Overview
The Journalism program prepares students to be effective and conscientious civic communicators in the fields of print, broadcast and online journalism. Hands-on professional courses, taught by scholars who also possess substantial experience in the news media, are connected to a strong liberal arts curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and media responsibility. In addition to courses in writing, editing, production and design, the program provides instruction in media history, law, literature and ethics.
Students learn the foundations of journalism practice such as interviewing, investigation, analysis and writing and then learn them to apply what they’ve learned in a variety of mediums. Our graduates work for newspapers, magazines, television stations and cable networks such as MTV, news-oriented Web sites and multimedia companies.
We expect big things from our graduates — and our best students learn to expect big things of themselves.
Departmental Core
JMA 401: Media and Society:
The primary objective of this course is to assist you in becoming a critical thinker about the role of media in everyday life. By examining the historical foundations and political economy of media institutions, we will seek to better our understanding of how, why, and to what extent media affect our culture and vice versa. We will accomplish these objectives through a combination of lectures, discussions, assignments, and "debates" on major media issues.
JMA 411: New Media Production:
New Media Production is an introductory course that provides a solid foundation for utilizing industry standard software to create New Media content. The major objective of the course is to use tools such as Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Photoshop, In Design and Premiere to develop a New Media advertising campaign for a real or hypothetical organization, including but not limited to, a Web site, a DVD, a logo, business cards and brochures
JMA 413: Media Ethics:
Examines ethical issues that challenge media professionals and consumers. By interpreting and applying ethical theory -- from the classicists to the contemporary -- students will analyze ethical challenges inherent in the modern media.
JMA 414: Media Law & Regulation:
At the end of this course, you should have: 1. Basic knowledge of applicable legal terminology and the fundamental laws, regulations, and policy affecting and concerning media. 2. A general understanding and deeper appreciation of the ways that laws, regulations, and policies are developed and implemented in the U.S. The appreciation includes the ability to rationally argue in favor of or in opposition to specific cases and situations. 3. The ability to practically apply basic legal knowledge.
JOURNALISM CORE: BOTH PRINT/BROADCAST TRACKS
JMA 415: Language for Journalists:
Teaches students the basic rules of English grammar and Associated Press style.
JMA 416: Newswriting 1:
Teaches the fundamentals of news reporting and writing for print and Web, including instruction on how to conduct interviews, discover and organize material, and meet deadlines.
PRINT TRACK CORE:
JMA 417: Newswriting 2
Teaches advanced writing of news stories, such as business, government, and court stories, for a variety of media platforms, and introduces students to in-depth coverage of public issues.
JMA 420: Editing for Print:
Teaches editing and presentation of the written word for the print news media (including electronic editions) in a lecture-lab course.
JMA 421: Magazine Journalism:
Magazine Journalism: In this writing intensive course, students will learn how to produce nonfiction articles such as profiles, trend stories and columns, for print and online magazines. Lectures will focus on sourcing, interviewing and narrative style, as well as on the diverse roles and functions of magazines. Students will learn how to freelance and will submit stories to both collegiate and commercial publications.
BROADCAST TRACK CORE:
JMA 422: Principle of Audio & Video:
This course will not only teach the principles of capturing audio and video, but will aid in the application development process, digitalization, editing, and production of digital video for media. Students create DVD and media files that represent techniques and practices being used in the industry today.
JMA 423: Video News Gathering and Field Production:
Introduces electronic news gathering and electronic field production as remote location video production techniques. Covers pre-production planning and design, on-location production, and post-production editing. Examination of the process and equipment used by reporters in the field, on news remotes and major sporting events. On location lighting and sound are covered along with field production techniques.
JMA 424: Anchoring, Reporting & Announcing:
On Air performance both in studio and on location. Intended for students with an extensive background in news who wish to pursue careers in radio and television. News Analysis is strongly advised. Students discover the keys to researching, gathering, interviewing, and editing news packages and reports. Students utilize broadcast cameras and equipment to report stories and utilize the TV studio to present newscasts.
JMA 425: Radio Writing & Production:
Studies and applied principles and practices for writing radio news, and gathering and editing sound for broadcast news stories, in a lecture-laboratory course the includes a field recording component.
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