Course Descriptions
C190 Perspectives on Communication (1 cr.) Learning Community for students interested in communication fields
C201 Topics in Journalism (3 cr.) Topical course dealing with changing subjects and material from semester to semester. May be repeated once for credit with a different topic. Will not count toward journalism major requirements.
C300 The Citizen and the News (3cr.)A study of the institutions that produce news and information about public affairs for the citizen of American mass society. The problems are about the selection of what is communicated. Case studies. International comparisons. Will not count toward journalism requirements.
C327 Writing for Publication (3cr.) A workshop for nonmajors to improve writing skills and learn basic requirements of writing for publication. Instruction in market analysis and interpreting specific editorial requirements, in gathering and researching background materials, and in preparing manuscripts. Examination of various typesand styles of published writing. Will not count toward journalism major requirements.
J100 Computer Methods for Journalism (3cr.) An introduction to computing uses in journalism. Hands-on experience with computer software packages commonly used in journalistic research and expression. Experience with using the Internet, Nexis/Lexis, and other library resources for research. This course is for students on the Indianapolis campus only. Bloomington students take SLIS Information Resources.
J110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication (3cr.) Survey of the institutions of journalism and mass communication, their philosophical foundations, history, processes,economic realities, and effects. I Sem., II Sem.
J200 Reporting, Writing and Editing I (3cr.) P: W131 or its equivalent and fundamental computer skills. P or concurrent: SLIS L155 in Bloomington, J100 in Indianapolis. Working seminar stressing the creation of journalistic stories for diverse audiences. Students will learn to develop story ideas, gather information, combine visual and verbal messages, and write and edit news.
J201 Reporting, Writing, and Editing II (3cr.) P:J200. Working seminar focused on strengthening basic journalism skills, including in-depth reporting, editing, and multimedia presentations. Creativity, cooperation and critical thinking are used to shape effective messages for diverse audiences.
J210 Visual Communication (3cr.) Theories of visual communications including human perception, psychology of color, andprinciples of design. Applications of those theoriesto photography, video, and graphic design in news communication. I Sem., II Sem., SS.
J300 Communications Law (3Cr.) P: sophomore standing. History and philosophy of laws pertaining to free press and free speech. Censorship, libel, contempt, obscenity, right of privacy, copyright, government regulations, and business law affecting media operations. Stresses responsibilities and freedoms in a democratic communcation system.
J315 Feature Writing (3 cr.) Emphasis on developing story ideas, identifying sources, organizing materials, planning and outlining the story. Techniques planning and outlining thestory. Techniques for capturing the reader's interest.
J320 Principles of Creative Advertising (3 cr.) Survey course about the field of advertising with a focus on its function as a means of communication. Learn how marketing, psychology, research, mass media, law and ethics are important to professionals working in the industry. Class will emphasize use of strategy to develop creative advertising.
J321 Principles of Public Relations (3 cr.) Survey course about the theory and practice of public relations. Examines public relations' function within organizations, its impact on publics and its role in society. Topics include the evolution of the field, the range of roles and responsibilities that public relations practitioners assume in a variety of settings, ethics, and significant issues and trends that have shaped the practice. Course provides a foundation for more advanced study in the field. Also useful for those planning another professional or managerial career that requires an understanding of public relations concepts and management practices.
J337 Media Economics (3cr.) This course explores how economic forces influence production of media content, particularly at organizations. It examines basic economic concepts, such as market and competition, as they relate to commercial media organizations. Special attention is paid to the effect of advertising and market considerations on news decision making.
J341 Newspaper Reporting (3cr.) P:J200, J201, J210. Techniques of gathering, analyzing, and writing material for specialized and general circulation magazines. Practice in interviewing, observation, and use of documentary references that include computer information retrieval and analysis skills. I Sem., II Sem.
J342 Magazine Reporting (3 Cr.) P: J200, J201 and J210. Techniques of gathering, analyzing, and writing material for specialized and general circulation magazines. Practice in interviewing, observation, and use of documentary references that include computer information retrieval and analysis skills.
