College of Arts and Sciences
Bloomington
Chairperson
Professor Walter Gantz
Departmental e-mail:
anlang@indiana.edu
Departmental URL:
http://www.indiana.edu/~telecom/
Graduate Faculty
Professors
Richard Burke (Emeritus), Susan Eastman, Walter Gantz, Annie Lang
Associate Professors
Donald Agostino, Michael McGregor, Harmeet Sawhney, Herbert Terry, David Waterman
Assistant Professor
Erik Bucy*
Director of Graduate Studies
Professor Annie Lang, Radio-TV Center, (812) 855-2017
Degrees Offered
Master of Arts, Master of Science, Joint Master of Arts and Doctor of Jurisprudence (jointly with the School of Law), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. telecommunications track in the Mass Communications Program)
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Special Departmental Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Common requirements and policies for the M.A. and M.S. programs include the following:
Admission
(1) At least a B (3.0) average in an undergraduate program, (2) appropriate level of performance on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (at least one Graduate Record General Test score above 600 and none below 500), (3) statement of purpose, (4) three letters of recommendation, (5) completion of departmental “Background Information” form, and (6) TOEFL score greater than 600 for international students.
Applications from students who have not majored in communication at the bachelor’s level are welcomed. If admitted, these students may be required to take supplementary courses.
Grades
B (3.0) average or above. Any semester’s work averaging less than B will result in the student’s being placed on academic probation. Accumulation of three individual course grades of C (2.0) or lower for graduate credit will result in dismissal of the student from the program. The departmental Graduate Committee evaluates each student’s progress toward the degree every semester.
Advisory Committee
Each student will receive initial guidance from the director of graduate studies. During the second semester, each student will select a three-member advisory committee which will be responsible for approving the student’s program. At least two members of this advisory committee must be from the Department of Telecommunications.
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Master of Arts Degree
The M.A. program is especially designed for (1) students planning on pursuing the Ph.D. program in mass communications, (2) students seeking management and intermediate-level research positions in electronic media, and (3) students seeking teaching positions in small colleges.
Course Requirements
A minimum of 30 credit hours, including (1) T501 Philosophy of Inquiry in Telecommunications, T502 Introduction to Research Methods in Telecommunications, and either T503 Telecommunications Theory, or T504 Telecommunications Institutions and Industry, and (2) thesis, which will normally be taken for six credits. At least 21 credit hours should be taken within the Department of Telecommunications. Depending on the student’s interests, a group of at least three courses, related to the area of the thesis, is selected.
Thesis
Oral defense required, administered by the advisory committee.
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Master of Science Degree
The M.S. program is designed to prepare students for careers in multi-media design or public or commercial electronic media management.
Course Requirements
- Concentration in Electronic Media Management
A minimum of 36 credit hours, including (1) T501 Philosophy of Inquiry in Telecommunications and T504 Telecommunications Institutions and Industry, and (2) one appropriate methods course. Thesis not required. At least 18 credits must be taken within the Department of Telecommunications.
Final Examination
Students must pass a comprehensive written and oral examination, which is administered by the advisory committee.
- Concentration in Immersive Mediated Environments (MIME)
A minimum of 36 credit hours, including (1) T570 Art, Entertainment, and Information, (2) T571 Applied Cognitive and Emotional Psychology, (3) 6 credits of T575 Directed Group New Media Design Project, (4) an approved internship, and (5) thesis. Students must identify a major and minor emphasis area and take at least four courses in the major area and two courses in the minor area.
Internship
The internship is a supervised experience in multimedia or new media. The internship must be approved by the student’s advisory committee, the internship coordinator, and the graduate advisor.
Thesis
Required; oral defense administered by the advisory committee.
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Joint Degree: Master of Arts in Telecommunications and Doctor of Jurisprudence in the School of Law
To be eligible to receive the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Arts or Master of Science in Telecommunications, which must be received simultaneously, a student must:
- Complete 77 semester hours of credit in the School of Law including all of the required course work; and
- Complete 27 hours of credit in the Telecommunications Department, including all of its required course work; and
- Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.3 on all work taken in the School of Law and at least 3.0 on all work taken in the Telecommunications Department.
