MSCM FACULTY
AND STAFF
Dr. Mary Jean Land
Department Chair
212 Terrell Hall
maryjean.land@gcsu.edu
Dr. Kaylene Armstrong
224 Terrell Hall
kaylene.armstrong@gcsu.edu
Angela Criscoe
203 Terrell Hall
angela.criscoe@gcsu.edu
Dr. Kristin English
204 Terrell Hall
kristin.english@gcsu.edu
Dr. Jennifer Green
223 Terrell Hall
jennifer.green@gcsu.edu
Macon McGinley
208 Terrell Hall
macon.mcginley@gcsu.edu
Doug Monroe
201 Terrell Hall
douglas.monroe@gcsu.edu
Amanda Respess
209 Terrell Hall
amanda.respess@gcsu.edu
Dr. James Schiffman
225 Terrell Hall
james.schiffman@gcsu.edu
Dr. Ashley Torrence
210 Terrell Hall
ashley.torrence@gcsu.edu
Tommie Benton
Secretary
211 Terrell Hall
tommie.benton@gcsu.edu
Hope Buchanan
Pre-MSCM Advisor
Center for Student Success
hope.buchanan@gcsu.edu
DEPARTMENT OF
MASS COMMUNICATION
2014 – 2015 Handbook
B.A. DEGREE WITH A MAJOR IN MASS COMMUNICATION (MSCM)
AT GEORGIA COLLEGE
The Mass Communication major provides students with a versatile, diverse, and
platform-neutral curriculum much like the modern media landscape. The curriculum
reflects changes in the mass communication field, specifically the convergence of various
new technologies and functions affecting how journalism, public relations, advertising,
broadcast and media professionals work on a daily basis.
The Mass Communication major prepares students for a career in all forms of digital
media in the mass communication industry. In this curriculum, students may choose from
a variety of skills based courses and convergent electives.
Prior to admission to the major, students take two Mass Communication courses (MSCM
2201 Media Literacy and MSCM 2205 Professional Media Writing). After meeting
admission requirements and being accepted into the major, students take MSCM 3306,
Mass Communication Theory and Research. Students then select four courses from a set
of skills courses. Students may select their skills courses from any of the three pools:
Strategic Communication, Hybrid, and Journalism. They also take two practicums, two
convergent media electives and MSCM 3300, Mass Media Law & Ethics. In their senior
year, students will take a Senior Career Development Course, a Capstone course, and an
internship.
The Strategic Communication pool prepares students for careers in public relations and
advertising. Courses include MSCM 3320 Media Management, MSCM 3351 Message
Creation, MSCM 3352 Advanced Strategic Writing, MSCM 3353 Strategic Planning,
and more.
The Journalism pool prepares students for careers in a rapidly changing, converging, and
evolving field once characterized by sharp divisions such as broadcast and print. Courses
in this pool include MSCM 3365 Community Journalism, MSCM 3312 Investigative
Journalism, MSCM 3314 Narrative Journalism, MSCM 3321 Shooting for News and
more.
The Hybrid pool prepares students for careers involving new knowledge and skills
traditionally associated with a variety of mass communication fields. Courses in this pool
include MSCM 3323 Publication Editing, MSCM 3326 Feature Writing, MSCM 3341
Media Interviewing & Listening, MSCM 3343 Media Design, MSCM 3345 Multimedia
Storytelling and more.
Rebecca Neal
MSCM Advisor
Center for Student Success
rebecca.neal@gcsu.edu
Georgia College  Department of Mass Communication  Campus Box 32  Milledgeville, GA 31061-0490
10/01/14
ADMISSION TO THE MAJOR
THE COLONNADE
Phone 478-445-4511
All students (current students, entering freshmen and transfer
students) who wish to major in MSCM will be classified as preMSCM majors. Students will be classified as MSCM majors after
meeting admission requirements and receiving official acceptance
by the faculty.
Founded in 1923, The Colonnade is GC’s award-winning student
newspaper, offering positions in reporting, editing, photography,
design, public relations and advertising sales. The Colonnade is a
training ground for future journalists. Students who work on The
Colonnade have gone on to professional careers in journalism,
public relations, advertising and broadcasting. The Colonnade
offers paid staff positions, and the editor is elected annually. The
staff is active in the Georgia College Press Association, the
Southeast Journalism Conference, and it annually attends the
Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• 2.75 overall GPA
• Completion of at least 36 hours
• Completion with a C or better in all of the following:
Media Literacy (MSCM 2201)
Professional Media Writing (MSCM 2205)
ENGL 1101
ENGL 1102
MATH 2600
Students wishing to be considered for application must submit the
completed application to the pre-MSCM advisor. Applications can
be found in the MSCM Office, in the Mass Communication
Handbook or online at http://www.gcsu.edu/masscomm. Students
may submit applications any time after meeting above
requirements.
OTHER INFORMATION
Any student who receives more than one grade of D or F in any
MSCM course(s) will be ineligible to continue in the major, subject
to appeal to the department faculty and the department chair.
Students who are found guilty of misconduct at the university level,
including but not limited to cheating or plagiarism, will not be
allowed to apply/remain in the major.
No more than three journalism and/or mass communication courses
totaling 9 hours completed prior to admission to the major may be
applied toward requirements for the BA in Mass Communication.
This includes courses taken at GC as well as any courses taken at
other institutions. All courses over three will be placed in excess
credit.
______________________________________________________
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN MASS
