Course Descriptions
Journalism
(JOUR)
Coordinator of Journalism Education R. S. Sumpter; Senior Lecturer E. L. Walraven
102. (COMM 1307) American Mass Media. (3-0). Credit 3.
Introductory survey of mass communication media, their history and social role, to provide an understanding of the development and importance of mass communication media in modern society. Prerequisite: Freshman or sophomore classification, or approval of program coordinator.
200. Mass Media Information. (3-0). Credit 3.
Strategies and procedures in identifying, gathering, analyzing and organizing information for the mass media; sources and methods; evaluation and validation of evidence; legal and ethical considerations. Prerequisites: JOUR 102 with a grade of B or better, 80 percent on the GSP test, 2.5 GPR or higher, and freshman or sophomore classification; or approval of program coordinator.
203. (COMM 2311) Media Writing I. (2-3). Credit 3.
Basic journalistic techniques common to all media; integration of news gathering, writing and editing; ethics. Limited to minors in journalism, or with approval of program coordinator. Prerequisites: JOUR 102 and 200, freshman or sophomore classification and enrollment in journalism minor; or approval of program coordinator.*
301. Mass Communication, Law and Society. (3-0). Credit 3.
Mass media as social institutions; social responsibility and ethics of the press; history, constitutional development, and law of the First Amendment. Prerequisites: JOUR 102 and 200, junior or senior classification and enrollment in journalism minor; or approval of program coordinator.*
303. Media Writing II. (2-3). Credit 3.
Interpretative news gathering and writing for various media; basic communication law and ethics; assigned practice on campus or other publications. Prerequisites: JOUR 203, junior or senior classification and enrollment in journalism minor; or approval of program coordinator.*
304. Editing for the Mass Media. (2-2). Credit 3.
Principles and practice of editing including: improving and tightening print and broadcast copy; writing headlines, titles and subheads; photo editing and cutlines; graphics and layout. Prerequisites: JOUR 203, junior or senior classification and enrollment in journalism minor; or approval of program coordinator.*
484. Internship. Credit 1 to 3.
Directed internship in a private firm or public agency to provide on-the-job experience appropriate to the student's degree program and career objectives. To be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Maximum of 3 credits may apply toward degree. Prerequisites: Enrollment in journalism minor or students completing journalism major, completion of most other journalism courses and approval of instructor.*
485. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4 each semester.
Research problems related to communication field. Individual work, fitted to special needs of specific student as determined by his or her interests and aptitude. Prerequisites: Enrollment restricted to students completing the journalism major and approval of the program coordinator.*
489. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.
Selected topics in an identified area of journalism and mass communication. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Enrollment restricted to students completing the journalism major and approval of the program coordinator.*
490. Journalism as a Profession. (3-0). Credit 3.
Exit-level course for interdisciplinary minor in journalism; requires students to produce publication-quality projects under mentorship of Journalists-in-Residence and faculty; includes seminars in contemporary news media issues and practices. Prerequisites: Enrollment in journalism minor, completion of most other journalism courses; or approval of the program coordinator.*
*Students must complete ENGL 104 with a grade of C or higher or equivalent credit before enrolling in JOUR 203 or any upper-division (300-400) journalism course.