Course Descriptions
JOUR 1020 American Media and Social Institutions
Three credits. (Same as EMC/RIM 1020.) The power of the mass media and its effect on social institutions and practices. Develops skills of qualitative and quantitative social science research in the area of mass communication processes; examines media as social, cultural, and economic institutions that shape the values of American society,its political dialogues, its social practices, and institutions.
JOUR 2710 Media Writing
Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 1010 and 1020 or equivalents. Theory and practices of writing for print and electronic media according to the techniques, styles and formats of various media. Lab required.
JOUR 3000 Introduction to Motion Pictures
Three credits. (Same as EMC 3000.) Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor. The development and role of motion pictures in America, including the history of films and filmmakers, the influence of film on American culture, and film criticism.
JOUR 3090 Reporting
Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 2710. Theory and practice of basic journalistic skills, including the gathering, evaluating and processing of news copy for newspapers. Classwork will be submitted to student or local newspapers.
JOUR 3100 Music as Popular Culture
Three credits. (Same as RIM 3100.) Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy. Introduces range of scholarly approaches to the study of popular music. Encourages perspectives other than those of "producer" or "consumer." Requires applications of analytical and critical methods in research paper assignment.
JOUR 3450 Editing
Three credits. Prerequisites: admission to candidacy. Theory and practice in the art of copy editing, including editing, language skills, newspaper style, news judgment, headline writing, photo editing, cutline writing, and page design.
JOUR 3510 Media History and American Culture
Three credits. (Same as EMC 3510.) Development of American journalism and the mass media from Colonial times to the present, including the role and influence of mass media on American culture, technical advances, and contributions of individual personalities.
JOUR 3520 Specialized Journalism
Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 3090 and admission to candidacy. The unique facets of print journalism not available in other courses. Topics include investigative, online, environmental, sports, medical, political reporting, or opinion writing. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
JOUR 3530 Feature Writing
Three credits. Prerequisite: admission to candidacy or permission of instructor. Theory and practice of writing feature stories for newspapers and magazines. Assignments in writing for professional publications as well as the student newspaper.
3580 MC Practicum
One to three credits. Prerequisites: admission to candidacy, junior standing and permission of instructor. Practical experience in an on-campus mass communication setting. Note: Total credit for practicum and internship courses cannot exceed 3 credits. Pass/Fail.
JOUR 3590 Magazine Writing and Editing
Three credits. Prerequisites: admission to candidacy; JOUR 3530. Types of magazines and editorial needs; practice in magazine article writing.
JOUR 3650 Free Expression, Mass Media, and the American Public
Three credits. (Same as EMC/RIM 3650.) A general introduction to the issues surrounding free expression and its relationship to mass media in contemporary America. Comprehensive analysis of the history, philosophies, cases, and controls associated with freedom of expression.
JOUR 4000 MC Internship
One to three credits. Prerequisites: admission to candidacy; upper-division standing; permission of internship coordinator. Advanced students gain practical experience in a professional setting. Note: Total credit for internship and practicum courses cannot exceed 3 credits. Pass/Fail.
JOUR 4210 Mass Communication and Society
Three credits. (Same as EMC 4210.) Prerequisite: Junior standing. Theories of the process of mass communication, how media affect society, the evolution within a social and cultural context, ethical and social dimensions. Extensive reading in theory, history and research. Media-content emphasis varies depending on instructor's expertise.
JOUR 4250 Mass Media Law
Three credits. (Same as EMC 4250.) Prerequisites: JOUR 1020 and junior standing. Examination of legal guarantees and restrictions on the flow of information using the case-study method. Focus on libel, privacy, obscenity and the special restrictions placed on advertising, broadcasting, cable TV, and the Internet.
JOUR 4300 Reviewing and Criticism
Three credits. Prerequisites: admission to candidacy or permission of instructor. Theories and practice of reviewing and criticism in the mass media. Overview of current trends in film, theatre, music, books, and other entertainment media. Practice in critical and analytical writing.
JOUR 4440 Advanced Reporting
Three credits. Prerequisite: admission to candidacy. Advanced theory and practice in news reporting with emphasis on coverage of governmental affairs and other public affairs-related assignments, including an introduction to interpretive and investigative reporting techniques.
JOUR 4610 Visual Communication for the Print Media
Three credits. Prerequisite: admission to candidacy. (Same as EMC 4610.) Increases visual literacy; provides knowledge of our visual heritage, seeks to enrich the judgment of those responsible for making decisions about the use and display of photographs for publication. Also includes photographic processes and handling of pictures for publication among particular audiences.
JOUR 4660 Mass Media Research
Three credits. (Same as EMC 4660.) Prerequisite: Junior standing. Overview of contemporary research methods, analysis and evaluation of current research, and the design and execution of a study. Emphasis on public opinion and media research.
JOUR 4780 Media and Markets
Three credits. Prerequisite: junior standing. Approaches to understanding media audiences. Examines tensions between the business and public functions of media, and social and ethical conflicts related to media marketing.
JOUR 4790 Global News and World Media Cultures
Three credits. (Same as EMC 4790.) Prerequisite: junior standing. Systems and philosophies associated with gathering international news and news coverage in different regions. Looks at global communication systems and ownership; examines how cultures shape news and the role of the individual in reporting news internationally. Includes discussion of development issues and roles of global advertising and public relations.
JOUR 4800 Seminar in Media Issues
Three credits. (Same as EMC 4800.) Prerequisite: Junior standing. Examination and critical evaluation of issues relevant to the operation and functions of mass media, including their relationships to each other and to government, advertisers, consumers and other publics. May be be repeated up to 6 credits.
JOUR 4810 Global Comparative Media Systems
Three credits. (Same as EMC 4810.) Prerequisites: EMC/JOUR 4790 or permission of instructor and junior standing. A close comparative study of chosen media systems in regions of the world. Examines print, broadcast, entertainment, and new media in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim Region, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Media interactions with an influence on the geographic, demographic, linguistic, cultural, economic, and political structures of countries.
JOUR 4850 Ethics and Mass Communication
Three credits. (Same as EMC 4850.) Prerequisite: junior standing. Examination of ethical concerns of media practitioners illuminated by study of selected current ethical issues and an overview of the cultural and philosophical basis of socially responsive mass media.
4900 Individual Problems in Mass Communication
One to three credits. (Same as EMC 4900.) Prerequisites: admission to candidacy; permission of instructor. Independent study projects or research related to media issues or professions. Pass/Fail.
