Program Overview
Sports Media students at Rider focus their interest and communication skills to prepare themselves to be professionals in the growing area of sports media.
Curriculum Overview
Students will learn the fundamental and advanced procedures involved with journalism, television and public relations. All of these academic areas are focused on sports content in order to make a student well versed in both communication skills and the inner workings of the sports media industry.
Classes will utilize the Department of Communication, Media and Performing Arts' three state-of-the-art journalism labs, television studio, radio studio and have access to college and professional sports organizations.
Because of Rider's commitment to personalized learning, students will be able to produce content for The Rider News, The Rider University Network, Bronc Vision, and intern with the many college and professional teams located within minutes from campus.
The capstone experience for Sports Media students is a live sports reporting class in which students attend multiple live sporting events and create content from the press box and have access to post-game interviews.
Degree Offered
- B.A. in Sports Media
Contact
Nancy Wiencek, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Communication, Journalism and Media
School of Communication, Media and Performing Arts
Fine Arts
609-895-5420
nwiencek@rider.edu
Program website:Sports Media
Associated Department: Department of Communication, Journalism and Media
Related Programs:
Sports Media Major Requirements
(48 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
CAS General Education Curriculum | ||
Department Core: | ||
COM 102 | Introduction to News Writing | 3 |
COM 104 | Speech Communication | 3 |
COM 105 | Communication, Culture and Media | 3 |
COM 131 | Fundamentals of Video Production | 3 |
COM 264 | Digital Media: Theory and Practice | 3 |
COM 301 | Communication Law | 3 |
COM 302 | Communication Ethics | 3 |
Required Courses for the Sports Media Major: | ||
SPT 250 | Introduction to the Business of Sports | 3 |
COM 270 | Sports Multimedia Reporting | 3 |
MKT 280 | Sports Marketing | 3 |
COM 347 | Sports Communication | 3 |
COM 361 | Photography | 3 |
COM 370 | Sports Television and Field Production | 3 |
COM 371 | Sports Feature Writing | 3 |
or COM 316 | Feature Writing | |
COM 470 | Live Sports Reporting Capstone | 3 |
Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
Development & Communication of Nonprofit Organizations in Sport | ||
Career Development in the Sports Marketplace | ||
Internship in Communication | ||
Total Credits | 48 |
Sports Media Minor Requirements
(21 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
COM 102 | Introduction to News Writing | 3 |
COM 131 | Fundamentals of Video Production | 3 |
COM 270 | Sports Multimedia Reporting | 3 |
COM 347 | Sports Communication | 3 |
COM 361 | Photography | 3 |
COM 370 | Sports Television and Field Production | 3 |
COM 470 | Live Sports Reporting Capstone | 3 |
Total Credits | 21 |
Academic Plan of Study
The following educational plan is provided as a sample only. Rider students who do not declare a major during their freshman year; who are in a Continuing Education Program; who change their major; or those who transfer to Rider may follow a different plan to ensure a timely graduation. Each student, with guidance from his or her academic advisor, will develop a personalized educational plan.
