2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Journalism (JOUR)

JOUR 201  - American Media History  (3 Hours)  

An overview of media history and development in the United States, including electronic media. The course provides an interpretative look at the men, women, and technological developments that have shaped the American media as we know it today, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, movies, and the Internet. Offered yearly. C21:CL,SS.

Curriculum: CL,SS

JOUR 202  - Media and Society  (3 Hours)  

An examination of how American media, including print and electronic journalism, impacts society. The course highlights the intersection of media, business, technology, and law to give a complete picture of mass media's social impact. The course offers a comprehensive tour of the events, people and technologies that continue to shape the media that is changing American society. Offered yearly. C21:CL,SS.

JOUR 303  - Communication Law and Ethics  (3 Hours)  

Explores issues of communication and mass media from legal as well as ethical perspectives. This class will introduce you to the First Amendment and issues concerning the freedom of expression, including libel, privacy, and regulation of broadcasting and advertising. The class will also examine what different philosophical perspectives would say about ethics in communication and apply them to specific cases. Offered alternate years. C21:OC.

Cross-list: COMM 303
JOUR 373  - The Craft of Editing  (3 Hours)  

Editors have to know everything about everything. Introduces students to the essential skills of editing that help assure clarity, coherence, consistency, correctness, and elegance in written communication. Considers how the rapid and dramatic changes in print culture are blurring the lines between writer and editor. Offered occasionally.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 185 or permission of the instructor
Cross-list: ENGL 373
JOUR 374  - News Writing I  (3 Hours)  

An introduction to the different types of newspaper writing: news reports, reviews, editorials, etc. Includes a brief introduction to the general operations of a newspaper. Offered yearly.

Cross-list: ENGL 374
JOUR 375  - News Writing II  (3 Hours)  

A continuation of JOUR 374 in which each student concentrates upon one or two types of newspaper writing. Offered yearly.

Prerequisite(s): JOUR 374
Cross-list: ENGL 375
JOUR 376  - Feature Writing  (3 Hours)  

This hands-on course will teach students how to write feature articles and to submit them for publication to magazines and weeklies. Students will learn ways to develop marketable ideas and to write feature stories, profiles, how-to articles, and more. The class includes field trips to local magazine publishers and visits from guest editors and writers.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 185
Cross-list: ENGL 376
JOUR 381  - Special Topics in Journalism  (3 Hours)  

These courses focus on areas of journalism not specifically covered in the general curriculum and are designed to meet the needs of advanced students.

JOUR 450  - Internship in Journalism  (3 Hours)  

Provides an opportunity for students to gain practical experience in their field. Prerequisites when used for the minor in journalism: JOUR 374 and JOUR 375. Application required; see Internship Program. C21:EL.

Curriculum: EL

JOUR 451  - Internship in Jour  (3 Hours)  
JOUR 457  - Internship in Journalism (Paid) $200 fee  (3 Hours)  

With prior approval students may earn Experiential Cross Area Requirement (CAR) credit and transcript notation for three credit hours for a paid internship. To qualify for experiential credit a student must have completed 48 semester hours of work prior to the beginning of the internship and be in good academic standing (not on academic probation) at the time of application and at the start of the internship. Registration and application procedures are similar to those for academic internship courses. Satisfactory completion of a paid internship requires at a minimum 130 hours (160 recommended) working at the host site, a reflective daily journal, final written report, and satisfactory evaluation from the site supervisor. Paid internships for Experiential Credit may be subject to an application processing fee. C21:CS,EL.