Course listings

Journalism courses
Communication courses

[Distribution requirements:    ND=no designation    SS=social sciences    HU=humanities]

Journalism courses

Jour 1. Brown and White (1) every semester
This course is a student’s first semester on the staff of the semi-weekly undergraduate newspaper. Students register for this course, attend a meeting on the first Wednesday of the semester, and are placed on the staff. Because this is an introductory training class, Jour 1 is for students with freshman or sophomore standing; juniors only with consent of department chair. Lule/Trimble. (ND)

Jour 2-8. Brown and White (1-2) every semester
Enrollment constitutes continue membership on the staff of the semi-weekly undergraduate newspaper. These courses are taken consecutively after a student has completed Jour 1. For a second semester on the newspaper, a student registers for Jour 2. For a third semester, Jour 3. For a fourth semester, Jour 4. And so on. Lule/Trimble. (ND)

Jour 9. Brown and White photography (1) every semester
Enrollment constitutes membership on the photography staff of the semi-weekly undergraduate newspaper. Students should have basic camera skills and knowledge of digital photography. Classes will include review of these subjects and more advanced study in digital darkroom techniques. Members of the class work on a series of assignments for the newspaper. Students should have their own digital SLR camera equipment and will be expected to provide examples of their work for admission to the class. Repeatable up to 8 credits. Trimble. (ND)

Jour 10. Brown and White (1) every semester
Enrollment constitutes an editorial position on the staff of the semi-weekly undergraduate newspaper. Editors are chosen by the instructors and the newspaper's editorial board. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisites: Jour 1 and permission of the department chair. Lule/Trimble. (ND)

Jour 11. News Writing (4) every semester
Preparation and practice in gathering and writing news; definition and components of news; structure and style of the news story; introduction to interviewing and editing. Jour 11 is for students with freshman or sophomore standing; juniors and seniors only with consent of department chair. (ND)

Jour 13. Editing (4) every semester
Study of and practice in editing and rewriting stories for newspapers and magazines; fact-checking; headline writing; ethics. Prerequisite: Jour 11 or Jour 123. Trimble, Olson. (ND)

Jour 14. Publication Design (2) every semester
Study of and practice in techniques of newspaper and magazine design, including typography, grids and use of photographs and other artwork; microcomputer-based desktop publishing. Prerequisite: Jour 11 or Jour 123. Trimble, Olson. (ND)

Jour 101. Media, Sports and Society (4) summer
Analysis of social, political and economic implications of media sports coverage; emphasis placed on media coverage of events of international scope, such as the World Cup, World Series and the Olympics; special attention paid to the role of the sports press in coverage of issues such as AIDS, racism, sexism, drug use and terrorism. Lule. (SS)

Jour 102. How to Watch TV (4) summer
Analysis and discussion of television programming from the standpoint of its potential effects on audience perceptions, public opinion, social issues and values, individual learning, and behavior. Programming viewed both inside and outside the classroom includes news programs, news magazines, talk shows, sitcoms, dramas, cartoons, soap operas, commercials, and infomercials. To help focus discussions, students are assigned appropriate readings from the popular media and social science research. Staff. (ND)

Jour 111. Sportswriting (4) summer
Principles and practice of writing about sports for general print and specialized publications; emphasis placed on instruction in reporting, writing and editing; topics covered include the history of sports journalism; recent trends in the field; ethical considerations, and the exploration of social and political issues through sportswriting. Lule. (ND)

Jour 112. Children and Television (4) summer
The course examines the many social science research issues surrounding television for children, including questions about cartoon and program violence, unethical advertising, the role of the FCC and stereotypes. The course will also examine television about children, such as media coverage of homelessness, health care, poverty, hunger and famine, which take their biggest toll on children. Lule. (SS)

Jour 114. Technical Communication (4) summer
This online course covers basic tools needed to write about all kinds of science and technical information for academic papers, term papers, proposals, reports, theses and dissertations. Involves practice with feedback on definitions, descriptions, cause and effect relationships, process writing, concept maps, graphics, classification, comparison and more. K Friedman (ND)

Jour 115 (ES 115). Communicating About the Environment (4)
Introduction to the need for and ways to communicate about environmental issues to laypersons, government officials, journalists, members of the judiciary and technical experts. Explores case studies of good and bad communication about environmental issues. Internet communication, including the efficacy of placing governmental reports and databases on the Web for public consumption, will be evaluated. (SS)

