Courses

JOU 110 Journalism, Social Media & You
Examines a wide range of news shared through social media and other sources with attention to the political, economic, democratic, and satirical motives of diverse media creators. Explains and compares the role of new technologies and the proliferation of fake news, propaganda, hoaxes, rumors, and advertising on the Internet. Explores and compares principles and practices of credible journalism, such as objectivity and balance. Examines the role of algorithms in societal changes and their impact on publishing. Students develop news-literacy skills and learn to evaluate and curate their social-media newsfeeds. Satisfies the Arts core requirement.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

JOU 147 Sports Information and Public Relations
This course explores the techniques of sports publicity, promotion, and marketing for both amateur and professional athletics. Students learn to produce sports statistics, press releases, press kits, and marketing strategies for print, digital, and broadcast media.
Pre-requisite: SPM 201
Credits: 3
Every Fall

JOU 151 Content Creation in Sports and Entertainment
This course addresses all aspects of sports writing and reporting, including deadline coverage, game description, feature stories, column writing, and fantasy sports. Students compare print, digital, and broadcast sports coverage to evaluate trends and effectiveness. Students develop skills in crafting leads, reporting ethically, writing clearly, researching, cultivating sources, and conducting interviews. Guest speakers working in sports journalism are an integral part of the class.
Prerequisites: JOU 219, JOU 235
Prerequisite: SCM 249
Credits: 3
Every Spring

JOU 200 History of the Press
Provides an overview of the development of print journalism in the U.S., especially the response of newspapers and magazines to changes in social conditions and communication technologies. Examines the role of the press from the American Revolution to the present, with special attention to coverage of military conflict in the Spanish-American War, two World Wars, Vietnam, The Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. Scrutinizes a wide range of mainstream and dissident publications. Also explores the growing importance of news aggregators, bloggers, and social news-feeds.
Credits: 3
Alternate Fall

JOU 201 Communications Law
Reviews debates over the First Amendment and the protection it affords the press and other mass-media institutions. Examines concepts and landmark cases in such areas as defamation, copyright, privacy, obscenity, protection of news sources, secrecy in government, regulation of advertising, broadcasting, and anti-trust law. Emphasizes how social and technological changes require us to reconsider First Amendment protections. Gives special attention to legal problems posed by communication technologies such as cable television, communication satellites, computers, and the Internet.
Credits: 3
Alternate Spring

JOU 219 Writing for News Media
Explores the creation of journalistic stories for diverse audiences. Students learn to develop story ideas, gather information, write engaging leads, integrate visual elements, proofread copy, revise their work, and think like an editor. They examine model news stories to assess the effectiveness of content, organization, form, and style. Students practice applying professional standards such as Associated Press style to their writing.
Requisites: English 16 or Department Permission
Credits: 4
Every Fall and Spring

JOU 220 Mass Communication in a Digital Age
Surveys the landscape of mass communication industries including newspapers, magazines, books, movies, music, radio, TV and the Internet. Examines the roles of mass media and strategic communications in American culture during this digital age, the evolution of new communication technologies and their impact on daily life and society. Examines the democratic functions of journalism and First Amendment issues, the economics of media, and the persuasive uses of mass communication in politics, advertising, and public relations. Introduces students to mass-communication theories, critical approaches, media-effects research, and free-speech issues.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

JOU 221 Feature and Blog Writing
Students learn to write and research feature articles for magazines, blogs, and other print/online media. They practice developing story angles, identifying sources, conducting interviews, organizing materials, and revising their work. Emphasizes techniques for capturing reader interest and making subjects come alive. Students learn to analyze editorial formulas, conduct readership research, tailor stories to particular publications, and pitch story ideas.
Pre-requisite of JOU 219 or permission of Department.
Credits: 3
Alternate Fall

