Courses

200 Introduction to News Writing (3) Writing for print and electronic media (radio, television/cable, and the Internet) under deadline. Gathering information by using records, documents, observation, interviewing, and the Internet. Emphasis on library resources, electronic databases, and current events. Basic style and editing based on AP Stylebook and Libel Manual, and AP Broadcast News Handbook. Prereq: English 102 and Communication and Information 150.

201 Writing for Mass Media (3) Principles and practice of news writing for print and electronic media. Comprehensive overview of the major forms of writing for the mass media. Not available for majors in the College of Communication and Information. Prereq: English 102.

203 Print/Web Editing (3) Methods and practice in judging news, editing copy, writing headlines and designing newspapers and magazines. Emphasis on precise word use and news display. Prereq: 200.

275 Introduction to Electronic Media (3) Lecture and lab course providing students with an overview of radio, television, cable, satellite, and the Internet. Includes history, programming, regulations, and media effects. Prereq: Communication and Information 150

280 Communication Graphics (3) Principles and practice in the visual aspect of communications. Emphasis on graphic design, typography, illustration and photography, printing and production techniques and publication design. Lecture and laboratory. Prereq: 200 or 201, or consent of instructor.

290 Photojournalism (3) Principles and practice of photography as a creative tool of communication. Basic camera technique, digital photography, historical and contemporary photojournalism. Lecture and laboratory.

302 Readership and Audience Analysis (3) Measurement and analysis of readership/audience. Broad overview of methods used for newspaper, magazine, radio, television, cable, and the Internet. Applications to both internal decision-making and external communication in media. Prereq: 275 or consent of instructor.

311 Electronic News Writing and Reporting (3) Writing and reporting for electronic news media (radio, television/cable, and the Internet). Lecture and lab course with writing emphasis. Introduction to Computer Assisted Reporting (CAR). Prereq: 200 and 275.

315 Print/Web News Writing and Reporting (3) Gathering and writing news for publication in magazines and newspapers. Prereq: 203.

320 Mass Media Commercial Writing and Promotion (3) Study of media (print, radio, television, cable, Internet) commercial writing and promotion with an emphasis on writing persuasive messages. Analysis of markets and research data. Planning promotional campaigns. Prereq: 200 and 275.

335 Electronic Media Production (3) Introduction to the basic production tools and techniques used to develop effective media communication. Lecture and laboratory provide experience in studio production process and procedures. Includes concept development, script writing, message design, applied aesthetics, crew management, and producing. Prereq: 275.

360 Electronic Media Performance (3) Development of vocal, visual, and performance skills for announcers, interviewers, newscasters, and reporters. Laboratory hours required. Prereq: 275.

400 Mass Communication Law and Ethics (3) Emphasis on legal issues affecting print and electronic media, including libel, privacy, copyright, free press-fair trial, governmental regulations of advertising, electronic media and public relations. Also includes ethical standards and practices. Prereq: Consent of instructor. (Same as Legal Studies 400.)

411 Electronic News Gathering (3) Writing, reporting, shooting, editing, and producing for the electronic news media. Lecture and lab course providing students with experience as reporters/producers for a television and cable news program. Includes an overview of electronic news gathering equipment as well as non-linear video editing. Prereq: 311.

412 Opinion Writing (3) Analysis of editorial positions and practices. Writing editorials/columns for newspapers, magazines, corporate publications, and electronic media (radio, television, cable, Internet), with emphasis upon study and use of rhetorical devices and logic. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

414 Magazine and Feature Writing (3) Techniques of writing features and in-depth articles for mass circulation and specialized magazines or newspapers. Organizing and presenting material, with attention to problems in areas such as business, science, agriculture, and the humanities. Prereq: 203 or consent of instructor.

415 Magazine Industry Workshop (3) Introduction to the magazine industry including management, design, writing and editing, and interactivity. Analysis of print and electronic format magazines. Planning new products for the marketplace. Prereq: 414 or consent of instructor.

420 Media Sales (3) Problems and practices of newspaper, radio, television, cable, and Internet advertising sales. Practical experience in radio and television sales. Use of ratings and new technology in sales presentations. Prereq: 302 and 320.

430 Public Affairs Reporting (3) Reporting (including "database" reporting) and writing about courts, government and public agencies. Event and issue-oriented journalism of politics and public affairs. Prereq: 315.

435 Electronic Field Production (3) Basic principles of digital video production on location. Emphasis on concepts relating to message design, development, and production in the field. Includes writing, digital shooting, and non-linear editing for non-news formats. Prereq: 335 or consent of instructor.

