Course Descriptions: Journalism Updated- 10/2011 JOUR 100. Introduction to Mass Communication for Journalism. 3 crs. Explores the world of mass communication in its entirety and all critical efforts that affect this area. Prereq.: Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 201. Writing for the Media. 3 crs. This course will explore various types of mass media writing print, digital and broadcast journalism, public relations and advertising. You will learn the basics of newsgathering; how to research and evaluate information; how to critically evaluate your own work and apply the tools and technologies used by professional journalists. You ll also gain an awareness of the principles of the First Amendment and how journalists apply them. Prereq.: ENGL 002 and ENGL 003 with a grade of C or higher; SCOM100 Orientation; ; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 202. Reporting and Writing. 3 crs. This course explores the techniques used to research and report complex political, social and economic issues for all media. Students learn advanced strategies for how to investigate the most common areas covered by reporters, including education, zoning and development, crime, legal affairs, public forums and other governmental entities. Strategies are developed for individual reporting projects in print, broadcast and digital media. Prereq: ENG 002, ENG 003; JOUR 201; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 203. Introduction to Public Relations. 3 crs. This class is an overview of the principles, history and contemporary practices of public relations; explains various public relations tactics; teaches the ethics, laws and crisis management practices of public relations as well as an overview of strategic communications planning. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 204. Introduction to Broadcast News. 3 crs. This course provides an overview of the history, principles and contemporary practice of broadcast journalism; explains methods, terminology and news gathering techniques. Students will gain knowledge of reporting, writing, voice and articulation for effective broadcast storytelling. Students will also explore how broadcast news theories and practices are adapted for multimedia platforms; with an overview of ethical issues and career opportunities. Prereq: ENG 002; ENG 003; JOUR 201; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 205. Visual Communication. 3 crs. In this course students will gather information in pictures, audio and video for the field of multimedia journalism. You will use a variety of open source and proprietary computer software to edit your images and sound to create and upload packages to the Web. JOUR 206. Introduction to Advertising. 3 crs. Provides a general overview of the history, trends and principles of advertising and integrated strategic communications. Students are introduced to the use of digital and social media, traditional media, and nontraditional media in advertising and gain knowledge of campaign planning. Prereq: Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 301. Advanced Reporting and Writing. 3 crs. The course stresses advanced development of reportorial skills and writing techniques, with exposure to complex issues and ideas influencing public affairs reporting. Students also employ database reporting, statistical analysis and investigative techniques in their work. Prereq: ENG 002, ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS
JOUR 303. Multimedia Ethics. 3 crs. The course provides interdisciplinary evaluation and analysis of contemporary ethical problems encountered by journalism, public relations and advertising professionals. Prereq: ENG 002, ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS; AND JOUR 301 OR JOUR 311 JOUR 305. Special Topics in Journalism. 3 crs. Topical reporting courses that change from semester to semester. Topics to be offered include Sports Reporting (JOUR 305 section 01), International Reporting (JOUR 305 section 02), Editorial and Commentary Writing (JOUR 305 section 03) and Photojournalism (JOUR 305 section 05). Prereq: ENG 002; ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 301; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 305-01. SR: Event Planning. 3 crs. The class is designed to provide a practical understanding and working knowledge of event planning and a familiarization of management techniques and strategies required for successful planning, promotion, implementation and evaluation of special events. Prereq.: SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS. JOUR 305-02. SR: Friends, Followers & Social Media. 3 crs. Designed to provide a practical understanding and working knowledge of social media, the class emphasizes a combination of theoretical grounding, practical application and strategic social media planning. Prereq.: SCOM100 JOUR 307. Multimedia Storytelling. 3 crs. This course prepares students to integrate the many things they have learned about journalism researching, reporting, writing and editing into a world in which everyone is a publisher. The class will include lectures on new-media themes, and students will learn to report and create stories in various digital media, including text, photos, audio and video. Prereq: ENG 002; ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 308. Interactive Editing. 