Department of Convergence Media

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Department Coordinator

Dr. Elizabeth Clarke

Faculty

Clarke, Manuel, Quartemont, Young

In a rapidly evolving, increasingly mediated environment, the Department of Convergence Media offers students an innovative approach to media education focused in one of three concentrations - Journalism, Media Production, or Sports Media. We seek to prepare students for the world of media convergence by offering a curriculum that fosters critical thinking and the development of diverse media skills, whether in Journalism, Media Production, or Sports Media.

In the classroom, students learn up-to-date writing, reporting and broadcasting techniques as well as cutting edge visual and online skills from faculty whose expertise has been developed in both academic and professional settings. Our effort to develop the next generation of media scholars and professionals comes with the understanding that students must be given the necessary tools for success both in and out of the classroom. Our faculty makes extensive use of professionals in various applications of journalism, media production and public relations from the Central Louisiana community and across the United States. Students get immediate, hands-on experience from their first year in the program.

Additionally, our students are challenged with the need for higher “intangibles” among media scholars and professionals - those that extend beyond having a computer and access to the Internet. Objectivity, ethics, media theory and law are a major focus of the LCU Convergence Media experience. What better place to do that than at a Christian university, where a commitment to Jesus Christ gives our students a higher calling to meet the ideals that make an aspiring student a truly excellent media professional. While completing their studies in our program, students develop diverse media skills through participation in multiple media platforms. Students will find the proper place to develop their media skills through:

KZLC

Known as “the voice of Louisiana Christian University,” KZLC is a low power, educational radio station that broadcasts 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Participation is open to all students to serve as DJs, announcers and programmers. Additionally, Convergence Journalism students have ample opportunities to learn how to do radio news as well as play-by-play for LCU Wildcats sporting events.

Wildcats Media

In keeping with an ever-changing media landscape, in 2009 we transitioned away from a traditional print newspaper to an online news platform. Wildcats Media’s presence on the Internet includes our Facebook page, Twitter feed, and YouTube channel. Written, edited and published by student staff members, under the direction of a faculty advisor, our website provides a laboratory experience for the development of journalistic skills.

Wildcat Weekly

Wildcat Weekly is a combined production of students that serves several roles. In the fall semester, Wildcat Weekly follows the Louisiana Christian University football and soccer teams and provides highlights and interviews in a weekly format. In the spring, Wildcat Weekly focuses more on overall campus events with an annual wrap of top stories. Throughout the entire academic year, Wildcat Weekly Minute Update is played before Tuesday morning chapel services to give a glance of events occurring on the LCU campus. Speaking of chapel, ours is recorded each week by a team of students running multiple cameras, audio, pro-presenter and other broadcast components.

Bachelor of Arts in Convergence Media

Students majoring in Convergence Media receive a Bachelor of Arts in Convergence Media in one of three concentrations: Journalism, Media Production or Public Relations. Each concentration requires the successful completion of 48 hours of coursework. Regardless of concentration, all students within the program complete a 21-hour core block of courses designed to develop diverse skills required of an increasingly convergent media environment. Students then take an additional 27-hour block of courses within a specialized concentration of their choosing, be it focused in Journalism, Media Production or Sports Media. The 21-hour core classes required of all Department of Convergence Media students includes: CM 100 , CM 216 , CM 421 , MP 101 , CM 490 ,  JN 201  and PR 368 .

Journalism Concentration

The Journalism concentration equips students for success in the modern media landscape by requiring students to develop effective skills in traditional journalistic forms such as writing, broadcasting and photography as well as skills in cutting-edge digital, graphic and web-based formats. The B.A. in Convergence Media requires 21 Communication Core hours, and 27 Journalism concentration courses. The 27 hours will consist of: JN 184  (1) /JN 284  (2) / JN 384  2) /JN 484  (1), JN 301 , JN 305 , JN 400  and 12 (12) hours from among the following: JN 302 , JN 309 , JN 315 , JN 325 , JN 327 , JN 341 , JN 352 , MP 268 , MP 410 , or CM 450 .

Media Production Concentration

The Media Production concentration equips students for success in various production applications, be it ministry production, television or news production as well as film and documentary focused projects. The B.A. in Convergence Media requires 21 Communication Core hours and 27 hours in Media Production concentration courses. The 27 hours will consist of: MP 370  (1), MP 371  (1), MP 372  (1), MP 373  (1), MP 374  (1), MP 375  (1),  MP 261 , MP 268 , MP 410 , MP 470 , CM 250 , and six hours from MP 325  (2) and MP 326  (1), MP 365 , JN 352 , JN 184  (1), JN 284  (1), JN 384  (1), JN 484   (1), or CM 450 .