COMMUNICATION
GC360 News
GC360 is our student-run television newscast. Students cover a
beat, produce, direct and learn all aspects of a real newscast. With
faculty supervision, students learn how newscasts function by
actually doing one. Students are allowed to take this course up to
three times for credit.
Advisor: James Schiffman
james.schiffman@gcsu.edu
10/01/14
SOCIETY FOR PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
Georgia College Chapter
The Society of Professional Journalists was founded in 1909 and, as
the organization’s website states, “is dedicated to the perpetuation
of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.” The
Georgia College chapter of SPJ offers an opportunity for students to
learn about journalist values and practices and gain insights through
activities that include meeting practitioners. This is a time of
ferment, challenge, and change in American journalism, and being
involved in SPJ is an avenue for students to engage in the
reinvention of journalism for the digital age.
Advisor: James Schiffman
james.schiffman@gcsu.edu
WGUR 95.3 FM The Noise
Phone 478-445-1694
WGUR 95.3 FM offers professional radio opportunities for all
Georgia College students. The station encourages students to
develop broadcasting skills in a variety of station areas such as:
announcing, news and sportscasting, promotion, public relations,
advertising, production and station management. The WGUR staff
regularly participates in campus activities, events and live radio
remote broadcasts in the community.
Advisor: Angela Criscoe
angela.criscoe@gcsu.edu
PUBLIC RELATIONS STUDENT SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Bobcat PRSSA
Email: bobcatprssa@gmail.com
Bobcat PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) is a
student organization, chartered with the national Public Relations
Society of America (PRSA) since 2008 to provide professional
development for students at Georgia College interested in careers in
strategic communication. The organization serves the campus and
local community through their use of public relations skills and
projects. Students engage in various activities including
professional speakers, workshops, attending state and national
events and working with the student PR agency, SpectrumPR.
Advisor: Kristin English
kristin.english@gcsu.edu
PRACTICUMS
INTERNSHIPS
The goal of all MSCM practicums is to prepare our students and
give them the skills they need to be successful in their internships
and beyond.
Overview
The internship allows MSCM majors practical experience in a mass
communication field off campus in a supervised and educational
setting.
Practicums are supervised fieldwork completed on-campus for one
of the student media outlets or a university department that give
MSCM majors an opportunity to gain practical experience and
develop both their skill set and their professional portfolio. Each
practicum has an on-site supervisor and an academic supervisor.
Do You Qualify?
You must meet these guidelines before you begin your internship.
Every MSCM major must complete two practicums as part of the
degree requirements. Each completed practicum is worth one credit
hour. At least one of the two practicums must be for student media,
including The Colonnade (newspaper), WGUR (radio) or GC360
(television).
A student’s second practicum may be for an on-campus department
or organization. For example, an academic program such as the
Math Department may request a MSCM practicum student to
design a new brochure for prospective students or create a
promotional video.
Regardless of where students complete their practicum, every
student must follow the same procedures:
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Register for MSCM 2930 – Practicum
Attend the initial practicum informational session at the
beginning of the semester
Interview with the on-site practicum supervisor(s)
Submit a signed contract for the practicum he/she obtains
through the interview process*
Complete a minimum of 45 hours of work during the
duration of the semester
Submit a midterm progress report
Submit a final report and work samples
On-site supervisors also submit an evaluation for each
student, which contributes to the student’s overall grade
for the practicum
*All practicum contracts must be finalized and submitted before the
end of the drop/add period of each semester.
Each student works with his/her on-site supervisor to establish a
meeting and work schedule for the semester. Both the student and
the on-site supervisor are required to update the academic
supervisor on a regular basis. Off-campus practicums are not
permitted. Two practicums may not be taken concurrently.
M
S
C
1.
10/01/14
3.
2.
Junior status
3.
Completed four MSCM Skills courses
4.
Take ONLY MSCM 4960, Internship Course. (Students
may not take any other classes during the semester they are
completing their internship.)
Identify a mass communication internship opportunity that will
allow you to complete at least 300 hours
Set up Career Connection Account
www.gcsu.edu/career/internships.htm and receive approval
from MSCM internship coordinator and on-site supervisor.
Register online for MSCM 4960, and pay for the class.
Start Your Internship
Once you have found an internship and completed the 3 Steps to
Register, then you can begin working for your internship employer.
The internship course is conducted online in D2L,
http://vista.gcsu.edu. Here you can find a syllabus and course
assignments to complete. These assignments factor into your
final internship grade.

