Broadcast and Cinematic Arts (BCA)               Course Schedules

The complete description of the Department of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts is found in the College of Communication & Fine Arts.

Descriptions of courses approved for the University Program appear in italic type.

BCA 210 Survey of the Mass Media 4(4-0) F, Sp, Su
Examination of historical, political, economic, social, and legal evolution of the mass media with special emphasis on electronic media. Open to all students.

BCA 222 Audio Production 3(1-4) F, Sp, Su
The art and craft of studio and remote audio production. Prerequisite: BCA 210 with a grade of C or better.

BCA 223 Video Production 3(1-4) F, Sp, Su
Introductory course in video studio systems. Emphasis on structuring and integrating the various production elements that comprise video presentations. Prerequisite: BCA 210 with a grade of C or better.

BCA 288 History and Appreciation of the Cinema 3(2-2) F, Sp, Su
History and critical analysis of outstanding fiction films and film-makers. Innovations from early silents to the present. (Group I-A)
 

BCA 290 French Film and Other Media 3(3-0) D
French cinema in historical and cultural context; works of Gance, Clair, Renoir, Carne` and New Wave; overview of other media; includes field trip to France. (Taught in English. Does not count toward the French major or minor.) Prerequisites: Not open to first semester freshmen. Because the course involves international travel, all students must apply through the Office of International Education. (Group I-A)

BCA 300 African and African American Film 3(3-0) Sp
Examination of films by and about Africans and African Americans. First part of course deals with African and second part with African American films. Prerequisite: sophomore status. (Group I-B)

BCA 310 Broadcast History and New Media Technology 3(3-0) F, Sp
History of U.S. broadcasting with an emphasis on industrial, social, policy, and technological changes in electronic media. Prerequisite: BCA 210 with a grade of C or better.

BCA 311 Broadcast and Cable Copywriting 3(3-0) F, Sp, Su
Practice in the pervasive short forms of audio and video writing: commercials, continuity, public service announcements, and campaign evolution. Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of B or better or ENG 201 with a grade of B or better.

BCA 317 Radio and TV Performance 3(2-2) F, Sp, Su
Study of, and laboratory experience in, common electronic media performance situations. Prerequisite: BCA 210 with a grade of C or better.

BCA 318 Radio and Television News 3(3-0) F, Sp
Techniques and principles of writing and producing news copy for electronic media. Identical to JRN 318. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: ENG 101 with a grade of B or better or ENG 201 with a grade of B or better.; BCA 210 with a grade of C or better.

BCA 320 Special Topics in Mass Media 1-9(Spec) D
Current topics listed in semester Schedule of Classes. Repeatable when content does not duplicate previous special topics studies. Maximum credit, nine hours. Prerequisites: BCA 210 with a grade of C or better; or permission of instructor.

BCA 329 Practicum in Electronic Media 1-8(Spec) F, Sp, Su
Directed experience at departmental broadcast, cable and electronic news facilities. Maximum of 8 hours applicable to degree program. Only 4 hours can count toward a BCA major and 2 hours toward a minor. CR/NC only. Prerequisite: permission of instructor .

BCA 421 Advanced Audio Production 3(2-2) F, Sp
Study and practice in stereophonic and multitrack recording, mixing, and editing for media and industry. Prerequisites: BCA 222 with a grade of "C" or better.

BCA 422 Intermediate Video Production 3(2-2) F, Sp
Intensive hands-on broadcast, cable, and corporate video production with concentration on the acquisition of studio and field production skills. Prerequisite: BCA 223 with a grade of "C" or better.

BCA 490 Independent Study 1-4(Spec) F, Sp, Su
Student-initiated study guided by faculty or faculty committee. Maximum of 4 hours may be applied to degree. Does not fulfill requirements for a minimum of six 400-500 level hours of electives in major. Prerequisite: 3.0 overall GPA; permission of instructor.

BCA 499 Senior Seminar 1(0-2) F, Sp
Capstone assessment of the student's professional strengths and weaknesses plus refinement of strategies for establishing a successful post-graduate career. Prerequisites: Signed BCA major or minor and senior standing. Must be taken in one of the last two semesters prior to graduation.

BCA 503 - Critiquing Mass Media 3(3-0) F, Sp, Su
Critical appraisal of mass communications systems and their content. Special attention to the electronic media's aesthetic properties and societal effects. Prerequisite: BCA 210 with a grade of C or better.

BCA 505 Advanced Electronic Media Writing 3(3-0) F
Intensive work in refining copy and full-length scripts. Audio and video writing strategies and coordination skills with special emphasis on the functioning of the creative team. Prerequisite: BCA 311; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 510 Broadcast and Cable Law 3(3-0) F, Sp, Su
Regulation of the electronic media. Examination of legal and administrative materials and cases. Prerequisites: BCA 310, 503; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 511 Broadcast and Cable Sales 3(3-0) F, Sp
Organizational systems and processes of radio, television, and cable sales. Emphasis on selling techniques found most reliable in modern sales practices. Prerequisite: BCA 210 with a grade of C or better; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 512 Broadcast and Cable Promotion 3(3-0) F, Sp, Su
Tools and techniques of promotion for radio, television, and cable. Emphasis on media needs, community relations, and problems unique to the electronic media promoter. Prerequisites: BCA 210 with a grade of C or better; BCA 311; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 515 Sports Broadcasting 3(2-2) Sp
Overview of the sports broadcasting industry. Emphasis on tools and techniques of live-event production and electronic sports reporting. Prerequisites: BCA 222 or BCA 223; BCA 210, BCA 317 each with "C" or better.

