Journalism - JRNL

1503 - Mass Media and Society - 3 credit hours
Examines the role and impact of the media on individuals and society.  Topics include the historical development of the mass media, along with media effects, ethics, legal considerations, and the role of Journalism in society.  Students develop a deeper awareness of the media in their lives and a critical perspective to become more responsible consumers of information.  Also listed as COMM 1503.  Course rotation: Fall.

2153 - Introduction to Photography - 3 credit hours
Introduces the fundamentals of digital photography in both artistic and media contexts. Through the study of cameras, light, composition, and image manipulation, students learn the processes and aesthetic values needed to produce quality images.  A hands-on approach allows students to explore their creativity though a series of projects. Also listed as ART 2153. Course rotation: Fall, Spring.

2403 - Media Writing and Reporting - 3 credit hours
An introduction to the fundamentals of journalism.  Emphasis is on the reporting, writing, and editing of stories for the print, online, and broadcast media.  Specific topics include interviewing, story structure and development, media style, ethics, and legal considerations.  Prerequisite: ENGL 1013 or permission of instructor. Course rotation: Fall.

3103 - Community Reporting - 3 credit hours   
Students develop advanced skills in reporting and writing on events and issues that affect their communities.  Topics include coverage of government, crime, courts, and social events.  A hands-on approach is stressed.  Projects are critiqued in a workshop setting. Prerequisite: JRNL 2403 or permission of instructor. Course rotation: Spring of odd years.

3203 - Editing and Media Management- 3 credit hours
Designed for writers, journalists, and other communication professionals by providing advanced instruction in publication editing and design.  Topics include matters of style, copy editing, and proofreading in print and electronic environments.  Other topics include publication management, ethics, and legal considerations.  A hands-on approach is stressed in a workshop setting.  Prerequisites:  ENGL 1023 or JRNL 2403. Course rotation: Spring of even years.

3213 - Magazine and Feature Writing - 3 credit hours
The focus is on writing feature stories  for magazine, newspaper, and creative nonfiction audiences.  Genres include personality profiles, human interest features, travel writing, and creative nonfiction.  A hands-on approach allows exploration of creativity through a series of exercises and projects. Prerequisite: JRNL 2403 or permission of instructor. Course rotation: Spring of even years.

3413 - Interactive Media Design - 3 credit hours
Examination and application of the theories, skills, and techniques used in digital storytelling and interactive media.  Through a series of hands-on projects, students explore creative applications of interactive media through the integration of text, photographs, graphics, audio, and video.  Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor. Course rotation: Fall of odd years.

4401 - Topics in Journalism - 1 credit hour
Explores a chosen topic related to journalism or the mass media, such as documentaries, technology, economics, ethics, or literary journalism. Prerequisite: JRNL 2403 or permission of the instructor.  Course rotation: As needed.

4123 - Broadcast Journalism - 3 credit hours
Emphasizes the theories, skills, and techniques used in the wiring, production, and presentation  of news in a digital media environment.  Topics include broadcast wording style, story structure, podcasting, digital audio and video production, and working as talent in front of a camera. A hands-on approach is stressed, allowing students to explore creativity through a series of projects.  Prerequisites: JRNL 2403 or permission of the instructor. Course rotation: Spring of odd years.

4403 - Communication Law and Ethics- 3 credit hours
Study focuses on media law and ethical considerations in the contemporary communication environment.  Topics include the First Amendment, libel, invasion of privacy, information access, free press and fair trial considerations, obscenity, copyright, advertising, and telecommunication regulations. Also listed as COMM 4403. Course rotation: Spring.

4901 - Media Studies Seminar - 1 credit hour
Combined with the experiential component of the Media Studies program, the seminar is a capstone course where students design, execute, and present a project appropriate to their emphasis in the Media Studies program. In addition, students create and evaluate a professional portfolio for future employment. Course rotation: Spring.

XNF1 XNS1 - Practicum: Student Media Productions - 1 credit hour
A practical application of skills, techniques, and critical thinking through work with campus media productions (RaiderView newspaper and on-line journal). The course may be repeated up to six hours to satisfy capstone requirements for the Journalism Emphasis or repeated for three hours and combined with JRNL PN03 Journalism Internship.  Prerequisites: JRNL 2403 or permission of the instructor. Course rotation: XNF1 fall and XNS1 spring.

PN03 - Journalism Internship - 3 credit hours
Students gain practical experience in a professional media setting.  Internships are arranged by students with the assistance and approval of an internship advisor.  Grading: Credit/No Credit. Prerequisite: Junior standing and grades of C or better in twelve hours of  JRNL courses. Course rotation: As needed.