Whether you plan to spend your career online, in a laboratory setting, or at a business, you'll need to communicate ideas clearly and easily. A minor in Mass Communication is designed for students interested in the general principles of broadcasting, journalism, and public relations.
Course Catalog
A complete list of minor requirements and courses are available in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog.
Requirements
The minor requirements consist of the two courses listed below in addition to four 300-level or 400-level Mass Communication courses. Each concentration (broadcasting, journalism, and public relations) also has specific course requirements.
-
CMST 103: History of Mass Media 3 Hours
The history of newspapers, books, magazines, radio, television, cinema, recording industry, and the internet, focusing on current events, civic responsibilities and the role, value of diversity when appropriate. Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course.
-
CMST 210: Newswriting and Reporting I 3 Hours
Recognizing news, gathering information, and writing news. Though the emphasis is on newspaper journalism, this is a foundational news writing course for all mass communication majors and minors. Prerequisites: EH 102 [Min Grade: B] or EH 107 [Min Grade: B]
Broadcasting
A minor in Mass Communication with a concentration in broadcasting involves the requires CMST 103 and CMST 210 as well as the courses outlined below.
-
CMST 283: Visual Media Production I 3 Hours
Intro to digital video production camera operation, framing, composition, lighting and audio with both multi-camera and single camera applications.
-
CMST 320: Introduction to Advertising 3 Hours
Survey of methods, techniques, and strategy involved in creating an advertising campaign.
-
CMST 365: Social Media Strategy and Management 3 Hours
Basics of strategic design and management for social media.
-
CMST 366: Digital Design and Animation 3 Hours
Basics of design for digital media, including web and motion graphics.
-
CMST 370: Introduction to Broadcast Media 3 Hours
Broadcasting and digital technology, history of radio and television, economics of broadcasting, government regulation of industry, and assessment of media in society.
-
CMST 383: Visual Media Production II 3 Hours
Advanced digital video production for media applications on the web, television and film.
Prerequisites: CMST 283 [Min Grade: C] or MC 283 [Min Grade: C]
-
CMST 483: Visual Media Production III 3 Hours
Applied advanced digital video production.
Prerequisites: CMST 383 [Min Grade: C] or MC 383 [Min Grade: C]
Journalism
A minor in Mass Communication with a concentration in journalism involves the requires CMST 103 and CMST 210 as well as the courses outlined below.
-
CMST 305: Applied Communication Theory 3 Hours
Major theoretical approaches to issues involved in human communication. Various psychological and sociological conceptualizations of communication process.
-
CMST 309: Interviewing 3 Hours
Theory and practice in various types of interviews, such as employment, counseling, research, and journalistic.
-
CMST 339: Introduction to Public Relations 3 Hours
Survey of public relations in the United States. Relationships among marketing, advertising and public relations.
-
CMST 356: Propaganda and Public Persuasion 3 Hours
Theory and practice of propaganda with emphasis on mass media as tools of propagandist. Nazi, Soviet, and U.S. propaganda analyzed and critiqued in context of communication theory and ethics.
-
CMST 413: Nonverbal Communication 3 Hours
Elements of nonverbal behavior (physical appearance, gestures, space, voice) which affect communication in person-to-person situations.
Public Relations
A minor in Mass Communication with a concentration in public relations involves the requires CMST 103 and CMST 210 as well as the courses outlined below.
-
CMST 339: Introduction to Public Relations 3 Hours
Survey of public relations in the United States. Relationships among marketing, advertising and public relations.
-
CMST 340: Public Relations Principles 3 Hours
Relationship of business, industrial, educational, health, and service institutions to audiences. Public relations as management function in areas of communication analysis, counseling, and public information activities.
Prerequisites: (CMST 210 [Min Grade: C] or MC 210 [Min Grade: C]) and (CMST 339 [Min Grade: C] or CM 339 [Min Grade: C] or MC 339 [Min Grade: C])
-
CMST 365: Social Media Strategy and Management 3 Hours
Basics of strategic design and management for social media.
-
CMST 440: Public Relations Methods I 3 Hours
Planning and executing ongoing programs and campaigns to improve organizational and institutional relations with publics. Preparing and distributing news releases, reports, letters, pamphlets, position papers, public statements, speeches, and backgrounders.
Prerequisites: CMST 340 [Min Grade: C] or MC 340 [Min Grade: C]
-
CMST 442: Conducting Public Relations Campaigns 3 Hours
National and local programs that illustrate good and bad practices. Student teams research, plan, and design public relations campaign for client.
Prerequisites: CMST 210 [Min Grade: C] and CMST 339 [Min Grade: C] and CMST 340 [Min Grade: C] and CMST 400 [Min Grade: C]
Ready to Apply?
All the information you need to apply can be found on UAB's Undergraduate Admissions Hub.