BCA 516 Broadcast and Cable Management 3(3-0) F
Management in contemporary telecommunications settings. Prerequisite: limited to juniors or above; permission of instructor.

BCA 517 Advanced Audio and Video Performance 3(2-2) F
Study and intensive practice in complex media performance situations. Special emphasis on realistic laboratory experience designed to explore the professional requirements for electronic media talent. Prerequisites: BCA 317 with a grade of “C” or better or permission of instructor.

BCA 518 Advanced Radio and Television News 3(2-2) Sp
Techniques of news gathering, reporting, and interviewing for electronic media. Prerequisite: BCA 318 or JRN 216; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 519 Electronic Media Programming 3(2-2) F
Examination of broadcast/cable programming in terms of recent trends and strategies. Extensive attention to the role and tasks of the program director as manager. Prerequisite: 10 hours in BCA; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 520 Special Topics in Mass Media 1-9 (Spec) D
Current topics for each semester listed in the Schedule of Classes. 3 hours each; maximum credit, 9 hours. Prerequisite: permission of instructor; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 521 Electronic Cinematography 3(2-2) Sp
Theory and practice in the production of short and long form narrative video, with emphasis on the aesthetic aspects of lighting, direction and editing. Prerequisites: BCA 223, BCA 422 with a grade of "C" or better in each; or permission of instructor.

BCA 522 Multimedia Audio Post-Production 3(2-2) F
Advanced recording, editing, sweetening, synchronizing and mixing of audio for selected electronic broadcast and multimedia applications. Prerequisites: BCA 223, BCA 421 with a grade of "C" or better in each; or permission of instructor.

BCA 524 Producing Television News 3(1-4) F, Sp
A practical approach to producing news. Encompasses gathering, writing, producing, and directing news programming over local cable outlets. Prerequisite: BCA 318 or BCA 223, or permission of instructor; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 525 Film Genre Study 3-9(Spec) D
In-depth examination of selected film genres, themes, and trends. Repeatable up to 9 hours when content previously studied is not duplicated. Limited to juniors or above.

BCA 527 Film Directors 3-9(Spec) D
In-depth examination of selected film directors with focus on their themes, visual style, and lives. Critical analysis of films viewed is emphasized. Repeatable up to 9 hours. Prerequisites: BCA 288 or permission of instructor; limited to juniors or above.

BCA 528 History and Analysis of Nonfiction Film 3(2-2) D
History and techniques of the nonfiction film and video. Historical and contemporary examples including news reels, propaganda films, and television documentaries.

BCA 529 Internship in Radio-TV-Film 2-6(Spec) F, Sp, Su
Directed work experience at participating stations, advertising agencies, and other media venues. Students may count a maximum of 6 hours toward a major and 3 hours toward a minor. 2.5 GPA required. Does not fulfill requirement for a minimum of six 400-500 level hours of electives in major. Prerequisites: prior written approval of BCA Intern Director; limited to juniors or above; open only to signed BCA majors or minors.

BCA 531 Corporate Video/Media Production 3(2-2) F
Lecture and intensive hands-on theory, design and production of video and interactive programming specifically for and within institutional/corporate settings. Prerequisites: BCA 223, BCA 422; or permission of instructor.

BCA 532 Advanced Video/Multimedia Post-Production 3(2-2) Sp
Lecture and intensive hands-on theory, design and production of multimedia/interactive digital video, with emphasis on advance post-production technologies and techniques. Prerequisites: BCA 223, BCA 422 with a grade of "C" or better in each; or permission of instructor.

BCA 560 Radio Operations I  3(1-4) Su
Preparation and performance in radio broadcast practices, emphasizing daily operations, writing, logging, and production procedures. Summer Session I only. Laboratory hours arranged with instructor. Prerequisites: Minimum 2.25 GPA, BCA 222 or BCA 317; or permission of instructor.

BCA 561 Radio Operations II 3(1-4) Su
Radio broadcast executive operations, including supervisory and management parameters, goal-setting, and evaluation processes. Summer Session II only. Laboratory hours arranged with instructor. Prerequisites: Minimum 2.25 GPA; BCA 560; BCA 222 or BCA 317; or permission of instructor.

BCA 566 Hockey's Cinematic Depictions 1(1-0) Su
Focused practice in media criticism through analysis of the sport, business and aesthetics of hockey as depicted in benchmark fiction and non-fiction films. Prerequisites: ENG 201; completion of oral English competency requirement.

For 600 and 700 level course descriptions consult the current Graduate Bulletin.

BCA 600 Techniques of Mass Communication Research 3(3-0) F

BCA 611 Telecommunications Media Policy 3(3-0) Sp

BCA 612 Broadcasting/Cable Seminar 3(3-0) Sp

BCA 619 Continuing Registration for Final Research Project 1(1-0)

BCA 625 Film and Video Theory and Criticism 3(3-0) D

BCA 720 Special Topics in Mass Media 3-9(Spec) D

BCA 729 Advanced Independent Study  1-9(Spec) F, Sp, Su

BCA 730 Plan B Project Research 3(3-0) F, Sp, Su

BCA 798 Thesis 1-6(Spec) F, Sp, Su

Credit Limitation. Courses in the department that are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy covering unspecified content or variable credit are 520, 529, 720, and 729.

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