Year 1 | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credits | |
CMP 120 | Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
MTH 102 | Finite Mathematics | 3 |
HIS 150 | World History to 1500 | 3 |
COM 102 | Introduction to News Writing | 3 |
Scientific Perspectives | 3 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
CMP 125 | Seminar in Writing and Research | 3 |
HIS 151 | World History Since 1500 | 3 |
Social Perspectives | 3 | |
COM 104 | Speech Communication | 3 |
COM 105 | Communication, Culture and Media | 3 |
Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 2 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Aesthetic Perspectives: Fine Arts | 3 | |
Foreign Language 2 | 3 | |
Scientific Perspectives | 3 | |
COM 131 | Fundamentals of Video Production | 3 |
COM 264 | Digital Media: Theory and Practice | 3 |
Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
Aesthetic Perspectives: Literature | 3 | |
Philosophical Perspectives | 3 | |
Foreign Language 2 | 3 | |
COM 270 | Sports Multimedia Reporting | 3 |
SPT 250 | Introduction to the Business of Sports | 3 |
Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 3 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
COM 361 | Photography | 3 |
COM 370 | Sports Television and Field Production | 3 |
MKT 200 | Marketing Principles | 3 |
COM 240 | Public Relations | 3 |
Elective Course Credits 1 | 3 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
COM 301 | Communication Law | 3 |
COM 371 or COM 316 |
Sports Feature Writing or Feature Writing |
3 |
MKT 280 | Sports Marketing | 3 |
Elective Course Credits 3 | 6 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Year 4 | ||
Fall Semester | ||
COM 302 | Communication Ethics | 3 |
COM 347 | Sports Communication | 3 |
Elective Course Credits | 9 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
COM 470 | Live Sports Reporting Capstone | 3 |
COM 314 |
Development & Communication of Nonprofit Organizations in Sport or Career Development in the Sports Marketplace or Internship in Communication |
3 |
Elective Course Credits | 9 | |
Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
Total Credit Hours for Graduation | 120 |
- 1
- 2
For course placement information, see the course placement page.
- 3
Please note that elective credits may be used to complete requirements in a second major or minor.
Courses and Descriptions
COM 102 Introduction to News Writing 3 Credits
Introduces students to routines of journalism, including reporting, writing and preparing content for print and web. Incorporates contemporary practices in multimedia journalism, including digital audio, video and photos, into traditional skills, with an emphasis on accuracy, clarity and professional style and voice. Class exercises are completed in a laboratory newsroom.
COM 104 Speech Communication 3 Credits
Examines basic communication principles and strategies of public speaking. Various genres of oral communication are studied, with an emphasis on extemporaneous and impromptu forms of delivery. Students research, prepare, and deliver speeches that are then used as the focal point for the discussion of effective speaking and listening. A number of speeches are videotaped. Students who received credit for COM 104S may not take this course. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Essential Competencies element of the CLAS general education curriculum.
COM 105 Communication, Culture and Media 3 Credits
Provides a detailed investigation and analysis into the nature, history, scope, adequacy, and limitations of mass communication and examines the reciprocal influence of the media on culture and society. This course counts towards the fulfillment of the Disciplinary Perspectives element of the CLAS general education curriculum.
COM 107 Writing for the Media 3 Credits
Introduces students to interviewing and persuasive writing techniques for print and electronic public relations and advertising formats. Teaches techniques for creating effective digital audio-visual aids and working with digital audio and video.
COM 264 Digital Media: Theory and Practice 3 Credits
Introduces the ways that the merging of media industries and the intersection and integration of various media platforms and technologies impact our lives. While the primary focus will be on digital and mobile technologies and practices, the course will also cover the convergence of digital technologies in a wide range of media areas, including journalism, social media, television and entertainment. The course will offer students broad conceptual frameworks for thinking about how the emergence and evolution of digital as well as mobile communication technologies have changed the communication and journalism industries and how they are reshaping content. In addition, the course is intended to allow students to use different digital communication technologies.
COM 270 Sports Multimedia Reporting 3 Credits
COM 270 Sports Multimedia Reporting. Develops skills in hard-news sports reporting, game coverage, and the production of introductory multimedia and social media sports content. Employs out-of-the-classroom reporting assignments to refine information gathering techniques such as interviewing, observation, and use of documents and other contextual materials. Includes reporting and writing on sports games, teams, players, coaches, athletic issues/controversies, and the business of sports.
Prerequisite(s): COM 102. Introduction to News Writing.
COM 301 Communication Law 3 Credits
Critically examines the legal limits and privileges affecting freedom of expression, especially in publishing, advertising, film, telecasting, and cyberspace. Places particular emphasis on the historical and philosophical foundations of the freedoms and limitations of communication in the United States.