3 crs. This is an intensive course that will help students master the essentials of interactive editing as well as critical-thinking, research, conceptual skills along with the use of social media and search engine optimization. The emphasis is on editing across multimedia platforms, including text for digital media, newspapers and magazines, including audio/visual elements. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; SCOM100 Orientation; JOUR 309. Digital News Design. 3 crs. The class will introduce students to the principles of layout, design and production of newspapers, magazines, websites and other digital media. You will develop a discerning eye for good design and a competency in graphic communication through use of appropriate professional design software to create a portfolio of your best work. Prereq.: JOUR 202; SCOM100 Orientation JOUR 311. Broadcast Journalism I. 3 crs. This course provides students with the practical skills for writing for broadcast news and producing quality audio story packages for radio broadcast and digital distribution. Students practice reporting and producing techniques including researching, interviewing, sound recording, voicing, editing and mixing news feature packages under deadline; covering events on and off campus. Prereq: ENG 002; ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 204; RTVF 322; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS; SCOM100 Orientation
JOUR 312. Broadcast Journalism II. 3 crs. The focus of this course is on advanced television news reporting and production. The course is designed to give students the skills needed to work as backpack journalists. Students research, develop, shoot, write and edit original stories. Emphasis is on enterprise reporting involving multiple sources, and more complex storylines.. Prereq: ENG 002; ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 204; RTVF 322; JOUR 311; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS; SCOM100 Orientation JOUR 313. NewsVision. 3 crs. This course is designed to give students practical, hands on experience in reporting, writing, shooting and editing for the broadcast media and online. Students experience what it is like to be a television reporter on deadline; producing television news stories suitable for air; and serving as writers, producers, anchors and videographers for half-hour newscasts which air on the university s cable television system and online. Prereq: ENG 002; ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 204; RTVF 322; JOUR 311; JOUR 312; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS; SCOM100 Orientation JOUR 320. Advertising Sales. 3 crs. Students examine the principles and techniques of advertising and advertising sales. Coursework is divided into three categories - (1) overview of the sales process and advertising sales; (2) introduction to the methodology and psychology of selling; and (3) practical applications. Students learn and apply advertising sales skills and concepts in the following media: digital, social, mobile, television, radio, newspaper, magazine and out-of-home. Prereq: JOUR 206 - Intro. To Advertising; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 321. Advertising Copywriting and Design. 3 crs. In this course, students learn practical skills in writing copy and laying out designs for advertisements. The course covers principles and practices of writing effective communications messages for media such as: digital, social, mobile, magazines, newspapers, out-of-home, direct mail, TV, radio and other emerging media. The course incorporates the use of professional tools, technology and creative software and focuses on computer graphic designs, creative and persuasive copywriting and portfolio development. Prereq: JOUR 206 - Intro. To Advertising; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 322. Media Planning and Buying. 3 crs. This course provides knowledge of mass media and various media options that are incorporated into advertising strategy and planning such as: digital, social, mobile, TV, cable, radio, out-of -home and print. Emerging trends and new technology in media planning and buying are discussed and how those trends are impacting advertising decisions. Class discussions will focus on the strengths and weaknesses of various media, why certain media are selected and evaluated and the decisions that arise from the media planning and buying process. JOUR 206 - Intro. To Advertising; JOUR 320 - Advertising Sales; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 323. Advertising Research and Marketing. 3 crs. Students discuss various tools and techniques used by managers of marketing research to make important advertising decisions. Topics include but are not limited to: developing the research study, selecting a sample, focus group interviewing, questionnaire design, data collection, validating results, drafting the final report and the utilization of new technology such as digital and social media. Prereq: JOUR 206 - Intro. To Advertising; JOUR 320 - Advertising Sales; JOUR 322 - Media Planning & Buying; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS
