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JOURNALISM
Associate Professors: J. Blank-Libra (Director), J. Miller
Professional journalists and educators agree that the best preparation for a career in journalism is a program of specialized courses taken together with the liberal arts. The Journalism program combines strong offerings in journalistic skills, theories, and participation with a general education curriculum providing broad knowledge required of a reporter, writer, or editor. The skills and knowledge gained as a Journalism major can also be applied to other areas of academic interest, making journalism an ideal secondary major for students working in natural science, government and economics, and fine arts. Graduates of the Journalism program can expect to find careers not only in the fields of writing and editing but also in public relations, law, civil service, and education.
JOURNALISM MAJOR: 39 credit hours
Required Courses:
ENGL 110 - First Year Composition (4 cr) or test-out
JOUR 115 - News Reporting and Writing (W) (3 cr)
JOUR 239 - Advanced Journalism (3 cr)
JOUR 242 - Editorial Skills I: Copy Editing (3 cr)
JOUR 243 - Editorial Skills II: Newspaper Layout and Design (3 cr)
JOUR 245 - Photojournalism (3 cr)
JOUR 302 - Ethics and Law of the Press (3 cr)
JOUR 395 - Internship (3-4 cr)
JOUR 095 - Journalism Participation (two semesters required) (1 cr each)
Three of the following courses:
COMM 280 - Broadcasting in America (4 cr)
COMM 365 - Public Relations (3 cr)
GOVT 335 - Public Opinion, the Media and Voting Behavior (3 cr)
JOUR 215 - Newspaper Writing: Sports (W) (3 cr)
JOUR 290 - History of the American Press (W) (3 cr)
JOUR 312 - Writing for Magazines (W) (3 cr)
JOUR 315 - Newspaper Writing: Critical/Editorial (W) (3 cr)
JOUR 397 - Topics in Journalism (2-4 cr)
(JOUR 197 and 297 are also acceptable for this requirement)One of the following courses:
ENGL 225 - World Literature I (3 cr)
ENGL 226 - World Literature II (3 cr)
ENGL 230 - Introduction to British Literary History (3 cr)
ENGL 240 - Introduction to American Literary History (3 cr)
ENGL 301 - English Grammar (3 cr)
ENGL 304 - Creative Writing: Fiction (W) (3 cr)
ENGL 305 - Creative Writing: Poetry (W) (3 cr)
ENGL 306 - Creative Writing: Drama (W) (3 cr)
ENGL 311 - Advanced Composition (W) (3 cr)Recommended Supportive Courses:
ART 320 - Graphic Design I (3 cr)
ART 321 - Graphic Design II (3 cr)
BSAD 310 - Principles of Marketing (4 cr)
ECON 120 - Principles of Economics I (3 cr)
ECON 121 - Principles of Economics II (3 cr)
GOVT 110 - Introduction to Government (3 cr)
JOURNALISM MINOR: 18 credit hours
JOUR 115 - News Reporting and Writing (W) (3 cr)
JOUR 239 - Advanced Journalism (3 cr)JOUR 242 - Editorial Skills I: Copy Editing (3 cr)
– OR –
JOUR 243 - Editorial Skills II: Newspaper Layout and Design (3 cr)JOUR - Elective courses (9 cr)
JOUR 095 - JOURNALISM PARTICIPATION (1 credit)
Staff work or editing positions on student publications.
NOTE: CROSS-LISTED WITH ENGL 095
OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER
JOUR 115 - NEWS REPORTING AND WRITING (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
The theory and practice of news writing, reporting and the preparation of copy, primarily for print.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH ENGL 115
PREREQUISITE: ENGL 110
OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER
JOUR 215 - NEWSPAPER WRITING: SPORTS (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
Conducted as a workshop, this course considers the theory and practice of sports writing for print media.
Students will learn how to write a variety of sports stories while studying and critiquing sports writing at a
local and national level.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH ENGL 215
OFFERED EVERY OTHER SPRING SEMESTER
JOUR 239 - ADVANCED JOURNALISM (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
In this course the student will consider public affairs/issues through basic and in-depth coverage of areas
such as government, science and health, the economy, the legal system, the environment, entertainment and
religion. In addition, students will develop their philosophy of freedom of the press by studying various
philosophical orientations.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH ENGL 239
PREREQUISITE: JOUR 115
OFFERED EVERY OTHER FALL SEMESTER
JOUR 242 - EDITORIAL SKILLS I: COPY EDITING (3 credits)
The focus of this section of Editorial Skills is on copy reading and editing for print and broadcast media.
