CHAIR: DON R. RICHARDSON (scm_drr@shsu.edu)
The department administratively houses four programs interrelated by the thread of communication. This interrelationship is epitomized by one course common to all programs. -- COM 131 FORMS OF PUBLIC EXPRESSION.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR: HUGH S. FULLERTON (scm_hsf@shsu.edu)
Major in Journalism: Students seeking a Bachelor's degree in Journalism take a core of Journalism courses that includes a survey/history of public communication, an introduction to media writing, desktop publishing, reporting, and editing. In addition, each student must complete PHO 182, PHO 263, ECO 230 and one Philosophy course. After the core courses are completed, each student works with an advisor to select courses in writing, production, advertising or public relations to fit specific career goals. At the advanced level, all Journalism majors take a course dealing with press law, at least four hours of Journalism practicum (JRN 320) and a communication internship. Typing skills are necessary for all Journalism students.
Degrees and Certifications: Journalism students may pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism or Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, Journalism-Advertising, or Journalism-Public Relations. Journalism majors must complete a minimum of 40 hours of Journalism classes, including 4 hours of JRN 320.
Journalism majors seeking Secondary Teacher Certification must complete an approved 24-hour minor (with 12 advanced hours), which will serve as a second teaching field. A total of 12 hours in English will be required and SCM 384 should be taken.
Journalism Majors must earn a grade of C or better in each journalism course.
Journalism Minor: The minor in Journalism includes COM 131, JRN 131, JRN 180, JRN 261 and JRN 320 (2 hours), plus 9 hours of Journalism electives, of which at least 6 hours must be 300 level or above. JRN minors also take PHO 182. Minors may select an emphasis in print journalism, advertising or public relations.
Endowments and Scholarships: Houston Endowment Inc. awarded $1,000,000 to Sam Houston State University in 1986 for the establishment of the Philip G. Warner Chair in Journalism. Houston Endowment Inc. is a philanthropic trust established by the late Jesse H. Jones and his wife, Mary Gibbs Jones, to benefit educational, cultural, and religious organizations. Philip G. Warner, class of 1961, was accorded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Sam Houston State University in 1985. His contributions to the field of journalism and his service to higher education in Texas, as evidenced by his membership on the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, are recognized through the establishment of an endowed chair. Income derived from the endowment provides for the support of distinguished visiting educators and practitioners for the Journalism Program.
A number of Journalism scholarships are available, both for incoming freshmen and for students in the program. Most scholarship deadlines are March 1 for the following academic year. Contact the Journalism Program Coordinator for scholarship information and applications.
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| COM 131 and JRN 131,180 | 9 | JRN 261, 264 | 6 |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 | ENG 265, 266 or 267 | 3 |
| HIS 163, 164 | 6 | CS 133 | 3 |
| BIO, CHM, GEL or PHY (one field) | 8 | POL 261 | 3 |
| MTH (164 or 170) | 3 | PHO 182 | 3 |
| KIN 215 or accepted substitute | 1 | BIO, CHM, GEL or PHY (one field) | 8 |
| 33 | HIS 265 or 266, or GEO 265 or 266, or SOC 165 | 3 | |
| Minor | 6 | ||
| 35 | |||
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| JRN 262, 334, JRN elective | 9 | JRN 498, advanced JRN electives | 12 |
| JRN 320 | 2 | JRN 320 | 2 |
| MTH (170 or higher level) | 3 | PHL 363 or 371 or 471 | 3 |
| STA 169 | 3 | Math/Science advanced elective | 3 |
| ART, DNC, MUS, THR | 3 | Electives (300 or 400) | 6 |
| PHO 263 | 3 | POL 285 | 3 |
| ECO 230 (Component Area 5) | 3 | Minor | 6 |
| Minor | 6 | 35 | |
| 32 | |||
