Course Descriptions

Journalism Course Descriptions:

Jour 100 - Journalism & Media Studies and Society (Traditional/Online - Fall, Spring and Summer sessions)

This course examines the impact of mass media in national and international political, economic, cultural and behavioral contexts. It assesses contemporary trends in media-society relations; historical facts that have shaped the structures, practices and products of the mass media industries and trends in media-society relations.

Jour 101 - Beginning Newswriting (Traditional - Fall and Spring sessions)

This course focuses on of the principles of newsgathering and newswriting, with emphasis on journalistic writing. Basic news story structure and development, news evaluation, newsgathering methods, interviewing, craftsmanship, and reporting techniques in general are explored. Newspaper and other news and information media are analyzed. The course is particularly recommended for English and communications majors and those planning careers in news media, public relations, communications, corporate communication and news and informational multimedia.

Jour 107A - College Newspaper (Traditional - Fall and Spring sessions)

This course focuses on writing and producing student news publications using the Talon Marks student media -- school newspaper, talonmarks.com, social media, and Wings Magazine -- as a practical laboratory that produces a journalistic product for distribution to a college-wide audience. Students will work primarily in one of the following areas: researching, writing, and editing articles for the two publications; taking photographs and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories; or designing pages. Ethics and legal aspects of communication are also covered.

Jour 107B - Intermediate College Newspaper (Traditional - Fall and Spring sessions)

This course focuses on writing and producing student news publications using the Talon Marks student media -- school newspaper, talonmarks.com, social media, and Wings Magazine -- as a practical laboratory that produces a journalistic product for distribution to a college-wide audience. Students will work primarily in two of the following areas: researching, writing, and editing articles for the two publications; taking photographs and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories; or designing pages. Ethics and legal aspects of communication and media leadership/management are also covered.

Jour 107C - Intermediate-Advanced College Newspaper (Traditional - Fall and Spring sessions)

This course focuses on writing and producing student news publications using the Talon Marks student media -- school newspaper, talonmarks.com, social media, and Wings Magazine -- as a practical laboratory that produces a journalistic product for distribution to a college-wide audience. Students will work primarily in three of the following areas: researching, writing, and editing articles for the two publications; taking photographs and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories; or designing pages. Ethics and legal aspects of communication and media leadership/management are also covered and students should serve in leadership roles.

Jour 107D - Advanced College Newspaper (Traditional - Fall and Spring sessions)

This course focuses on writing and producing student news publications using the Talon Marks student media -- school newspaper, talonmarks.com, social media, and Wings Magazine -- as a practical laboratory that produces a journalistic product for distribution to a college-wide audience. Students will produce work in each of the following areas: researching, writing, and editing advanced investigative and in-depth articles for the two publications; taking photographs and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories; or designing pages. Ethics and legal aspects of communication and media leadership/management are also covered and students should serve in leadership roles and cover a major or public affairs beat.

Jour 121 - Multimedia Reporting (Traditional - Spring session)

This course will provide a basic introduction to multimedia storytelling with a journalism emphasis. Techniques that will be explored include use of video, photos, audio, animation, and text to convey interactive news and feature stories through the World Wide Web and other electronic media.

Jour 125 - Broadcast News Production and Editing

This course is a study and practice of digital audio production and editing in broadcast journalism centered around the computer. The focus is on news and feature stories that involve interviews and other audio associated with stories. Students will learn about reporting, recording, editing, and distribution through Web and podcasts, as well as how to market their product.

Jour 130 - Photo Journalism

This course deals with the photographer as a journalist, focusing on theory and practice in press and publications photography, with emphasis on using the camera as a reporting and communications tool. Covered are news and feature photography and photographic essays, including composition, impact, and creativity, for newspapers, magazines, Internet, and other mass communications media. Students must have access to a manually operable camera. This course is not open to students who are enrolled in or who have received credit in PHOT 130.

Jour 157 - Public Relations

This class explores the basic theories and principles of communicating information and concepts. Emphasis is on techniques and methods, with attention given to identifying audiences, using public relations tools, planning public relations programs and campaigns, promoting favorable relations with various segments of the public, and dealing with problem solving. The effective use of public information, publicity, and advertising is covered. This course is not available for students who are enrolled in or have completed BA 157.

Radio - Television Course Descriptions:

JAMS 151- Motion Pictures, Radio and Television (Traditional/Online - Fall and Spring sessions)

This is a broad survey of the history, theory, and production techniques of motion pictures, radio, and television with emphasis on the form, content, and social impact of each. Students will participate in at least one field trip to a motion picture, radio, or television studio.

JAMS 152 - Introduction to Broadcasting (Traditional/Online - Fall and Spring sessions)

As an introduction to the basic phases of radio and television broadcasting, this course covers historical, legal, and practical aspects of broadcasting. Students will learn microphone and camera techniques, studio procedure, and station staffing as well. Field trips to radio and television stations may be included.