JOURNALISM (JOUR)
JOUR 150 - MEDIA TODAY
Considering the effects of society on media and media on society. This course will focus each semester on a different topic exploring and exposing the possibilities and issues of the ongoing relationship between media and society.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Course Notes: Open to freshmen. JOUR, IMC , and COMM majors cannot use, 100-level JOUR courses as their major electives.
JOUR 201 - COMMUNICATION IN THE INFORMATION AGE
Prerequisite course for journalism, public relations, and integrated communications (advertising) majors. Overview of print and broadcast journalism, public relations and advertising; emphasis on the role and effects of media in society. The transformation of mass communication resulting from the development, diffusion, and convergence of new technologies.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Social Science
Prerequisites: ENG 102
JOUR 205 - BEGINNING COMPUTER GRAPHICS
Typefaces, photographs, and other illustrations, decoration and ornamentation, layout in presentation of news; use of graphics to reflect publication character and to attract readers. Work with Illustrator and PhotoShop.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 201 or COMM 201 (may be taken concurrently)
JOUR 219 - ESSENTIAL MULTIMEDIA SKILLS
Language essentials; terminology of media professions; computer systems for communication, writing, analysis, and illustration; Internet research; basics of digital video production. Required for students who begin journalism major in Fall 2003 or later. Recommended as elective for others.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: COMM 201 (may be taken concurrently)
Course Notes: or concurrent.
JOUR 220 - MEDIA WRITING
Newswriting principles, interview techniques, classroom and outside writing practice; introduction to writing appropriate to print, broadcast, online journalism, public relations, and advertising. Course meets for five hours weekly and includes writing in lab.
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: COMM 201 (may be taken concurrently)
Course Notes: class includes lab
JOUR 248 - TOP: IN JOURNALISM TODAY
This is a special topics course designed to explore the history and perspective of cultural events all leading up to the practice of reporting on such events for the general media. Topics will rotate for this course and the individual topic in any given term will be explained in the term-specific course description which can be seen by clicking on the Red CRN.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: ENG 102
Course Notes: Click the Red CRN for a term-specific course description
JOUR 250 - JOURNALISM AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Looking at investigative journalism and its impact on society; its social justice and watchdog roles, the diversity of its practitioners, the connection of investigative reporting to political movements, and the many different media that can handle investigative material. Readings in the work of journalists; how journalists find stories and report them. Considering common issues: story complications, ethical and legal questions, and the role of narrative and style in investigative work.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Grounds for Change, Social Justice Studies, Transformational Service Learning
Prerequisites: ENG 102
JOUR 250A - CHICAGO: THE POWER, THE GLORY, AND THE PEOPLE: A JOURNALISTS PERSPECTIVE ON CHICAGO HISTORY
A journalist's perspective on the history of Chicago politics, industry, commerce and the human condition. Looking at government in Chicago from about 1860 to early 1950s with focus on the problems of diversity, finance, construction and corruption. Looking closely at the history of the mayors and key business people buried at Graceland Cemetery and elsewhere. A graveside examination of Chicago history. Considering city issues such as violence aimed at infants, coping with the demands and frustrations of a vast immigrant community, the conflict between German and English speakers in the 19th century, corruption and the great fire, Jane Addams and good intentions. What does the city’s history in addressing these problems tell us about how we can approach an array of modern challenges?
Credits: 3
Attributes: Grounds for Change
Prerequisites: ENG 102 and MATH 110 (may be taken concurrently)
Course Notes: Students in this course are required to participate in, two Friday morning off-campus excursions, during the semester.
JOUR 295 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
A limited availability course as determined in consultation with the department chair. Requirements and credits vary case-by-case depending students'' work.
Credits: 1-3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
Course Notes: Chair consent required.
JOUR 305 - NEWS VIDEO PRODUCTION
This course will introduce students to the technology and techniques necessary to bring news reports to life in video for use on news websites or an array of other news media outlets. Students will learn how to collect, edit and present broadcast quality videos to complement news reports across a variety of subjects.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220 or IMC 220
Course Notes: JOUR 219 recommended.
