Category Archives: Opinion

Declare Mass Communication as Your Major

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Katie Taylor

Have you ever heard of “Got Milk”, “Eat More Chicken”, or “Taste The Rainbow?” You probably know exactly what the brand and product each is associated with. Ever wanted to come up with something catchy on your own? How about filming a remembered commercial, or working on public relations campaigns? Do you find an interest associated with Photoshop, publication design, journalism, and media? These are all aspects of mass communication.
If your major is undeclared or is listed as general studies you should consider enrolling in mass communication. With this degree you can achieve a lot. One can take many different routes for a career path. Below are some areas of interest broke down into the different opportunities that await after completion of your degree in Mass Communication from A&M-Texarkana.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
• Media Relations
• PR departments for corporations
• PR for non-profit corporations
• Advertising or PR agencies
• Lobbyist

MEDIA PRODUCTION
• Reporter
• Editor
• Sports blogger
• Editorialist
• Documentarian
• Filmmaker
• Graphic designer
•
MEDIA STUDIES
• Media critic
• Producer
• Director
• Screenwriter
• Editor

With those areas of opportunity in sight, these are the classes offered in the mass communication curriculum.
A&M-Texarkana Mass Communication Curriculum (2013-2014)
CORE CLASSES:
COMM 1307: INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATION
MCOM 300: MASS COMMUNICATION THEORY
MCOM 305: MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS
MCOM 490: INTERNSHIP IN MASS COMMUNICATION
MCOM 491: MASS COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
ENGLISH 320: UNDERSTANDING GRAMMAR
SPCH 1315: PUBLIC SPEAKING I
3 TRACKS, EACH CONSISTING OF FOUR CLASSES (TWO LOWER DIVISION, TWO UPPER DIVISION EACH).
TRACK ONE: PUBLIC RELATIONS
MCOM 2340: INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC RELATIONS
MCOM 2350: PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING
MCOM 420: CASE STUDIES IN ADVERTISING
MCOM 430: PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS
TRACK TWO: MEDIA PRODUCTION
MCOM 2330: INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA PRODUCTION
MCOM 2360: PUBLICATION DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
MCOM 310: ADVANCED WRITING FOR MASS MEDIA
MCOM 417: ADVANCED NEW MEDIA PRODUCTION
TRACK THREE: MEDIA STUDIES
MCOM 2370: INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN FILM HISTORY
MCOM 2380: INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL CINEMA
MCOM 418: CONCEPTS IN CLASSICAL FILM
MCOM 419: POPULAR CULTURE AND MASS COMMUNICATION

If you are still unsure of which area suits you best, go to the Texas A&M Texarkana website at WWW.TAMUT.EDU to get more information.
Already enrolled at Texas A&M Texarkana as a mass communications major, but don’t know where to go from there? Please contact the Mass Communication Program Coordinator, Dr. Amy M. Carwile (903)-334-6663, located in the University Center, room number 223, or by e-mail at Amy.Carwile@tamut.edu. Also contact Dr. Drew Morton at drew.morton@tamut.edu, or Dr. Kevin Ells at Kevin.Ells@tamut.edu.
Be a mass communication student, and be successful.

Death over Designer

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Alvin Stuckey

They are killing people for J’s, that’s death over designer. Has it really come to a point that it is not safe to wear nice designer athletic shoes? Fashion is a way for some individuals to express themselves, but the senseless acts of violence that has taken place over the past few years has prevented some sneaker consumers to stop buying shoes in order to survive.

The huge debate started in December 2011 when the Jordan brand decided to re-release the retro Jordan 11 Concords. Up until this point people could buy Jordan’s with no worries of senseless violence afterwards. However, on December 23, 2011, this ideal would change. In a Maryland mall, 18 year old Tyreek Amir Jacobs, was brutally murdered over his pair of Concord 11’s.

Many Maryland residents did not want to believe that he was murdered over his sneakers, but as word spread through the Maryland and Washington D.C. area it became clear that his young life was taken from him over a pair of $175 sneakers.

Since 2011 crimes like this have gone down but as of late 2013, there have been some acts of violence over Jordan’s. I have seen numerous videos posted on social media sites of people getting beaten up and robbed for shoes. What goes through the mind of an individual who decides to beat, rob, and sometimes kill for something as simple as a shoe?
I am a sneaker lover and Jordan’s are my favorite shoe, but since all this has happened it has made me have second thoughts on whether I should purchase them. My life is more important than a pair of expensive shoes. I don’t want to go to a rough part of town with my Jordan’s on and be in fear for my life because shoes come and go. You can always save up and buy a pair of sneakers, but you only have one life. Why should I lose my life over a pair of sneakers that don’t mean anything to me? As I get older this makes me hesitant on buying Jordan’s for me and kids whenever I decide to settle down and have a family. I would be in consistent fear of my future children wearing Jordan’s and being hassled for them by those that seriously want them and would do anything for them.