Online post introducing your internship.

Online post of responsibilities, evaluation of the opportunity
and reflection of your experience

Final Paper-Requirements
 3-5 typed pages
 Number of internship hours
 Summary of internship activities, opinions and
samples of work completed.
 Application of theories, concepts and processes
learned from classes
 Explanation of civic responsibilities

Completion of a minimum of 300 hours

Midterm and final evaluations
M
Mass Communication
Minimum 2.5 GPA
3 Steps to Register:
2.
1.
2.
1.
Application for Admission to the
Department of Mass Communication
1. Complete the application.
2. Attach a copy of your most recent tranguide.
3. Attach a current resume. (Resume is for informational purposes only.)
4. Return all materials to the MSCM office, 211 Terrell Hall.
Please print.
Date: ____________________
Name: ____________________________________________________________GCID # 911____________________________
Phone Number(s): __________________________________
Your acceptance letter will be emailed to you. Please provide your GCSU email _______________________________________
@bobcats.gcsu.edu and your non-GCSU email _________________________________________________________________
Please select one area of interest: (for advising purposes only)
____ Strategic Communication
____ Hybrid
____ Journalism
I request _________________ as my department mentor
(optional) Please note: This request is not guaranteed.
Application Checklist:
____ Attach a current copy of my resume
____ Attach a current copy of my tranguide
____ Completed ENGL 1101 and ENGL 1102 with a C or better
____ Completed MSCM 2201 and MSCM 2205 with a C or better
____ Completed MATH 2600 with a C or better
____ Completed a minimum of 36 credit hours
____ Completed no more than 9 MSCM credit hours
____ GPA of at least 2.75
My career goal is: _________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
___________________________________________
Student’s Signature
MSCM Advisor’s Signature
__________________________________________
___________________________________________
Date
Date
For Department Use Only
Grades in
Hours completed
Overall GPA
Resume attached
Tranguide attached
# of MSCM hours
MSCM 2201
MSCM 2205
ENGL 1101
ENGL 1102
MATH 2600
Updated 6/10/10
10/01/14
_______
_______
_______
_______
_______
Date: __________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
Reviewed by: _____________________
Application approved? _____________
Notification sent: __________________
Mentor: _________________________