COM 302 Communication Ethics 3 Credits
Analyzes internal and external pressures on the communication professional including economic, cultural, social, and political pressures, assesses the philosophical and practical basis for responding to such pressures, evaluates contemporary media responses to these pressures, identifies those that are of laudable quality and why, and provides guidance as to how individuals and organizations can think and react ethically. Issues addressed include censorship, confidentiality, conflicts of interests, minority and ethnic groups, privacy, sensationalism, and self-criticism.
COM 314 Development & Communication of Nonprofit Organizations in Sport 3 Credits
This course introduces students to developing a nonprofit organization in the sports industry. Emphasis will be placed on communicating goals to the public, budgeting, managing, and fundraising in order to build a successful nonprofit sport organization. Throughout the semester, students will learn necessary steps to create their own nonprofit 501(c)(3) while developing plans for their own organization. This work will culminate with a presentation of a detailed plan and report to a committee of sports/nonprofit professionals who will foster ways to actually help launch the entity.
COM 327 Career Development in the Sports Marketplace 3 Credits
This course provides a survey and analysis of various professional opportunities for those looking to pursue a career in athletics and sports. The exploration and career development is a continuation of prior sports media and communication courses with an emphasis on developing techniques and strategies for entering a very competitive marketplace. Students will engage in detailed market analysis for changing trends while developing a network of contacts through assignments based on interviews with professionals. Beyond learning about these professions, student assignments will be centered on enhancing relevant skills needed to obtain employment in the areas of athletics and sports.
Prereq(s): COM 270, COM 347, and MKT 280.
COM 370 Sports Television and Field Production 3 Credits
Provides an in-depth study of advanced techniques in sports field production for television. Individual and group field production assignments will involve planning and executing single camera production in a sports setting. Previously developed video production skills will be refined, and students will gain increased competency and sophistication in all areas of sports field production including: production planning, camera operations, lighting, sound, and digital non-linear editing. Designed to prepare students to effectively function in the industry as a member of a professional field production team. In field situations, students create, produce, shoot, and edit sports content.
Prerequisite(s): COM 131.
COM 371 Sports Feature Writing 3 Credits
Focuses on developing reporting and writing skills for newspaper, magazine, public relations, and free-lance nonfiction sports writing. Students will study published examples of outstanding sports feature writing, and write their own sports feature articles with social media and multimedia components. Instead of traditional game coverage, this course focuses on covering sports personalities, issues and themes.
COM 347 Sports Communication 3 Credits
Critically examines the symbiotic relationship between the mass media and professional sports franchises and major college athletic programs. This course deals with the workings and processes behind executing the proper techniques of sports information and media relations, as well as an analysis of the culture of sports in modern society. Students will develop a practical focus on sports information and promotion, including the role of the sports information director and events promoter, with emphasis on advanced concepts of public relations, publicity and marketing.
Prerequisite(s): COM 240 or permission of instructor.
COM 361 Photography 3 Credits
Using digital SLR cameras, introduces students to professional methods of shooting varied subjects while applying a range of compositions and styles. Using Photoshop, students edit images for publication in print and on the Internet. Hands-on coursework is grounded in theory, history, aesthetics, and ethics. Some cameras are available for loan from the University.
COM 400 Senior Seminar Communication 3 Credits
Provides students with the opportunity to explore critical issues in communication and journalism in a dynamic and engaging context. Students conceptualize problems, develop hypotheses, review literature, design appropriate techniques of inquiry, conduct their research, and present their findings orally to the seminar and in writing to the instructor. Senior journalism and communication majors only.
COM 470 Live Sports Reporting Capstone 3 Credits
Focuses on student production of live, professional-level sports media content. Students will combine reporting, writing, social media and multimedia from live sporting events. Live-coverage will include Rider University teams and regional or professional sporting events. The course is open to senior Sports Media Majors, or with the permission of the instructor.
SPT 250 Introduction to the Business of Sports 3 Credits
This course is designed to introduce the student to the business of sports. Business principles, such as management, marketing, law, finance and economics will be applied to the business of sports. The course will also explore the various career opportunities in the world of sports.