JOU 235 News Reporting
Develops fundamental skills of news gathering, analysis, interviewing, and research. Students learn to cover a variety of news beats and write breaking news stories for print and online publications. Introduces students to investigative reporting techniques. They gain insight to professional journalism by talking with guest speakers and covering stories outside the classroom.
Pre-requisite of JOU 219 / ENG 126 or permission of the Department
Credits: 3
Alternate Fall

JOU 236 Journalism Capstone
Students advance their reporting skills through preparation of longer, more complex stories that provide interpretation and analysis. They explore real-world newsroom problems, investigative journalism, and reporting practices for different media platforms. The class enguages in field work to produce off-campus stories, in addition to on-campus assignments.
Pre-requisite of JOU 235 or permission of Department.
Credits: 3
Alternate Spring

JOU 243 Visual Communication
Introduces key concepts and practices of graphic communication as they relate to print and online publications: magazines, newsletters, blogs, websites, and more. Students explore and apply principles such as typography, color, balance, proportion, emphasis and unity. Class projects help students develop editing and design skills using industry-leading software to produce individual or group projects.
Credits: 3
Rotating Basis

JOU 251 Camera Phone Photo and Video
A two-day workshop designed to help students develop skills in photo and video capturing and processing with mobile devices (cellphones, iPads, tablets, etc.). Students are introduced to Lightroom 4 and open-source software editing packages. After completing this class, students will be able to use devices to produce quality images and video packages for print output and/or posting on social media and photo/video sharing sites (YouTube, Instagram, etc.).
Credits: 1
Annually

JOU 260 Journalism Internship
Provides academic credit to journalism majors who engage in off-campus internships and on-the-job projects under the supervision of the department. Students submit reports about their experiences as interns and provide evaluations from their on-site supervisors. May be taken up to four times. Pass/Fail only.
Credits: 1
Every Fall, Spring and Summer

JOU 303 Public Opinion and Advocacy Journalism
Examines the formation, measurement and effects of public opinion relating to mass communication and other forms of collective behavior. Surveys different forms of research methodology. Examines points of view in mainstream and alternative media, public access to mass and interactive media, and techniques of persuasion and propaganda.
Credits: 3
On Demand

JOU 307 International Newsgathering Systems
Examines the concepts, development and practices of both the foreign press and international communications. Topics include: consideration of various structures and their roles in the press systems of developing countries; history of media in authoritarian systems; existing techniques of control; political, economic, legal and cultural barriers that inhibit freedom of expression and dissemination of information; and, review of communication channels and interactive media that open or restrict the information flow in the global telecommunications grid.
Credits: 3
On Occasion

JOU 309 Mass Media and Culture
Examines how mass media portray and are influenced by popular and folk cultures. Surveys historical, theoretical, and empirical data concerning the relationships between media and artifacts of mass culture. Looks at cultural manifestations such as supermarket tabloids, tabloid television, and blogs that cater to sensationalism. Also considers rumor cycles to examine how mass media and social media both initiate and circulate the expressions of various publics.
Credits: 3
On Occasion

JOU 318 Media Management
Concentrates on the business structure and management of media organizations from large to small, with special attention to career opportunities in global and local media firms. Focuses on new management concepts and solutions to the complex problems facing media organizations today. Addresses specific issues such as administrative services, start-ups, management planning systems, marketing strategy, and collective bargaining.
Credits: 3
On Occasion

JOU 322 Social Media in Theory and Practice
Examines best practices in social networking from the perspective of writers, journalists, media professionals, and other communicators. Students learn to write, edit, and research for blogs and news-feeds, gaining familiarity with current platforms. Requires active collaboration in online discussions and digital projects, in addition to class meetings.
Cross-Listings: JOU 322, MA 322, SPE 322
Credits: 3
Rotating Basis

JOU 326 Principles of Advertising
An introduction to advertising with emphasis on effective creative strategies. Students gain insight into all phases of the business including print, Web, radio, television, agency operations, and research.
Cross-Listings: JOU 326, MA 326
Credits: 3
On Occasion

