Journalism

D. Waechter, Interim chairperson   

The Department of Journalism offers professional programs in advertising, journalism, graphics, magazine, news, photo, public relations, and teacher education. Departmental majors in advertising, journalism and public relations are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (ACEJMC). The public relations major is certified by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Journalism students receive individual attention and hands-on instruction using leading-edge communication technologies.  Students are encouraged to supplement their classroom educations by working with award-winning student publications and organizations, including the Daily News (campus newspaper), Ball Bearings (student magazine and Web site), and Cardinal Communications (student-operated advertising/public relations agency). The department's primary faculty advisor and the seven sequence coordinators assist students in selecting courses, understanding requirements for majors, and receiving career counseling. 

For more information, contact the Department of Journalism at 765-285-8200. 

BACCALAUREATE DEGREES

MAJOR IN ADVERTISING, 69 hours

MAJOR IN JOURNALISM, 56-68 hours

MAJOR IN PUBLIC RELATIONS, 69 hours

TEACHER EDUCATION

TEACHING MAJOR IN JOURNALISM, 31 hours

SENIOR HIGH, JUNIOR HIGH/MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAM

LICENSE ADDITION IN JOURNALISM, 26 hours

CERTIFICATE IN EMERGING MEDIA JOURNALISM, 18 hours 

CERTIFICATE IN JOURNALISTIC VISUAL PRESENTATION, 15 hours

JOURNALISM (JOUR) 

101 Media and American Society (3)
Study of the structures and functions of media communications and how they inform, persuade, and entertain audiences. Overview of the evolving relationships among media industries and American society. Focus on advertising, public relations, and news organizations. Core Transfer Library: Communications (ICM 1102) 
    Open only to students in a journalism department program and students in the telecommunications news track.  

103 Introduction to Visual Communication and Web Development (3)
Introduces students to the theories and concepts behind visual communication with the application and understanding of desktop publishing and the various ways that media practitioners use visuals. Students will apply these same theories and concepts in developing visual materials for the World Wide Web. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101 with a grade of C or better. 
    Open only to journalism or telecommunications majors. 

104 Strategic Writing (3)
Develops basic writing skills that public relations and advertising professionals use. Content focuses on journalism writing, including Associated Press style, proper grammar, syntax and usage, and aspects of advertising and business writing. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101; successful completion of a departmental language usage proficiency exam. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

150 Introduction to Basic Concepts of Journalism Education (3)
Designed to help students make balanced decisions about preparing for and functioning in teaching careers in the field of journalism/mass communications. Professionalism, job requirements, employment opportunities, secondary school curricula, and the role of secondary education within the entire educational process are discussed. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101 or permission of the department chairperson. 

169 Professional Development Seminar (1)
Provides opportunities and skills needed to secure an internship/job in journalism, public relations, or advertising. Job-related issues, such as business etiquette, assertiveness, and sexual harassment are discussed. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101 or TCOM 101 or permission of the department chairperson. 

250 Introduction to Advertising (3)
A survey of the advertising communication process and its history. Focuses on communication research, creative strategy, campaign planning, function of mass media as carriers of advertising, and evaluation of advertising effectiveness. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

261 Principles of Public Relations (3)
Survey of the theory, philosophy, and function of public relations practices and programs in organizations and institutions. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

265 Public Relations Writing and Publicity Techniques (3)
Theory and practice of producing publicity tools for various media used in campaigns to promote and interpret personal, institutional, and organizational objectives and activities. Emphasizes writing and publicity problem solving. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103, 104, 261. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

275 Media Law and Ethics (3)
Examination of the ethical, legal, political, and social pressures on strategic communication. Explores ethical and legal implications in the workplace, with attention given to the historical development of laws and ethics in communication. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 250 or 261. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

280 Introductory Magazine Writing (3)
Feature writing techniques focusing on the most common types of articles published by print and online magazines. Students learn to target and sell articles to specific magazines and to develop content for niche audiences. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 120, 121, 122. 
    Open only to students majoring in journalism or telecommunications. 

