Course Descriptions

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

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.

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

JRN 102 - Survey of Media Communications

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.

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.

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.

JRN 232 - Coding for Digital Media

1 Credits, 1 Contact Hours
1 lecture period 0 lab periods

Introduction to storytelling and multimedia authoring through the creation and manipulation of digital media. Includes software used to digitally create and edit pixel-based images, vector images, audio, video, data, and text. Also includes market analysis, cognitive design, layout, navigation, and interactive strategies. Also includes a basic understanding of how the Internet works, knowledge of how to create and upload Web pages, and a basic introduction to programming with JavaScript, object-oriented programs, and HTML text editors.

Information: The course uses Open Source and specialized software.

1. Identify current and emerging terminology, languages, and programs used for storytelling and digital media coding.
2. Design and appraise potential applications or products using lean media strategies.
3. Design or manipulate digital media including text, video, or audio using a program or application.

            A. Types of digital media

            B. Uses of digital media

            C. Contemporary and emerging programs and software

II. Applications and Product Creation

1. Lean media
2. Project management
3. Audience analysis

III. Design and Digital Manipulation

1. Social media
2. Websites
3. Portable single-board computers
4. Object-oriented
5. Open source
6. Data analysis and visualization
7. Interactive online content

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.

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.

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

JRN 285 - Advanced News Publication

1. Report ethical high-level stories utilizing various news media styles under deadline pressure.
2. Create advanced multi-media including photographs, video, and audio for story-telling purposes using hardware, software, and applications.
3. Explain newsroom and media management including organizational structure, business operations, and interpersonal communication skills including conflict management.

JRN 290 - Journalism Internship

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.

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