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| COM 131 and JRN 131,180 | 9 | JRN 261, 264 | 6 |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 | ENG 265, 266 or 267 | 3 |
| HIS 163, 164 | 6 | MTH 164 or 170 | 3 |
| BIO, CHM, GEL/GEO 131/111, or PHY (from two different departments) | 8 | POL 261 | 3 |
| CS 133 | 3 | PHO 182 | 3 |
| KIN 215 or accepted substitute | 1 | FL 141, 142 | 8 |
| 33 | Minor | 6 | |
| 32 | |||
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| JRN 262, 334, JRN elective | 9 | JRN 498, advanced JRN electives | 12 |
| JRN 320 | 2 | JRN 320 | 2 |
| FL 263, 264 | 6 | POL 285 | 3 |
| ART, DNC, MUS, THR | 3 | Electives (300 or 400) | 9 |
| PHO 263 | 3 | PHL 300 or 400 elective | 3 |
| ECO 230 (Component Area 5) | 3 | Minor | 6 |
| Minor | 6 | 35 | |
| 32 | |||
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| COM 131 and JRN 131, 180 | 9 | JRN 261, 264, 269 | 9 |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 | ENG 265, 266 or 267 | 3 |
| HIS 163, 164 | 6 | MTH 164 or 170 | 3 |
| BIO, CHM, GEL/GEO 131/111, or PHY (from two different departments) | 8 | PHO 182 | 3 |
| CS 133 | 3 | FL 141, 142 | 8 |
| KIN 215 or accepted substitute | 1 | ART 161 (Component Area 4) | 3 |
| 33 | Minor* | 6 | |
| 32 | |||
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| JRN 334, 385 | 6 | JRN 468, 498, advanced JRN electives | 12 |
| FL 263, 264 | 6 | POL 285 | 3 |
| JRN 320 | 2 | PHL 300 or 400 elective | 3 |
| POL 261 | 3 | JRN 320 | 2 |
| ECO 230 (Component Area 5) | 3 | RTV 163 or 263 or 265 | 3 |
| PHO 263 | 3 | Elective (300-400) | 3 |
| Elective (300-400) | 3 | Minor* | 6 |
| Minor* | 6 | 32 | |
| 35 | |||
* Art Minor is suggested for those on advertising creative track. The Art Minor should consist of: ART 161, 234, 265, and at least 9 hours chosen from ART 335, 336, 431, 432, and 434. Three hours of art minor will fulfill Component Area 4 requirement.
| First Year | Credit | Second Year | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| COM 131 and JRN 131, 180 | 9 | JRN 261, 264, 266 | 12 |
| ENG 164, 165 | 6 | PHO 182 | 3 |
| HIS 163, 164 | 6 | ENG 265, 266 or 267 | 3 |
| BIO, CHM, GEL/GEO 131/111 or PHY (from 2 different departments) | 8 | MTH 164 or 170 | 3 |
| CS 133 | 3 | FL 141, 142 | 8 |
| KIN 215 or accepted substitute | 1 | Mass Communication Minor* | 6 |
| 33 | 32 | ||
| Third Year | Credit | Fourth Year | Credit |
| JRN 262, 334, 336 | 9 | JRN 432, 498, advanced JRN elective | 9 |
| JRN 320 | 2 | JRN 320 | 2 |
| FL 263, 264 | 6 | PHL advanced elective | 3 |
| ART, DNC, MUS, THR | 3 | ECO 230 (Component Area 5) | 3 |
| PHO 263 | 3 | POL 285 | 3 |
| POL 261 | 3 | Electives (300 or 400) | 6 |
| Mass Communication Minor* | 6 | Mass Communication Minor* | 6 |
| Elective (300 or 400) | 3 | 32 | |
| 35 | |||
* The Mass Communications Minor is 18-19 hours and includes:
Total: 18-19 hours
NOTE: The Mass Communication minor is available with other degrees, but is required for the Journalism-Public Relations degree.
JRN 131 ELEMENTS OF WRITING FOR MASS COMMUNICATION. Introduces students to the basic skills necessary to produce news stories, publicity/public relations materials and advertising copy. Emphasis is placed on language and grammar skills as well as styles, techniques and formats. Prerequisite: ENG 164. Credit 3.
JRN 180 DESKTOP PUBLISHING I. An introduction to desktop publishing programs used in writing, advertising and production courses. Students will learn of the publishing possibilities offered by computer technology for word processing, graphics and page layout. Covers basic principles of format design, typography, layout and production techniques. Prerequisite: CS 133. Credit 3.
JRN 261 BEGINNING NEWS WRITING. Introduction to the principles and practices of news writing. Emphasis placed on newspaper style in writing basic news material. Prerequisite: JRN 131. Credit 3.
JRN 264 NEWS EDITING. [COMM 2309] A comprehensive study of editing, copyreading and headline writing. Introduction to other copy desk duties such as photo sizing, caption writing and page layout. Prerequisite: JRN 131. Credit 3.
