Broadcast Communication (AAS.RTV)

Broadcast Communication provides students with the skills necessary for positions of employment in local and regional radio and television stations. Students receive hands-on training with much of the same equipment found in today's broadcast industry. Upon completion of a Broadcast Communication degree, students will be able to write news, sports, commercials and promotional announcements for use on radio and television; to function as radio/television announcers; and to operate state-of-the-art digital audio systems, digital, audio, and video editing systems, and a radio control console. Students will also be proficient in the effective techniques of broadcast sales and will be able to operate an assortment of video production equipment. For those interested, training in sports play-by-play is also available. Experience is obtained on the college FM stereo radio station, through work in the non-broadcast video studio, by using video field equipment and through the use of audio and video digital editing systems. Media internships are available.

For students who want to transfer: A program can be designed for a student who wants to transfer to a university with an emphasis in radio and television. If a student completes the program, the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) General Education Requirements are fulfilled. Classes in the Broadcast Communication major are accepted as an equivalent, general elective in the major, or general elective. Following completion, a student receives an associate in applied science degree with all general education requirements satisfied.

Program requirements may change over time. Specific degree/graduation requirements are determined by a degree audit.
Catalog Term Year: 2025 Spring
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Hours
COM-150
Introduction to Broadcasting 
COM-150
Introduction to Broadcasting
Emphasis is placed on all aspects of the broadcasting industry including history, digital radio, high definition television, programming, the FCC, advertising, and responsibility to society. A brief explanation of the technical operations of a station is presented.

Course Outline
3.0
COM-155
Radio-TV Announcing 
COM-155
Radio-TV Announcing
The principles of broadcast announcing are discussed and are applied to reading commercials, news, voice tracking, sports, and on-air music announcing. Interviewing techniques and the relationship between the announcer and the public are included.

Course Outline
3.0
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway 
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway
Students will study the writing process by reading essays illustrating a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing texts and writing, revising and editing short essays. Course is for students who have assessed into developmental English, receiving supplemental instruction for course completion.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-120
Composition I 
ENG-120
Composition I
Students develop a writing process by reading and analyzing texts that illustrate various rhetorical strategies as well as writing, revising and editing short essays. Minimally, students must compose four formal, revised writing assignments, having one reach at least 1,250 words.

Course Outline
3.0
POS-160
American National Government 
POS-160
American National Government
The fundamental principles of the American Government are summarized. Such topics as federalism, civil liberties, citizenship, parties and elections, the Presidency, Congress, Judiciary and national policies and politics are discussed within the framework of the American Constitutional system.

Course Outline
OR
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology 
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology
Focuses on psychology as a science, presenting concepts, research methods and research in a variety of subfields, including neuroscience, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning and memory, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, disorders and therapy and social psychology.

Course Outline
3.0
SFS-101
Strategies for Success 
SFS-101
Strategies for Success
Designed to improve student performance in college and beyond. Topics include: introduction to college resources; identification of college and career goals; implementation of study and test-taking strategies; and development of life management skills, including time and stress management.

Course Outline
OR
SOC-280
Introduction to Sociology 
SOC-280
Introduction to Sociology
Study of human interaction focusing on social influences shaping personality, structure and dynamics of human society. Topics include: sociological perspective, culture, society, social interaction; social change in global perspective; socialization; families; social class; and social stratification; race and ethnicity; and deviance.

Course Outline
OR
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Career Elective 
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Career Elective


2.0

Semester Totals
14.0
Second Semester
COM-160
Radio Station Operation 
COM-160
Radio Station Operation
A practical demonstration course to begin "on air" work. In addition to air time, other duties such as news gathering, production, programming, etc. are assigned. Reading meters, filling out operating logs and editing audio are also incorporated.

Course Outline
5.0
COM-165
Broadcast Writing 
COM-165
Broadcast Writing
The principles of broadcast journalism, copy writing, oral style, editing, writing effective commercial copy and libel laws are discussed for visual and audio productions.

Course Outline
4.0
COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication 
COM-111
Intro to Speech Communication
Focuses on the fundamental principles and methods of selecting, analyzing, organizing, developing and communicating information, evidence and points of view to audiences.

Course Outline
3.0
ESC-102
Weather and Climate 
ESC-102
Weather and Climate
This course emphasizes the dynamics of the atmosphere, focusing on atmospheric evolution, seasonal controls of climate, human impacts, atmospheric humidity, air pressure, severe weather and climate classification. Extensive use of internet resources and software will be required for this course.