299X Experimental/Developmental Topics (3-6)
Topics relevant to the discipline. Course titles will be announced before each semester. 
    A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned. 

311 News Feature Writing (2)
An advanced writing course that requires in-depth reporting and information-gathering skills. Students will concentrate on learning to write informative, accurate news feature stories that provide detail and context for readers. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221. 

312 Opinion Writing (2)
Researching and writing of columns, editorials, and reviews with emphasis on varied writing structures and styles. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221. 

320 Media Art Direction and the Creative Process (2)
Creative approaches to media design and presentation. Explores strategies for developing creativity and design problem solving, as well as visual literacy and visual/verbal interpretation. Emphasizes visual storytelling and conceptual approaches to design. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 234. 

321 News Design (3)
Designing news for print and online. Emphasizes design problem solving in the editing process. Theory of layout, typography, color, and use of photography, video, and information graphics in print and online news publications. Computer-based production methods will be employed. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 234. 

322 Sportswriting and Reporting (2)
Introduction to sportswriting and reporting across media platforms with emphasis on skills needed to produce game and feature stories that provide detail and context. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221. 

323 Magazine Design (3)
Designing for print and online magazines. Explores presentation strategies for news and feature content, and advertising for magazine formats. Computer-based production methods will be employed. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 234. 

328 Magazine Management (2)
Analysis of magazine publishing, emphasis on how magazines market to consumers and advertisers. Includes research projects on trends among magazine publishing companies and special-interest sectors with a goal of determining profitability and employment outlook. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 280; NEWS 221.

332 Photojournalism Managing and Editing (2)
Conceiving, proposing, assigning, and editing photographs in a multimedia environment. In-depth coverage of news, with application of industry standards and ethical concepts. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221, 235, 240. 

335 Assignment Photojournalism (3)
In this intermediate course, student journalists will use photography to tell news, sports, and feature stories using traditional and emerging media technologies. Emphasis on news values, ethical practice, and historical context. DSLR camera, lens, and portable flash required for this course. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221, 235, 240. 

345 Visual Reporting (3)
Examination of the facets of informational graphics and the job of the modern-day graphics reporter. Experience gained in creating and researching explanatory charts, diagrams, maps, and graphics editing. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221, 234 or JOUR 103, NEWS 234. 

348 Emerging Media in Advertising and Public Relations (3)
Study of emerging media, with an emphasis on digital media, and the role emerging media plays in advertising and public relations. Explores emerging media’s role in society and on consumers and business, technology’s role in emerging media, and how emerging media impacts strategic communication development, implementation, and measurement. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103, 104, and 250 or 261. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

352 Advertising Media (3)
Strategy and procedures for planning, executing, and controlling the placement of advertising. Examines characteristics of media, techniques of media budgeting and selection, and methods of evaluating media effectiveness. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103, 104, 250. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

354 Advertising Copy and Layout (3)
Instruction in preparing copy for mass media advertising. Major emphasis on creative thinking and basic writing skills. Prepare copy strategies, write copy, prepare layouts and storyboards. Discussion of fundamentals of consumer motivation and selecting target audiences. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103, 104, 250. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

355 Branding for Advertising and Public Relations (3)
Study of brands, branding, and the role of advertising and public relations in brand development. Explores how brands are built, leveraged, measured, and nurtured; the roles brands play in society; trends in brand development; and future of brands. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103, 104, and 250 or 261. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

368 Public Relations Publication Design and Production (3)
Study of institutional and industrial publications as an important means of internal and external communications. Emphasizes design and production techniques. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103, 104, and 250 or 261. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

369 Paid Internship (0-3)
Practical, supervised, on-the-job experience in a media-related industry or organizational setting. Offered credit/no credit only. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 169; permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned. 
    Open only to students in a journalism department program and students in the telecommunications news track. 

