Undergraduate Course Descriptions

JOUR 2306: Media Design and Production

An introduction to print media design and production with an emphasis on the use of innovative software for designing and producing pages and panels for newspapers, magazines, and advertising.

JOUR 2307: Mass Media and Society [TCCN: COMM 1307]

Relationship of mass communication processes and effects on the individual and society; impact of media messages on knowledge, attitudes and behavior. Examines social, economic, political, and cultural changes around the world from the perspective of mass communication theory and practice. Provides an understanding of the historical and cross-cultural/international aspects of a variety of issues from a mass communication perspective. Emphasis on both the developed and developing nations of the world.

JOUR 2311: Writing for Mass Media [TCCN: COMM 2311]

Techniques of information gathering and writing for various audiences. Practice in interviewing, observation, use of the Internet and documentary references that include computer information retrieval and analysis skills.

JOUR 2318: Beginning Digital Photography

Theory and practice of electronic photography, including photojournalistic composition for publication. The application of visual communication theories including human perception, psychology of color, and principles of design to photography and graphic design in communication.

JOUR 3301: Feature Writing

A study of the purposes, character, and subject matter of feature stories. Emphasis is placed on writing and marketing the feature for magazines and newspapers. Students will contribute features to the student newspaper. Prerequisite: JOUR 2311.

JOUR 3303: News Writing

Introduction to fundamental journalistic writing skills for the print media, with an emphasis on interviewing, source development and research. Prerequisites: JOUR 2307 and JOUR 2311.

JOUR 3311: Visual Design

Theory and practice of visual design. Emphasis on publication design, corporate identity and advertising layout. Prerequisites: JOUR 2306 OR demonstrated competency with relevant software.

JOUR 3315: News Editing

Advanced editing for the news media. Emphasis on news judgment, the use of language, and copyediting for the print media. Prerequisite: JOUR 3303.

JOUR 3318: Media Law and Ethics

A study of the major areas of media law, including the First Amendment, libel, privacy, regulation of broadcast media and advertising, free press-fair trial issues, reporters' privilege, copyright, and other relevant areas. Prerequisite: JOUR 2311.

JOUR 3340: Principles of Advertising

Advertising with an emphasis on the print and electronic media. Layout, design, and the evaluation of advertising campaigns are emphasized.

JOUR 3350: Video Production

Study of video communication for television and corporate applications with an emphasis on design, production, and evaluation.

JOUR 3351: Advertising Writing and Design

An intensive study of the writing of advertising copy and the principles of advertising layout for the print and broadcast media. Prerequisite: JOUR 3340.

JOUR 3360: Photojournalism

A study of use and layout of photographs in newspapers, magazines, types of printing, caption writing, the picture story, picture essay, and multi-image presentations. Students will be given the opportunity to acquire experience in print publication assignments.

JOUR 3375: Principles of Public Relations

Survey of public relations including the nature of communication, public opinion, and persuasion, theories, principles, techniques, and media use.

JOUR 3380: Multimedia Production

Experience in operation of equipment used for recording, retrieving, and communicating information. Emphasis will be on message design, information delivery systems, and their application to communication theory for small and mass audiences.

JOUR 3385: History of Mass Media

Study of the development and growth of American media from colonial times to the present; examination of the social, economic, and political relationships of the media within historical environments.

JOUR 3395: Writing for Public Relations and Advertising

An examination and application of the writing skills required in public relations and advertising. Competency is developed in writing news releases, feature articles, newsletters, advertising copy, magazine articles, and brochure copy. Prerequisites: JOUR 2311 and JOUR 3340, or JOUR 3375.

JOUR 4300: Opinion Writing

Analysis of current public issues and the skill sets used in writing about those issues. Students will write editorials, columns, critical reviews, and news analysis stories. Prerequisites: JOUR 2311 and JOUR 3303.

JOUR 4310: Community Journalism

A critical study of contemporary local, state, and national current events and how they are treated by the mass media serving towns, cities, or homogenous communities within urban areas. Diversity's role in communities will be discussed.

JOUR 4325: Radio-Television News Writing

The study and practice of television broadcasting. Emphasis is placed upon learning the differences between print and electronic journalism news writing. Stories will be written and delivered for both radio and television. Studio and newsroom procedures will be examined. Prerequisites: JOUR 2311 and JOUR 3303.

JOUR 4329: Topics in Journalism

A study of selected journalism topics with emphasis on current ideas and literature. May be repeated once for credit when content changes.

JOUR 4332: Advanced News Writing and Editing

Advanced news writing and copyediting techniques. Focus on the integration of reporting, writing, and editing skills. Capstone courses for journalism-news editorial option; senior standing required.

