Course Descriptions

	The mini-beach on the campus often attracts hundreds of birds as well as passersby.

The following list of courses does not include all offerings by the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. Please refer to the current graduate catalog and undergraduate catalog for complete descriptions.

Undergraduate-level courses:

MMC 2100 - Writing for the Mass Media (3). PR: 2.75 overall grade point average; grade of “C” or higher (no "C-") in ENC 1101, ENC 1102, and passing score on English Diagnostic Test. An introduction to the basic skills of writing for the mass media with practice in library research, persuasive writing and informational writing.

MMC 3602 - Mass Communications and Society (3). PR: Sophomore standing. A survey of the history, theory, processes, and philosophy of mass communications and the mass media in the United States, and their relationship to the other major institutions of American society.

JOU 2100 - Beginning Reporting (3). PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. Basic instruction in news judgment, sources of news, newsgathering and newswriting techniques. Typing ability is required.

JOU 4201 - News Editing I (3). PR: JOU 2100. Evaluating news and its display; editing and rewriting copy for the mass media, with emphasis on the daily newspaper; news judgment, headlines, makeup; ethical problems.

VIC 3001 - Introduction to Visual Communications (3). Survey of visual communications theory, techniques and contemporary application in the visual media. Critical examination of visual communications in newspapers, magazines, television, motion pictures and new media.

JOU 4188 - Neighborhood News Bureau (3). PR: JOU 2100. Reporting and writing the more complex and specialized story, techniques of investigative and analytical reporting, including ethical and legal considerations.

JOU 3308 - Magazine Article/Feature Writing (3). PR: JOU 2100. Planning, researching, writing, and marketing articles for general and special interest magazines and newspaper magazine supplements; experiences in developing article ideas and analysis of contemporary magazine articles.

PGY 3610c- Photojournalism I (3). PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. Laboratory required. Fundamentals of news and feature photography. Camera operation, picture composition, darkroom techniques, editing in digital format with introduction to software applications. History, ethics and law of photojournalism.

PGY 3620 - Photojournalism II (3). PR: PGY 3610C. Laboratory required. Advanced process and practice of photography for publication.

JOU 4181 - Public Affairs Reporting (3). PR: JOU 2100. Covering city council meetings, courthouse, city hall, courts, society, and other special assignments. Emphasis is on coverage of major governmental units of all levels of government, including examination and interpretation of public documents and records.

MMC 4200 - History and Principles of Communications Law (3). PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. Historical and constitutional background of freedom and control of expression, statutory enactments, major court decisions and administrative rulings which affect print media, telecommunications, advertising, and public relations.

MMC 4203 - Communication Ethics (3). PR: MMC 3602 and MMC 2100. A study of the fundamental principles and philosophies of ethics and their application to the decision-making process in the various professions of mass communications.

JOU 4206 - Newspaper and News Publication Design (3). PR: VIC 3001 and JOU 4200 or CI. Theoretical and practical applications of newspaper and news publication design, including typography, graphics, graphics software and electronic picture editing. Exercises in design for newspapers and news publications in both print and electronic formats.

JOU 4212 - Magazine Design and Production (3). PR: VIC 3001 and JOU 4201. Theoretical and practical applications of newspaper and news publication design, including typography, graphics, graphics software and electronic picture editing. Exercises in design for newspapers and news publications in both print and electronic formats.

JOU 4938 - Senior Seminar Capstone Course (2). Practice in job search and interview skills as well as production of a professional portfolio of  written and visual work that demonstrates cumulative news judgement, ethical reasoning, and writing proficiency. PR: Seniors only in their final semester before graduation.

MMC 4420 - Research Methods in Mass Communications (3) PR: MMC 2100 and MMC 3602. An introduction to the theory and practice of quantitative and historical research methods as applicable to the study of media and mass communications. Emphasis on survey research, evaluation of data, and report writing.

MMC 4120 - Media Convergence(3). PR: VIC 3001, MMC 2100 and MMC3602 or CI. Students will learn to write for various media and develop news judgement across platforms. A project will include writing, digital photography and capturing audio for a Web news report. Restricted to majors, not repeatable for credit.

MMC 3140 - Web Publishing (3). PR: VIC 3001, MMC 2100 and MMC3602 or CI. Course is intended for those with little previous Web design/publishing experience. Course will introduce students to the basic topics, nomenclature, pragmatics, and mechanics involved in Web publishing. Restricted to majors; not repeatable for credit.

MMC 4106 - Science Writing (3). PR: JOU 2100. Will focus on techniques (angles, analogies, story structures, dialogue, narrative/plot) to translate complex, scientific information into simplified but accurate stories for a non-scientific audience. Not restricted to majors; not repeatable for credit.

MMC 4131 - Video Storytelling I (3). PR: PGY 3610. This hands-on course introduces students to the tools, techniques and workflows practiced by video storytellers. Topics include selecting and framing video stories, writing scripts, storyboarding, shooting, interviewing, editing and basic post production techniques. Students can use cameras, tripods, digital audio recorders and related equipment to create an original video story project.

MMC 4936 - Video Storytelling II (3). PR: MMC 4131. Video Storytelling II expands on the storytelling, camera and editing techniques covered in VS I. Topics include lighting, advanced camera and production techniques, specialized equipment and advanced storytelling methods. Students use cameras, tripods, digital audio recorders and related equipment to create an original video story project.

MMC 4900 - Directed Reading in Mass Communications (1-3). PR: CI. Reading and directed study in special topics.

MMC 4910 - Individual Research in Mass Communications (1-3). PR: CI. The course provides means for a student to do independent study in an area not covered by a numbered course.

