(2014-2015 Archive) Courses

Courses

JOUR 100. Mass Communication (3)

Not open to students with credit in CTVA 100. Survey and analysis of newspapers, books, magazines, radio, television, popular music, movies, advertising, public relations, the Internet and emerging technologies. Examines media history and economics, as well as their roles, rights and impact in contemporary society. Particular emphasis on media literacy, critical thinking, research and writing. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning.)

JOUR 110. Writing, Reporting and Ethics I (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in ENGL 115 or its equivalent; typing proficiency. Basic news gathering and writing. Includes interviewing, speech/meeting coverage, preparing news copy, and traditional- and electronic-information gathering as applied to news decision making. Introduces ethics as part of developing news judgment and learning the values practiced by professional journalists. 6 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 210. Writing, Reporting and Ethics II (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 110 or its equivalent. Continuation of news reporting, with coverage of public affairs beats, including police, courts and government. Writing primarily in print, but also in broadcast news, online news and public relations formats. Ethics emphasized. Off-campus reporting and statistical journalism included. 6 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 250. Visual Communication (2)

Survey of the most significant techniques and examples of visual communication as employed by the mass media, including newspapers, magazines, television and advertising. Discussion and demonstration of the tools used in analyzing visual communication. Illustrated lectures and experiences.

JOUR 310. Writing, Reporting and Ethics III (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 210 or its equivalent. Reporting in-depth on social and political issues. Analysis and application of both classic and newer forms of explanatory storytelling, with an emphasis on ethics. Feature and human interest writing. Using the Internet as a reporting tool.

JOUR 315. Reporting for Broadcast (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 210 or its equivalent. Gathering, reporting, writing, editing and presentation of news for broadcast. Out-of-class assignments, writing stories and editing newscasts for radio and television. 6 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 325. Television News Techniques (1)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 110 or its equivalent. Shooting and editing of video for television news stories. Coverage and editing of interviews, speeches, news conferences, hard news and features. Operation of cameras and editing equipment. 2 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 330. Editing (2)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 310. Copy and news editing, handling wire service stories, news evaluation and ethics. 4 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 331. Graphics (2)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 250. Principles of design and production techniques for print and on-line media. Uses of layout, typography and images for journalism and public relations. 4 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 335. Writing, Producing and Editing Television News (2)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 315 and 325. Television news writing, editing and producing. Developing news judgment, ethics and newsroom skills. Editing and writing to video, anchoring. Students produce weekly newscasts, followed by discussion and critique. 4 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 340. Principles of Public Relations (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in ENGL 115 or its equivalent. Survey of public relations. Comparative studies of organization and function, techniques and public relations problems. The use of public relations in various organizations, educational institutions, government, corporations, financial institutions, public utilities, entertainment and labor. Regular written assignments are required.

JOUR 341. Writing and Editing for Public Relations (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 110 or its equivalent; JOUR 340. Provides students with an intensive experience writing for public relations. Students learn and employ a variety of public relations writing techniques for print, broadcast and new technologies. Examines and analyzes writing effectiveness in relevant public relations cases and current issues.

JOUR 350. Photojournalism (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in ART 250; Students are required to have their own cameras. Instruction in the production of black-and-white images for publication and in picture editing. Emphasis on the techniques and ethics involved in working with single images. 6 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 371. Women, Men and Media (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of Lower Division writing requirement. Analysis of portrayals of women and men in the mass media and how media shape gender roles, expectations and stereotypes. Special attention to historical and contemporary contributions and responsibilities of women media professionals. Particular emphasis on applying critical thinking, research and writing skills to analyze media policies and practices, and on developing strategies that empower gender equality. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.) (IC)

JOUR 372. Diversity and the Media (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of Lower Division writing requirement. Analysis of media portrayals and audience perceptions of racial, ethnic and sociopolitical groups, and the roles and responsibilities of mainstream and specialty media in a democratic society. Particular emphasis on applying critical thinking, research and writing skills to analyze media policies and practices and on developing strategies for multiculturalism. (Available for General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies.) (IC)

JOUR 374. Spanish-Language News Environment (3)

The course is a survey of Latino-oriented and Spanish-language news media and of the news coverage of Latinos and Spanish-language communities. The course provides students with a general understanding of contemporary Spanish-speaking and Latino communities. Conducted in English.

JOUR 390. Freedom of the Press (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of the Lower Division writing requirement. Not available for those with credit in JOUR 400. Designed for non-journalism majors. Legal rights and privileges of the mass media under the Constitution. Censorship and control of the press. (Available for General Education, Lifelong Learning.)

JOUR 393. Special Projects (3)

Prerequisite: Senior status and approval of project by department chair. Independent work with faculty supervision.

JOUR 395A, B. Broadcast News Practicum (1-4)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C “or better in JOUR 315. Supervised work on KCSN in news and documentary programs. Students work as writers, reporters and editors. Critiques of student work. 3 hours of activity per unit per week required.

JOUR 397A, B. Newspaper Practicum (1-4)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C “or better in JOUR 310 for writers and reporters and in JOUR 330 for editors. Supervised work on the department daily newspaper. Students work as writers, reporters, photographers and editors. Three hours of activity per unit per week.

JOUR 398A, B. Public Relations Practicum (1-4)

Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 340 and 341. Hands-on experience designing and implementing public relations campaigns on behalf of non-profit clients, both on- and off-campus. Supervised work on a broad range of public relations activities and documents, with heavy emphasis on writing. Creates professional setting in which students initiate, launch, sustain and carry through public relations campaigns of their own design. 3 hours of activity per unit per week.

