|
ACTING CHAIR: JAMES
D. RAGSDALE, JR.
The School of Public Communication houses five programs
interrelated by the common thread of communication. These
programs include Journalism, Photography, Radio-Television,
Speech Communication and the Multimedia Authoring and Communication
program. The exciting programs in the School of Public Communication
are the fastest growing in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Visual and verbal modes of communication play a significant
role in society. Whether it is informing the public on the
economic effect of a widely fluctuating stock market, the
exercise of free speech in the U.S. Congress or here in Texas,
providing photographic images of critical events around the
world, or improving relationships in the human family, effective
communication is critical. The ability to use language well,
think clearly, speak eloquently, and communicate effectively
has long been recognized as the hallmark of an educated person.
That recognition is the driving force behind the programs
offered in the School of Public Communication. The Public
Communication programs offer the opportunity for students
to develop the specific skills and experiences demanded for
a smooth transition into the working world of visual and
verbal communication.
Journalism
Program
PROGRAM COORDINATOR: HUGH
S. FULLERTON
NAVIGATION: Journalism Major BA
| Advertising Major BA | Public
Relations BA | Journalism Major BS
| Journalism Minor | Course
Descriptions
FACULTY: Pate
Journalism is vital to the operation of a democracy, because
it furnishes the information that citizens must have to participate
in their own governance. The Journalism program provides
students with the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively
through both the traditional print media and the developing
digital media. Skills emphasized for both types of media
include information gathering, writing, and graphic design.
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. Each student
must complete PHO 182, PHO 233, 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 media law and ethics, at least four hours of
Journalism practicum (JRN 320) and a communication internship.
Typing skills are necessary for all Journalism students.
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 earn
a grade of C or better in each journalism course.
| Required Courses for Major |
| All Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations majors
must take the following courses: |
|
| COM 131, JRN 131, 180, 264, 320 (4 hr),
334, 498, PHO 182, 233, ECO 230 |
31 hrs
|
| Student may select one of the following degrees: |
|
| Journalism (BA or
BS): JRN 261, 262, JRN (Adv.), 9
hours from JRN 380, 382, 431, 499, RTV 377, COM 333 |
18 hrs
|
| Advertising: JRN 263, 269, 385,
468, JRN (Adv.), 3 hours from JRN 380, 382, 431, RTV
377, COM 333 |
18 hrs
|
| Public Relations:
JRN 262, 263, 266, 336, 432, 3 hours from JRN 380, 382,
431, 499, RTV 377, COM 333 |
18 hrs
|
Scholarships: Many Journalism scholarships are available
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.
Curriculum: Bachelor
of Arts
Major In Journalism |
| |
|
|
|
| First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
| COM 131 and JRN 131,180 |
9 |
JRN 261, 264 |
6 |
| ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
Component Area 4 (Literature) |
3 |
| HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
MTH 164 or 170 |
3 |
| Component Area 3 (Natural Science, from
two departments) |
8 |
POL 261 |
3 |
| CS 133 |
3 |
PHO 182 |
3 |
| KIN 215 |
1 |
Foreign Language 141, 142 |
8 |
| |
33 |
Minor |
6 |
| |
|
|
32 |
| |
|
|
|
| Third Year |
Credit |
Fourth Year |
Credit |
| JRN 262, 334, JRN elective
|
9 |
JRN 498, JRN (Adv.) |
12 |
| JRN 320 |
2 |
JRN 320 |
2 |
| Foreign Language 263, 264 |
6 |
POL (200-level) |
3 |
| Component Area 4 (Visual and Performing
Arts) |
3 |
ART, DNC, MUS, THR, or PHL 366 |
3 |
| PHO 233 |
3 |
Advanced General Electives |
6 |
| ECO 230 |
3 |
PHL (Adv.) |
3 |
| Minor |
6 |
Minor |
6 |
| |
32 |
|
35 |
Curriculum:
Bachelor of Arts
Major In Advertising |
| |
|
|
|
| First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
| COM 131 and JRN 131, 180 |
9 |
JRN 263, 264, 269 |
9 |
| ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
Component Area 4 (Literature) |
3 |
| HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
MTH 164 or 170 |
3 |
| Component Area 3 (Natural Science, from
two departments) |
8 |
PHO 182 |
3 |
| CS 133 |
3 |
Foreign Language 141, 142 |
8 |
| KIN 215 |
1 |
ART 161 |
3 |
| |
33 |
Minor* |
6 |
| |
|
|
35 |
| |
|
|
|
| Third Year |
Credit |
Fourth Year |
Credit |
| JRN 334, 385 |
6 |
JRN 468, 498, JRN (Adv.) |
12 |
| Foreign Language 263, 264 |
6 |
POL (200-level) |
3 |
| JRN 320 |
2 |
PHL (Adv.) |
3 |
| POL 261 |
3 |
JRN 320 |
2 |
| ECO 230 |
3 |
RTV 163 or 263 or 265 |
3 |
| PHO 233 |
3 |
Advanced General Elective |
3 |
| ART, DNC, MUS, THR, or PHL
366 |
3 |
Minor* |
6 |
| Minor* |
6 |
|
32 |
| |
32 |
|
|
* An Art Minor is suggested for those on an 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 the art minor will fulfill a Component
Area 4 requirement.
