Plan of Study – English/Journalism **

An introduction to critical writing and literary theory and criticism. Addresses the major frameworks of literary criticism that have emerged in Western critical theory. Prerequisite: WRT 1020. Recommended during second year in major and minor.

Organization of the modern news organization; news values and news sources; structure of the news story; practical training in gathering and writing news stories for print and digital distribution.

Principles of editing, headline writing, page design, use of graphics in print and digital publications. May include an academic service-learning experience. Prerequisite: JRN 1320 or departmental approval.

The skills of expressive reading to elicit listener response to the text, using vocal and physical expression. Prose, poetry, and drama analyzed for meaning and mood.

A linguistics course providing an historical sketch of the development of the English language, examining the interplay between theory of language and approaches to the study of grammar. By analyzing English phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, the course shows the changing nature of language and emphasizes how that change is influenced by politics and culture. The effects of dialect and register on communication in English are explored. Applications to teaching grammar in elementary and secondary settings are examined.

An introduction to representative literary works, both Western and non-Western, reflecting the distinctive ideals, values, and attitudes of various eras and civilizations.

A study of how and why people communicate in the ways they do. Habitual talking, listening, and writing behaviors of individuals and groups, as well as the influences of home, community, and culture on the language structures and language uses of individuals. Culture, as it influences linguistic preference, is considered, along with methods of semiotic and discursal analysis.

A study of the world of children’s literature and the history of children’s literature with a focus on classic and contemporary works. Materials selected with reference to the interest, needs, and abilities of children.

A study of American literature from the pre-colonial era to the Civil War, with an overview of relevant forms, genres, and historical contexts. Explores the diverse elements of the American experience during this time period.

A study of American literature from the Post-Civil War to the present, with an overview of relevant forms, genres, and historical contexts. Explores the changing values and concerns of American society as reflected in its literature from the mid-nineteenth century to twenty-first century.

A study of literature written by and about women, with consideration of critical approaches that have been formulated by women within relevant historical contexts. Texts explore women’s search for independence and fulfillment.

A study and practice of the methods used to analyze folklore, examine folkloristics as a discipline, and explore the relationship between folklore and literature. Students read and write about works of American literature in which folkloric phenomena have been simulated and transformed by American writers for literary purposes, and complete a collection project.

A study of British literature from the early Middle Ages to the late Renaissance. Provides an overview of relevant forms, genres, and historical contexts, including representative works of Old and Middle English as well as Renaissance epic, lyric, and drama. Considers the influences of classical literature, the Reformation, and the English civil war.

A study of British literature from 1667 to the present. An overview of relevant forms, genres, and historical contexts. Explores the Regency, Romantic, Victorian, Modernist, post-Modernist, and contemporary periods.

A study of contemporary authors who may be classified as Modern or Postmodern; figures may include principal ethnic and minority writers.

An overview of various genres of multicultural contemporary literature written for and marketed to young adults. Addresses major authors, illustrators, research and current controversies in young adult literature. Examines strategies for teaching young adult literature at the middle and secondary school levels.

The Approaches to Teaching offerings examine fiction and non-fiction literature as appropriate and relevant works for study in elementary, middle, and/or secondary school classrooms. Featured authors and works vary by semester. May be repeated for credit with new topic.

Interdisciplinary analysis of a particular period, event, or personality in terms of the human dilemmas and choices which are confronted.

The lives and works of classic American modern poets, including Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Wallace Stevens, Marianne Moore, William Carlos Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, and others, explored in relationship to our own lives and works. Emphasis on ways to appreciate and enjoy the art of poetry. Videos or DVDs from the Voices and Visions television series are an integral part of the course.

Interdisciplinary examinations of contemporary cultural issues through literature and film. May be repeated for credit with new topic.

A study of African American literature including both oral and written traditions. Emphasis is placed on canonical writers and texts in historical context.

Focus on literature from various minority populations in America. Course content includes, but is not limited to, African American, Asian American, Arab American, Latino American, and Native American authors. Emphasis placed on the unique facets of each type of literature, as well as themes and experiences common to all ethnic groups in America.

Saint Leo University Transfer Course

Writing and study of poetry, fiction, and plays at an introductory level. Includes discussion, writers’ workshops, and regular conferences with the instructor. Students contribute to the production of a class electronic publication. Prerequisite: WRT 1020.

Theory and application of technical writing principles. Topics include an introduction to the technical communication environment, ethical and legal considerations, the basics of writing and analyzing technical documents, collaborative writing, and design principles for documents and Web sites. Students create a variety of technical documents for inclusion in their final e-portfolios. Prerequisite: WRT 1020 or equivalent.

Advanced study and application of the rhetorical elements of invention, form, and style in nonfiction writing. Emphasis on strategy and style in appealing to a variety of audiences. Class meetings include writers’ workshop format. Prerequisite: WRT 1020.

A study of the strategies and stylistic devices which lead to clear, concise, and complete business writing. Various types of business letters, memoranda, proposals, and reports are examined and developed. Prerequisite: WRT 1020.

