication arts areas. Laboratory. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
More Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts courses