JOUR 4350: International Mass Media

Study of the role of the media under various political systems and of the impact of communication technology on national development.

JOUR 4361: Media Ethics

A study of the ethical issues in mass media in such areas as censorship, conflict of interest, portrayal of minorities, media as accessory to criminal action, fairness, sensationalism, and the pursuit of news and profit. Emphasis will be on journalism, public relations, advertising, and broadcasting.

JOUR 4363: Public Relations and Advertising Case Studies

Application and analysis of public relations and advertising principles to cases in business and industry, government, institutions, trades and professions. Prerequisites: JOUR 3340, JOUR 3375.

JOUR 4365: Public Relations and Advertising Campaigns

Course will focus on planning, budgeting, and managing public relations and advertising campaigns in five primary areas: government, non-profit, corporate, political, and product. Prerequisites: JOUR 3340, JOUR 3375, JOUR 3395, JOUR 4363.

JOUR 4368, 4668: Field Experience in Journalism

Study of journalism facilities, personnel, procedures, and field research which includes travel. Classroom lectures and seminar methods supplement the field experience. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

JOUR 4370, 4371: Undergraduate Internship Program

An 8-to-16 week program offering a learning experience in an off-campus environment. CR/NC option. Prerequisite: 12 semester credit hours of upper-division journalism and consent of department chair.

JOUR 4199, 4699: Independent Study

Independent study in specific areas of journalism not covered by organized undergraduate courses. A maximum of six (6) credit hours for independent study courses may be applied toward an undergraduate degree. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.

Graduate Course Descriptions

COMM 5300: Human Communication Theory
This course examines the major lines of theoretical development in the study of human communication and the diverse and alternative metatheoretical bases for theory construction and critical analysis. Attention is given to questions of causal and practical necessity, and to reductionist and holistic analysis of communication processes and phenomenon.

COMM 5301: Literature of Journalism
A survey of the literature. Students will read general and specialized literature as a basis for group discussion.

COMM 5303: Public Opinion and Propaganda
Study of propaganda theory and methods, emphasis on opinion-making processes in governments, political parties, pressure groups, and mass media. Critical examination and synthesis of past and ongoing research on propaganda.

COMM 5305: Theories of Mass Communication
A study of the theories of mass communication. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the process and effects of mass media.

COMM 5307: Quantitative Methods of Investigation
Study of tools, techniques, and designs of research used to investigate the control, content, audience, and effects of communication -- including mass media.

COMM 5315: Mass Media and Popular Culture
An examination of popular culture with emphasis on the role of television, cable, film, magazines, internet, and emerging technologies in transmitting symbols and images.

COMM 5325: Qualitative Methods of Investigation
Qualitative analysis of the complexities of public communication and the essential nature of human speech and its resources and problems. This course is intended for students who are interested in the rhetorical analysis of public address and persuasion.

COMM 5328: Leadership and the Group Process
Involves the student in a definition of leadership and its role within the processes of small groups. It is a theoretical study of communication networks, human motivation, conflict reduction, and the introduction of social change.

COMM 5329: Topics in Communication Theory
An analysis of major communication theories in journalism and speech communication with an emphasis on current ideas and literature. May be repeated once for credit when content changes.

COMM 5330: Gender and Communication
A study of gendered communication behaviors and their impact on various communication contexts including intimacy, the family, group, and the business world.

COMM 5335: Seminar in Organizational Communication
A critical look at the role of communication in formal organizations, both public and private. Emphasis on a review of literature and field research in selected communication situations and problems.

COMM 5340: Seminar in Intercultural Communication
Designed to provide the student with the opportunity to acquire theoretical guidelines and experiential applications in the study of human communication across cultures including intercommunity, transnational, and global communications.

COMM 5345: New Media Theories and Applications
This course involves an exploration of the cognitive, linguistic, and interpretive approaches to the study of new media. Consideration will be given to both the practical and theoretical values of new media.

COMM 5350: Nonverbal Communication
A study of the effects of space and territory, physical appearance, bodily movement, touching, the face and eyes, and paralanguage on the total communication process.

COMM 5351: Freedom and Responsibility of Communication
An examination of issues and cases in freedom of speech with particular application to ethics in speech communication. The nature and function of public communication, the challenges to freedom of speech, and the ethics of communication are explored.

COMM 5399: Independent Study
Independent study in specific areas of speech communication or journalism not covered by organized graduate courses. A maximum of six credit hours of independent study courses may be applied toward a graduate degree. Prerequisite: Consent of advisor or department chair.

COMM 5395: Thesis
Selection of research topic and development of thesis plan.

COMM 5396: Thesis
Completion and defense of thesis. Prerequisites: COMM 5395 or concurrent enrollment and consent of advisor.

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