Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 College Catalog 
    
2021-2022 College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions


Legend for Courses

HC/HN: Honors Course  IN/IH: Integrated lecture/lab  LB: Lab  LC: Clinical Lab  LS: Skills Lab  WK: Co-op Work
SUN#: is a prefix and number assigned to certain courses that represent course equivalency at all Arizona community colleges and the three public universities. Learn more at www.aztransfer.com/sun.

 

Journalism

  
  • JRN 101 - Introduction to Reporting and Media Writing [SUN# JRN 2201]

    3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
    3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

    Introduction to storytelling in a variety of news media contexts and platforms. Includes journalism as a career, the journalist and the organization of the newsroom, defining news, news style, elements of a news story, fundamentals of writing news, and news gathering and reporting. Also includes organizing and writing the story, revision of stories, and ethics, libel and media law.

    Prerequisite(s): WRT 090  or required score on the writing assessment test.
    Gen-Ed: Meets CTE - OTHER.




    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Apply news values and evaluate news coverage.
    2. Display news-gathering, research, note-taking, and interviewing skills.
    3. Apply Associated Press style in the writing of a variety of stories.
    4. Apply the principles of ethics and media law.

    Outline:
    1. Defining News
      1. News values
      2. Four Ws
      3. Roles of news media in society
    2. News Gathering and Reporting
      1. Interviews
      2. Observation
      3. Documents
      4. Note taking
      5. Sources
    3. News Style and Writing
      1. AP Stylebook
      2. Elements of a news story
      3. Leads and ledes
      4. Spelling, punctuating, capitalization, grammar
      5. Inverted pyramid and hourglass
    4. Ethics and Media Law
      1. Libel
      2. Public vs. privacy
      3. Freedom of Information Act
      4. Open meetings law
      5. Public’s right to know
      6. Reporter shield laws


    Effective Term:
    Full Academic Year 2021-2022
  
  • JRN 102 - Survey of Media Communications

    3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
    3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

    Survey of history, theory, function, and impact of mass media. Includes analysis of social media, book and magazine publishing, newspapers, recorded music, radio, television, film, the Internet, public relations, and advertising. Also includes media uses and effects, law, ethics, globalization, racial and societal inequities, and global communication.

    Gen-Ed: Meets AGEC - SBS and G; Meets CTE - SBS and G.




    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Explain history, current state, and future trends of mass media and communication in an information society.
    2. Demonstrate media’s relationship to the First Amendment and global and international law
    3. Discuss the process and effects of media convergence, critical media literacy, and media effects and economic, political, and social implications.
    4. Demonstrate how media affects careers in media and in other fields.

    Outline:
    1. Mass Media and Information Society
      1. Defining mass media
      2. History
      3. Current state
      4. Future trends
    2. Legalities in Media Communication
      1. First Amendment
      2. Privacy and data mining
      3. Globalization
      4. International law
    3. Media Processes and Effects
      1. Media convergence
      2. Media consumption
      3. Social institutions
      4. Intercultural and cultural perspectives
    4. Communication Media and Careers
      1. Media’s effect on careers
      2. Communication careers
      3. Other careers and industries


    Effective Term:
    Full Academic Year 2021-2022
  
  • JRN 185 - News Publishing

    3 Credits, 4 Contact Hours
    2 lecture periods 2 lab periods

    Publication of the college’s student news media. Includes elements of news, research mastery, information gathering, qualities of good writing, copy for publication, qualities of good reporting and copy editing, photographs, video and audio, media law, ethics, content and diversity, and using computers. 

    Prerequisite(s): JRN 101  
    Information: This course meets for a combination of lecture and lab. Additional open lab time is available for students. May be taken three times for a maximum of nine credit hours. If this course is repeated, see a financial aid or Veteran’s Affairs advisor to determine funding eligibility as appropriate.



    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate mastery of research using the Internet and traditional sources, note taking, and interviewing skills to gather news for publication.
    2. Report accurate news and feature stories utilizing various news media styles under deadline pressure.