JOUR 307 - DOCUMENTARY VIDEO STORYTELLING
A beginning course in documentary storytelling, including planning the project, shooting video, editing and completion of the project.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Transformational Service Learning
JOUR 310 - HISTORY OF JOURNALISM
Development of journalism from European antecedents of the American colonial press through trends developing during the 21st century. Examines US newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and other media.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
JOUR 319 - NEWS REPORTING
Field reporting course with emphasis on writing detailed or complex stories from student-initiated beat coverage, interviews, on- or off-campus events, and assignments; research and writing from documents and press conferences.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Transformational Service Learning
Prerequisites: JOUR 220 or IMC 220
Course Notes: Should be taken in the term following Journalism 220, Media Writing or in the next term offered
JOUR 321 - PHOTOBOOK HISTORY & PRACTICE
History and practice of the photobook. Students will photograph a major subject over the course of the semester, edit the photographs, and layout and publish a photobook. Basic Photoshop, camera technique, and the history of the photobook will also be covered. Both film and digital cameras can be used for the course.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 201 (may be taken concurrently) or COMM 201 (may be taken concurrently)
Course Notes: Instr. consent
JOUR 322 - FEATURE WRITING
Reporting and writing of short and long form articles for newspapers and magazines, including profiles. Using observation, description, conversation, and character development in writing journalistic articles.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
JOUR 323 - TELEVISION: ISSUES AND ART
Television as a social force; controls exercised by regulatory agencies, station owners, and public; TV as a popular art form; its history and program genres.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
Course Notes: One additional JOUR or SPCH course is required.
JOUR 325 - PHOTOGRAPHY
Introduction to black and white film-based photography. Basic camera and darkroom techniques. Cameras provided by the department. Students provide some supplies.
Credits: 3
JOUR 328 - DOCUMENTARY PHOTO
An exploration of documentary photography consisting of camera usage, shooting assignments, slide lectures, and computer work using Photoshop. No previous photography experience required. Cameras will be provided for the semester. This course will introduce the computer as a powerful tool for the photographer. We will discuss the ethical, philosophical and practical considerations regarding digital imaging. We will be using flat-bed scanners, 35mm slide and negative scanners, and digital cameras for inputting images into the computer. Adobe Photoshop will be our primary imaging program.
Credits: 3
JOUR 330 - IPHONEOGRAPHY AND THE DEMOCRATIC CAMERA
Everyone is a photographer and cameraphones are everywhere. This course will explore the creative and ethical implications of using the iPhone as an artistic and journalistic tool. Students must have an iPhone 5 or newer to enroll in the course, and will be expected to download various photography apps for use in the class. We will use the iPhone to create, edit, and post photographic work online. Students will learn a new set of photographic standards, applications, and practices through individual and group shooting assignments, readings, examples of contemporary photographic work, and excursions to galleries and museums.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 201 or COMM 201
Course Notes: Students must have their own iPhone 5S, or newer for use in this class.
JOUR 334 - WRITING FOR RADIO
Writing news stories for radio broadcasts: writing practice on deadline, working with audio, broadcast writing style.
Credits: 3
JOUR 335 - THE NEWS GRINDER
Journalism deadlines happen a couple of times each minute. The confusion caused by the speeding up of pace is overwhelming, not only for journalists, but for people who want to keep up, too. The challenge of getting your arms around information is so big that most people cannot undertake it themselves. This course works in an intensive format to help on both fronts.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
Course Notes: or consent
JOUR 336 - TOPICS IN JOURNALISTIC WRITING
This is a special topics class dealing with specialty practice fields of journalistic writing. Topics to be offered in any particular semester may include areas such as Food Writing, Travel Writing, Sports Writing, Business Writing, or Science Writing. For a specific course description, click the link for the Course Reference Number.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
JOUR 339 - WRITING NONFICTION: THE DOCUMENTARY AESTHETIC
Course will examine the influence of the documentary aesthetic on American literature and consider, as well, the problems of documentary, the questions of representation and ethics that haunt it. Study of what the documentary tradition can give to contemporary nonfiction, how today’s writers can transform documentary to suit their times and their purposes. Students are expected to complete a polished piece of documentary nonfiction and a critical paper.
Credits: 3
JOUR 342 - POLITICS AND MEDIA
A blend of theory and practice focusing on how the media cover politics; how politicians, special interest groups, and political parties attempt to influence the media; and how politicians and issue advocacy groups use advertising to take their message directly to voters. Emphasis on the interplay among media, candidates, and special interest groups and the effect of today's political campaigns on society and democracy; use of polls and focus groups to drive message; the future of campaign finance reform.