JRN 262 GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTING. This is a continuation of JRN 261, with discussion and practice in writing and reporting on a variety of campus news. Emphasis will be upon building interviewing and reporting skills. Students will be assigned news beats on campus, with regular assignments due for campus media. Prerequisite: JRN 261. Credit 3.
JRN 382 SPECIALIZED WRITING. Study of and practice in writing in specialized areas such as features, sports, business, and opinion. Emphasis is on developing a level of writing suitable for publication in one such specialized area. Course may be repeated, as topics vary. Prerequisite for journalism majors: JRN 261. Credit 3.
JRN 431 MAGAZINE EDITING AND PRODUCTION. Principles and practices of magazine editing, content and design, including production technologies. Included is a survey of general interest and specialized magazines. Students will plan, write, edit and produce a prototype magazine. Prerequisites: JRN 180, 261 and 262. Credit 3.
JRN 433 INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING. This course provides an introduction and overview of current investigative reporting techniques. Articles, case studies and investigative writers/reporters will be studied and students will write several investigative pieces. Techniques of data collection and analysis as well as journalism law and ethics also will be included. Prerequisite: JRN 262. Credit 3.
JRN 434 POLICE REPORTING. This course will provide an overview and analysis of current police reporting techniques. Students will build their skills in this area through writing assignments and through exposure to case studies, field trips and guest experts. Prerequisite: JRN 262. Credit 3.
JRN 269 PRINCIPLES OF ADVERTISING. Introduces students to the fundamentals of advertising, including ethical questions, advertising strategies and integrated advertising. Also introduces copywriting, design and typography. Prerequisites: COM 131, JRN 180. Credit 3.
JRN 385 ADVERTISING SALES. An in-depth approach to advertising sales and promotions. Students learn the ethics of selling and develop sales approaches and presentation skills. This class also develops students' confidence in interviewing for internships and employment. Prerequisite: JRN 269 or permission of instructor. Credit 3.
JRN 468 ADVERTISING PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE. Focus on creative strategies and media selection. Students will research, prepare and present an integrated advertising plan. The emphasis is on practical training for advertising work. Prerequisite: JRN 269. Credit 3.
JRN 266 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC RELATIONS. An introduction to public relations, its origin and its role in contemporary life. Topics include ethics, skills acquired, and use of public relations by business, institutions and government. Prerequisites: COM 131, JRN 131. Credit 3.
JRN 336 PUBLIC INFORMATION METHODS. The techniques and skills used in securing publicity and promoting the image of organizations, corporations and institutions -- private and public-- are stressed. Course includes writing and producing public relations materials and gaining practical experience in public relations techniques. Prerequisite: JRN 266. Credit 3.
JRN 432 PUBLIC RELATIONS CASE STUDIES. Study of public relations case problems in industry, labor, education, government, social welfare and trade associations with emphasis on analysis and applications of solutions. Prerequisite: JRN 266 or consent of instructor. Credit 3.
JRN 320 JOURNALISM PRACTICUM. Advanced instruction and practice in publications and projects. Students work in news, advertising, public relations or photography. Prerequisites: JRN 131, 180 and 261; JRN 266 for PR majors and JRN 269 for Advertising majors. May be repeated for up to six hours credit with up to two practicums taken in the same area. Credit 1-2. (Credit/No Credit Course)
JRN 334 LEGAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF THE PRESS. A study of the evolution of the rights, privileges and restrictions of the media. The influence of constitutional rights, statutory restrictions, court precedents, self-imposed and public restrictions on news coverage and ethics of journalism are included. Emphasis on applying legal and ethical principles to practical problems. Prerequisites: COM 131 and advanced standing. Credit 3.
JRN 498 JOURNALISM INTERNSHIP. On-the-job application of skills and knowledge learned in the classroom for students who have completed their sophomore year and appropriate courses. Internships are with newspapers, public relations and advertising agencies, businesses, non-profit groups and government agencies. Prerequisites: Permission of Journalism internship coordinator and advanced standing. Credit 3. (Credit/No Credit Course)
JRN 380 DESKTOP PUBLISHING II. Advanced work in planning, designing and producing on-line publications. Students will gain experience with on-line research, infographics, story packaging, and writing and editing for electronic publication. Prerequisite: JRN 180 or permission of instructor. Credit 3.
JRN 499 SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN COMMUNICATIONS. This course provides an opportunity to develop skills or conduct supervised investigation in an area of special interest. Prerequisites: Permission of program coordinator and advanced standing. This course may be taken for Academic Distinction credit. See Academic Distinction Program in this catalogue. Credit 3.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]