Students will also learn how to write and edit headlines, captions and other graphic material, and will
consider ethical issues involving editorial decisions.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: JOUR 115
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
JOUR 243 - EDITORIAL SKILLS II: NEWSPAPER LAYOUT AND DESIGN (3 credits)
The focus of this section of Editorial Skills is on the theory and practice of newspaper design. Students will
learn skills in typography, photo sizing and cropping, copy and issue fitting, and computer typesetting and
layout using state of the art desktop publishing programs.
NOTES: PREREQUISITE: JOUR 115
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
JOUR 245 - PHOTOJOURNALISM (3 credits)
Instruction will focus on what a journalist needs to know to perform well as a photojournalist - one who seeks
to illuminate truth through the use of the visual. The course will include the study of how to use a digital/SLR
camera, how to select and arrange subject matter, how to work with photos in Photoshop, and how to identify
and take good news/feature photos. Requirement: a digital/SLR camera with automatic and manual features.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY OTHER FALL SEMESTER
JOUR 280 - BROADCASTING IN AMERICA (4 credits)
An introductory lecture-laboratory course in electronic media. The history of broadcasting and its social
effects will be emphasized, along with the techniques of programming, news casting, interviewing, and
writing of commercials.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH COMM 280
PREREQUISITE: COMM 110
OFFERED EVERY OTHER YEAR
JOUR 290 - HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PRESS (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
An examination of the development of American journalism from colonial times to the present. Using
primary source readings and films, in addition to textbooks, the course will examine changes within the
journalism industry itself, the response of that industry to changes in American society and culture, and the
effects journalism has had on American life.
NOTE: CROSS-LISTED WITH HIST 290
OFFERED EVERY OTHER SPRING SEMESTER
JOUR 302 - ETHICS AND LAW OF THE PRESS (3 credits)
Students in this course will study freedom of the press through the examination of significant court cases,
particularly those that have come before the U.S. Supreme Court. Issues to be studied include libel, privacy,
prior restraint and free press v. fair trial. In addition, students will study ethical issues, most of which are
inseparable from the legal matters to be considered.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY OTHER FALL SEMESTER
JOUR 312 - WRITING FOR MAGAZINES (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
Conducted as a workshop, this course considers a step-by-step approach to the business of freelance
writing. Students learn how to select a topic and then market story ideas and ultimately articles to editors.
Learning to write well will be the emphasis of the class. Students will read, analyze and study a wide range
of articles as they develop their writing style.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH ENGL 312
OFFERED EVERY SPRING SEMESTER
JOUR 315 - NEWSPAPER WRITING: CRITICAL/EDITORIAL (W - Area 2.1B) (3 credits)
Conducted as a workshop, this course considers the theory and practice of writing reviews and opinion pieces.
Students will review a variety of popular art forms, and will develop skills in writing editorial and opinion
pieces. The study and critique of local and national reviewers and opinion writers will also be included.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH ENGL 315
OFFERED EVERY OTHER FALL SEMESTER
JOUR 335 - PUBLIC OPINION, THE MEDIA, AND VOTING BEHAVIOR (3 credits)
A study of attitude formation, attitude change and the impact of public opinion on public policy and an
examination of how the American electorate votes and why they vote the way they do. Included is and
analysis of the media’s influence on the political opinions of the United States citizens and lawmakers, the
media’s ability to determine which political issues get placed on the public agenda, and the degree to which
these issues are presented in an unbiased and objective manner. In addition, each presidential election since
1952 will be covered in detail.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH GOVT 335
OFFERED EVERY OTHER YEAR
JOUR 365 - PUBLIC RELATIONS (3 credits)
The principles and practice of public relations. Lectures, reading, and discussion will introduce students to
the theories, techniques, and application of public relations. In addition, case studies and group and
individual projects will be used to refine and apply course concepts.
NOTES: CROSS-LISTED WITH COMM 365
OFFERED EVERY FALL SEMESTER
JOUR 395, 495 - INTERNSHIP (3-4 credits)
Work in a professional setting in the journalistic area of the student’s choice, usually involving full- or parttime
employment by a cooperating newspaper or magazine, radio or television station, advertising agency
or public relations office. Arranged on an individual basis. Open only to majors and minors.
NOTE: OFFERED EVERY SEMESTER
JOUR 197, 297, 397 - TOPICS IN JOURNALISM (2-4 credits)
JOUR 199, 299, 399 - INDEPENDENT STUDY (2-4 credits)