    3. Originate and combine multi-media including photographs, video, and audio for story-telling purposes.

    4. Produce digital-focused news using computer hardware, software, and various applications.


    Outline:
    1. Research Mastery
      1. Internet
      2. Traditional sources
      3. Note taking
      4. Interviewing tools
    2. Elements of News
      1. Fairness, accuracy, balance
      2. Writing clarity
      3. Beat coverage
      4. Knowing the community
    3. Multi-Media
      1. Photographs
      2. Video
      3. Audio
      4. Web design
      5. Data journalism
    4. Using Computers
      1. Word processing
      2. Graphic design
      3. Video and audio
      4. Websites


    Effective Term:
    Full Academic Year 2021-2022

  
  • JRN 240 - Editing, Layout, and Design

    3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
    3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

    Principles of news editing, layout, and design. Includes hands-on copy editing, fact-checking, proofreading, electronic page layout, typography, design, headline and caption writing, as well as, legal and professional responsibilities. Also includes grammar, language, and Associated Press style.



    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Explain fundamental news values and news elements, and demonstrate the ability to use reference resources to ensure accuracy.
    2. Edit news stories for accuracy, clarity and brevity, and demonstrate the ability to provide feedback or make revisions so a story is suitable for publication.
    3. Demonstrate the use of design elements to communicate information to mass audiences and assemble visually appealing, informative page designs using text, images and typography.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to provide feedback or make revisions so a story is suitable for publication.
    5. Define the legal and professional responsibilities of editors and designers, and explain the major principles of journalistic ethnics for copying editing and design.
    6. Assemble visually appealing, informative page designs using text, images and typography.
    7. Write concise, accurate, informative headlines and captions that fit the space assigned.

    Outline:
    1. News
      1. Values and elements
      2. The Copy Editor’s Role
    2. The Copy Editor’s Tools
      1. Reference materials
      2. Associated Press Stylebook
      3. Internet use
    3. The Editing Process
      1. Grammar
      2. Style
      3. Accuracy
      4. Fairness
    4. Story Editing
      1. Focus
      2. Structure
      3. Voice
      4. Leads
    5. Design Elements
      1. Typography
      2. Mass audience communication
      3. Pages and sections

     

    1. Visual Editing
      1. Photo sizing
      2. Art usage
      3. Infographics creation
    2. Headlines and Captions
      1. Concise
      2. Accurate
      3. Informative
      4. Space requirements
    3. Journalistic Responsibilities
      1. Legal
      2. Professional
    4. Ethics
      1. Copy editing
      2. Design


    Effective Term:
    Full Academic Year 2019/2020

  
  • JRN 280 - Photojournalism

    3 Credits, 3 Contact Hours
    3 lecture periods 0 lab periods

    Practical applications of photographic skills to communicate news stories and document life. Includes basic camera operations, multimedia, digital imaging, and editing software, as well as, ethical and legal considerations. Also includes analysis of visual images, composition, technical concepts, cropping and sizing, layout of photo essays, video editing, and writing captions.

    Information: Access to a digital camera is required.
      button image Prior Learning and link to PLA webpage

    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate basic photographic creative and technical concepts including composition, exposure settings, lenses, light, and digitalization.
    2. Explain the requirements for successful photojournalism, such as imparting information through pictures and gathering accurate caption information.
    3. Process and size photographs digitally using Photoshop software.
    4. Edit video using video editing software.
    5. Process visual images in multimedia formats such as slideshows.
    6. Synthesize issues of law, ethics and taste that affect photojournalism.
    7. List potential careers in photojournalism.
    8. Build a photo essay portfolio and video essays containing high-quality photographs that tell a story.

    Outline:
    1. Photographic Concepts
      1. Composition
      2. Exposure settings
      3. Lenses
      4. Light
      5. Digitalization
    2. The Photojournalist’s Role
      1. Use of visual images to impart information
      2. Create truthful images that reflect reality
    3. Image Processing Techniques
      1. Photoshop
      2. Photo file storage
    4. Video
      1. Video editing
      2. Online processing
      3. Final cut
    5. Technical Training
      1. How cameras work
      2. Exposure settings
      3. Use light effectively
      4. Capture the “decisive moment”
      5. Use supporting elements
      6. Write captions
      7. InDesign
      8. Photo page design guidelines
    6. Photojournalistic Environment
      1. Law
      2. Ethics
      3. Taste
    7. Careers
      1. Research
      2. Options
    8. Portfolio
      1. Photo essay
      2. Video essay
      3. Storytelling


    Effective Term:
    Fall 2012
  
  • JRN 285 - Advanced News Publication

    3 Credits, 4 Contact Hours
    2 lecture periods 2 lab periods

    Continuation of JRN 185 . Advanced work on print and online publication of the college’s biweekly student newspaper. Includes news coverage; qualities of high-level writing, reporting, and copy editing; research and the use of computers, newsroom management, page design, and newspaper legal and ethical considerations.

