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Advertising/Integrated Marketing Communications

Students in the advertising/integrated marketing communications specialization learn to analyze problems in and identify solutions for the promotion of goods and services through integrated marketing communications. They develop skills in verbal and visual communication and presentation of IMC materials. The program prepares students to enter a wide variety of positions with marketing communications firms (including advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and direct marketing agencies,) in the communications media and with retail or manufacturing firms.

Broadcast News

The rewarding aspects of a broadcast news career are in the gathering, reporting, producing, and broadcasting of information needed by members of the local, national, and world communities. Students enrolled in the broadcast news sequence take part in a concentrated program involving all facets of broadcast journalism. Courses are designed to give students opportunities for practical experience using the SIUC Broadcasting Service PBS/NPR stations, WSIU-TV and WSIU-FM and the student-operated radio station WIDB.

Cinema Studies & Production

The cinema studies curriculum takes a liberal arts approach to the study of the history, criticism, and theory of cinema. Courses address a range of topics in the areas of film analysis and film theory, film styles and genres, film authors, and the histories of documentary, experimental, and narrative film. Cinema studies prepares students for advanced academic work as well as for careers in film criticism for magazines and newspapers; in film programming for museums, festivals, and universities; and in the expanding area of film distribution.

The moving image is the basis for the cinema production emphasis. Students may work independently or in group productions in one or more of the following modes: documentary, experimental, narrative, or animation. Courses include writing for film, animation, digital postproduction, optical printing and advanced synch sound production. Students choose careers as independent filmmakers, or with a large organization producing entertainment, documentation, learning aids and experimental statements.

Digital Communications

The digital communication specialization curriculum is designed to give students a high level of competence to function as content developers, a strong sense of aesthetics and design, more hands-on technical instruction, and a deep understanding of the principles of networked audio/visual communication used in print and electronic media.

Electronic Media Marketing & Management

The Marketing and Media Management concentration focuses on the business side of radio, television, cable and new media. Students receive skill training in such areas as copywriting, audience research, technology, programming, promotion, sales, and sports marketing. Many students majoring in this area will often choose a SIU Business School program as a minor.

News-Editorial Journalism

As the communication revolution expands the ways in which news and information can be presented, the need increases for individuals with the ability to prepare and present news and information precisely and accurately for a variety of media. Students in the news-editorial specialization receive practical training in the theory and practice of identifying, gathering, processing, interpreting, writing, and presenting news for traditional print and for new computer-based media on the Internet. The news-editorial program prepares students for professions in which the ability to communicate to a mass audience is essential.

Fine Art & Applied Photography

The fine art photography emphasis encourages students to realize a personal vision. Students study topics such as digital imaging, large format photography, sensitometry, and advanced color photography. Experimental applications of these tools are presented in courses covering non-silver photography and experimental darkroom and camera techniques. Studio workshops and advanced topics courses allow for individual artistic expression, as well as for investigation of special topics such as presentation and publication methods, the landscape, and environmental portraiture.

The applied photography emphasis explores the fields of advertising, illustration and publication/editorial photography while stressing original concepts. Through their coursework, students learn professional skills in large format photography, digital imaging and sensitometry.

Photojournalism

Students in the photojournalism specialization develop the photographic and news reporting skills necessary to communicate visually with a mass audience through contemporary media, printed and electronic. Photojournalism students receive practical training in gathering, writing, photographing, editing, and presenting news and feature stories in which the essential information is photographic. The program prepares photojournalists who are fully aware of the power of the photograph, are well-grounded in the legal and ethical traditions of the profession, and are practically prepared to make a significant contribution to contemporary journalism.

Radio/Audio Production

Students in the audio production sequence gain practical experience including on-air and production work in the radio industry, music recording, and audio production for video or multi-media. Audio production courses combine a strong design base with practical experience. Class projects are produced in a digital multi-track studio environment and lab exercises closely parallel industry activities in the creation of commercials and documentaries. Production students take advantage of the many opportunities available to them at WIDB Cable FM, WSIU-FM, and STUDIO A CAFE as well as at recording studios and production houses in Chicago, Nashville, St. Louis and Hollywood.

Television/Video Production

In the Television/Video Specialization, students complete courses in one of three areas of concentration: corporate video, video production, or writing.

Students in the corporate video concentration learn to manage projects in a professional environment. The coursework is practical and focuses on dealing with clients, creative problem solving, script writing, studio and location production, working with graphic artists, post-production, and future trends.

Students in the video production concentration learn all aspects of program production from concept development through scripting to online editing. Courses provide a solid background in both studio and field work. Production students may also work with WSIU/WUSI-TV, or with the student-produced program "River Region Evening Edition" on WSIU/WUSI-TV.

Students in the writing concentration learn the art of writing for both broadcast and non-broadcast media. Courses provide a solid foundation in various aspects of writing including news, advertising, screenwriting, drama and comedy.

Information Technology Minor

The Information Technology (ITEC) minor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale prepares graduates with hands-on experience in: solving problems with information and communication technologies; reviewing policies on information technologies and their impact on individuals and society; and mastering basic tools and concepts of digital media production. You can find out more about this minor at the ITEC website at http://itec.siu.edu.