JOUR 324. Advertising Campaigns. 3 crs. Students conduct primary and secondary research; develop strategic directions and creative concepts for an integrated marketing communications campaign for national and regional audiences. Students develop a media plan and communications strategy that incorporate the use of traditional, non-traditional, social, digital, mobile and emerging media platforms. Application of new media, creative media and strategic advertising principles in developing a comprehensive advertising campaign and plans book for a national client and the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC). Prereq: JOUR 206 - Intro. To Advertising; JOUR 320 - Advertising Sales; JOUR 322 - Media Planning & Buying; JOUR 323 - Advertising Research & Marketing; JOUR 321 - Advertising Copywriting & Design; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS. JOUR 330. Public Relations Writing I. 3 crs. The course is designed to develop professional level writing skills with an emphasis on developing proficiency in the principal public relations writing formats for controlled and uncontrolled media and understanding when and how to use each one. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 203; SCOM100 Orientation; JOUR 331. Public Relations Writing II. 3 crs. Students in this course build upon the skills and knowledge gained in JOUR 330 by gaining a deeper understanding of the use and techniques required to produce more detailed, lengthy written public relations tools, including online ones. Emphasis is placed on developing these tactics within a strategic communications plan. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 203; JOUR 330; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS. JOUR 332. Advanced Public Relations. 3 crs. The class emphasis is on communication theory, the use of research in public relations, and developing techniques for sophisticated public relations research, including writing white papers and using case studies, content analysis, focus groups and other research tools. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 203; JOUR 330; SCOM100 JOUR 333. CapComm Lab. 3 crs. The class is designed to provide direct planning, developing, implementing and evaluating strategic communications plans for real world clients under timesensitive conditions. Team-taught by faculty and PR and advertising professionals. Client communication and professional delivery of services are emphasized. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 203; JOUR 332; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS. JOUR 403. Interactive Magazine Production. 3 crs. The lab course provides theory and practice of writing, editing and publishing magazines in print and digital forms. This includes the preparation of multimedia content, including long-form journalism, interactive narratives, various departments, gazette items, and related audio and visual elements. Students also serve as digital reporters, editor/producers and managers for 101 Magazine. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; SCOM100 JOUR 404. Supervised Internship Advertising. 1 cr. Offers field experience, under the supervision of an advertising professional that requires preparation and/or execution of industry materials. Prereq: ENG 002, ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 206; JOUR 320; Junior/Senior Status; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS
JOUR 405. Supervised Internship: Print/Online. 1 cr. Offers field experience, under the supervision of a professional journalist, requires preparation and publications or regular writing and social media. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 301; Junior and Senior Standing; SCOM100 JOUR 406. Supervised Internship: BJ. 1 cr. Offers field experience in the news or broadcast industry requiring hand-on experience for students. Prereq: ENG 002; ENG 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 204; Junior/Senior Status; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS JOUR 407. Supervised Internship: PR. 1 cr. Offers field experience, under a public relations professional, that requires preparation and/or execution of industry materials. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 203; JOUR 332; Junior OR Senior Status; SCOM100 JOUR 410. Directed Study. 1 cr. A specialized course offered to highly select students who are allowed to work directly with faculty in the creation of course content. Prereq.: SCOM100 JOUR 411. News Lab. 3 crs. This Capstone course for print/online journalism majors is a lab that functions as a 24/7 newsroom with student journalists working in multimedia reporting, editing and producing roles. Their primary focus is hyper-local journalism for the Howard University News Service and its news clients. 3 crs. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 301; JOUR 309; SCOM100 JOUR 412. Media Leadership 3 crs. The course examines the functions performed in the various departments of a print, digital or broadcast company (editorial, business, and production) and how these functions affect the operation of a business enterprise. The course introduces students to the economic and structural factors which influence media operations and practices; it also covers leadership problems. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; SCOM100 JOUR 413. Advanced Interactive Editing. 3 crs. This lab course for 101 Magazine concentrates on the editing and display of complex news and feature stories and other multimedia content with emphasis on accuracy, fairness, news judgment, content, ethical and legal considerations. Advanced practice in designing magazine pages and digital content is covered, using computer editing technology, copy control, scheduling, production and newsroom interaction. Prereq.: ENGL 002; ENGL 003; JOUR 201; JOUR 202; JOUR 308; SCOM100 Orientation; Journalism MAJORS and DECLARED MINORS.