JOU 332 75th Anniversary Polk Award Winners
This course will introduce students to the work and writings of recent Polk Award winners, and examine the life and legacy of George Polk as well as the legacy and importance of his namesake awards.
Credits: 3
On Occasion

JOU 333 Arts & Culture Reporting
Students develop reporting, writing, and critical thinking skills essential to covering art, music, film, and other cultural industries. They will develop their personal voices as writers and their understanding of magazine and web publishing industries. The course also addresses the political implications of arts and culture, focusing on creators and audiences in New York City generally and Brooklyn specifically.
Credits: 3
Every Spring

JOU 339 Multimedia Journalism
Students plan and execute multimedia journalism projects that incorporate photos, audio and videos elements. They develop skills in writing and storytelling across platforms, designing multimedia packages and creating information graphics. They colloborate on team reporting projects and improve user experience with effective content management, navigation and interactivity.
Credits: 3
On Occasion

JOU 345 Introduction to Public Relations and Strategic Communication
Introduces principles and practices of public relations, with attention to its historical development, trends, and socio-cultural impact. Familiarizes students with PR goals, theories, ethics, research, planning, and strategies. Explores PR issues across a range of organizations, including corporations, government agencies, healthcare, education, and nonprofit groups. Offers a foundation in strategic communication for students who aspire to managerial careers.
Credits: 3
On Demand

JOU 396 Honors Study
Gives outstanding students an opportunity to pursue independent work in their major under the guidance of a faculty member. No regular class meetings. To be eligible, students must have upper-junior or senior status, a cumulative GPA of 3.0, a 3.25 GPA in their major, and permission of the Department Chair and the Dean. A maximum of six credits of Honors Study is allowed.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

JOU 397 Independent Study
Students conduct research on mass-media topics or perform intensive professional internships under the supervision of a Journalism faculty member.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair and the Dean.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

JOU 398 Independent Study
Students conduct research on mass-media topics or perform intensive professional internships under the supervision of a Journalism faculty member.
Prerequisite: Permission of the Department Chair and Dean.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring

JOU 411 Photojournalism
A production-based course exploring the uses of digital photography. Topics include photo essays, photo documentaries, ethical uses of images in mass media, and the human condition in photography. Students complete weekly photographic and written narative assignments, and a final documentary project. Students will review the photographic entries submitted for the George Polk Investigative Journalism Award.
Pre-requisite of MA 115/ART 115 is required or permission of the department
Credits: 3
On Demand

JOU 457 Creative Aspects of Copywriting
Introduces copywriting techniques for print media, Web, radio, and television as well as the creation of complete promotion packages for direct marketing. Students develop practical skills by creating advertising letters, brochures, commercials, and other materials.
Pre-requisite of JOU219/ENG 126 or MA250 is required, or permission of the Department.
Cross-Listings: JOU 457, MA 457
Credits: 3
On Occasion

JOU 460 Video Journalism I
An introductory course that trains students to work as video journalists, integrating TV production with news-writing skills. Using a digital camcorder and non-linear editing equipment, students learn the technical and aesthetic aspects of news shooting while applying journalism principles in the field. The pre-requisite JOU 219 / ENG 126 or MA 250 is required.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

JOU 461 Campus News Media Internship
Journalism majors work as editors/managers on Seawanhaka and other campus news media with emphasis on advancing their portfolios and leadership skills. Permission of the Department Chair and supervising faculty member are required. The pre-requisite of JOU 219 / ENG 126 is required and permission of the Department Chair.
Credits: 3
Every Fall

JOU 462 Campus News Media Internship
Journalism majors work as editors/managers on Seawanhaka and other campus news media with emphasis on advancing their portfolios and leadership skills. Permission of the Department Chair and supervising faculty member are required. The pre-requisite of JOU 219 / ENG 126 is required and permission of the Department Chair.
Credits: 3
Every Spring