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Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Dean: Paul Sherwin

 

School of the Arts
Department of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts

CA 133
Phone: 415-338-1787
Fax: 415-338-1168
Website: http://beca.sfsu.edu
Chair: Scott J. Patterson
Graduate Coordinator: Nancy “Sami” Reist

 

Faculty:

Professors: Barsotti, Blosser, Compesi, Dunaway, Gonzalez, Khani, Patterson, Reist, Shrivastava, Wolf, Zhang
Associate Professors: Camacho, Drennan, Ibrahim, Jacoby, Provenzano, M. Smith
Assistant Professors: Chan, Lee

 

Programs

B.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts

M.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts

 

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Program Scope

The Department of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA) offers course work leading to the B.A. and M.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts. The curriculum is designed to provide extensive educational experience for those who intend to use the modern media of electronic communication to serve the artistic, cultural, educational, and informational needs of society. The program involves both theory and practice, and students are expected to work successfully in both types of courses and activities. Graduates of the program are prepared for work in the broadcasting and entertainment industries, in cable and on-line media, in video and audio production, and other areas related to electronic communication. Many graduates go on for graduate-level study in the field of electronic media.

 

The B.A. program includes a core drawn from classes in the history and structure of electronic media, media aesthetics, media research, audio and video production, media ethics and regulation, communication theory and criticism, and writing and performance for the electronic media. In addition, students may elect to pursue one of the nine areas of emphasis within the department: audio production and music recording, broadcast journalism, business aspects of the electronic media, educational and instructional media, communication theory and criticism, interactive media, radio production and programming, television/video production, and writing for the electronic media, or they can design an individualized area of emphasis in consultation with a department advisor.

 

The M.A. program reflects a comprehensive view of the communication discipline with an integration of theory and practice. Emphasis areas include media aesthetics, audio and video production, news and documentary, interactive media, writing, management, and communication theory and criticism.

 

Two important co-curricular activities are open to students of the department. KSFS, the campus radio station, is distributed on-line and is distributed in San Francisco on stereo cable. KSFS Media produces newscasts, dramas, interviews, musical performances, and other productions for distribution to the San Francisco community through cable television and via the Internet. Collegiate chapters of the Audio Engineering Society and College Students in Broadcasting (an affiliate of American Women in Radio and Television) provide opportunities for service and fellowship in the department and in the professional community. The San Francisco Bay Area provides a wealth of media organizations that cooperate with the BECA department in a large, active internship program.

 

Centers and Institutes

The Institute of International Media Communication, housed in the department, offers training and educational opportunities for television professionals from around the world through production workshops and seminars.

 

Facilities

The department's instructional laboratories include professional grade production equipment, studios, and laboratories. Work completed by students in the BECA department is distribution ready for FCC broadcast guidelines and is in continuous distribution via terrestrial broadcast, cablecast (both radio and video), and Internet delivery. The student-run distribution hub for all BECA student productions is KSFSmedia.net

 

Production facilities include three high-definition, multi-camera television studios, a radio station, two music recording studios, two advanced sound design for video studios and an array of field production equipment ranging from large-scale audio and multi-camera video simulcast equipment to professional quality audio and video single-camera and electronic news gathering equipment. The department also maintains over 75 computer workstations for audio and video production and post-production activity.

 

Career Outlook

Graduates of the department are to be found working in media organizations around the world, and include some of the top names in broadcast journalism, entertainment television, radio, and audio and video production. The long term career outlook for graduates is excellent. Most seek work with radio and television stations, audio and video production companies, networks, cable television companies, and in corporate and institutional media departments.

 

Many graduates of the department continue their education and pursue advanced degrees in communication or related fields. Students with the appropriate credential or graduate degrees in broadcast and electronic communication arts may teach in elementary and secondary schools, community colleges, or universities. A significant number of the department's M.A. graduates have competed successfully for admission to the leading doctoral programs in the field of communication.

 

Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts

Application Filing Periods

Applications for admission to the BECA major are accepted by the University's Office of Enrollment Services only during the application filing periods of October 1 to November 30 (for admission the following fall) and August 1 to September 30 (for admission the following spring). Applications received outside of these two filing periods will not be considered.

 

Change of Major Applicants

Undeclared majors and students enrolled in other disciplines at SF State who seek to change their major to Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts must complete the 9 units of prerequisite core classes with a grade of C or better in each (BECA 200, 300, 340) before applying for a change of major. Note: Because of high demand, enrollment priority is given to BECA major students in the prerequisite core courses, as well as in many other departmental classes.

 

Degree Requirements

The major includes a core requirement of 25 units and an additional requirement of 20 units of electives in an area of emphasis drawn from the broadcast and electronic communication arts curriculum. Enrollment in some departmental courses is restricted to BECA majors. Enrollment in courses requiring "departmental permission" is contingent upon satisfactory completion of 9 units of prerequisite core courses.