440 Corporate Video (3) Examination of the special requirements of business, industrial, educational and medical uses of video. Includes management, budgeting, planning, producing, and evaluating projects. Students learn digital video production and non-linear editing. Prereq: 435 or consent of instructor.

444 Journalism as Literature (3) Study of writers from the 17th century to the modern era whose works have endured as both journalism and literature. An emerging genre called literary journalism will be examined as a means of cultural reporting with a personal narrative style. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

450 Writing About Science and Medicine (3) Writing workshop to analyze examples of successful science writing and write series of articles for general public based on scientific journals, news conferences, technical meetings and interviews. Prereq: Consent of instructor. (Same as Information Sciences 450.)

456 Science Writing as Literature (3) Survey of important science writing for the general public across the spectrum of science, engineering, and medicine. Works by authors such as Arthur C. Clarke, Stephen J. Gould, and Richard Selzer will be analyzed for literary qualities in a quest to understand why some science writing succeeds. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

433 Editing and Layout for Print/Web (3) Editing and layout for newspapers, magazines and online publishing. Prereq: 203 or consent of instructor.

451 Environmental Writing (3) Writing for news media (including the Internet) on such environmental issues as sprawl, forests, air pollution, energy, and invasive species. Students hear presentations from and interview experts in environmental science and reporting. Exemplary environmental writing is analyzed. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

455 Issues in Science Communication (3) Topics vary. Prereq: Consent of instructor. May be repeated.

457 Media and Society (3) Media processes and effects on society. Major theories/research are introduced and applied to current issues. Prereq: 200 and 275 or consent of instructor.

460 Electronic News Operations (3) Production of news programs for television, cable and the Internet. Advanced course in electronic news gathering, reporting, digital videography, non-linear editing, and producing. Computerized newsroom and studio are utilized. Prereq: 411.

475 Sports Writing (3) Writing sports stories, features and columns. Sports writing is considered from the standpoint of sports reporters, sports information specialists and others with an interest in writing about sports.

480 Broadcast and Cable Programming (3) Programming practices in radio, television and cable. Nature and types of programs. Radio formats and strategies. Acquiring and scheduling television and cable programs. Use of ratings in program decision-making. Program analysis and criticism. Prereq: 275.

488 Web Publishing (3) Cross-disciplinary approach to design and production of on-line publications. Emphasis on researching, planning, site content and design, and the economic, legal and ethical issues involved in online publishing. Prereq: Senior standing and consent of instructor. Prereq: Consent of instructor

490 Advanced Photojournalism (3) Advanced principles and methods of black-and-white photography. Introduction to color photography. News and feature photographs, photo essays. Prereq: 290 or consent of instructor.

465 Media and Diversity (3) Media coverage and portrayal of various social groups based on gender, class, and race/ethnicity. Effects of media on public perceptions and attitudes toward these groups. Discussion of historical and legal implications of media effects. (Same as Women's Studies 465.)

467 Mass Communication History (3) Development of the press and the role of mass communication in American history. Newspapers, magazines, radio, television, cable, satellite, and the Internet.

470 Cable, Broadband, and Interactive Digital Media (3) History and structure of cable television and other broadband delivery systems (DBS, Internet, etc.). Development of digital broadcasting, interactive television, and other broadband media systems and digital technologies. Regulatory, policy, programming, and management issues arising from new media and digital technologies. Prereq: 275 or consent of instructor.

485 Media Management (3) Business policies and practices of newspaper, broadcast, cable, and Internet operations. Departmental functions, cost and income analysis, leadership styles and techniques with an emphasis on mid and senior level management. Job hunting guidelines provided. Prereq: 6 hours math and/or accounting, and senior standing.

491 Foreign Study (1-15) Advance approval of hours and topics by advisor required for registration. May be repeated. Maximum 15 hours.

492 Practicum (1-2) Work and learning experience at newspaper, radio, television, cable, Web, or other nonbroadcast facilities. Final written report required. May be repeated up to four credit hours. Prereq: Senior standing or consent of instructor. Satisfactory/No Credit grading.

493 Independent Study (3) May be repeated for maximum of 6 hours. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

494 Special Topics (3) Topics vary. May be repeated. Maximum credit 6 hours.

498 Internship (3) Full-time (30-40 hrs per week) work experience in news, production, or sales and management with non-university professional organization. Educational experience beyond that available at university. Final term paper. No retroactive credit for previous work experience. Prereq: Senior standing, completion of core curriculum and at least 15 hours of Journalism and Electronic Media courses, GPA 3.0 or better, and consent of unit head.