382 Media Research and Consumer Behavior (3)
Practical approaches to research in strategic communication campaigns. Emphasizes survey research, questionnaire construction, interviewing techniques, attitude measurement, copy testing, audience analysis, computer database searches, evaluation of externally supplied research, and data interpretation. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103, 104 and 250 or 261. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

385 Advanced Writing and Design for Strategic Communications (3)
Emphasizes the theory and practice of producing persuasive communications that promote and interpret client and organizational objectives. Focuses on developing strategies aligned with organizational objectives; researching, writing, editing, and designing communication tools in support of organizational objectives; and developing strategic implementation plans to maximize effectiveness of communication tools. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 354 or 265 and 368. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

390 Honors Colloquium in Journalism (1-3)
Readings and in-depth exploration and discussion of pertinent issues, movements, and problems in journalism and mass communications research. 
    A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned. 
    Open only to honors students and to students with areas in journalism by permission of the department chairperson. 

395 Journalism Teaching and Publication Advising Methods (4)
Designed to study the structure of high school journalism and to aid the candidate in developing the necessary background/skills to teach high school journalism and advise student publications. Offers students the opportunity to explore teaching styles, student learning styles, lesson planning, staff publication management styles, student leadership strategies, and financial management of student publications. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 150; NEWS 130, 131, 221. 

405 Public Relations Planning, Management, and Case Reviews (3)
Strategic planning principles for campaigns and program implementation, including use of communication, public opinion, change, and management theory; crisis planning and communication; issue management; integrated marketing communication; and case study reviews. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 265, 368 with a grade of C or better. 
    Open only to advertising or public relations majors. 

413 Advanced Newswriting and Reporting (2)
Advanced writing, reporting, and editing skills, including multiple-source interviewing, field observation, and use of databases. Emphasis on in-depth analysis and interpretation of a substantive area of coverage, including the use of community and public journalism theories and techniques. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 311 or TCOM 324. 

427 Advanced Magazine Writing (3)
Advanced narrative storytelling techniques with an emphasis on literary nonfiction, character development, and immersive reporting. Includes study and discussion of best-known contemporary magazine writers and literary journalists. Includes classes on professional development and job-hunting skills. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 280; NEWS 221, 315. 

436 Photojournalism Lighting (3)
Exploration of theories and practice of photojournalism lighting in and out of the studio. Focus is on assignment-based illustrative, conceptual, and architectural photography for publication and online distribution. DSLR camera, lens, and portable flash required for this course. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 335; NEWS 240. 

437 Long-form Photojournalism (2)
In-depth exploration of topics of community interest or significant social value. Finished work will be prepared for delivery over multiple platforms. DSLR camera, lens, and portable flash required for this course. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 335; TCOM 324. 

452 Advanced Advertising Media (3)
Extended study in developing a comprehensive media plan. Emphasizes consumer research, media habits, creative selection of media vehicles, and use of the computer in planning and buying. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 352. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

453 Integrated Campaigns Case Studies (3)
Examines case studies and contemporary issues involving advertising and integrated communications campaigns. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 352, 354. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

454 Advanced Advertising Design (3)
Extended study in the conceptualization and creation of advertising emphasizing creative direction and visual presentation. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 354. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

455 Advanced Copy Writing (3)
Advanced studies in the strategy and creation of advertising for the mass media. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 354. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

456 Advertising Campaigns (3)
Synthesis of skills and concepts acquired in the specialized advertising courses. Research, plan, write, schedule, budget, and evaluate a complete advertising campaign. Enhances career development skills and portfolio-ready material. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 352, 354. 
    Open only to students pursuing a major in advertising or public relations. 

460 International Advertising and Public Relations (3)
A survey of international advertising and public relations practices, both domestic and abroad. Introduces students to the ideas and theories of international advertising and public relations, with special emphasis on branding and strategic communication across multiple cultures. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 265, 368 with a grade of C or better. 
    Open only to advertising or public relations majors. 