MMC 4936 - Selected Topics in Mass Communications Studies (3). Selected Topics in Mass Communications Studies (1-3). PR: MMC 2100, MMC 3602 and CI. Courses designed to meet current or specific topics of interest to instructors and students.

MMC 4936 - ST: Senior Seminar Capstone Course (1). Practice in job search and interview skills as well as production of a professional portfolio of  written and visual work that demonstrates cumulative news judgement, ethical reasoning, and writing proficiency. PR: Seniors only in their final semester before graduation.

JOU 4941 - Editing Practicum (1). PR: Senior standing, JOU 4200 and CI. For journalism majors. S/U only. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study.

JOU 4944 - Magazine Practicum (1). PR: Senior standing and CI. For journalism majors. S/U only. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study.

JOU 3940 - Reporting Practicum (1). PR: 15 hours journalism classes, including JOU 2100. For journalism majors. S/U grade only. Practical experience outside the classroom where the student works for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the study.

VIC 3943 - Visual Communications Practicum (1). PR: 15 hours journalism classes, including JOU 2100. S/U grade only. Practical experience outside the classroom for academic credit under the supervision of a professional practitioner. Periodic written and oral reports to the faculty member coordinating the practicum.

MMC 4945 - Media Internship-Seminar (3). PR: CI and 15 hours in journalism, including JOU 2100. Courses and completion of an 10-14 week media internship with newspaper, broadcast station or other media-related agency approved by the department. S/U only. Reports on experiences for discussion and evaluation to faculty coordinator.

Graduate-level courses:

JOU 5105 - Newswriting and Editing (3). PR: Graduate standing in journalism or CI. Introduction to the basics of gathering, writing and editing the news, with an emphasis on practical assignments done under professional conditions and standards. Discussions and readings emphasize the larger context and implications of news.

JOU 5305 - Explorations in Newswriting (3). PR: Graduate standing in journalism or CI. Explores the notion that narrative-style journalism can be accurate, thorough, fair and compelling, effectively bringing readers into stories and giving them a bigger stake in the news. Course goes beyond traditional practices of reporting and writing news stories.

JOU 6107 - News Coverage of Public Life (3). PR: Graduate standing in journalism or CI. Problems and methods of reporting urban affairs, including municipal government and politics, but with an emphasis on the community and its diversity. Research, analysis of current issues.

JOU 6122 - Reporting: Methods and Perspectives (3). PR: JOU 5015, graduate standing in journalism or CI. Practice and study of computer-assisted reporting, social-science research, interviewing, data document research, observational techniques and other methods of news gathering. Special focus on cultural sensitivity and understanding.

JOU 6191 - Contemporary Issues in Journalism (3). PR: CI. Study of the role of the free press in a democratic society and its efforts to fulfill its social and ethical responsibilities by analyses and discussions of the problems that face the reporter, the editor and the publisher.

MMC 6206 - Mass Communications Ethics (3). An introduction to fundamental ethical principles and application of these principles to a variety of situations in journalism, broadcasting and public relations.

MMC 6306 - International Communications Seminar (3). Study of mass communications as national and international systems, exploring such areas as flow of news; international news communications networks; overseas activities of American media interest; international propaganda; international media organizations; satellite communication; communication and national development.

MMC 6936 -Professional Colloquium (3). PR: CI. Poynter Institute Seminar or Conference. Students permitted based on adviser and Poynter faculty approval as well as availability of space.

MMC 6400 - Mass Communication Theory (3). PR: CI. The study of mass communications theories, structures, influences and their relationships to institutions in American society.

MMC 6421 - Research Methods in Mass Communications (3). PR: CI. Theory and practice of quantitative, historical and critical research methods and their applications to the study of mass communications. Emphasis on quantitative methods in experimental and survey research, statistical analysis and evaluation of data. Required of students planning to do a thesis (MMC 6971).

MC 6608 - Public Opinion and the Mass Media (3). PR: CI. The influence of public opinion on private and public institutions in a democratic society and the role of the mass media in opinion formation. The nature of persuasion in establishing or modifying public opinion, and perspectives on the social responsibilities of communications.

MMC 6612 - Seminar: Law and the Mass Media (3). PR: CI. Interrelationships of the media and government at the judicial, executive and legislative levels. Focus is on legal limitations and privileges of the media; theory and philosophy of the First Amendment; research procedures in court and administrative agency documents.

MMC 6900 - Directed Readings in Mass Communications (1-3). PR: CC. Readings in specialized areas of mass communications as agreed to by the instructor and student by contract. May be repeated up to three credit hours. (S/U grade only.)

MMC 6910 - Individual Research in Mass Communications (1-3). PR: CC. Independent study in which the student, under contract with the instructor, explores an area not covered by other scheduled courses in the graduate program. May be repeated up to three credit hours. (S/U grade only.)

MMC 6936 - Selected Topics in Mass Communications (3). PR: CC. Courses designed to meet current, specific topics of interest to students and faculty. May be repeated up to nine hours, provided the topics differ.

MMC 6945 - Professional Practicum (3). PR: 12 graduate hours in Mass Communications, CC. Work with a media organization selected by the student and approved and supervised by the graduate adviser. (S/U grade only.)

MMC 6950 - Applied Research Project (6). PR: CC. Completion of a major project under faculty supervision. Topic selected according to the student's needs and interests. (S/U grade only.)

MMC 6971 - Thesis: Master's (6). PR: CC. May be taken for varying credit in successive semesters up to six credit hours. (S/U grade only.)

The department offers the following courses for graduate students: Video Storytelling I and II, Web Publishing, Social Media, Media Convergence, Photojournalism I and II, Visual Communications, Online Journalism, Race, Gender and Class, and Business Journalism.