JOUR 400. Mass Communication Law and Ethics (3)

Not available for students with credit in JOUR 390. Examination of the ethics and laws that protect the privileges and define the responsibility of the mass media. Topics include the First Amendment, legal access to information, plagiarism, newsgathering, public access to the media, libel, right of privacy, fair trial/free press, obscenity and censorship.

JOUR 410. Investigative Reporting (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 310 or 315. Researching, reporting, writing and producing investigative stories on societal, governmental and scientific issues for print, broadcast or online media. Ethical issues, problems, traditional techniques and technological approaches to investigative journalism.

JOUR 415. Reporting for Television News (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 315 and 325. Reporting, writing, editing and producing for television news. Fundamentals of television news field reporting, writing, researching, interviewing and editing complete narrative packages. 6 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 435. Broadcast News Documentary (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 415. Study of documentaries. Development and production of news and public affairs documentaries. Six hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 440. Public Relations Techniques (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 340 and 341. Focus on strategic planning, critical thinking, management and problem solving through the use of case studies. Builds on previously acquired public relations tools and techniques. Includes campaign strategies, research strategies, client relations, creating website content, internal communications, media relations, crisis communication, media training and budgeting.

JOUR 445. Advanced Television News (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 335 and 415. Reporting, writing, editing, anchoring and producing television newscasts for airing on cable or television. Students produce weekly newscasts in a professional environment, followed by critique and discussion. 6 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 450. Advanced Photojournalism (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 350. Advanced instruction in the techniques and ethics of photojournalism. Emphasis on reporting and narrative construction for the photojournalist. Includes the production of picture stories, photo essays and the preparation of a professional portfolio. 6 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 455. Documentary Photojournalism (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 350. Production course that guides the student to a discovery and use of the principles of investigation and reporting on a subject in depth. Production of photographic images are supported by a survey of the major journalistic documentary projects in still photography. 6 hours of classroom and lab activity.

JOUR 460. Magazine Journalism (3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 330. Principles, problems and techniques of magazine editing and design; production of department magazine; and nonfiction article research and writing. 6 hours of scheduled classroom and lab activity required.

JOUR 465. Mass Communication and Popular Culture (3)

Study of the social, political and economic influences that shape popular culture and its effects on audiences. Examines media’s roles as storytellers. Particular emphasis on applying critical thinking, research and writing skills to analyze media policies and practices and on developing strategies that empower consumers in the media.

JOUR 474. Spanish-Language Media Writing (3)

Prerequisite: Upper Division level of Spanish-language; JOUR 210 or instructor approval. The course will guide students in the methods and styles of reporting and writing in Spanish for print and broadcast. It will prepare students to take part in the Journalism Department’s media practica. Conducted in Spanish.

JOUR 478. International News Media (3)

Study of news media systems and the influence of government, economics, culture and propaganda on international news practices. Examines the role of multinational media organizations.

JOUR 480. History of the American News Media (3)

Study of the development and influence of the news media in the U.S. from colonial times to the present. Examines social, economic, cultural, technological and political influences on news media development. Special attention to dominant media personalities.

JOUR 494ABC. Internship (1-3)

Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 315 or 330 or 335 or 341. Supervised employment and field study on newspaper and magazines, in public relations, or in radio and television news. (Credit/No Credit only)

JOUR 495A-Z. Selected Topics in Journalism (3)

Prerequisites: Grade of “C” or better in JOUR 310 or 315. Advanced research, writing and reporting of selected journalistic styles and/or subject matter. Ethical issues, problems, traditional techniques and technological approaches are integral segments of each selected topic. Subject content will change from semester to semester.

JOUR 496A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Journalism (1-3)

Prerequisite: One year of appropriate coursework in Journalism. Experimental courses in journalism, with course content to be determined.

JOUR 498. Tutorial in Mass Communication (1)

Prerequisite: Senior standing; Coursework appropriate to the tutorial subject. Individual, supervised study in selected areas of the student’s interest.

JOUR 499. Independent Study (1-3)

No course description

JOUR 585. Theory of Mass Communication (3)

Prerequisite: Senior or graduate status. Extended analysis of the theories which inform the study of mass communication. The course focus is on contemporary theories but is grounded in a historical understanding of the development of theory in the field.

MCOM 600. Seminar in Research Methods (3)

Prerequisite: Classified graduate status. Scope and methods of research in mass communication, including review of literature, statement of research problem, research design, collection and analysis of data and information, and writing the research report.

MCOM 610. Seminar in Specialized Reporting (3)

Prerequisites: Classified graduate status, JOUR 110. Professionally-oriented course in the use of reporting and writing skills and knowledge with a focus on individual areas of student interest.

MCOM 620. Seminar in Media Criticism (3)

Prerequisite: Classified graduate status. Analysis of books, journal articles and other reviews that deal with contemporary mass communication.

MCOM 630. Seminar in Analysis of Media Performance (3)

Prerequisite: MCOM 600. Extended application of research and evaluation techniques as used in mass communication research to describe the quality of news media performance.

MCOM 690. Research Practicum (3)

Prerequisite: MCOM 600. Instruction and individualized guidance in the preparation of thesis or project proposals, including introduction, literature review and methodology.

MCOM 693A-Z. Selected Topics in Journalism and Mass Comm (3)

Prerequisites: Classified status; Approval of sponsor. Advanced examination of selected topics in journalism and mass communication, with course content to be determined by Department faculty.

MCOM 694. Internship (1-6)

Prerequisites: MCOM 600; Approval of sponsor.

MCOM 696. Directed Graduate Research (3)