Course Outline
4.0

Semester Totals
16.0
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Hours
COM-180
Basic TV Production 
COM-180
Basic TV Production
The course is designed to acquaint students with various aspects of professional TV studio and field production. Technical proficiency in basic camera operation direction and non-linear editing are stressed. Actual production of interviews, commercials and news are included.

Course Outline
3.0
COM-070
Radio Production Lab 
COM-070
Radio Production Lab
The further application of the techniques of good broadcasting is covered including announcing, writing, managing, and working for a station image. Operation of various radio automation systems, along with air work on the college radio station is emphasized.

Course Outline
5.0
COM-220
Persuasive Speaking 
COM-220
Persuasive Speaking
Studies audience attitudes, logical lines of reasoning, and emotional appeals used in causing an audience to accept different views or to adopt recommended courses of actions.

Course Outline
3.0
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Career Elective 
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Career Elective


3.0

Semester Totals
14.0
Second Semester
COM-175
Broadcast Sales 
COM-175
Broadcast Sales
Broadcast selling principles from the Radio Advertising Bureau are presented. Conducting a client needs analysis and servicing an account are stressed. Analysis of surveys is included. The Radio Marketing Professional national exam is given as part of the course.

Course Outline
3.0
HIS-156
History of the U.S. II 
HIS-156
History of the U.S. II
Views U.S. History since the end of Reconstruction with emphasis on how the domestic and international conflicts helped shape our modern society.

Course Outline
3.0
COM-185
Advanced Radio Production 
COM-185
Advanced Radio Production
In this course students polish the skills and techniques of boardwork, announcing, voice tracking, news and sports writing, and production. The importance of promotion, management of station personnel, and programming a station for profit are stressed.

Course Outline
4.0
COM-198
Broadcast Seminar 
COM-198
Broadcast Seminar
This course must be taken concurrently with the Broadcast Internship. The course will provide discussion opportunities for successful internship experiences.

Course Outline
1.0
COM-199
Broadcast Internship 
COM-199
Broadcast Internship
Provides a 150 hour experience in a position consistent with the career objective of the student. The position must be approved by the program director.

Course Outline
2.0
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Career Elective 
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Career Elective


3.0

Semester Totals
16.0

Total Program Hours

60.0
Suggested Electives
COM-072
Fall Sportscasting 
COM-072
Fall Sportscasting
This course is designed to give a background in announcing various sporting events. Experience includes broadcasting fall sports at local high schools and Lake Land College on WLKL, LLC's radio station. Training of broadcast equipment is also included.

Course Outline
1.0
COM-073
Spring Sportscasting 
COM-073
Spring Sportscasting
This course is designed to improve basketball, baseball and softball announcing skills. Training and practice of sportscasting continues with coverage of Lake Land College and high school sporting events on WLKL, LLC's radio station.

Course Outline
2.0
COM-082
Fall Athletic Announcing 
COM-082
Fall Athletic Announcing
This course is designed to refine sports announcing skills. Experience includes broadcasting fall sports at local high schools and Lake Land College on WLKL, LLC's radio station. Training of broadcast equipment is also included.

Course Outline
1.0
COM-083
Spring Athletic Announcing 
COM-083
Spring Athletic Announcing
This course is designed to enhance basketball, baseball and softball announcing skills. Experience includes broadcasting high school and Lake Land College sports on WLKL, LLC's radio station. The fundamentals of play-by-play, color commentary, analysis, and interviewing are included.

Course Outline
2.0
COM-200
Interpersonal Communication 
COM-200
Interpersonal Communication
Principles and practices of oral communication emphasizing message formation and delivery, listening, perception, awareness of verbal and non-verbal codes, and managing conflict.

Course Outline
3.0
COM-213
Intro to Group Discussion 
COM-213
Intro to Group Discussion
Focuses on the principles and application of public and closed group discussions with emphases on purposes and common forms, critical analyses and participation.

Course Outline
3.0
CIS-066
Digital Video Production 
CIS-066
Digital Video Production
An overview course discussing the development of digital video including planning and shooting, editing, titling, effects and animation, soundtrack creation and audio editing and output in DVD, video and the Web. Streaming output will also be discussed. (Repeatable 3 Times)

Course Outline
3.0