 

Students in the major are encouraged to take additional course work in other disciplines related to the major.

 

Prerequisite Core and Departmental Permission: All majors must complete the prerequisite core courses (BECA 200, 300, 340) with a grade of C or better in each (C- is not acceptable). Completion of the core fulfills the departmental permission requirement, which is a condition for enrollment in the production sequence and many other advanced classes. If “department permission” is listed as a pre-requisite for a course in the course description, students must have completed BECA 200, 300, and 340 prior to enrollment in the course. The prerequisite core courses are normally taken during the sophomore year. Transfer students admitted to SF State as BECA majors should plan to complete the prerequisite core during the first semester of their junior year. A minimum of 6 of the 9 units must be completed at SF State.

 

Writing Competence: Second year written composition (ENG 214 or equivalent) with a grade of C or better is a prerequisite for BECA 300 GW, “Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Research - GWAR.” BECA majors who successfully complete BECA 300 GW will have satisfied the University Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR). Students may improve their skills by taking composition courses or by completing writing tutorials.

 

Supervised and Independent Work Experience: The department encourages students to participate in independent production, internship, and supervised teaching experiences as a part of their program of study. Students may count a total of 6 units combined from the courses BECA 576, 685, 695, and 699 toward satisfying major requirements. No more than 4 units of BECA 685 may count toward the degree/major, and no more than 6 units from any other individual course may be counted toward the major.

 

Transfer Students: Students transferring to the BECA program from a California community college or other institution should strive to complete the SF State Lower Division Transfer Pattern. Transfer students are encouraged to complete the equivalent of ENG 214 and BECA 200, 230/231, and 240/241 before matriculation to SF State. Many of the transfer equivalents to these courses are offered at California community colleges and can be verified via the Assist Website (http://www.assist.org). Please contact a faculty advisor if your course is not listed on the Website. Up to 9 units of courses from California community colleges may be directly applied to fulfilling BECA major requirements.

 

Mandatory Advising

Although students in the major are encouraged to meet with a major advisor every semester, majors are required to meet with a faculty advisor at the following points in their study:

 

1. Upon completion of the prerequisite core (BECA 200, 300, and 340). Students must have an advisor’s signature on the department’s proof of completion form in order to enroll in the production sequence or other advanced classes.
2. When the student has two full semesters remaining before graduation (typically 18 to 25 units left to complete in the major) the student must obtain the department’s graduation checklist/course equivalency form from beca.sfsu.edu or the BECA office. Faculty advisors will assist students in completing the checklist and will approve transfer course equivalencies. In addition, the student will be asked to list on the form a proposed "itinerary" of required and elective courses to be taken in the last two semesters. This advising is meant to help the student graduate in a timely manner. The form must be signed by the advisor.
3. For approval of the application for graduation: The application must be signed by the advisor and the department chair.

 

Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (B.A.) — 45 units

Areas of Emphasis

Twenty units of elective courses in BECA or related areas are required for the major. These courses should be upper division and should be taken within one of the areas of emphasis listed below or in an individualized area of emphasis designed by a student in consultation with a department advisor.

 

The areas of emphasis are advisory and are meant to provide guidance for students so they develop extensive knowledge or expertise in one subject area. Students should meet regularly with a department advisor to decide which specific courses to take and how many to choose from the ones listed for a given emphasis.

 

Upon approval of a departmental advisor, units used in the 20-unit block of electives may include transfer units from another college or university, as well as units taken in other departments in this University. BECA department courses identified as core classes, but not used to fulfill core unit requirements, may be included in the 20 units of electives. Variable topic and experimental courses and senior seminars (BECA 495, 595, and 600) may also be included in the 20 units of electives.

 

Sample Emphasis Areas with Possible Courses

Audio Production and Music Recording
BECA 330, 335, 430, 433, 435, 530, 533, 535, 576, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Electronic Media Journalism
BECA 460, 462, 550, 560, 561, 562, 576, 591, 660, 665, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Business Aspects of Electronic Media
BECA 324, 423, 428, 505, 576, 623, 640, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Educational and Instructional Media
BECA 370, 425, 536, 546, 576, 580, 626, 640, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Electronic Media Theory and Criticism
BECA 321, 324, 390, 422, 460, 485, 487, 490, 500, 576, 590, 600, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Interactive Media
BECA 390, 547, 549, 590, 591, 593, 626, 648, 670, 693, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Radio Production and Programming
BECA 305, 310, 435, 505, 510, 576, 665, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Television/Video Production
BECA 370, 415, 425, 440, 462, 515, 516, 545, 546, 547, 549, 555, 562, 576, 580, 640, 646, 647, 648, 655, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Writing for the Electronic Media
BECA 370, 425, 462, 470, 560, 561, 562, 570, 576, 670, and/or other courses by advisement

