CSUC Journalism

































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Journalism Course Descriptions

JOUR 101
Introduction to Communication 3.0 Fa/Spr

This course teaches the concepts, history, and applications of communication. The implications and ethical issues of media and the communication process are covered.

JOUR 244
Introduction to Public Relations 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of JOUR 260 for journalism majors.

A survey of public relations: problems and issues, organization and operations, skills and techniques, careers and opportunities.

JOUR 260
Writing for Mass Media 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisite: ENGL 130.

Techniques of information gathering and writing for various audiences in the mass media. Required course for the Options in News-Editorial and Public Relations. Students must earn a grade of C or higher to advance to subsequent writing courses in the Department of Journalism. Students who do not receive at least a C may repeat the course.
Special fee required; see The Class Schedule.

JOUR 298
Special Topics 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

JOUR 310
Entertainment, Mass Media, and American Cultures 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ENGL 130.

Entertainment, as a major form of mass media content, is a major shaper of the individual and collective cultural identities in the United States. The popular arts are studied from historical, theoretical, philosophical, and critical perspectives.

This is an approved General Education course and part of the 9-unit Upper-Division Thematic, Theme A: American Identities and Cultures.

JOUR 311
Women, Men, and the Media 3.0 Spring

The purpose of this course is to educate students to be informed consumers of media, to examine actual portrayals of women in the various media, and to explore how the media industry treats women. These objectives will result in a raised awareness of how both sexes can participate equally in the world around them.

This is an approved General Education course and part of the 9-unit Upper-Division Thematic, Theme F: Gender Perspectives.

JOUR 313
International Communication 3.0 Fa/Spr

How the press operates in other societies, both free and authoritarian: the role of journalism in shaping foreign policy in America and abroad; the role of the press in developing countries; the part journalism plays in international and world organizations; the history of significant foreign press systems; the American press in an international context. Open to non-majors.

JOUR 320
Mass Communication Law 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 101, JOUR 260.

The law as it applies to the press, pictures, and broadcasting. Philosophical basis and historical evolution of legal precedent governing the media. Practical limitations of libel, slander, privacy, copyright, information access, free press-fair trial, contempt and reporter's rights, advertising and media concentration as they affect freedom of the press. Required for news-editorial option; elective for public relations option.

JOUR 321
Public Affairs Reporting 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equvialent) with a grade of C- or higher; HIST 130; JOUR 260; POLS 155.

Designed for students planning reporting or editing careers. Development of greater skills in story recognition and judgment, information gathering, and finished written presentation, including specialized reporting and ethics. Stress is placed on leads, the complex story, and polished writing. Journalism majors in the news-editorial option who earn below a C- in JOUR 321 are required to repeat the course and are expected to earn a C- or higher to receive writing proficiency credit. Special fee required; see The Class Schedule.

JOUR 322
History of American Journalism 3.0 Fall

Prerequisite: JOUR 260.

Study of the American newspaper, magazine, and book from the Colonial period to the present time. Emphasis is placed upon changing trends and the outstanding people who shaped the development of these modern media, noting the influence of the past upon the present.

JOUR 325
Magazine Writing 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisite: JOUR 260.

Techniques of writing nonfiction articles and features for publication; where to find material, markets. Student writings may appear in campus publications such as The Orion.

JOUR 327
News Editing and Copyreading 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 260.

Evaluating and editing newspaper copy; perfecting copyreading skills; typography, headline writing, page makeup and layout, and newspaper design. Special fee required; see The Class Schedule.

JOUR 329
Laboratory Newspaper 2.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 260; JOUR 327; JOUR 341; or faculty permission.

Provides practical application of journalistic techniques through preparation of the departmental laboratory newspaper. Involved are approaches to reporting, feature writing, editing, sales, and design. Repeating this course for credit requires faculty permission. Requirement for News-Editorial option.

JOUR 330
Laboratory Newspaper 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisite: Faculty permission.

This course is for non-journalism majors who are seeking experience with the campus newspaper. Includes work in sales, design, and editorial operations. Repeating this course for credit requires faculty permission.

JOUR 331
Laboratory Newspaper 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 329 and faculty permission.

This course is for journalism majors who manage the laboratory newspaper. It provides practical application of journalistic techniques through preparation and management of the departmental laboratory newspaper and includes approaches to writing, editing, photography and newsroom management techniques. With faculty permission, this course and JOUR 329 can be repeated for a combined total of 8 units.

JOUR 341
Writing For Public Relations 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, JOUR 244, JOUR 260.

Principles and practices of writing styles for public relations. Emphasis will be on writing tailored to an organization's communication needs. Required for majors. Journalism majors in the public relations option who earn below a C- in JOUR 341 are required to repeat the course and are expected to earn a C- or higher to receive writing proficiency credit. Special fee required; see The Class Schedule.