They are killing people for J’s that’s death over designer. Really is that where the world is headed to. It is a shame that people are in fear for the shoes that they wear. If that is the world that we live in then we have a lot of trouble heading our way.

Agriculture on the Horizon

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Amanda Bates

Agriculture on the Horizon: It is Time to Take Charge!

In 1862, after Congress approved the Morrill Act, which “Provided for donation of public land to the states for the purpose of funding higher education, whose leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and mechanical arts.” The roots of one of the most notable Universities, Texas A&M Texarkana, is being over looked today. Agriculture is plunging forward and leaving Texas A&M Texarkana behind.

Times have changed and will continue to change but agriculture will stand firm  because it is the basis for living. College in general provides such a thorough outlook on the business world, but this college does not offer the opportunity for students to look at the business world from an agricultural standpoint. Here is my proposal: This college has the resources, an envied location and reaches out to all student forms of life. We are located in a part of Texas that is surrounded by agriculture and by students and families who make their living or want to make their living from agriculture.  The college should at least give students the opportunity to take some agriculture courses and explore those areas of education in which this economy will soon thrive on. There are so many different courses that can be offered, such as: Agriculture Leadership, Farm Business, Animal Science and many more. The opportunities are endless. A collegiate FFA Chapter coupled with these agriculture courses, would ensure success and progress. Our ways of life in this community and the surrounding communities revolve around agriculture, it puts food on the table and clothes on our backs. Whether people realize it or not agriculture is the only thing that will provide life and a promising future for ourselves and our loved ones.

Students, we have the opportunity to excel and take the lead in this matter. Allowing students to take agriculture classes here at Texas A&M Texarkana will not only empower the passionate students to pursue an agricultural future, but will also sanction this community and the surrounding ones a hearty and healthy life. Let’s take a stand and address this urgent matter! If interested in helping or learning about this opportunity please contact Amanda Bates via e-mail at: CSO0809@gmail.com Hope to hear from you soon!

A New Eyeglass Prescription

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Britney Gilmore

I am glad I am here, and I am glad that I am leaving. Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees: money, lifestyles or trying to obtain some unrealistic standard of living. The trees obscure you finding yourself. Getting out of your comfort zone even for just a little while certainly makes being the woodcutter easier and viewing the entire forest a bit easier. When you’re lost in the trees, it isn’t easy to find the root of happiness.

My first day was like my second, and the second was like being 3 months in. Personalities haven’t fluctuated from day one. You may only know the poker face to be an expression for playing cards or the once Top 40s hit by Lady Gaga. No. It is a legitimate position to hold your face and is a standard office expression! Picture this: heads down, typing away like something out of movie. This poker face seems to be the norm for daily faces worn by most individuals here.

I think most college students are prepared for change. That’s why we go to college in the first place — to seek more opportunities in life. But sometimes it is like we are so excited and overly ready for change that we build up these images and high expectations of what we think we want to do. It’s the glitz and glam lenses that we are looking through. But from day one, I missed the university – my university.

Helping people, being helped and always learning…I love that life. Within the first few weeks, epiphany one hit me like a gust of wind. “Man I don’t belong here,” was the PG-13 version of my thoughts! I had been battling with several life decisions just as everyone seems to do when faced with crossroad-type decisions. Being a professor is my true dream, and I couldn’t see that through my previous ocular prescription. You have to be open to new things, but you cannot kid yourself. That adage: the heart wants what the heart wants is forever true.

Sometimes though we have to go through, to, and far off course to realize what it is that we truly want. Then once we figure it out, and it brings us rushing back. An internship is not only to learn about a business but to get to know ourselves a little bit better too. I, myself, have learned a few things:

1.) Everyone does not get to do something new every day. So be thankful if you do. It seems like challenges arise, you squash them and then you move on. I like the thought of ongoing challenges like getting someone from point A to graduation.

2.) You cannot do everything. College is like a utopia no matter how big or small it is. A place where you get to change your mind, major, advisor and dance with all the possibilities to make your educational experience what you want it to be. In the real world, you get into a niche and that is where you stay. People are always convinced that every workday is an adventure to them. What a delusion!

3.) Never focus on the “trees”. Do what makes you happy.

There are always obstacles with anything, but you have to face them to ever know.  Examining life through reality eyeglasses makes it much easier and personal. Not many people follow what they always thought they would do. I am proud to say that I am one of them. So for those of you who do not know what you want to be when you grow up…do not worry. You will in due time, if you take the chances that are presented and make your own decisions based on you and not the benefits and perks. I never thought I’d want to be in a classroom…but I belong there. That’s what is important to me.

What occupation and lifestyle is the best fit for your goals and personality? Every skill-set and talent does not have to be confined to a certain profession. Just because you like to draw does not mean you have to be an artist, if you know what I mean. If you do not get that statement now, take my word that one day you will understand me. Blinders do come off. Prescriptions do get revised. Personally, I am anxious to see what is next for me after the cubicle, but I am grateful for my time here, because in order for me to plan what comes beyond it, I needed to sit here first.