Sports Media Concentration

The Sports Media concentration equips students for success in the fast-paced world of sports journalism, broadcasting and production. In addition to developing skills in traditional forms of sports reporting and photography, you will develop skills in cutting-edge digital, graphic and web-based formats. In addition to the 21-hour Communication Division Core, you will take 27 hours in the concentration: JN 325  and JN 436  plus choose 21 hours from: JN 184 /JN 284 /JN 384 /JN 484  (4 hours), JN 305 , JN 315 , JN 327 , MP 261 , MP 268 , MP 372 /MP 373 (2), JN 400  and CM 450 .

Minors in Convergence Media

In addition to the three concentrations, the Department also offers five minors to meet the needs of students majoring in other fields of study. Designed to complement virtually any major, the Department of Convergence Media offers minors in: Journalism, Mass Media Studies, Media Production, Public Relations and Sports Media.

The minor in Sports Media equips students with basic skills in the fast-paced world of sports journalism, broadcasting and production. Requirements for this 21- hour minor include: Three (3) hours of production labs (JN 184 , JN 284 , JN 384 ), and JN 201 , JN 315 , JN 325 , JN 436  and choose two from: JN 305  or JN 327  and MP 261  or MP 268 .

Designed for students considering graduate work in mass communication, the minor in Mass Media studies requires students complete 21 hours including: CM 100 , CM 250 , CM 421 , CA 313 , CA 400  and six (6) hours from among the following choices: CA 330 , CM 465 , JN 341 .

Students desiring a minor in Media Production are required to take 21 hours including: Three (3) hours of practicum (MP 370 , MP 371 , MP 372 , MP 373 , MP 374 , MP 375 ), MP 101 , MP 365 , MP 268 , CM 250 , and six (6) hours selected from among the following options: MP 325 , MP 326 , MP 410 , and CM 450 .

A versatile minor beneficial for students seeking a career in virtually any field, the minor in Public Relations requires the completion of 21 hours including: PR 368 , PR 472 , PR 473 , JN 201 , PR 482 , CA 400  and choose one: JN 309 , JN 315 , MG 334 , CM 421 , CM 465 .

The minor in Media Ministry allows students desiring to work in ministry to get skilled in the production side with hands-on learning in the technical aspects of the field. The 21-hour minor consists of three hours of practicum chosen from: MP 370 , MP 371 , MP 372 , MP 373 , MP 374 , MP 375 , and the following required courses: MP 101 , MP 268 , MP 325 /MP 326 , MP 365 , and MP 410 . 

For those seeking additional information about the Department of Convergence Media, its programs or curriculum, please contact Dr. Elizabeth Clarke.

Programs

• Bachelor of Arts in Convergence Media, Media Production Concentration
• Bachelor of Arts in Convergence Media, Sports Media Concentration
• Bachelor of Arts in Convergence Media: Journalism Concentration

• Convergence Media: Journalism Minor
• Convergence Media: Mass Media Studies Minor
• Convergence Media: Media Ministry Minor
• Convergence Media: Media Production Minor
• Convergence Media: Public Relations Minor
• Convergence Media: Sports Media Minor

Courses

• CM 100 Introduction to Mass Communication
• CM 216 Introduction to Design Software
• CM 250 Cinema Appreciation
• CM 421 Media Law and Ethics
• CM 450 Seminar
• CM 465 Principles of Advertising
• CM 490 Internship

• JN 184 Journalism Lab
• JN 201 Beginning Newswriting
• JN 284 Journalism Lab
• JN 301 Advanced Newswriting
• JN 302 Editing
• JN 305 Broadcast News
• JN 309 Editorial Journalism
• JN 315 Photojournalism
• JN 325 Sports Reporting
• JN 327 Advanced Broadcast Reporting
• JN 341 History of Journalism
• JN 352 Advanced Videography
• JN 384 Journalism Lab
• JN 400 Journalism Capstone
• JN 436 Advanced Sports Reporting
• JN 484 Journalism Lab

• MP 101 Survey of Media Technology
• MP 261 Introduction to Radio Performance and Production
• MP 268 Introduction to Film/Video Production
• MP 325 Ministry Arts Production
• MP 326 Ministry Arts Production Practicum
• MP 365 Directing and Studio Production
• MP 370 Radio Production Practicum I
• MP 371 Radio Production Practicum II
• MP 372 TV/Video Production Practicum I
• MP 373 TV/Video Production Practicum II
• MP 374 Film Production Practicum I
• MP 375 Film Production Practicum II
• MP 410 Script Writing
• MP 470 Media Management

• PR 368 Public Relations
• PR 472 Public Relations Writing
• PR 473 Public Relations Cases
• PR 482 Public Relations Capstone

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