DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION AND FILM (TCF)
Dr. Gary A. Copeland, Chairperson
Office: 484 Phifer Hall
The major in telecommunication and film requires a total of 120 hours of coursework for graduation, of which 33 will be taken in the major. Due to accreditation requirements, total hours taken in the major are restricted, and 65 hours must be taken in liberal arts.
In addition to the general education requirements, the core curriculum requirements, the requirements for the major sequence, and the requirements for the minor, all telecommunication and film students must complete 12 hours of classes at the 300-level or higher, outside the major or minor (called the special requirement).
Because the curriculum is subject to strict accreditation requirements, students should see the department advisor regularly, beginning with the first semester on campus.
Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements
| I. Freshman composition (FC): 6 hours | |
| EN 101 (3) EN 102 (3) or by exam* |
|
| II. Humanities (HU) and fine arts (FA): 12 hours | |
| fine arts (3) literature sequence (6) COM 123(3) |
|
| III. Natural science (N) and mathematics (MA): 11 hours | |
| natural science (4) natural science (4) mathematics (3) |
|
| IV. History (HI ) and social/behavioral sciences (SB): 12 hours | |
| from history sequence (3) social and behavioral sciences (6) HI or SB (3) |
|
| V. Pre-major requirements: 9–11 hours | |
| MC 101 Introduction to Mass Communication computer science or foreign language (6–8) |
|
Additional University of Alabama Core Requirements
Writing (W): 6 hours*
*Courses in the major, minor, and special requirement with a W designation may be used to fulfill this requirement.
Additional Requirements for the Major Sequences
Media Production Sequence
TCF 100, TCF 201, TCF 215, and TCF 387
One 300-level and one 400-level TCF production course
Two additional TCF courses, 300-level or above, of which at least one must be 400-level
One 400-level MC course
One additional 400-level course in MC or TCF
Electronic News Sequence
Newsroom Emphasis:
TCF 100, TCF 288 (1 hr), TCF 331, TCF 332, TCF 333, TCF 334, TCF 335 and TCF 433; TCF 387 (2 hrs)
One additional TCF course, 300-level or above
MC 401
Sports Emphasis:
TCF 100, TCF 288 (1 hr), TCF 331, TCF 321, TCF 333 (sports), TCF 334 (sports), TCF 335 and TCF 433; TCF 387 (2 hrs)
One additional TCF course, 300-level or above
MC 401
Entertainment Emphasis:
TCF 100, TCF 145, TCF 288 (1 hr), TCF 331, TCF 321, TCF 334 (sports or newsroom), TCF 335 and TCF 433; TCF 387 (2 hrs)
One additional TCF course, 300-level or above
MC 401
Production Management Sequence
TCF 100, TCF 201 or TCF 145, TCF 215, TCF 357, TCF 367, TCF 437, and TCF 438
One addition TCF course, 300-level or above
MC 401
One additional 400-level course in MC or TCF
Media Management Sequence
TCF 100, TCF 145, and TCF 215
One additional TCF course
TCF 305 or 310; TCF 390; and TCF 445
One additional course from TCF 447, TCF 448, or TCF 449
MC 401
One additional 400-level course in MC or TCF
Critical Studies in Film and Television Sequence
TCF 100; TCF 112; TCF 145; TCF 215 or EN 409; and TCF 311
Six hours selected from TCF 340, TCF 411, TCF 433, TCF 440,
and TCF 441
One additional TCF course, 300-level or above
MC 407
One additional 400-level course in MC or TCF
Documentary Sequence
TCF 100; TCF 201; TCF 215; TCF 241; TCF 361; TCF 387 or TCF 380 (with CPT); TCF 441
One additional TCF course, 400-level or above
One 400-level MC course
One additional 400-level course in MC or TCF
Minors for Telecommunication and Film Majors
Students majoring in telecommunication and film may choose one of the following four options when selecting their minors:
- a minor in any subject offered in an academic division outside the College of Communication and Information Sciences except the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration
- one of the specialized minors offered by the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, especially for communication majors (see “Minor in Business Administration for Non-Business Majors” detailed earlier in this section)
- a minor in communication studies (students may not, however, minor in journalism, advertising, or public relations)
Requirements for a Minor in Telecommunication and Film
A minor in telecommunication and film is available to all students except those majoring in journalism, advertising, or public relations. At least 21 hours, and no more than 27 hours, are required in College of Communication and Information Sciences minors. Requirements for the minor are MC 101, TCF 100, and 15 additional hours of TCF courses, of which 6 hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above.
Sample Curriculum for the Major in Telecommunication and Film
| FRESHMAN YEAR | |
| First Semester | |
| Courses | Hours |
| EN 101 | 3 |
| MC 101 | 3 |
| Fine arts (FA) | 3 |
| Natural science (NS) | 4 |
| Social/behavioral sciences (SB) | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 16 | |
| Second Semester | |
| Courses | Hours |
| COM 123 | 3 |
| EN 102 | 3 |
| TCF 100 | 3 |
| Elective* | 3 |
| Natural science (NS) | 4 |
| ___ | |
| 16 | |
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | |
| First Semester | |
| Courses | Hours |
| English literature | 3 |
| History (HI) | 3 |
| Major | 3 |
| Major | 3 |
| Math | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 15 | |
| Second Semester | |
| Courses | Hours |
| English literature | 3 |
| Major | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Social/behavioral sciences (SB) or History (HI) | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 15 | |
| JUNIOR YEAR | |
| First Semester | |
| Courses | Hours |
| Foreign language or computer science (FL or C) | 3–4 |
| Major | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Social/behavioral sciences (SB) | 3 |
| Special requirement | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 15–16 | |
| Second Semester | |
| Courses | Hours |
| Foreign language or computer science (FL or C) | 3–4 |
| Major | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Special requirement | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 15–16 | |
| SENIOR YEAR | |
| First Semester | |
| Courses | Hours |
| Major | 3 |
| Major | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Special requirement | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 15 | |
| Second Semester | |
| Courses | Hours |
| Elective* | 3–5 |
| General A&S elective | 3 |
| Major | 3 |
| Minor | 3 |
| Special requirement | 3 |
| ___ | |
| 15–17 | |
| *Elective hours vary and may or may not be necessary to reach the 120 hours required for graduation. | |