Continued study and application of technical writing principles. Topics include communicating persuasively, designing documents and Web sites, using graphics, evaluating and testing documents and Web sites, and learning key applications for creating a variety of technical documents. Introduction to technical communication software. Students create a variety of technical documents for inclusion in their final e-portfolios. Prerequisite: WRT 2440 or equivalent.

An overview of the telecommunications industry, its technical and economic nature, and its consideration as both a product of social forces and as a social force itself.

Basic studio production techniques, including set-up and operation of cameras, microphones, recorders, lights, and control room equipment. Emphasis on hands-on team approach. Recommended for BCA majors during their first year.

Introduction to basic concepts and practices of single camera field production, including directing theory, camera technique, sound, lighting, and editing. Preferred prerequisite or corequisite: BCA 2610.

Theory and practice of writing scripts for radio, television, and film. Introduction to the techniques of storytelling, storyboarding, production tracking, and budgeting. Prerequisite: BCA 2610.

Advanced studio production techniques, with emphasis on technical directing, camera techniques, lighting methods, and integration of field-produced tapes. Prerequisite: BCA 2610.

The concepts and practices of field and remote video production in electronic news gathering with emphasis on broadcast standards and ethical decision-making. Prerequisites: BCA 2610, 2810.

Advanced field production and editing, with emphasis on visual and aural storytelling, creative camera and lighting techniques, shot continuity, audio, graphics, and special effects. Includes an academic service-learning experience. Prerequisite: BCA 2810.

The theory and practice of producing and directing television programs. Students produce and/or direct a program that meets broadcast standards. Prerequisites: BCA 2810 and BCA 3610 and permission of instructor.

Overview of the field of graphic design, with emphasis on basic terminology, process, and procedure. The elements and principles of successful graphic design are introduced and practiced through hand-rendered and digital projects. Corequisite: GDA 1720, GDA 1730.

Introduction to a variety of image processing capabilities, with an emphasis on the development of original raster images related to art, design and motion graphics. Students learn various components of Adobe Photoshop including, image conversion, compositing, color correction, manipulating layers, working with paths, and print preparation.

Acquaints student with functions of public relations in our society and explains basic theories and principles in publicity writing and placement.

Study of feature and opinion writing strategies; principles and ethics for print and digital media; the means of persuasion; nature, structure, and function of editorial and opinion articles. Prerequisite: JRN 1320 or departmental approval.

Basic digital photography; principles of light, lenses, and composition; participation in all phases of digital work flow from initial composition to final image. Required for students seeking teaching certification with a Journalism minor.

Further exploration of photography including digital and chemical-based imaging. Digital and chemical printing, negative development, archival and fine art black-and-white printing. Class culminates with a portfolio project in either print or digital media. Prerequisite: JRN 3130.

Techniques and hands-on experience of covering beats, digging out stories, writing stories, and validating facts under pressure of deadlines through working on the school publication. Prerequisites: JRN 1320 and JRN 2860; or departmental approval.

On-campus or on-the-job experience in publications, publicity, or promotion work. One or more cooperative education experiences may substitute for the practicum. Prerequisite: JRN 1320, JRN 2860, and JRN 3570; or departmental approval.

On-campus or on-the-job experience in publications, publicity, or promotion work. One or more cooperative education experiences may substitute for the practicum. Prerequisite: JRN 1320, JRN 2860, and JRN 3570; or departmental approval.

Theory of behavior in communications in general and the mass media in particular. The design and evaluation of public opinion studies and research topics in communications with emphasis on the effects that the various media have had on consumers.

Development of a variety of public relations projects for internal and external audiences, including publicity generation, media relations, on-line and print publication creation, press releases, media kits, and crisis communication. Discussion of public relations strategies and tactics, case studies, and ethical decision-making. Prerequisite: JRN 2050 or departmental approval.

Writing opinion pieces; selecting stories and graphics; composing captions and headlines; designing print and online pages within constraints of news hole and budget; editing the school publication under actual deadline conditions. Prerequisite: JRN 1320, JRN 3160, and JRN 3570; or departmental approval.

A specialized course dealing with a particular aspect of the journalism/public relations field. Topics vary by semester. The course examines contemporary topics and explores how media professionals respond to these issues. Journalism/Public Relations majors are required to take JRN 4750 once and may take the course two additional times, provided the content is distinct.

On-campus or on-the-job experience in publications, publicity, or promotion work. One or more cooperative education experiences may substitute for the practicum. Prerequisite: JRN 1320, JRN 2860, and JRN 3570; or departmental approval.

On-campus or on-the-job experience in publications, publicity, or promotion work. One or more cooperative education experiences may substitute for the practicum. Prerequisite: JRN 1320, JRN 2860, and JRN 3570; or departmental approval.

The practical application of various techniques and strategies used in developing good public relations in and through sport. Communications and public relations theories and methods are presented and common public relations issues are analyzed in the professional, intercollegiate, and commercial sport industries.