Jour 116 (ES 116). Risky Business (4) summer
This course explores the risks and effects of environmental contamination on human health and behavior as well as the role of the mass media in alerting citizens to potential environmental health risks. Environmental topics vary but usually include air and water pollution, endocrine disrupters and radioactive waste. S. Friedman (SS)

Jour 122. Media Ethics and Law (4) fall
First Amendment theory and history; ethical and legal issues involving libel, privacy, obscenity, newsgathering, access, and fair trials; national and international concerns over censorship, prior restraint and manipulation and control of information. Lule, Olson. (SS)

Jour 123. Basic Science and Technical Writing (4) every semester
Study of and practice in writing about scientific and technical subjects for audiences ranging from the general public to scientists and engineers. Starts with basic science writing for lay audiences, emphasizing organization and clear writing techniques. As the course progresses, material becomes more technical, concentrating on how to write effective technical reports, descriptions, papers and memoranda. Also explores problems of conveying highly complex technical information to multiple audiences, factors that influence science communication to the public, and interactions between scientists and journalists. K. Friedman. (SS)

Jour 124 (STS 124). Politics of Science (4) fall
Analysis of the multi-dimensional interaction between the federal government and the scientific community. Explores historical growth of the science-government connection, the scientific establishment both past and present, and the role of scientific advice to the White House and Congress. Also examines scientific ethics, public attitudes toward science, science-society interactions and case studies of scientific controversies. S. Friedman. (SS)

Jour 125 (ES 125). Environment, the Public and the Mass Media (4) fall
Extensive exploration of local, national and international environmental problems and their social, political and economic impacts. Analysis of mass media coverage of complex environmental issues and the media’s effects on public opinion and government environmental policies. Examination of environmental journalism principles and practices in the United States and around the world. S. Friedman. (SS)

Jour 135 (Spsy 135). Human Communication (4)
Processes and functions of human communication in relationships and groups. Rosenwein. (SS)

Jour 141. Photojournalism (4) summer
Ethics and history of photojournalism; instruction and practice in basic camera techniques; scanning and digital manipulation of black and white and color photographs using Adobe Photoshop; cropping and sizing photographs and production of layouts using QuarkXPress. Trimble. (ND)

Jour 166. Beyond Google -- Internet Research: Principles and Practice (4) summer
Students often turn first to the Internet for research. Yet they often are unaware of the promise and pitfalls of Internet research. This course has three objectives: 1) Students will learn methods of identifying and locating resources on the Internet, including resources not reached by traditional search engines; 2) Students will be introduced to steps for the assessment and evaluation of information gathered from the Internet; 3) Students will explore issues of access, privacy and other legal and ethical questions that arise in Internet research. Lule (SS)

Jour 211 Reporting (4) every semester
Principles and practice of news reporting; techniques for gathering, organizing and writing news; emphasis placed on story conception, interviewing methods, library skills, Internet research, news style and clear, concise writing. Students will develop, report and write numerous stories. Students will also gain greater understanding of fundamental reporting concepts in relation to the use of sources, accuracy, fairness, privacy and other issues of professional responsibility. Prerequisites: Jour 11 or Jour 123, and Jour 13. Lule, Meltzer. (SS)

Jour 212. Feature Writing (4) every semester
Conceiving and developing feature stories for newspapers and magazines; interviewing techniques; writing non-fiction using the techniques of the novelist; marketing free-lance projects. Prerequisite: Jour 11 or Jour 123, and Jour 13. Trimble. (ND)

Jour 214. Reporting of Public Affairs (4)
Reporting and writing news of government on the local, county, state and federal levels; civil and criminal courts; labor, environment, housing and community planning news. Prerequisites: Jour 11 or 123 and PolS 177. Trimble.
(ND)

Jour 215. Advanced Publication Design (3)
Advanced study of publication design: newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, annual reports; symbols, typography, grids, use of photographs and infographics; use of computers in page production, and in creating and manipulating art for publication. Prerequisite: Jour 14 or permission of the department chair. Trimble. (ND)

Jour 218. Freelance Writing (4)
Study of and practice in reporting and writing for magazines, newspapers and other literary and technical publications. Learning to find the right approach for a particular publication and to write in that publication's style. Practice in analyzing publication content and audiences, and in writing queries that will catch an editor's attention. Learn research and interviewing skills and read works by well-known writers. Prerequisite: Jour 11 or Jour 123, and Jour 13. Staff. (ND)

