Course Description
The student will examine an overview of the historical development of journalism followed by study and practice which emphasizes the development of professional news gathering and writing. Students will study and write each of the following: news stories, sports stories, feature articles, book reviews, interviews, publicity releases and organizational newsletters. IAI: MC 919 Mass Communications.
Prerequisite(s)
Appropriate assessment score or ENGL 1422 with a grade of C or better - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Trace the evolution of journalism through time.
- Develop a conceptual understanding of what journalism is and isn’t and why it matters in a democratic society and apply that understanding to a critique of 21st Century journalism versus journalism practiced in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Compare the writing style associated with journalism against other various forms of writing.
- Incorporate reporting, writing, and editing fundamentals in multiple news stories.
- Discuss the ethical responsibilities and values journalists bring to their work.
- Examine the First Amendment struggles, triumphs, protections, and interpretations of landmark cases.
Topical Outline
- Evolution of journalism through time.
- Tenets of good journalism.
- Ethics in journalism.
- Mass media law.
- The First Amendment and journalism.
- Journalism's purpose in society.
- Writing styles across various media.
- Editing fundamentals.