Academic Catalog

Journalism (JRN)

JRN 1000  Fundamentals of Digital and Online Media  (5 Credits)  
Media are changing rapidly and the study of the relationship between society and communication technologies, as well as between culture and communication is foundational for today's communication majors. These relationships are best approached in a course that not only tackles the literature of these changes, but requires students to interact with a variety of digital tools. Typically offered: Autumn, Spring.
JRN 1001  Content Management for Communicators  (1 Credit)  
Learn to design, build, and publish a basic website using a basic content management system. This will incorporate text, sound, images, hyperlinks, plug-ins, and social media interactivity. Typically offered: Spring, Winter.
JRN 1002  Data Literacy for Communicators  (1 Credit)  
This course grounds students in numeracy in order to correctly interpret and communicate numbers. Typically offered: Spring, Winter.
JRN 2101  Media Writing  (5 Credits)  
Students will master the basics of journalistic writing, which are applicable to print, online and broadcast media. These skills include news judgment, leads, story organization, precise language, and proper grammar, style and punctuation. Students will cover events such as speeches, and they will learn the basics of interviewing. All skills are guided by an understanding of journalism as a discipline that requires critical thinking, clear professional values and strong ethical responsibility. Typically offered: Autumn.
JRN 2255  The Public and the Media  (5 Credits)  
Applies relevant theories of mass communication to significant issues of media performance informed by the historical development of industry structures, professional practices, and changing technologies. Topics include journalism in the age of print, TV and cyberspace; propaganda, persuasion, and media influence in the world of public relations and advertising; TV, cable, music, film, and controversies over race, gender, violence, obscenity, and children's programming; and emerging questions about the impact of the information superhighway.
JRN 2335  Media Representation  (5 Credits)  
Mass media are inescapable: we learn our world through internet, television, radio and print. This course examines how mass media communicate, and it provides criteria for assessing the quality of media content and how media frame our world and define what it means to be human. Typically offered: Winter.
JRN 2801  Newspaper Production  (1-2 Credit)  
Laboratory for the student newspaper, the yearbook, and other student publications. Students work under editors in a variety of production phases with access to a faculty advisor. Only 6 credits total of JRN 2801, 2802, 2803, 3930, 3931, and 3932 may be applied to the JRN track or minor.
JRN 2802  Newspaper Production  (1-2 Credit)  
Laboratory for the student newspaper, the yearbook and other student publications. Students work under editors in a variety of production phases with access to a faculty advisor. Only 6 credits of JRN 2801, 2802, 2803, 3930, 3931 and 3932 total may be applied to the JRN track or minor.
JRN 2803  Newspaper Production  (1-2 Credit)  
Laboratory for the student newspaper, the yearbook, and other student publications. Students work under editors in a variety of production phases with access to a faculty advisor. Only 6 credits of JRN 2801, 2802, 2803, 3930, 3931, and 3932 total may be applied to the JRN track or minor.
JRN 3202  Reporting and Storytelling  (5 Credits)  
Journalists do more than convey information. They tell true stories, but their stories are only as good as the quality of reporting. Therefore, this course aims to develop students' skills as journalistic storytellers anchored in the discipline of reporting. Students will build their ability to research, report and write through the use of document, online and human sources. Students will also learn to utilize story forms such as hard news, features, narrative, and opinions. They will explore how to use those forms in both print and online media. Typically offered: Alternate Years.
JRN 3203  Data Journalism  (5 Credits)  
Dexterity with data is increasingly an expectation of all communicators. The course focuses on the numbers side of journalism and communication. Students learn how to find data to tell stories and how to find stories in data. Typically offered: Alternate Years, Winter.
JRN 3930  Publication Editor Practicum  (1-3 Credit)  
Provides opportunity for application of writing, editing, and production skills in leadership roles in student publications. Open only to those officially selected for positions. No more than 6 credits of Publication Editor Practicum and Newspaper Production total may count toward the JRN track or minor.
JRN 3931  Publication Editor Practicum  (1-3 Credit)  
Provides opportunity for application of writing, editing, and production skills in leadership roles in student publications. Open only to those officially selected for positions. No more than 6 credits of Publication Editor Practicum and Newspaper Production total may count toward the JRN track or minor.
JRN 3932  Publication Editor Practicum  (1-3 Credit)  
Provides opportunity for application of writing, editing, and production skills in leadership roles in student publications. Open only to those officially selected for positions. No more than 6 credits of Publication Editor Practicum and Newspaper Production total may count toward the JRN track or minor.
JRN 4121  Multimedia Journalism  (5 Credits)  
Students will embark on in-depth reporting projects that allow for the use of video, web resources and narrative writing. Students will also examine examples of outstanding journalism and explore how the ethical responsibility for strict factual accuracy remains in place even as they employ different technologies and narrative devices. Typically offered: Alternate Years.
JRN 4121F  Multimedia Journalism Field Experience  (0 Credit)  
Field experience for JRN 4121. Typically offered: Occasionally.
JRN 4894  Media Law and Ethics  (5 Credits)  
This capstone course explores all major areas of media law, their significance for society, and the new challenges posed by cyberspace. Topics include First Amendment and the meaning of free expression; prior restraint; hate speech; libel; invasion of privacy; freedom of information; protection of news sources; free press/fair trial; obscenity and indecency; copyright; advertising; and telecommunications regulation. Typically offered: Alternate Years.
JRN 4900  Independent Study  (1-5 Credit)  
Independent Study
JRN 4920  Directed Readings  (1-5 Credit)  
Directed Readings
JRN 4930  Practicum  (1-5 Credit)  
JRN 4940  Coop Education: Journalism Internship  (1-5 Credit)  
Applies journalism skills in various employment settings. Students may suggest their own internships in consultation with the faculty supervisor as long as journalism skills are used and other internship criteria are met. No more than 5 of such credits may apply toward a journalism minor.
JRN 4941  Coop Education: Journalism Internship  (1-5 Credit)  
Applies journalism skills in various employment settings. Students may suggest their own internships in consultation with the faculty supervisor as long as journalism skills are used and other internship criteria are met. No more than 5 such credits may apply toward a journalism minor.
JRN 4950  CCCU: Special Topics in Journalism  (1-6 Credit)  
CCCU:Special Topics in Jrnlsm