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Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Mass Communications: Telecommunications Track
The Department of Telecommunications, in cooperation with the School of Journalism, offers a doctoral program in mass communications.
Admission Requirements
(1) Master’s degree from a recognized institution, (2) at least a 3.5 average in a master’s program, (3) appropriate level of achievement on the Graduate Record Examination General Test (at least one Graduate Record General Test score above 600 and none below 500), (4) statement of purpose, (5) three letters of recommendation, (6) completion of departmental background Information form, and (7) TOEFL score greater than 600 for international students. Students holding only the bachelor’s degree are advised to complete M.A. requirements in telecommunications as an integral part of the doctoral program. Applications from students who have not majored in communication at the master’s level are welcomed. If admitted, these students may be required to take supplementary courses. Consult the director of graduate studies as to whether graduate credit might be granted for a noncommunication master’s degree and if supplementary course work is necessary.
Grades
As described above for master’s programs.
Course Requirements
A minimum of 90 credit hours, including (1) the core consisting of T501 Philosophy of Inquiry in Telecommunications, T502 Introduction to Research in Telecommunications Methods, T503 Telecommunications Theory, and T504 Telecommunications Institutions and Industry with a grade of at least a B in each course, (2) T600 Proseminar in Telecommunications Research for four semesters, (3) 12 credit hours in a methodology area, (4) a minimum of 6 courses in the Department of Telecommunications if student is transferring 16-30 credits, 8 courses if transferring 1-15 credits, and 10 courses (at least 4 completed after receipt of the M.A.) if student has an M.A. from this department, (5) completion of a minor as required by the minor department, (6) no more than 6 credits of independent study, and (7) no more than 15 credit hours in the dissertation.
Within these requirements, students design a rigorous and coherent individualized plan of study with the help of their advisory committee. This program is to be approved by the student’s advisory committee, the graduate director (with the advice of the graduate committee), and the department chair by the end of the second semester of course work.
Minor
Consistent with University Graduate School policy, each student must have at least one minor subject. Course work in the minor must be approved by the student’s advisory committee and must meet the requirements of the minor department.
Research-Skill Requirement
Twelve credits of appropriate research skills courses approved by the student’s advisory committee (see number 3 under “Course Requirements” above).
Qualifying Examination
Written and oral, covering the methodology area, the core, the minor, and the student’s individualized areas of specialization.
Teaching or Research Requirement
Students normally serve at least one year as associate instructors or research assistants. This requirement will be waived only when, in the opinion of the departmental chairperson, unusual circumstances justify such action.
Final Examination
Oral, primarily a defense of the dissertation.
Ph.D. Minor in Telecommunications
Graduate students from other departments may choose telecommunications as an outside minor. A minimum of 15 credits in the department at the 500 level or above is required, including T501.
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Courses
Required Courses
T501 Philosophy of Inquiry in Telecommunications (3 cr.) Entry-level comparative study of the origin and development of dominant paradigms applied to telecommunications by researchers and policy makers. Credit not given for both R501 and T501.
T502 Introduction to Research Methods in Telecommunications (3 cr.) Introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methodologies used in telecommunications research. Credit not given for both R502 and T502.
T503 Telecommunications Theory (3 cr.) Introduces students to the wide range of social scientific and humanistic theories which guide research in telecommunications.
T504 Telecommunications Institutions and Industry (3 cr.) Studies major segments of the electronic communication industries and the impact of technological developments, public policy, and structural factors on how organizations operate and interrelate.
Methods Courses
T510 Research Methods in Message Analysis (3 cr.) Study of the content analysis method used to describe and to profile the message elements presented in the media. Credit not given for both R510 and T510.
T511 Research Methods in Audience Analysis (3 cr.) Analysis of audience characteristics and behaviors. Emphasizes methods associated with the assessment of, and audiences for, the electronic media in the United States. Credit not given for both R511 and T511.
Applied Telecommunications Courses
Concentration in Electronic Media Management
T521 Telecommunications Financial and Sales Management (3 cr.) P: T504 or equivalent, or management background/experience. Overview of fiscal principles, practices, and problems in radio, TV, cable, and telephone systems. Considers public policy in relation to economic factors in broadcasting and other electronic media. Credit not given for both R521 and T521.