JOUR 344
Public Relations Strategy 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 244; JOUR 260; JOUR 341.

Theory and norms used in strategies for public relations activities and programs. Emphasis on selection of strategies under varying kinds of information conditions. Major areas addressed are strategy formulation, strategy implementation, and strategic control. Required for majors.

JOUR 351
Public Relations Publications 3.0 Fall

Prerequisites: JOUR 244; JOUR 260; JOUR 341 for public relations option; JOUR 321 for news-editorial option.

Instruction in persuasive writing, design, and production of public relations publications via desktop publishing. Publications include fliers, institutional advertisements, brochures, and newsletters that are produced to promote the views, products, or services of organizations or companies. Special fee required; see The Class Schedule.

JOUR 353
Photojournalism 2.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 260.

Theory and practice of news photography, including picture-taking for college publications, as well as special photographic projects. Special fee required; see The Class Schedule.

JOUR 355
Internet Newspapers and Magazines 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 260.

Instruction in using the Internet as a reporting tool and a publishing platform. Focus on technological changes in mass communication, especially newspapers and magazines. Emphasis on writing stories for the Internet and production of an online publication.

JOUR 398
Special Topics 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics for 1.0 to 3.0 units respectively. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

JOUR 399
Special Problems 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisite: Faculty permission.

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Special projects (research or production) in media study.

JOUR 411
Race and Diversity in Media 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 260.

Introduces students to the social constructions of ethnicity and how they are involved in the production, distribution and consumption of the U.S. mass media.

JOUR 424
Public Opinion and Propaganda 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: CMST 131, CMST 233, CMST 331, and CMST 255, or CMST 354, or CMST 370 with a grade of C- or higher for CMST majors only.

Analysis of major factors in group and individual opinion formation, with emphasis on politics, opinion measurement, and the role of mass media in the political process.

JOUR 428
Politics and the Media 3.0 Fall

Prerequisites: CMST 131, CMST 233, CMST 331, and CMST 255, or CMST 354, or CMST 370 with a grade of C- or higher for CMST majors only; faculty permission.

An examination of the relationships of politics and the mass media. Includes a project involving media analysis and campaigns or public policy decisions.

JOUR 429
Advanced Feature Writing 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 260; JOUR 321 or 325 for news-editorial option; JOUR 335 or 341 for public relations option.

Suggested for advanced students. In-depth reporting and feature writing, including computer-assisted reporting, opinion writing, investigative reporting techniques, literary journalism techniques, and writing for the Internet.

JOUR 444
Public Relations Laboratory 1.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 244, JOUR 260, JOUR 341, JOUR 344, JOUR 445.

Field experience will provide the basis for this course. Volunteer placements with community organizations/agencies will allow each student further development of writing, organization, budgeting, and planning skills. Repeatable up to 3 units with instructor permission.

JOUR 445
Public Relations Laboratory 2.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: JOUR 244, JOUR 260, JOUR 341, JOUR 344.

Advanced public relations field experience. Repeating this course for credit requires faculty permission. Required for public relations option.

JOUR 447
Public Relations Management 3.0 Spring

Prerequisites: JOUR 244, JOUR 260, JOUR 341.

A course in analyzing the theoretical concepts of management that exist in public relations activities, organizations, and public relations agencies that conduct public relations programs.

JOUR 460
Ethical Problems in Mass Media 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade or C- or higher, JOUR 101, JOUR 260. For Option in News-Editorial: JOUR 321. For Option in Public Relations: JOUR 341.

Ethical principles and case studies will be used to help students develop insights or responses to ethically challenging events or situations in mass media.

JOUR 460H
Ethical Problems in Mass Media - Honors 3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher; admission to the Honors in the Major program; JOUR 101, JOUR 260. For Option in News-Editorial: JOUR 321. For Option in Public Relations: JOUR 341.

Ethical principles and case studies will be used to help students develop insights or responses to ethically challenging events or situations in mass media.

JOUR 489
Journalism Internship 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisite: Faculty permission.

You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Students will experience a wide range of professional situations, conditions, and practice in the journalism/public relations professional setting prior to graduation. Length of internship will vary according to type of placement. Students will be supervised by a practicing member of the profession. Repeatable for credit toward the major up to 3 units with instructor permission.

JOUR 498
Special Topics 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See The Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

JOUR 498H
Special Topics - Honors 1.0-3.0 Fa/Spr

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Department of Journalism's Honors in the Major program.

The student will define a research problem, develop a research proposal, conduct the research, and submit a written report on the project. The student will refine the paper into publishable form and make a public presentation.