465 Public Relations Campaigns (3)
In this immersive team experience, public relations majors apply research and problem-solving techniques to actual public relations clients using all of the methodologies learned previously. Emphasizes developing positive teamwork skills and portfolio and professional development including personal presentation skills. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 265, 368 with a grade of C or better. 
    Open only to advertising or public relations majors. 

474 Producing Secondary Publications (3)
Study of secondary student publication production, design, use, and conception. Explores journalistic purpose, visual literacy, visual/verbal interpretation, and design methods for newspapers, yearbooks, magazines, and online publications. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 150; NEWS 130, 131, 221. 

479 Unpaid Internship (0-3)
Practical, supervised, on-the-job experience in a media-related industry or organizational setting. Offered credit/no credit only. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 169; permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned. 
    Open only to students in a journalism department program and students in the telecommunications news track. 

495 Individual Studies in Journalism (.5-4)
Group and individual investigations and experiences in journalistic media and techniques with special attention to social, political, and economic roles of the press in society. 
    Prerequisite: permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 4 hours of credit may be earned.

496 Creative Project: Graphics (1)
Execution of a creative project that has a significant visual communication purpose. Projects may take the form of an annual report or creative advertising campaign, for example, and must have print, online, and mobile components. The student must pitch his or her idea to one faculty member with sufficient design/graphics knowledge to advise his or her creative project. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 345. 
    Open only to advertising and public relations majors.

NEWS (NEWS)

105 Journalistic Storytelling: Introduction (2)
Introduction to journalistic storytelling, including writing, editing, and design. Emphasis on practical application of basic skills needed in multimedia newsrooms. Observation of student media required. 
    Open only to students majoring in journalism or telecommunications. 

108 Foundations of Journalism: Great Stories and Storytellers (1)
Introduction to the role of journalism in the United States with emphasis on the coverage of significant events and contributions of journalists who helped shape history and the profession. 
    Open only to students majoring in journalism or telecommunications. 

109 Foundations of Journalism: Ethical and Legal Principles (1)
Introduction to legal and ethical issues facing today’s journalism professional. Overview of basic tenets, including the First Amendment, libel, privacy, and intellectual property. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101. 

120 Newsgathering: Research (1)
Methods for identifying sources and assessing their reliability. Develops critical thinking skills needed to select, evaluate, synthesize, organize, and present information. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101; NEWS 105, 108; and successful completion of a departmental language usage proficiency exam. 

121 Newsgathering: Interviewing (1)
Strategies for preparing and conducting interviews. Emphasis on effective questioning techniques, notetaking, and the development of listening skills through in-class and field assignments. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101; NEWS 105, 108; and successful completion of a departmental language usage proficiency exam. 

122 Journalistic Storytelling: Covering Events (1)
Exploration of storytelling across multiple platforms. Preparation of stories using the inverted pyramid, soundbites, video, and online layering. Emphasis on news conferences, speeches, and sport events. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101; NEWS 105, 108; and successful completion of a departmental language usage proficiency exam. 

130 Multimedia: Design (1)
Introduction to basic multimedia design principles, visual communication theory and practice, typography, color, layout presentation, and design history. Emphasis on relationship between design and storytelling. 
    Open only to students majoring in journalism or telecommunications. 

131 Multimedia: Stills (1)
Introduction to still photography and its relationship to the multimedia storytelling process. Includes acquisition, selection and editing of photographs; composition and lighting; history, ethics, and legal principles.
     Open only to students majoring in journalism or telecommunications.

132 Multimedia: Audio (1)
Introduction to the role of sound in the multimedia storytelling process. Includes acquisition, selection, and editing of sound; proper recording techniques; ethical and legal principles. 
    Open only to students majoring in journalism or telecommunications.

133 Multimedia: Video (1)
Introduction to the role of moving pictures in the multimedia storytelling process. Includes acquisition, selection, and editing of video; proper recording techniques and professional standards; ethical and legal principles. 
    Open only to students majoring in journalism or telecommunications.