J343 Broadcast News (3 cr.) P: J200, J201, J210. Techniques of gathering, analyzing, and writing news and features for broadcast. Practice in interviewing, observation, and use of documentary references that include computer information retrieval and analysis skills. I Sem., II Sem.
J344 Photojournalism Reporting (3cr.) P:200, J201, J210. This is an introductory photojournalism course focusing on the basics of light, camera operation, and the use of chemical and digital darkrooms. It includes instruction in spot news and feature photography as well as instruction in ethics, privacy and law.
J351 Newspaper Editing (3cr.) P: J200, J201, J210. Workshop in fundamentals of editing newspapers, including both individual and team work projects. Emphasis on news judgment, fairness, accuracy, editorial balance, and language usage. Practice in writing news summaries, editing copy, writing headlines, laying out pages, and using computer editing technology. I Sem., II Sem.
J352 Magazine Editing (3cr.) P: j200, J201, J210. Workshop in fundamentals of editing specialized and general interest publications. Individual and team functions are stressed. Attention is given to editorial voice and judgment, fairness, accuracy, and language usage. Practice in writing headlines and titles, layout, design, and use of computer editing technology. I Sem., II Sem.
J353 Advanced Broadcast News (3cr.) P: J200, J343. Continuing workshop in reporting, writing, and editing for broadcast. Individual and team functions are stressed. Emphasis on news judgment, fairness,accuracy, editorial balance, and language usage. Practice in editing copy, audio and video tape. I Sem., II Sem.
J354 Photojournalism Editing (3cr.) P: J344, or permission of the instructor. Workshop on the role and function of the print media picturee ditor. Theory and practice of picture editing skills including assigning, selecting, cropping, writing captions and blurbs, producing informational graphics, designing photo pages, editing by computer, and managing.
J360 Journalism Specialties (1-3 Cr.) Topical course dealing with changing subjects and material from semester to semester. Course may be repeated once for credit.
J375 Race, Gender, and the Media ( 3cr.) Survey and analysis of how news and entertainment media represent issues of race and gender. History of women and people of color as media professionals and media consumers. Discussion of contemporary problems and potential solutions.
J385 Television News (3 cr.) P: J343 and J353, or consent of instructor. Preparation and presentation of news for television. Practice in writing, reporting, filming, and editing news for TV. TV writing problems; use of photographs, films, and videotape; problems of sound in TV news; ethical problems of the TV film reporter and editor.
J390 Public Relations Writing (3 cr.) P: J200 or permission. Course presents students with practical writing experiences in the specialized writing types and styles required of professional public relations practitioners. Includes business writing as well as writing news releases, feature releases, brochures and other promotional materials, newsletters and writing for the web.
J401 Depth Reporting and Editing (3cr.) P: one 300-level reporting course and one 300-level editing course. Study and practice in using techniques of social science and traditional methods of investigative reporting. Class will plan, write, and edit news stories in depth.
J407 Newsgathering and the Law (3 Cr.) P: J300. Students study the law relating to the content of news media and the processes by which that content is created. Discussion includes the legal issues triggered by story framing, selection of sources, interviewing, photography, and access to information. The course involves reading and research using primary legal materials.
J409 Media Management (3 cr.) Research seminar that examines techniques and processes used inmanaging media organizations. Through discussions, case analysis and group projects, the course explores organizational missions and social responsibilities, market analysis technique, personnel management issues and budgeting.
J410 The Media as Social Institutions (3cr.) P:J300, senior standing. Examination of the functions and impact of the mass media in society with primary focus on the United States. Discussion of the values of media organizations and the professional and ethical values of journalists. Critical analysis of the effect of political, economic, and cultural factors on the operation of the media.
J413 Magazine Article Writing (3 Cr.) P: J342. In-depth explanation of the nonfiction magazine article field. Examination of trends and problems in nonfiction writing for both general and specialized magazines. Criticism of student articles written for publication. Seminar sessions with editors and freelance writers.
