The relationship between media and society. Because of the First Amendment’s commitment to freedom of press and speech, attention is focused on news. Students will become critical consumers of media and will explore how media create and disseminate messages. Focus on current issues in all media forms.

The various methods journalists use to ensure transparency in government and business. Students will gather news and information via observation, interviewing, capturing visuals, accessing documents, and analyzing data. Special emphasis is placed on real-world newsgathering scenarios, fact-finding, accuracy, and comprehensive storytelling.

First Amendment principles and communication law affecting print, telecommunications, advertising, and public relations.

In this course, students report, write, and edit a variety of journalistic story types that are appropriate for delivery in multiple platforms and that adhere to professional and ethical standards of journalism.

Students will develop basic skills in videography and video editing using digital camcorders and non-linear editing software. The course will consist of lectures and equipment demonstrations. Students will produce one news package that deals with a local event or issue.

Introduces students to the basic concepts and practices of visual composition and graphic design for static and motion graphics. Students will work with current design software on assignments involving composition, typography, color, layout, and basic animation.

Mass media of the world--what they are like, how they operate, and what impact they have. Philosophies of different systems will be compared, as well as efforts at development or regulation of these systems. Attention will be given to print and electronic media and to international news agencies.

Students will develop enterprise news stories across platforms. Each will produce a long-form web story with links and references, a video story (television news package), a photo essay, a radio story, a “back story” (explaining issues with the reporting), and a webcast explaining some aspect of the story in depth.

This is an advanced course in video storytelling. Students will explore various forms of video news stories, including in-depth stories and documentaries. Students will research, shoot, write, and edit multiple video stories with the goal of raising awareness and understanding of current or historic issues.

Students will work in a newsroom environment using their journalistic knowledge and skills in the production of daily stories for multiple platforms, including TV broadcasting, online, mobile, and social media news delivery. They will write, shoot, and edit under daily deadline pressure.