Curriculum:
Bachelor of Arts
Major In Public Relations |
| |
|
|
|
| First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
| COM 131 and JRN 131, 180 |
9 |
JRN 263, 264, 266 |
9 |
| ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
PHO 182 |
3 |
| HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
Component Area 4 (Literature) |
3 |
| Component Area 3 (Natural Science, from
two departments) |
8 |
MTH 164 or 170 |
3 |
| CS 133 |
3 |
Foreign Language 141, 142 |
8 |
| KIN 215 |
1 |
Mass Communication Minor** |
6 |
| |
33 |
|
32 |
| |
|
|
|
| Third Year |
Credit |
Fourth Year |
Credit |
| JRN 262, 334, 336 |
9 |
JRN 432, 498, JRN (Adv.) |
9 |
| JRN 320 |
2 |
JRN 320 |
2 |
| Foreign Language 263, 264 |
6 |
PHL (Adv.) |
3 |
| Component Area 4 (Visual and Performing
Arts) |
3 |
POL (200-level) |
3 |
| PHO 233 |
3 |
ECO 230 |
3 |
| POL 261 |
3 |
ART, DNC, MUS, THR or PHL 366 |
3 |
| Mass Communication Minor** |
6 |
General Elective (Adv.) |
6 |
| General Elective (Adv.) |
3 |
Mass Communication Minor** |
6 |
| |
35 |
|
35 |
| * *The Mass Communications Minor is 18-19
hours and includes: |
| Choose 3 courses from: SCM 286, 360, 370, 382, 383,
481 |
9 hrs
|
| Choose 1 course from: RTV 163/116, or 263 or 265 |
3-4 hrs
|
| Choose 1 course from: RTV 372, 373, 376, or 377 |
3 hrs
|
| Choose a 3-hr. elective from: SCM, RTV, or PHO |
3 hrs
|
|
Total
|
18-19 hrs
|
The Mass Communication minor is required for the Journalism-Public
Relations major, but is also available with other majors
with permission of the major program chair or coordinator.
Curriculum:
Bachelor of Science
Major In Journalism |
| |
|
|
|
| First Year |
Credit |
Second Year |
Credit |
| COM 131, JRN 131 |
6 |
JRN 180, 261, 264 |
9 |
| ENG 164, 165 |
6 |
Component Area 4 (Literature) |
3 |
| HIS 163, 164 |
6 |
POL 261 |
3 |
| Component Area 3 (Natural Science, one department) |
8 |
PHO 182 |
3 |
| MTH 164 or 170 |
3 |
Component Area 3 (Natural
Science, one department) |
8 |
| CS 133 |
3 |
Component Area 4 (Cultural Studies) |
3 |
| KIN 215 |
1 |
Minor |
6 |
| |
33 |
|
35 |
| |
|
|
|
| Third Year |
Credit |
Fourth Year |
Credit |
| JRN 262, 334, JRN (3 hr.)
|
9 |
JRN 498, JRN (Adv.) |
12 |
| JRN 320 |
2 |
JRN 320 |
2 |
| MTH (170 or higher level) |
3 |
POL (200-level) |
3 |
| STA 169 |
3 |
Advanced Math/Science Elective |
3 |
| Component Area 4 (Visual and
Performing Arts) |
3 |
General Elective (Adv.) |
6 |
| PHO 233 |
3 |
Minor (Adv.) |
6 |
| ECO 230 |
3 |
|
32 |
| Minor |
6 |
|
|
| |
32 |
|
|
Curriculum: Minor
In Journalism
The minor in Journalism includes COM 131, JRN
131, JRN 180, JRN 261 or JRN 263, 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.
Journalism minor program for students who are majoring in
Multimedia Authoring and Communication: JRN 180, JRN 261
or JRN 263, JRN 380, and any four of the following: JRN 336,
JRN 382, JRN 385, JRN 431, JRN 432, JRN 468, JRN 498, JRN
499.
JOURNALISM COURSE
DESCRIPTIONS
CORE COURSES
JRN 131 INTRODUCTION TO MEDIA WRITING.
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.
An introduction to desktop publishing programs used in writing,
advertising and production courses. Students will learn about
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: C S 133. Credit 3.
JRN 261 NEWS WRITING. [COMM
2311] Introduction to the principles and practices of news
writing. Emphasis placed on newspaper style in writing news
material. Prerequisite: JRN 131. Credit 3.
JRN 263 WRITING FOR ADVERTISING
AND PUBLIC RELATIONS. This course will examine the process
of communicating for persuasive purposes. Students will learn
the techniques and practice persuasive writing for advertising
and promotions, persuasive print media, and special audience
materials such as newsletters, brochures and annual reports.
The growing area of online communication for internal and
external audiences will also be explored. Prerequisite: JRN
131. Credit 3.
JRN 264 NEWS EDITING. [COMM
2309] Comprehensive study of editing, copyreading and headline
writing. Introduction to other copy desk duties such as photo
editing and page layout. Prerequisite: JRN 131. Credit 3.
JOURNALISM SEQUENCE
JRN 262 NEWS REPORTING. This is
a continuation of JRN 261/263, with discussion and practice
in writing and reporting on a variety of news. Emphasis will
be upon building interviewing and reporting skills. Students
will be assigned news beats, with regular assignments due for
campus media. Prerequisite: JRN 261 or JRN 263. 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:
JRN 261 or JRN 263. 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, JRN 261 or 263, and JRN 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.
ADVERTISING SEQUENCE
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 AND PROMOTIONS.
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.
Prerequisites: JRN 263, 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. Prerequisites: JRN 263, JRN 269. Credit
3.
PUBLIC RELATIONS SEQUENCE
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. Prerequisites:
JRN 263, 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.
Prerequisites: JRN 263, JRN 266 or consent of instructor.
Credit 3.
REQUIRED UPPER LEVEL COURSES
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 or 263; 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 rights, privileges, restrictions
and responsibilities 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)
UPPER LEVEL ELECTIVES
JRN 380 ONLINE PUBLISHING. 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.
NOTE: RTV 377 AND COM 333 may also be taken for upper
level Journalism elective credit.
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