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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Practicum Video Lab (Face-to-Face)

COMM 3504-01

Course: COMM 3504-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: COMM
CRN: 11445

Course Description

A television lab experience which results in public affairs, news, documentary, sports and educational programming for the university cable station. Prerequisite: COMM 2200 at SUU.

Required Texts

RECOMMENDED TEXT: No required text. Any broadcast news writing text.

Learning Outcomes

ESSENTIAL LEARNING OUTCOMES: Each student will demonstrate individual ability to conceive, produce, shoot and edit broadcast quality video programs. Each student will demonstrate the ability to work in a group, completing required technical and interpersonal tasks while maintaining professional working relationships within the group.

Knowledge of Human Cultures

Because media are pervasive in our human society, TV lab students demonstrate skills in producing effective media for today’s society

Intellectual and Practical Skills

Communication – Students demonstrate communication through development and expression of ideas through writing, speaking, visually, design and aurally.

Critical Thinking – In the process of producing television news, students combine or synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways, as well as think, react, and work in an imaginative way

Digital Literacy – Through the use of specific media tools (cameras, computers, etc), students strategically and responsibly employ appropriate technologies to explore, create, collaborate, and organize in a digital context.

Information Literacy – The television news and information process in itself deals with information process. In the process of creating television programming, students identify, locate, evaluate, attribute and share information effectively and ethically.

Problem solving – The act of producing television programming is a process of solving multiple problems. Sometimes in a leisurely fashion, at other times in an immediately response and reaction to a creative or technical problem. Every production involves problem solving. Students design, evaluate, and implement strategies to answer open-ended questions or achieve a desired goal.

Teamwork – a team is required to produce daily and weekly television programming. Students demonstrate productive interaction with others (in or out of class) to complete assignments, tasks or projects.

Personal and Social Responsibility

Civic Engagement – Information is critical to a healthy society. Television programming contributes to civic engagement. Students demonstrate that they possess the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make a difference in the civic life of their community and to promote the enhancement of the quality of life in a community through both political and non-political processes.

Ethical Reasoning – Journalism ethics are discussed and practiced on a daily and weekly basis. Students describe and analyze positions on ethical issues, apply reasoning about right and wrong human conduct, demonstrate ethical decision-making skills, and demonstrate an evolving ethical self-identity.

Lifelong learning – The process of creating, producing and processing prepares students for lifelong critical thinking and learning. Students demonstrate that they possess the skills and dispositions that are necessary for a self-sufficient learner to engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities with the aim of improving knowledge, skills, and competence.

Integrative learning:

Integrative Learning - Television students demonstrate the ability to extend the specialized skills and activities of television production to many different life situations – thinking and acting quickly, making decisions, writing, visual communication and acting professionally in a high profile position. These all apply to lifelong life skills. Students make connections among ideas and experiences and can synthesize and transfer their learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus.

Course Requirements

TENTATIVE OUTLINE - ASSIGNMENTS AND ACTIVITIES (additional details will be provided):
  1. Weekly out-of-class video assignments, 13 total. Contract grading Pass/Fail
  2. Weekly written news stories (from beat phone calls or other sources)
  3. Weekly in-studio responsibilities. At the end of each rotation you will receive a grade for your studio work
  4. Spot news video during assigned week (this can count as one of your weekly video assignments)
  5. Final resume video
  6. Final meeting with instructor

Produce projects with minimum quality for cablecast.

VIDEO ASSIGNMENTS - All video assignments are considered complete when they have:

  • Solid video (exposure, focus, stable, etc) and audio (volume, noise, clarity, etc.)
  • A script (lead for packages, anchor material for others) entered into EZNews.
  • At least one CG for every video.
  • Video submitted to the Shared Drive with the proper file name.
Possible SUTV News Beats or Story Areas

You must submit a reader story from your assigned beat once a week. You may not get your favorite beat. The professor will assign. The story is due on Tuesday. First assignment is to call and get the name of the media contact and make arrangements for a time to call each week. If any issues come up (lack of cooperation, etc.) talk to the professor. You are also responsible for producing an over-the-shoulder graphic for your beat.

  • SUU Public Safety (i.e: actions, issues, concerns)
  • Cedar City Police (sometimes specific issues, other times requires summaries)
  • Iron County Sheriff (sometimes specific issues, other times requires summaries)
  • Utah Highway Patrol (sometimes specific issues, other times requires summaries)
  • Local Government - Cedar City and Iron County Offices, Paiute Tribe (Mayor, County Commission, City Council, planning and Zoning, Tribal Council, etc.)
  • Environment (Forest Service, BLM, Div. of Wildlife, including agriculture, etc.)
  • Education (Iron County School District)
  • SUU Admin (Dean O’Driscoll’s Office, budgets, jobs, etc.)
  • Business and Labor (Cedar City Chamber of Commerce, other associations, localize national stories)
  • SUUSA (executive, legislative and judicial)
  • Student Life (Residential Halls, Clubs and Orgs)
  • College of Visual and Performing Arts (performances – [easy-most of the work is done for you])
  • Arts and Entertainment - State, Regional and National (including food, fashion, etc.)
  • Other SUU Colleges (HSS, LIB, Education and Human Development)
  • Medical/Health (SUU Nursing Program, Valley View Medical Center, national stories etc.)
  • Science/Technology (SUU Science and CIET colleges, popular technology stuff, national trends)
  • Justice and Courts (Fifth and Sixth District Courts)
  • Politics (localize national stories, Leavitt Center, etc.)
  • Religion (student, state, regional, national trends i.e: Draper LDS Temple Dedication)
  • Non SUU Local Sports (high school, recreation center, etc.)
  • State and National Sports (may be responsible for entering CG info)
  • SUU Sports (including non-major sports issues)
Contract Grading

Each student has the opportunity to EARN an A. The assumption is that the work listed below constitutes A work. Do the work-- get the grade*. You must turn in at least one video assignment every week but no more than three. In other words, spread them out evenly throughout the semester.

