Journalism Department Curriculum

Course descriptions

These are descriptions of the courses offered by the journalism department. For current class times and CRN numbers, visit classfinder.

106 Writing Structure (2)

Analysis of and skill development in sentence structure, syntax, English
grammar, mechanics, usage and punctuation as applied to journalistic
writing.

190 Introduction to Mass Media (5) (SSC)

Introduction to basic issues and problems facing journalists and the public
as recipients of mass media messages in national and international society;
nature, theory and effects of communication; media systems, structure
and support; world news flow; media controls; First Amendment rights;
ethical considerations. Sample Syllabus.

207 Newswriting (4)

Writing for news media; clarity in use of language, style and punctuation;
sentence and paragraph structure and organization of stories; credibility
of information and news judgment; basic methods of researching and
writing. Weekly news discussions based on a major national newspaper as
one of the texts. Sample Syllabus.

214 Newspaper Staff (3)

Prereq: sophomore status; Jour 207. Participation on the staff of the
university newspaper. Write articles and take photographs for the university’s
newspaper and online edition. Gather and edit audio and video, create
multimedia packages for the newspaper’s Web site. Also includes lecture.

305 Photojournalism (4)

Prereq: Jour 207, basic knowledge of photography and permission of
instructor. Introduction to news photography and its application in print
and online; composing effective news pictures; essentials of processing
for print publication and multi-media projects; picture editing and layout;
professional ethics and the law.

307 Reporting (5)

Prereq: Jour 207. Interviewing, news coverage of community news sources
with emphasis on public affairs reporting. Introduction to computerized
database reporting and investigative techniques. Writing for news media. Sample Syllabus.

309 Editing (5)

Prereq: Jour 207; JOUR 307 or 380. News copy desk operations; editing;
headline writing; dummying; page make-up and news graphics; and
computerized editing. Sample Syllabus.

314 Newspaper Staff (3)

Prereq: junior status; Jour 207; JOUR 307 or 380. Participation on the staff
of the university newspaper. Write articles and take photographs for the
university’s newspaper. Gather and edit audio and video, create multimedia
packages for the newspaper’s Web site. Also includes lecture.

321 Periodical Staff (3)(WP-3)

Prereq: junior status; Jour 207; one newspaper staff course. Workshop in
print periodical design, online, multimedia design, layout and production,
training in the creative combination of type, headlines, photographs
and other illustrative material, text and caption writing; creative layout
techniques; writing for publication; participation on and publication of the
university periodical. Repeatable to a maximum of 6 credits. Sample Syllabus.

330 Principles of Public Relations (4)

Prereq: Jour 207 or permission of instructor. Methods, tools and media
used in planning and developing strategic public relations programs for
all organizations. Practicing research methods, writing news releases,
understanding effective communications strategies and integrated marketing
communications, analyzing case studies, exploring relations with the press
and developing creative public relations campaigns. Sample Syllabus.

340 History of U.S. Journalism (4) HUM

Prereq: junior status. An examination of how U.S. journalism has
influenced U.S. history from the works that inspired the revolution to the
coverage of 9/11. A poster presentation offers students the opportunity
to research the role of the news media in shaping a specific event or
issue in U.S. history. Sample Syllabus.

346 Intro to Visual Journalism (5)

Prereq: JOUR 207, 305, 309. Critical and analytical exploration of the
visual aspects of storytelling in print and online media; research on the
cultural history and news media application of photography, infographics,
typography, audio and video clips. Consideration of special properties,
demands, and aspects of visuals as they are used to enhance and augment
written news narratives. Application of these principles through projects
that produce still and video photography, audio, informational graphics
and typography to accompany written narrative. Sample Syllabus.

350 Mass Media Law (5)

Prereq: junior status. Rights and legal restrictions on freedom of the press;
constitutional guarantees as interpreted through the courts; libel, privacy,
access to information, censorship, contempt, agency regulations. Issues
applying to various forms of mass media, including print, broadcast and
online publishing. Sample Syllabus.

351 Mass Media Ethics (4)

Prereq: JOUR 207. Introduction to ethical theories; examination of
professional codes and standards; changing roles of the news media that
affect moral reasoning for the journalist; responsibilities of the media in
a world of instant communication and reaction; historical perspectives
through case studies; use of reporting, editing and advocacy methods and
formation of news values in print, broadcast and online media. Research
paper examines ethics topic.

360 Study of Literary Journalism (3)

Prereq: junior status. Reading and critiquing texts that use literary
techniques to enhance journalism. Studying the history of literary journalism
and its impact on the field.

370 Online Journalism (3)

Prereq: JOUR 307, 309 and 346. Practice and study of journalism online.
Examines how technological innovations are changing the ways print and
broadcast journalists do their jobs, as well as the social, economic, ethical
and legal implications of these changes. Students will learn to report, edit
and design in an online environment. Sample Syllabus.

375 Diversity, Mass Media and Social Change (4) HUM

Prereq: junior status, JOUR 190 or equivalent and permission of instructor. Uses
an intersectional framework of race/ethnicity, gender, class and other demographic
groups to examine how mass media cover social change and affect
their audiences.

