Courses
A Jrl 300Z Introduction to Journalism (3)
general education: WI
A newswriting and reporting course emphasizing working journalism. Regular guest lectures by working
journalists and media professionals, and weekly workshops in which students discuss their own work. About 10
news and feature stories are assigned each semester, covering the courts, politics, and the metropolitan
scene. Prerequisite(s): enrollment limited to sophomores, juniors and seniors who have taken an English
course or a writing intensive course.
A Jrl 308Z (= A Eng 308Z) Styles of Journalistic Writing (3)
general education: WI
A writing workshop in which students write at least six newspaper features or magazine articles on topics
they chose, as well as several analyses of published stories by major journalists of the modern age. Students
try a variety of journalistic styles beyond straight, objective news. Designed for students in the journalism
minor but open to others. Admission is limited, and those seeking to enroll should submit a sample of their
work to the Director of Journalism. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors. Only one of A Jrl 308Z and
A Eng 308Z may be taken for credit. Prerequisite(s): permission of the program director.
A Jrl 364 & 365 Journalism: Special Topics (3)
Study of various issues in journalism. May be repeated when content differs. A Jrl 364Z and A Jrl 365Z are
the writing intensive versions of A Jrl 364 and A Jrl 365. A Jrl 364 and A Jrl 365 do not meet the writing
intensive requirement. Prerequisite(s): intended primarily for juniors and seniors and with permission of the
program director.
Topics: Among the topics regularly offered under A Jrl 364 and 365 are the following:
"The Documentary Tradition in 20th Century American Prose and Photography" This lecture course studies the documentary tradition from classic American works in prose and photography through the latest innovations in using digital media.
"History of the American Press, 1833-1914" traces the development of the American print medium from
the advent of the Penny Press through the influence of the muckrakers. It examines this evolving press
in terms of its role in issues of public policy, gender, race and culture, thus providing an insight
into the roots of contemporary American journalism.
"Media Law and Ethics" examines the current state of media law and ethics, with some attention also
given to the historical roots. Topics include: First Amendment, conflicts between the values of a free
press and a fair trial, libel, invasion of privacy, protection of confidential sources and
information, freedom of information, copyright, telecommunications, and ethical dilemmas.
"Media Criticism" explores content and context of print journalism. Why do some stories get printed
while others do not? Whose voices are heard and who is silenced? How do newsroom decision influence
the audience? Do editorial and advertising pages represent the reader differently? Do readers have
avenues of recourse? Should they? Close reading and writing assignments.
"The American News Media in the Twentieth Century" This lecture course surveys the historical
development of the twentieth century of radio, television, newspapers and magazines, and digital
media; to a lesser extent, it also addresses films, books publishing, public relations, and
advertising.
"Images of Journalism in Literature and Film" explores several depictions of American journalism and
journalists in a variety of genres, including novels, short stories, nonfiction, and films. Diverse
images of journalists are followed from early colonial America to today.
A Jrl 364Z & 365Z Journalism: Special Topics (3)
general education: WI
May be repeated when content differs. A Jrl 364Z and 365Z are the writing intensive versions of A Jrl 364 and
365. Prerequisite(s): A Jrl 300Z. Intended primarily for juniors and seniors and with permission of the
program director.
Topics: Among the topics regularly offered under A Jrl 364Z and 365Z are the following:
"Magazine Article Writing" is a workshop in which students explore a variety of nonfiction styles and
techniques, revise their work after discussing each other's manuscripts, and get a sense of market
realities by reading work published in magazines as well as that of established writers.
"Interviewing" examines the interview as both a source for news stories and an end in itself. Students
develop interviewing techniques, assuaging hostile subjects and drawing out those awed or fearful in
the presence of a tape recorder, in order to write different kinds of interviews, from the Q&A to the
profile.
"Writing Reviews, Editorials, and Columns" is a writing course in which students study and write
pieces of subjective journalism, such as personal columns, arts reviews, editorials, and others.
"Computer-Assisted Journalism" introduces students to the concepts of computer-assisted reporting
(CAR), fast becoming as fundamental a reporting tool as the telephone, and teaches the basic uses of
spreadsheets, databases and the Internet for journalism.
"Editing for the News Media" demonstrates that editing is less an exercise in grammar and punctuation
and more one in critical thinking. Editing and writing exercises and class discussion will grapple
with what makes something news and what is the clearest way to express that to the readers.
"Science Journalism".This workshop introduces students to reporting on and writing about a variety of current issues in science, medicine, technology, and the environment.
"Sports Journalism" provides an overview of the field, with focus on the unique writing and research
style of sportswriters. Students learn to write game, advance, follow-up, feature, and human-interest
stories and columns for newspapers and magazines, from covering Little League to the Olympics.
"Photojournalism" This workshop, taught in a digital media lab, introduces students to photojournalism as practiced in newspapers, magazines, and digital media. Students should be able to demonstrate a basic competency in photography; those who have not taken previous photography coursework may have to present a portfolio for evaluation before being admitted
"Digital Media Workshop" This course focuses on digital journalism, including such subjects as desktop
publishing, writing HTML, and creating and maintaining Websites. It is intended for anyone who is interested
in the process, design, presentation, and implementation of message-making through text, charts, symbols,
signs, and computer screens/interfaces.
"Public Relations Workshop" This workshop will introduce students to a variety of functions and writing
activities found in modern public relations, such as managing internal and external communications,
identifying appropriate audiences, developing plans for public relations campaigns, writing press releases
and other documents, handling communications in a crisis situation, and managing media relations.
A Jrl 397 Independent Study of Journalism (1-4)
A project in journalistic investigation and writing, or a study of some specific body of journalism sponsored
by a faculty member and approved by the director of journalism. May repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s):
intended primarily for juniors and seniors and with permission of the program director.
A Jrl 400 Internship in Journalism (3-9)
Students work for one semester on a newspaper, magazine, radio or television station, or with government,
business, or public affairs publication. Students earn credit by completing an academic component consisting
of required group meetings and conferences with the faculty supervisor, as well as a journal, portfolio and a
final paper. Internships are open only to qualified juniors and seniors who have an overall grade point
average of 2.50 or higher. Prerequisite(s): permission of faculty supervisor.