T522 Production Management (3 cr.) Examination of the business side of the television production process emphasizing the role of the producer, marketing, and evaluation issues. Credit not given for both R522 and T522.
T603 Topical Seminar in Telecommunications Management (1-3 cr.) P: consent of instructor.
MIME courses
T570 Art, Entertainment, and Information (3 cr.) Introduces students to the idea of information as art and as entertainment through readings and multimedia experience. Students will learn basic tools of multimedia design, interactive programming, digital paint and draw tools, and 3-D software.
T571 Applied Cognitive and Emotional Psychology (3 cr.) Introduces students to basic theories in cognitive and emotional psychology and focuses on how these theories could be applied to the design of immersive mediated environments.
T575 Directed Group New Media Design Project (3 cr.) P: admission to MIME and consent of instructor. Group project in new media design. Each class will develop, design, and implement a new media product. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
T605 Seminar in Immersive Mediated Environments (1 cr.) Introduction to current research in immersive mediated environments such as virtual reality, telepresence, and new media entertainment through the work of faculty members from Indiana University and visiting scholars. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours.
Law and Policy Courses: M.A. and Ph.D. Programs
T529 Comparative Studies in Telecommunications Policy (3 cr.) Current developments, trends, and issues in British, Canadian, European, Japanese, and Post-Soviet telecommunications policy. Credit not given for both R529 and T529.
T530 Survey of Telecommunications Policy in the United States (3 cr.) Current developments, trends, and issues in American telecommunications policy. Credit not given for both R530 and T530.
T601 Topical Seminar in Telecommunications Law and Public Policy (1-3 cr.) P: consent of instructor.
T629 Telecommunications Policy-Making Process (3 cr.) P: T530 or equivalent. Study of policy-making process with emphasis on telecommunications policy. Credit not given for both R629 and T629.
T630 History of Telecommunications Law (3 cr.) Examination of the impact of electric and electronic communications systems during their first 150 years, 1820-1970, on the social and legal structures in the United States. Credit not given for both R630 and T630.
T652 Topics in International Communications (3 cr.) Emphasizes the writing and presentation of research papers. Topic areas will vary, but may include communication for social change in developing areas, international television program flow, and similar topics. May be repeated for credit.
Processes and Effects Courses: M.A. and Ph.D. Programs
T541 Theory and Research: Individual Level (3 cr.) Introduction to the theory and research relevant to mass media studies at the individual level of analysis. Credit not given for both R541 and T541.
T542 Theory and Research: Macro-Social Level (3 cr.) Introduction to theoretical orientations and research findings at the macro-social level of analysis. Credit not given for both R542 and T542.
T602 Topical Seminar in Telecommunications Processes and Effects (1-3 cr.) P: consent of instructor.
T641 Children and Media (3 cr.) P: T503 or equivalent. Detailed examination of theoretical orientations and research specifically focused on children and media. Credit not given for both R641 and T641.
T642 Communication Campaigns (3 cr.) Study of public communication campaigns, emphasizing the role of media in influencing attitudes and behavior related to social issues. Credit not given for both R642 and T642.
T651 Communication, Technology, and Society (3 cr.) Research seminar to consider defining new technologies and how the development of communication technologies and their structure and organization have been influenced by society and have, in turn, affected society.
Additional Courses
T540 Special Projects in Telecommunications (cr. arr.) P: consent of chairperson. Individual readings or production projects in broadcasting. Maximum of 3 credit hours for any one project.
T597 Internship (0-3 cr.) P: permission of faculty advisor. Supervised internship in telecommunications, electronic media, or multi-media design.
T600 Proseminar in Telecommunications Research (1 cr.) Introduction to current telecommunications research through the work of departmental members and visiting scholars. May be repeated for credit up to four semesters.
T800 Thesis: Telecommunications (1-6 cr.)* P: consent of chairperson.
Graduate
G741 Ph.D. Research in Mass Communications (cr. arr.)* P: consent of instructor.
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