380 Advanced Public Relations Writing and Techniques (5)

Prereq: JOUR 207 and 330. Cannot be taken at the same time as JOUR 309.
Intensive focus on the processes involved in writing for an organization’s
diverse publics, including news releases, op-eds, broadcast material,
speeches, organizational memos and proposals, employer publications,
backgrounders, features and Web sites. Students gain hands-on experience
by applying these skills and processes through service-learning by writing
for community organizations.

390 The News Process (4)

Prereq: junior status required. Critical examination of current news issues
and decision-making processes through visiting news media professionals,
readings and discussion. Repeatable to 8 credits with various topics.

404 Feature Writing (4)

Prereq: Jour 307 or 380 and major status. In-depth article, column and
persuasive writing; development of ideas, gathering of materials and
writing; special attention to individual interests; exploration of freelance
writing markets. Sample Syllabus, Sample Assignment Description.

414 Newspaper Staff (3)

Prereq: JOUR 207; JOUR 307 or 380; and JOUR 314. Participation on the
staff of the university newspaper. Writing articles and taking photographs for
the university’s newspaper and online edition. Gathering and editing audio
and video, creating multimedia packages for the newspaper’s Web site. Also
includes lecture. Repeatable to a maximum of 12 credits. Sample Syllabus.

415 Newspaper Editorship (4)

Prereq: JOUR 207; JOUR 307 or 380; one newspaper staff course, and
permission of instructor. Publication editing and development; assigning and
editing news stories, photographs and multimedia projects; creating content
for the publication’s Web site; creating and implementing budget and advising
on budget decisions; acting as mentor to assigned staff members; holding
office hours and meeting outside scheduled class time; preparing reports and
presentations for class and instructor; assisting with and taking part in workshops;
office management and security; learning personnel communication skills; using
advanced publication software and technology; making self-evaluation and
production reports for adviser. Repeatable to a maximum of 16 credits. This
course may not be taken concurrently with a staff course. Sample Syllabus.

421 Periodical Staff (3) (WP-3)

Prereq: Senior status; JOUR 207; JOUR 307 or 380; and one newspaper staff
course. Workshop in print periodical design, online, multimedia design, layout
and production, training in the creative combination of type, headlines,
photographs and other illustrative material, text and caption writing; creative
layout techniques; writing for publication; participation on and publication of
the university periodical. Repeatable to 9 credits. Sample Syllabus.

422 Periodical Editor (4)

Prereq: JOUR 207; JOUR 307 or 380; one periodical staff course, and permission
of instructor. Print publication and online publication editing and development;
creating and implementing budget and advising on budget decisions; acting
as mentor to assigned staff members; holding office hours and meetings
outside scheduled class time; preparing reports and presentations for class and
instructor; assisting with and taking part in workshops; office management and
security; learning personnel communication skills; using advanced publication
software and technology; making self-evaluation and production reports for
adviser. This course may not be taken concurrently with a periodical staff
course. Repeatable to a maximum of 8 credits. Sample Syllabus.

430 Field Internships (6)

Prereq: For the news/editorial sequence — Jour 207, 307, 309, 350,
351, two newspaper staff courses and major status; for the public relations
sequence — JOUR 207, 305, 309, 330, 350, 351, 380, one newspaper staff
course and major status; for the visual journalism sequence — JOUR 207,
305,307, 309, 346, 350, 351, one newspaper staff course and major status; for
the environmental journalism sequence — JOUR 207, 307, 309, 350, one
newspaper staff course and major status. Supervised field work on newspapers,
magazines, radio and TV stations, public relations and advertising agencies,
or other appropriate professional situations. S/U grading. More information.

440 Public Relations Research & Campaigns (5)

Prereq: JOUR 330, 380, and major status. Study and practice in research
methods, theory, implementation and evaluation of effective programs of
communication. Students work in teams to establish a firm theoretical and
research-based approach to planning an effective public relations campaign
for a community organization. Sample Syllabus.

446 Advanced Visual Journalism (5)

Prereq: JOUR 346, 370 and major status. In-depth exploration of concepts
and practices explored in JOUR 346. Students work in teams to apply
theories, conduct research, analyze data and apply design and software skills
to produce visual and verbal elements for advanced projects.

450 Advanced Reporting (5)

Prereq: Jour 307, 350, 351 and major status. Survey and application of
advanced reporting techniques, including computer-assisted reporting, and the
use of the Internet, to produce news stories of depth, complexity and appeal.

460 Special Reporting Project (4)

Prereq: JOUR 307 or 380; JOUR 350 or 351; two staff courses and major status.
Students write about and photograph people who have ethnic, national,
environmental or cultural backgrounds different from the dominant society;
sensitivity to other cultural traditions; advanced reporting and writing skills.

480 Senior Seminar (5) (WP-3)

Prereq: Jour 350 and 351 and major status. Examines research methods
in and theories of mass communication in the context of the practice of
journalism and public relations in a democratic society. A research paper
provides students with practice applying specific methods and theories to
explore contemporary issues in journalism and public relations.