 

Master of Arts in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts

Admission to Program

Graduate students are accepted twice a year, for fall and spring semesters. Students wishing to enter the master's program must apply to the University and, separately, to the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts department. Both applications must be received between November 1 and December 15 for the fall semester, and between September 1 and October 15 for the spring semester. Both University and departmental files must be complete by the last day of the application period (December 15 or October 15). Applicants for fall admission are notified of departmental recommendation regarding admissions in early February. Applicants for spring admission are notified of departmental recommendation regarding admissions in mid November. The official notice of admission status is forwarded to the applicant by the University's Division of Graduate Studies.

 

Applicants must meet all university requirements for admission, which includes a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or better . Applications to the department must include:

1. BECA department graduate application available through the department website (http://beca.sfsu.edu/programs);
2. Applicant's statement of purpose in pursuing the M.A. degree;
3. Three letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a former teacher;
4. Transcripts of all previous college work;
5. Current Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be submitted to both the University and the department. The department requires a minimum GRE Analytical Writing score of 4.5.

 

Before applying to either the University or the department, send for descriptive materials about the program and details on how to apply. Write to: Graduate Coordinator, BECA department, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132. This information may also be obtained on-line at http://beca.sfsu.edu or by e-mail at becagrad@sfsu.edu.

 

Although undergraduate preparation in media or communication is desirable, students from other academic disciplines who have demonstrated interest in the electronic media are encouraged to apply. Students may be required to take up to 14 units of undergraduate courses as prerequisites. All students must take BECA 200, 340, and one introductory production sequence (either 230 and 231 or 240 and 241), or equivalents. Students who choose a creative project involving production as their culminating experience may be required to take both audio and video production (230 and 231 plus 240 and 241). These prerequisites may not be used as part of the Advancement to Candidacy.

 

Students are admitted to the program in conditionally classified status. Students must advance to classified status by:

1. Completing or demonstrating knowledge of the content of the prerequisite courses;
2. Completing BECA 700 with a grade of B or better;
3. Demonstrating Level One Written English Proficiency (see below); AND
4. Submitting the Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) form to the SF State Division of Graduate Studies.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Each graduate student must demonstrate the ability to write standard American English correctly and effectively. To assure that each graduate student has the desired proficiency in written English, two distinct assessments are made by the:
Level One (preadmission) writing is demonstrated with an Analytical Writing score on the GRE of 4.5 or higher. Students who fail to demonstrate Level One writing preadmission may be admitted conditionally, but they will be required to take remedial writing courses before enrolling in 700-level or 800-level courses other than BECA 700 and BECA 702. The remedial writing classes cannot be used on the ATC. This requirement may delay the student’s progress through the program.
Level Two: advanced level of writing proficiency id demonstrated by successfully completing the master's written comprehensive examination, the master's thesis, or the creative project.

 

International Students

The department welcomes applications from international students. Many distinguished alumni of the program are working in media industries around the world. International students should note the special requirements that pertain to them presented on these pages. Questions should be directed to the BECA graduate coordinator, the Office of International Programs or the Divsion of Graduate Studies.

 

Advancement to Candidacy

In order to advance to candidacy, applicants must be in classified graduate standing and have an approved ATC form on file.

 

Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (M.A.) — minimum 31 units

The minimum requirement for graduation is 30 units. Because of individual student background, needs, interests, and advisor recommendations, the graduate student may be required to complete more than 30 units.

 

Students must consult with an advisor before determining which one of three culminating experience options they will pursue.

 

Master's Thesis. Students who pursue the master's thesis option must complete a written master's thesis, a scholarly document that reports on some kind of original research. The research builds upon theory, and addresses one or more research questions or tests one or more hypotheses. Research questions or hypotheses reflect a scope appropriate for M.A.-level work. Research methods are selected for their appropriateness to the question or problem at hand.

 

Master's Written Comprehensive Examination. Students who pursue the examination option must complete a written comprehensive examination while they are enrolled in BECA 896. The examination will be created by a committee that is appointed by the instructor of BECA 896. A candidate who fails the written comprehensive examination may re-take it once.

 

Master's Creative Project. Students who pursue the creative project option must execute a project, the scope of which is defined by the student in collaboration with a committee of three faculty members, and prepare a written document to accompany the project. The project may take the form of a production created for the broadcast or electronic media, a script for such a production, or another type of product that employs the broadcast or electronic media. The accompanying document provides an introduction; a statement of the project's significance, value, and objectives; a literature review; a description of the creative methodology employed; a discussion of the completed project; a conclusion; and a production appendix. The faculty may require additional coursework to demonstrate evidence of ability to complete a creative project.