CHAIR: DON R. RICHARDSON

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. An historical overview of oral, print, photographic, and broadcast discourses and their cultural significance. This course will focus on how these forms of public communication interact with each other and audiences in order to tell stories, sell products and ideas, and influence behavior. Credit 3.
 

Major
Minor

PROGRAM COORDINATOR: RUTH M. PATE

Major in Journalism: Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism take a core of Journalism courses that includes a survey/history of the media, a survey of media writing, desktop publishing, beginning reporting, and editing. In addition, each student must complete PHO 182 and PHO 263. 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.

Students who wish to pursue a career in criminal justice reporting may choose a specialized double major in Journalism and Criminal Justice. Journalism majors should take JRN 433 and JRN 434 as part of their major. As part of their Criminal Justice major, students should visit an undergraduate advisor in the College of Criminal Justice. Students interested in this double major are invited to consult with the Journalism Program Coordinator.

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 in place of SCM 282.

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, 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: On December 31, 1986, Houston Endowment Inc. awarded $1,000,000 to Sam Houston State University 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.

In addition, 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.

Three hours of art minor will fulfill both Art and Criterion IV electives.
 

Choose 3 courses from:       SCM 286, 360, 365, 370, 382, 383     9 hours
Choose 1 course from:         RTV 163/116, or 263 or 265               3-4 hours
Choose 1 course from:         RTV 372, 373, 376, or 377                 3 hours
Choose a 3-hr. elective from SCM, RTV, or PHO                           3 hrs.
                                  &nbs p;                                          & nbsp;                  18-19 hours.

JOURNALISM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

JRN 131 ELEMENTS OF WRITING FOR MASS COMMUNICATION. This course 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. This course provides an introduction to desktop publishing programs that will be used in writing, advertising and production courses. Students will learn of the publishing possibilities offered by Macintosh technology in the areas of word processing, graphics and page layout. Basic principles of format design, typography and layout will be taught. Production techniques will be included as well. Credit 3.

JRN 261 BEGINNING NEWS WRITING. This course introduces students to the principles and practices of news writing. Emphasis is placed on newspaper style in writing basic news material. Prerequisites: JRN 131, JRN 180. Credit 3.

JRN 264 NEWS EDITING. [COMM 2309] A comprehensive study of and practice in editing, copyreading and headline writing. In addition, the course will introduce students to other copy desk duties such as photo sizing, caption writing and page layout. Prerequisite: JRN 131. Credit 3.
 

JRN 382 SPECIALIZED WRITING. Study of and practice in writing for specialized areas such as sports, features, editorials and columns. Each time this class is offered, the emphasis will be on developing a level of writing suitable for publication in one such specialized area. (Students may repeat as topics vary.) Prerequisite for journalism majors: JRN 261. Credit 3.

JRN 431 MAGAZINE EDITING AND PRODUCTION. A study of general and special interest magazines. The theory and practices of magazine editing, content and design will be examined. Students will help write, edit and produce a magazine. Prerequisite: JRN 261. 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 385 ADVERTISING SALES. An in-depth approach to advertising sales and promotions. Students learn the ethics of selling and develop sales approaches and practices for local merchants. Macintosh computers are used to create ads for publication. Graphics and copywriting are stressed, as are presentation skills. This class also is designed to train students to be more confident when interviewing for internships and employment. Prerequisite: JRN 269 or permission of instructor. Credit 3.

JRN 468 ADVERTISING PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE. This course includes researching, preparing and presenting an advertising plan, as well as copywriting, selling techniques and layout. The emphasis is on practical training for advertising work. Prerequisite: JRN 269. 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/producing public relations materials and gaining practical experience in public relations techniques. Prerequisites: 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 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. Prerequisite: COM 131. Credit 3.

JRN 498 JOURNALISM INTERNSHIP. An on-the-job application of skills and theories learned in the classroom for students who have completed their sophomore year. Internships are with newspapers, public relations and advertising agencies, and with businesses, non-profit groups and government agencies. Prerequisites: Permission of program coordinator and advanced standing. Credit 3. (Credit/No Credit Course)
 

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]