221 Journalistic Storytelling: Covering Issues (3)
Developing issue-based news stories from idea to final presentation using traditional and emerging media technologies. Emphasis on topics related to the community, government, and the courts. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 120, 121, 122. 

229 Multimedia: Production (3)
The use of video, stills, and graphics as elements of journalistic storytelling. Includes shooting and editing video and photos, creating photo galleries and audio slideshows. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 130, 131, 132, 133. 
    Not open to journalism majors or telecommunications majors or minors. 

233 Multimedia: Reporting (3)
Development of multimedia reporting skills with an emphasis on the continuous update format and packaging stories for various platforms. Production of integrated news or feature stories for varied media. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103; NEWS 131, 132, 133, 221; or NEWS 105, 229. 

234 Multimedia: Graphics (3)
Survey of page design, type, and color theories, graphics reporting, Web design, and multimedia storytelling. Introduces the concepts of journalistic visual editing, journalistic graphics technology, and the history of visual journalism. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103; NEWS 120, 121, 122, 131, 132, 133. 
    Open only to students pursuing a program of study in the journalism department. 

235 Multimedia: Photos (3)
Photojournalism in a multimedia world including basic digital photography, portable lighting, news value, history, and industry standard ethical concepts. DSLR camera, lens, and portable flash required for this course. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 103; NEWS 120, 121, 122, 131, 132, 133. 

240 Current Issues and News Experience (1)
Discussion of current events and issues of international, national, state, local, and campus importance, with emphasis on how these events are covered. Story submissions to campus media required. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101; NEWS 105. 

270 Audience Analysis: Communities (1)
Discussion of current events and issues of international, national, state, local, and campus importance, with emphasis on how these events are covered. Story submissions to campus media required. 
    Prerequisite: JOUR 101; NEWS 105. 

315 News Editing (2)
Theory and practice in editing across media platforms with emphasis on the role of editors, content planning and direction; story development and organization; presentation techniques to maximize audience impact; and proper language usage. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221. 

339 Social Media and Audience Interactivity (3)
Exploration of interactive news products and delivery systems with emphasis on usability and emerging technologies. 
    Not open to journalism majors or telecommunications majors or minors. 

340 Current Issues and Newsroom Leadership (1)
Exploration of current events, with an emphasis on their importance and context. Students serve as peer mentors to those enrolled in NEWS 240. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 240. 

370 Audience Analysis: Operations (1)
Use of audience measurement data, economic trends, and news management techniques to analyze, identify, and shape an effective news product. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 240. 

397 Immersion: Special Topics (3-9)
Participation in a project-based immersive experience designed to enhance racial, socio-economic, gender, or cultural awareness. Extensive preparation and presentation of a significant multimedia project. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221, 233 or 234 or 235 with a grade of C or better; junior standing; permission of the department chairperson. 
    A total of 9 hours of credit may be earned. 
    Open only to journalism or telecommunications majors.

409 Foundations of Journalism: Ethical and Legal Issues (2)
The relationship between the government and the American news media, with particular emphasis on contemporary legal and ethical issues. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 109, 221; junior standing. 

418 Specialty Reporting (2-6)
Development of reporting and writing skills needed to communicate the complexities of topics such as science, environment, business, or education to diverse media audiences. Topic of course will be announced in advance of each offering. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221. 
    A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned. 

449 Legal and Ethical Issues (3)
Examination of ethical and legal issues facing journalists, including libel, privacy, intellectual property, privacy and freedom of expression with an emphasis on emerging media journalism. 
    Not open to journalism majors or telecommunications majors or minors. 

497 Immersion: Student Media (3)
Intensive student-driven media experience incorporating journalistic storytelling. Student teams produce tangible, professional-quality media content. May not be taken concurrently with NEWS 397. 
    Prerequisite: NEWS 221, 233 or 234 or 235; junior standing; permission of the department chairperson.