Mass Communication

126 Phelps Hall (507.457.5474)
Email: MSCM@winona.edu
Ronald Elcombe (Chairperson)

Faculty

Ajit Daniel, Professor; BA, St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, India; BS, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; MS, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; PhD, The Union Institute; 1982 -
Daniel Eastman, Professor; BA, Western Washington University; MFA, Wayne State University; MFA, Bard College; 1989 -
Ronald Elcombe, Professor; BS, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; MM, Mankato State University; PhD, The Union Institute; 1991 -
Tom Grier, Professor; BA, MA, Winona State University; EdD, University of Minnesota; 1989 -
Cindy Killion, Professor; BJ, University of Missouri-Columbia; MA, University of Oklahoma; PhD, University of Oregon; 1992 -
Tanya A. Ryan, Assistant Professor; BA, Winona State University; MA, Bethel University; 2008 -
John Vivian, Professor; AB, Gonzaga University; MSJ, Northwestern University; 1981 -

Mission

It is the mission of the Mass Communication Department of Winona State University to provide students with the concepts and skills necessary to prepare them to critically evaluate and develop media messages, to be socially responsible citizens of today’s world and to advance their chosen careers.

Mass Communication is about the content, both visual and verbal; the processes, conception through delivery; and the impact, on both individuals and the society, of mediated messages. This revised curriculum teaches about the content, processes and impacts of mediated messages through the following five perspectives:

Strategic Persuasive Messages
Images (Motion, Sound and Still)
Informative Messages
Analysis and Synthesis of Media Effects
Virtual and Geographic Influences (Time, Place and Space)

These perspectives lead to the following program student learning outcomes for all options within the major curriculum:

Exhibit conceptual thinking processes in the creation of mediated messages appropriate to his or her option
Produce mediated messages appropriate to his or her option
Understand the methods by which mediated messages are delivered
Be able to evaluate the effectiveness and the effects of mediated messages on individuals and society

Purpose

Mass media are needed in a free society to inform, survey, protect, and enlighten. The mass communication faculty members instill students with a strong sense of responsibility to serve the community and society. Faculty members also provide practical experience in producing mass media content.

Practicing professionals are frequent guests. Mass communication students have many opportunities to apply theory to practice in laboratories, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs including:

KQAL, a full-service 1,800-watt departmental radio station serving an average weekly listening audience of 15,000.
Winona360, an innovative multimedia website that is both a learning laboratory for students and a real-world, general interest news site.
Bravura, a laboratory publication with a circulation of 17,000.
A fully functioning wet darkroom in which intermediate and advanced students produce black-and-white photographs.
Television broadcast facilities in which students produce programs for a variety of audiences; programs are broadcast on the local cable channel.
Multimedia labs for print, web, broadcasting, and other projects.
A “creative corner” in which students can brainstorm project ideas.
Campus chapters of the American Advertising Federation (AdFed), National Broadcasting Society (and its affiliate, Alpha Epsilon Rho), Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Society for Collegiate Journalists, and the National Press Photographers Association.
Many other opportunities to work in student and professional media activities both on and off campus.

Mass communication majors choose an option for their coursework in advertising, electronic media, journalism, photography/digital imaging, or public relations. The curriculum offers students opportunities to develop skills in oral, visual, and written communication; gain an understanding of media law, ethics, and theory; and receive theoretical and practical experience in an area of special interest.

To assist students in planning, the department prepares a list of planned courses on a two- and four-year plan. Students may contact the Mass Communication Department for a copy of the prepared plans.

Pass/No Credit (P/NC) Courses

All courses in the mass communication major and minor, with the exception of internships, are offered on a grade-only basis.

Additional Graduation Requirements

For a checklist of the University’s graduation requirements, see the Academic Policies & University Requirements section of this catalog. Specific requirements for mass communication majors/minors are as follows:

All mass communication majors must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to graduate.
Mass communication majors must have a cumulative WSU GPA of 2.5 or higher to register for most mass communication courses.
Mass communication majors and minors must earn a grade of “C” or better in all mass communication courses and all additional courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a mass communication major.
All mass communication majors must submit an assessment portfolio prior to graduation.
To graduate from WSU with a mass communication degree in any option, a student transferring credits must satisfy requirements from the appropriate option including 12 credit hours earned at WSU in mass communication courses at the 300-level or above.

General Education Intensive Requirements

Students may use intensives to satisfy both General Education Intensive Requirements and major requirements. Intensives will usually be in the student’s major or minor program. The Mass Communication Department offers the following intensives in the General Education Intensives program:

Intensive courses that can be used to satisfy mass communication major/minor requirements are identified in the lists of required courses and electives in this section.