J414 International News-Gathering Systems (3 cr.) Structure and function of international communication systems and barrier to flow of information among nations. Emphasis on gathering and disseminating information around the world. Study of the major newspapers of the world, international news agencies, and international broadcasting and satellite networks.
J415 Literary Journalism (3 cr.) A study of literary forms and techniques used in journalism. Topics to be considered include formal considerations such as voice and structure, reporting methods and ethical issues. Students will supplement reading with writing experimental pieces of their own.
J420 Advertising Concepts and Copywriting (3 cr.) P: J201, J320. Intensive practice in producing effective advertising concepts, copy, and design prototypes for newspaper, magazine, direct mail, outdoor, radio, television and converged campaigns.
J423 Public Opinion (3 cr.) Behavioral study of nature, operation, molding, and influenceof public opinion, with practice in its measurement and evaluation. Discussion of major political, social, economic, and cultural problems.
J425 Supervision of School Publications (3 cr.) P: 12 credit hours of journalism. Lectures and discussion on designing, producing, and financing school newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks. Management of school newsbureau.
J428 Public Relations Planning and Research (3cr.) P: J321. Theories and principles relevant to public relations research and strategic planning, including development of goals and objectives, client relationships, budgets, and research methods.
J429 Public Relations Campaigns (3 cr.) P: J321 and J428 or permission. How to develop a campaign and proposal to meet a client's business objectives and how to present it. Part of the course focuses on media relations and crisis communication training.
J438 Advertising Issues and Research (3 cr.) P: J320. Seminar in current developments in advertising as an economic and social force. Examines contemporary issues in the profession. Students will conduct independent and original research projects.
J444 Advanced Photojournalism (3 cr.)P: J344 Advanced techniques of reporting and interpreting news with photography. Practice in news, sports, features, photographic essays, color photography, electronic imaging, and studio illustration.
J450 History of Journalism (3 cr.) American social-intellectual history integrated with the story of news media development, emphasizing the historical relationship between American social, economic, and cultural patterns and development. Origin, growth, shortcomings and achievements of media. Impact of society on the media and vice versa.
J455 News Analysis and Opinion Writing (3 cr.) P: J200, J201, J210. Techniques for understanding, analyzing, and reporting on complex events and issues. Development and refinement of skills and techniques for writing news analysis, editorials, and opinion articles.
J460 Topics Colloquium (1-3 cr.) P:junior or senior standing. Topical seminar dealing with changing subjects and material from semester to semester. May be repeated once with credit with a different topic.
J463 Computerized Publication Design I (3 cr.) P: J200, J202, J210. This publishing design course incorporates typesetting, electronic photo editing, graphics, and page design. Students are instructed in design theory, computer publishing skills, and creative problem solving.
J465 Computerized Publication Design II (3 cr.) P: J463. This publishing design course incorporates typesetting, electronic photo editing, graphics, page design theory, computer publishing skills, and creative problem solving.
J470 Broadcast Media Analysis (3cr.) Seminar on problems of communicating news through aural and visual channels. Application of communications theory to broadcast news and public affairs presentations. Study of effects of format, verbal content, nonverbal content, and presenter on communication process.
J492 Media Internship (S/F grading)( 1 cr.) P: prior approval of faculty member; journalism majors only. Supervised professional experience in communications mediaor in public relations positions. Does not contribute to 30 credit hours of required course work in journalism major, but will count toward 36 credit hours maximum allowed in journalism and telecommunications. May be repeated, but a student may take no more than 3 credit hours total of internship credit for a B.A.J degree, either through journalism or any other academic unit.
J496 Foreign Study in Journalism (3-8cr.) P: consent of the dean of the School of Journalism. Planning of research project during year preceding summer aboard. Time spent in research abroad must amount to at least one week for each credit hour granted. Research paper must be presented by the end of semester following foreign study.
J499 Honors Research in Journalism (1-3cr.) Opportunity for independent reading,research, and experimentation on relevant issues in mass communications. Work with faculty member on individual basis. I Sem., II Sem., SS.