Jour 220. Reporting on Business and Economics (3)
The principles behind the economy, the markets and companies and how to report on them; the role of business reporting in the media; the use of computer technology in business reporting. Prerequisite: Jour 11 or Jour 123 and Eco 1. Staff. (SS)

Jour 231. Science Writing Practicum (1-4) spring
On-site experience as accredited science reporter at major scientific meetings, or writing and research in university laboratories as part of science writing field research program. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisites: Jour 11 or Jour 123 or Jour 311, junior standing, and consent of the department chair. S. Friedman. (ND)

Jour 232. Journalism Practicum (1-4) every semester
Practical application of journalism principles and skills in semester-long projects, as well as various on- and off-campus work experiences. Course is designed to provide credit for supervised experience, particularly through study abroad programs, that does not meet the more rigorous, required internship. May be repeated for maximum of eight credits. Prerequisites: consent of department chair. Staff. (ND)

Jour 240. Writing for Broadcasting (4) spring
Basic writing style for radio and television news, and scripting newscasts in a variety of formats, including electronic news gathering and voice overs. Scripting and storyboarding for commercials and public service announcements. A three-hour writing lab is included. A portion of the course is devoted to study and discussion of issues related to television news coverage. Staff. (ND)

Jour 242. Web Writing and Design (4)
This course examines the ways in which writing and design are influenced by online technology. Students will learn principles and practice of hypertext, Web writing and Web design and will plan and create Web sites that tell stories using the unique features of online technology. Prerequisites: Jour 11 or Jour 123. Olson. (ND)

Jour 246 (IR 246). International Communication (4)
Role of international news media in world affairs. Global theories of the press; process and influence of U.S. reporting of international affairs; survey of global media systems; global communication controversies. Lule. (SS)

Jour 311. Science and Technical Writing (3-4) every semester
Study of and practice in writing about scientific and technical issues for multiple audiences. Emphasis on developing effective writing and organizational skills and translating scientific information for a wide range of audiences. Similar in content to Jour 123, but should be taken instead by upperclass students (4 credits) and graduate students (3 credits). K. Friedman. (SS)

Jour 312. Advanced Science Writing (3)
Further practice, on individual basis, in science writing techniques. Prerequisite: Jour 123 or 311. S. Friedman.
(ND)

Jour 313. Special Topics in Science Communication (1-4)
Research or writing involving a topic, medium or issue in science, environmental or technical communication not covered in other courses. Prerequisite: Eight hours in science or environmental writing or consent of the department chair. S. Friedman. (SS)

Jour 314. Technical Communication (3-4) summer
This online course covers basic tools needed to write about all kinds of science and technical information for academic papers, term papers, proposals, reports, theses and dissertations. Involves practice with feedback on definitions, descriptions, cause-and-effect relationships, process writing, concept maps, graphics, classification, comparison and more. Taken by seniors for 4 credits and graduate students for 3 credits. K. Friedman. (ND)

Jour 320. Journalism Proseminar (3) spring
Intensive research and writing on contemporary issues and problems facing the mass media; methods and approaches for studying the mass media; course culminates with a seminar thesis based on original and comprehensive research. Prerequisite: nine hours in journalism, public relations or communication or consent of the department chair. Lule. (SS)

Jour 323 (STS 323). Controversies (4) spring
Exploration of science, health and environmental controversies from the dual perspectives of scientific uncertainty and mass media coverage. Examines genetic engineering and biotechnology, environmental health risks and human behavior research. Includes discussion of ethical and social responsibilities and interactions of scientists, journalists and the public. S. Friedman. (SS)

Jour 324 (SSP 324). Health Communication and the Internet (4) spring
This interdisciplinary class examines the role of the Internet in changing the way lay people, the mass media and medical organizations think and behave regarding health and medical care. It explores the nature of traditional and online health communication, and highlights online health issues such as access, quality of information, economics, privacy and ethics. S. Friedman and J. Lasker. (SS)

Jour 325. Seminar in Journalism and Communication Issues
(3-4)
A seminar focusing on contemporary issues and problems facing the mass media. Topics vary. Taken by seniors for 4 credits and graduate students for 3 credits. Prerequisite: 9 hours in journalism or communication or consent of the department chair. (ND)

Jour 327 (Spsy 327). Mass Communication and Society (4)
A review of theories and research on the relationship of mass communication to social processes. Intensive analysis of selected media products (e.g., TV news, dramas, and sitcoms; films; print; music videos, etc.). Prerequisites: Anth 1 or SSP 5 or SSP 21 or Anth 11 or Anth 12. Rosenwein. (SS)

