Plan of Study – Journalism

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Exploration of the printing process and formats for graphic design. The elements and principles of successful graphic design are developed to an intermediate level of proficiency through projects that include editorial design, book design, identity branding, environmental design, and packaging design. Prerequisite: GDA 1710; corequisite: GDA 1720 or 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.

Examination of advanced terminology, processes, procedures and collaborative work in graphic design. Special emphasis on advertising design formats, including ad campaigns, guerilla advertising, and promotional advertising. Prerequisite: GDA 2710.

Advanced-level exploration of processes and procedures in graphic design. Special emphasis on branding and identity design is achieved through individual and collaborative projects using research and conceptual skills. Development of professional quality student portfolio. Prerequisite: GDA 3740.

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

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.

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.

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.

Study of the evolution, design, and development of Internet web sites. An introduction to HTML coding and the use of GUI software for the development and maintenance of web sites and web pages. Investigation and determination of what constitutes an acceptable web site.

Study of marketing concepts, terminology, and applications, with special emphasis on the marketing mix relationships: e.g., product, price, promotion, and distribution. Introduction to the role and operation of marketing functions and their respective influence on the organization, both internally and externally.

The study of the impact of consumer behavior (based on psychological and social forces) on the market. Analysis of the buying decision process and how it is affected by advertising, public relations, and the mass media. Emphasis on consumer-oriented legislation. Prerequisite: MKT 2440.

Introduction to organization and direction of sales programs, involving personal selling activities and integration of sales efforts with other marketing elements of the firm, implementation of sales programs, selection of appropriate sales personnel, designing and implementing sales policies and procedures, evaluation and control of sales force performance. Prerequisites: MKT 2440 and MGT 2360.

Strategic and decision-making aspects of marketing functions globally. The analysis, coordination, and execution of marketing programs is explored. Development of a marketing plan and analysis of pricing, placing, promoting and physical distribution of products and services to target markets. Prerequisite: senior status.

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.

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.

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.