Credits: 3
JOUR 343 - PRODUCING THE DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Conceptualizing, editing, and producing a documentary photography exhibition using student and/or professional work. Working together, students will generate ideas for an exhibition in the Gage Gallery, locate/produce work, and install the project in the gallery. The class will focus on the practice of curating a photography exhibition, which will include developing a theme and choosing work, writing statements/artist biographies, and promoting the exhibit to the community.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: ENG 102
Course Notes: Sophomore Standing.
JOUR 344 - PROMOTIONAL VIDEO PRODUCTION
A step-by-step, hands-on tutiorial on video production techniques for the advocacy of ideas and products. Students will learn how to research a topic, write about it, interview participants, shoot video footage and edit it into an effective and attractive package that promotes an idea, cause, product or service.
Credits: 3
JOUR 345 - WRITING FOR NEWSLETTERS
Skills course focused on information gathering and writing skills for newsletters.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
JOUR 346 - NEWSLETTER PUBLISHING
Audience research, budget planning, and production overview for newsletters, both print and online, whether they are strictly journalistic entities, promotional arms of business or adjuncts to organizations. Students produce a prototype newsletter and use Quark Xpress software for design.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
JOUR 348 - PINHOLE TO CAMERAPHONE: PHOTOGRAPHY'S HISTORY AND PRACTICE
The history and practice of early, middle-period, and contemporary photography. Slide examples of the history of photography; hands-on work with pinhole cameras, large format cameras, digital cameras, and camera phones. Field trips to galleries and/or museums in the city to view examples of work presented in the class.
Credits: 3
JOUR 350 - EDITING
Emphasis on grammar, usage, copy editing, headline writing; overview of editorial processes and standards; introduction to layout and design, and photo editing. Recommended elective for journalism majors who choose no concentration.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
JOUR 351 - PUBLIC OPINION & PROPAGANDA
Factors in public opinion formation; techniques and uses of public opinion polling; definition, identification, and socially positive and negative uses of propaganda.
Credits: 3
JOUR 352 - EDITORIAL & COLUMN WRITING
Writing of well researched, logically argued editorials and columns expressing opinion of newspaper, other publication, broadcast station, or individual journalist.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
JOUR 353 - THE ALTERNATIVE MEDIA
Students learn principles about, and skills in the use of, alternative and online media, including blogs, vlogs, and social networking.
Credits: 3
JOUR 354 - PUBLICATION DESIGN
Theories of design and practical experience with creating layout and using photos and art in newspapers, magazines, newsletters, online publications. Students use QuarkXPress software for hands-on layout exercises.
Credits: 3
JOUR 355 - MAGAZINE WRITING
Research and writing of articles for the contemporary magazine.
Credits: 3
JOUR 356 - LITERARY JOURNALISM
This course acquaints students with the area of literary feature writing, which serves as a forum for the expression of journalism as narrative. Combining the seminar and workshop forums, it explores the art and craft of literary nonfiction as well as the structure, tone, style, and also approach to writing feature stories, giving special attention to the work of some of the nation's leading journalists and introducing students to the process of immersing themselves in the subject.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220
JOUR 357 - MAGAZINE PRODUCTION
Research, writing, design, and production of magazine. Students learn the use of Adobe InDesign for page layout and creation of a magazine prototype.
Credits: 3
JOUR 358 - WHERE DO IDEAS COME FROM?
One of the most common cliches in publishing is that a picture is worth 1,000 words. This class takes that cliche, turns it around and makes it a tool for developing themes in what the course will term ?reality writing.?
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 319
JOUR 362 - REPORTING/WRITING TOPIC
Changing rotation of courses focused on reporting and writing for specific audiences and publications. Courses will including Arts Reviewing, Trade Journal Writing, Travel Writing, Science and Medical Writing, and others to be developed.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 319
JOUR 363 - LAW AND ETHICS
First Amendment rights and responsibilities; libel and slander; legal access to public meetings and documents; restrictions on print and broadcast media, criteria for ethical decision making.