Jour 361. Internship (1-4)
Professionally supervised work on newspapers, magazines, Web sites radio and television stations, or with public relations organizations. Some internships involve science writing. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. Prerequisite: Senior standing and declared major or concentration in journalism, science writing, or public relations and consent of the department chair. S. Friedman. (ND)

Jour 365. Advanced Research and Reporting (4) fall
Planning, researching and writing comprehensive news projects; special attention paid to computer-assisted research, online resources, investigative techniques, interviewing skills, reporting on local, county, state and federal governments and courts; emphasis also given to organizing and writing in-depth articles. Prerequisites: eight hours in journalism and senior standing or permission of department chair. Lule, Trimble. (ND)

Jour 366. Online Journalism (3-4) spring
The course examines the social, cultural, political, legal and economic influence of online technology on journalism and the role of journalism in society. Emphasizing critical thinking and analysis, the course studies the ways in which digital technology has changed the way journalists research, write, edit and design. Taken by seniors for 4 credits and graduate students for 3 credits. Prerequisite: Jour 11 or Jour 123, Jour 122, or consent of department chair. Lule, Olson. (ND)

Jour 389. College Scholar Project (1-8)
Opportunity for college scholars to pursue an extended project. May be repeated for credit. College-wide course designation. Transcript will identify department in which project was completed. Prerequisite: consent of department chair. Staff. (ND)

Jour 390. Honors Thesis (1-4)
Directed undergraduate research thesis required of students who apply for and qualify for graduation with departmental honors. Staff. (ND)

Jour 391. Special Topics in Journalism (1-4)
Directed research or writing involving a subject or issue in journalism not covered in other courses. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 12 hours in journalism or consent of the department chair. Staff. (ND)

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Communication courses

Comm 60. Fundamentals of Speech Communication (3) The basic principles of communication: the informative speech, small group communication process, principles of persuasion, effects of mass communication. Two speeches, group project. Staff. (ND)

Comm 65. Interpersonal Communication in a Changing World (3) every semester
This course helps develop a better understanding of how we communicate with others, verbally and non-verbally, individually and in groups; and how communication affects how we develop our own concept of who we are. The course examines critical thinking and how it relates to the communication process. The concepts of stigma and prejudice are examined in the context of interpersonal communications. This is a first-year class, open to freshmen only. Staff. (ND)

Comm 130. Public Speaking (3) every semester
Applying the principles of public speaking to making informative and persuasive presentations effectively. Emphasis on speech composition and effective oral communication skills. Ross. (HU)

Comm 143. Persuasion and Influence (4)
The social, symbolic, and rhetorical means of persuasion and how this persuasive influence is expressed in politics, advertising, and the mass media. Course includes two group projects, a term paper, 3-4 brief synthesis papers and a take-home final. Meltzer. (SS)

Comm 144. Effective Interviewing (3)
Theory of effective interviewing; how to plan and structure an interview outline; types of questions used in interviews; how to open, conduct and conclude an interview. Special emphasis on the journalistic, employment and broadcasting interview. Instructor will use role-playing and videotaping. Students will prepare and conduct simulated interviews. Staff. (ND)

Comm 220. Public Relations (4)
Study of public relations principles and writing strategies. Analysis of the ethical, legal and public opinion environments for public relations as well as development of problem solving and communication strategies for a variety of audiences, including the mass media. Preparation of publicity materials; planning and conducting news conferences; writing brochures, newsletters and reports, and informational and persuasive speeches for others. Prerequisites: Jour 11 or Jour 123, and Jour 13. Staff. (ND)

Comm 252. Interpersonal Relationships: Private and Public (4)
In this class, we study theories about effective communication with other theories in personal, social and professional settings. Perceptions, self-disclosure, non-verbal cues, language, and listening are some of the communication elements we identify and analyze in films, role-plays, real-life observations, and a case study. Journal of observations, three short papers, choice of project or term paper, and final essay exam. Staff. (ND)

Comm 325. Special Topics in Communication (1-4)
Research and writing or performance involving a topic, medium or issue in journalism, public relations, speech or communication theory not covered in other courses. Prerequisite: nine hours in journalism, public relations or communication and consent of department chair. Staff. (SS)

Comm 331. Business and Professional Speaking (3) fall
The principles of oral communication as applied to business and professional situations. Professional presentations, small group interaction and interpersonal communication in the business setting. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing. Ross. (ND)

Descriptions for all journalism and communication courses are also available at the online University catalog.

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