PACKAGES: Need 4. Write dates and slugs (drop a full letter grade for each missing package)

VOSOTS: Need 4. Write dates and slugs (drop a half letter grade for each missing VOSOT)

VOs: Need 4. Write dates and slugs (drop a half letter grade for missing 2 VOs)

As if Live: Write date and slug (drop a full letter grade for a missing AIL)

Crew Position (List position worked during each rotation. Significant absents or tardies – minus letter grade)

[News Breaks: Need 6 (List dates worked and position filled)] Optional

Reader Stories: Need at least 10 (List dates and slugs)

Job/Internship Search: Anytime during the semester research possible entry level jobs or internships in broadcasting. Tell the class what you found—qualifications, salary, etc. Print a hard copy and post on the class bulletin board

Due at end of semester:

________ Hard Copy Resume – make it broadcast oriented (drop half letter grade if missing).

________ Video Resume – designed for specific position (ie: reporter, photographer, producer, etc). Include tape log that lists contents (drop TWO full letter grades if missing)

________ Binder with copies of scripts (Drop half letter grade if missing)

________ End of semester meeting with the professor (drop half letter grade if missed)

_______________ FINAL GRADE

*Based on 3 credits. Two credits require 3 packages, 3 VOSOTs, 3 VOs, 1 AIL. One credit requires 2 packages, 2 VOSOTs, 2 VO or AILs.

Spot NewsFeatureSUU EventOther
Spot NewsFeatureSUU EventOther
Job and location:

Course Outline

Live news and program production every Tuesday and Thursday. Students will rotate through various on-air and technical positions. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

LATE ASSIGNMENTS – Deadlines are essential in the TV business. Producers are planning on your material to help fill a specific show. But challenges arise (technical problems, interviews fall through, etc.). Late material will be accepted if you inform the show producers and the instructor in a timely manner.

Attendance Policy

Class attendance required. Meet during regularly scheduled class times. More than three absences as observed by the professor will lead to a reduction of one letter grade.

ATTENDANCE - If a student must miss a production, that student is responsible for finding a suitable replacement AND contacting both the instructor and the producer. More than three unexcused absences will result in a full grade drop.

Course Fees

SUPPLIES: Each student must provide their own SD memory card and a hard drive for shooting and editing video. Video production equipment provided. You may use your own camera and editing computer if desired. No specific course fees. HSS College fees may apply.

TV Practicum Dress, Grooming, and Business Standards

These standards are established to allow you to build a professional looking resume tape that can be submitted to all types of potential employment.
On-Air Talent (news anchors, weather, sports, reporter on-sets, live shots)
Be to class no later than 2:30 – check in with producer and instructor.
Be on set, ready to go, at least 10-minutes before production.
Use the time to read scripts, work out transitions, ad libs
Business attire – suit coats and ties for men, dresses or nice slacks for women.
Modest dress. Women - no cleavage or extremely short skirts, Men - no open or low cut shirts. For camera purposes avoid white, black, and “busy” patterns. Avoid “greens” if doing green
screen.
Make-up – Both men and women wear make-up. Provide your own base- get help from others as
needed. TV lights “bleach” you out.
Multiple body piercings, large earrings, tattoos, - not allowed to be seen on-air.
No crude or profane language.
Modest and professional hairstyle - no extremes, no “student look”. For men recommend against facial
hair - but if worn must be clean shaven or fully grown.
On-air uncontrolled laughing, giggling, and inappropriate remarks are unacceptable.
Racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual orientation, or age slurs are also unacceptable. Violations will be handled on a case by case basis ranging from verbal reprimand, to removal from on-air position, to subjection to student disciplinary procedures.
No food or drink in studio or control room (water allowed on set).
Must provide your own IFB earpiece (will discuss this).
If a student must miss a production, that student is responsible for finding a suitable replacement
AND contacting both the instructor and the producer.
Stand-ups/liveshots – Same standards as in studio but may be modified for sports, outdoor stories,
extreme weather, etc. No sunglasses.
Technical Crew (all positions)
Be to class no later than 2:30 – check in with producer and instructor.
Prepare all necessary tasks for your position.
Be in position, ready to go, at least 10-minutes before production.
General professional-casual work attire required (no extreme fashions or immodest attire).
While you are not on camera we often have studio visitors.
No crude or profane language
(Directors and others have been known to get excited – control your mouth)
Provide your own pens, notepads, etc. needed to perform your tasks.
Keep the studio and control room clean. Pick up after yourself.
No food or drink in studio or control room.
If a student must miss a production, that student is responsible for finding a suitable replacement
AND contacting both the instructor and the producer.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.