    Prerequisite(s): JRN 185  
    Information: This course meets for a combination of lecture and lab. Additional open lab time is available for students. May be taken three times for a maximum of nine credit hours. If this course is repeated, see a financial aid or Veteran’s Affairs advisor to determine funding eligibility as appropriate.



    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Construct and write under deadline pressure accurate, properly sourced, well-organized high-level news feature stories, analyses, and reviews using interpretive abilities to apply the inverted pyramid and other organizational formats, Associated Press style and Aztec Press style.
    2. Take story-telling photographs, write captions that include appropriate identification of photographic subjects, and use the Aztec Press system for storing and processing photos.
    3. Record advanced-level video and/or audio, edit for maximum story-telling appeal and use the Aztec Press system for storing/uploading completed material.
    4. Edit copy, write headlines and cutlines, and design story packages using advanced techniques of page design software.
    5. Synthesize and apply advanced tenets of media law, journalistic ethics, and taste.
    6. Explain the newsroom management needed to publish a newspaper including an organizational structure, business operations, and human relations.

    Outline:
    1. Advanced News Coverage
      1. Internet and traditional sources
      2. Note taking
      3. Interview skills
    2. Qualities of High-Level Writing
      1. Information analysis
      2. Information assessment
      3. Information organization

     

    1. Qualities of High-Level Reporting
      1. News publication construction
      2. Writing under a deadline
    2. Qualities of High-Level Copy Editing
      1. Advanced research and sources
      2. Advanced level writing
    3. Advanced Research and Use of Computers
      1. Print and W.W.W. research
      2. Page design software

     

    1. Photo/video software
    2. Online publishing
    1. Advanced Newsroom Management
      1. Job descriptions
      2. Business of newspapers
      3. Human relations and communications
      4. Deadlines
      5. Mentoring
    2. Advanced Page Design
      1. Typography
      2. Terminology
      3. Modular design
    3. Newspaper Legal Considerations
      1. Advanced understanding of libel
      2. Advanced understanding of privacy
      3. Advanced understanding of Freedom of Information Act
    4. Ethical Considerations
      1. Advanced understanding of sources
      2. Advanced understanding of advocacy
      3. Advanced understanding of role of opinions


    Effective Term:
    Full Academic Year 2019/2020

  
  • JRN 290 - Journalism Internship

    1-5 Credits, 5-25 Contact Hours
    0 lecture periods 5-25 lab periods

    Volunteer internship work experience at an approved site in the journalism field. Includes hands-on work experience, interpersonal communication, learning objectives and progress, and journalism internship assessment.

    Prerequisite(s): JRN 101  
    Information: Consent of instructor is required before enrolling in this course. May be taken four times for a maximum of twenty credit hours. If this course is repeated, see a financial aid or Veteran’s Affairs advisor to determine funding eligibility as appropriate.


    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Communicate effectively with employer and instructor, and comply with employer guidelines.
    2. Apply learning objectives to complete an end-of-semester assessment reporting progress and problems.
    3. Demonstrate journalism skills in a variety of tasks assigned while working in an internship environment.
    4. Identify opportunities for job development and advancement.

    Outline:
    1. Journalism in the Field or Work Environment
      1. Introduction
      2. Methods
      3. Application
      4. Procedures
      5. Evaluation
    2. Interpersonal Communication
      1. Teamwork building
      2. Goals
    3. Learning Objectives and Progress
      1. Reports and work samples
      2. Applied knowledge
    4. Journalism Internship Feedback
      1. Summary and evaluation
      2. Submission of work samples


    Effective Term:
    Full Academic Year 2019/2020