Credits: 3
JOUR 365 - BRAND STORYTELLING
The exciting and rapidly expanding field of content marketing. The variety and styles of content marketing including big brands, niche storytelling, video events, and nonprofit research papers. All content marketing requires excellent reporting and writing skills. Students will practice developing story ideas with particular brands and audiences in mind, and for several different platforms including the web, social media, and a customer magazine; in-depth research, reporting, and interviews; and will learn how to tell a nonfiction story and to be cognizant of diversity, cultural awareness, and fairness issues in branded reporting, design, and editing.
Credits: 3
JOUR 367 - ON THE TRAIL OF THE PRIMARY
In-depth look at the presidential primaries as theyhappen: presidential campaign history, daily review and discussion of events on the campaign trail; polling information and analysis from campaigns.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Transformational Service Learning
Prerequisites: ENG 102
JOUR 368 - THE VOTERS DECIDE
Course emphasizes reporting on likely voters in the presidential primary, paired with public opinion results and news accounts. Students will produce a book and a web site of their reporting on the primary.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 367
Course Notes: Consent of instructor for non-Journalism majors.
JOUR 369 - THE ELECTION
Hands on experience covering the presidential election as it plays out. Course emphasizes the issues, the rhetoric, the history and the dynamics of the modern presidential campaign, with real time assignments and projects aimed at expanding background and honing performance for journalists who are interested in political reporting.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: ENG 102
JOUR 373 - EXAMINING MEDIA ETHICS
An investigation of mass-mediated communication, and information as a mass commodity, on values, particularly the value of truth. In an age of information glut, where every possible point of view is represented, all points of view appear to have the same value. Having "values" demands the evaluation of ideas–seeing which ones are "better" than others. This course seeks to help the student find certainty in a culture of confusion.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: ENG 102
Course Notes: and Sophomore Standing or higher.
JOUR 375 - MEDIA CRITICISM
Students use newspapers, magazines and the Internet in applying contemporary criticism to current media issues and performance. Emphasizes the social impact of mass media messages.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 201 or COMM 201
Course Notes: One additional 200-level JOUR or SPCH course is required.
JOUR 389 - NEW MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY
Broad overview of current trends and new forms of media and technology and their potential effects. Course focuses on the World Wide Web, interactive media, online services, digital photography, and other current topics. Lecture/lab, discussion, hands-on experience with computer applications, including fundamentals of website design.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220 or IMC 220 or MED 221
Course Notes: JOUR majors take JOUR 220; IMC majors take IMC 220, MED majors take MED 221
JOUR 390 - SPECIAL TOPIC:JOURNALISM TODAY
Course content varies by semester but always focuses on current issues and/or diversity, alternative media, and social justice as they relate to media.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: JOUR 220 or IMC 220
Course Notes: One additional 300-level JOUR course is required.
JOUR 391 - SPECIAL TOPICS:REPORTING
This rotating course on reporting may consider science writing, investigative reporting, travel writing, reviewing the arts, business writing, writing for trade journals, and other topical reporting genres.
Credits: 3
JOUR 392 - THE CONVERGENCE NEWSROOM
Capstone course for journalism majors, focusing on production of a final reporting project on a selected topic and presented in print, video, and web formats.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Transformational Service Learning
Prerequisites: JOUR 305 and JOUR 319
Course Notes: Capstone class to be taken after most required courses, in the major have been completed., Students may take JOUR 363 and JOUR 390 concurrently.
JOUR 393 - PRACTICUM
Designed for students who cannot complete traditional internships. Possible hands-on projects include projects developed by students for their employers.
Credits: 1-3
Course Notes: Consent of instructor.
JOUR 395 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
Independent projects in journalism, public relations or advertising in which students work closely with a faculty supervisor. Students must arrange their independent projects with their faculty supervisors before registering for their independent studies.
Credits: 1-3
Course Notes: Consent of Department Head.
JOUR 397 - INDEPENDENT STUDY
Credits: 1-4
Course Notes: Consent of Department Head.
JOUR 399 - INTERNSHIP
In-service training with a professional publication, broadcast station, advertising or public relations entity. See advisor for internship syllabus.
Credits: 3
Attributes: Transformational Service Learning
Prerequisites: JOUR 220 or JOUR 305
Course Notes: Internship requirements vary by major (JOUR,INCM,PR,COMM)., See advisor or course catalog.
