Spring 08

JRN 101-B or JRN103-G JRN 102 JRN 108-F JRN 110 JRN 111 JRN 201 JRN 210 JRN 211 JRN 220 JRN 288 JRN 301 JRN 310 JRN 320 JRN 330 JRN 331 JRN 332 JRN 333 JRN 334 * JRN 335 JRN 336 * JRN 337 JRN 345 * JRN 350

JRN 360 JRN 361 JRN 362 JRN 363 *   JRN 364 * JRN 370 JRN 371 JRN 379 * JRN 380 JRN 381 * JRN 382 JRN 390 JRN 391 JRN 410 * JRN 411 JRN 435 JRN 475 JRN 476 JRN 487 JRN 488 JRN 490 *

JRN 101-B or JRN 103-G News Literacy How do you know if you’re getting the truth from the news media? This course is designed to prepare students to become more discriminating news consumers. It will examine standards of reliability and accuracy in news gathering and presentation, and seek to establish the differences between news and propaganda, assertion and verification, bias and fairness, and infotainment and journalism. Students will be encouraged to critically examine news broadcasts, newspaper articles and Web sites. Visiting journalists will be questioned about the journalistic process and decision-making.  Previously offered as a topic to EGL 390-G (spring 2006).  Not for credit in addition to EGL 390 with that topic.  JRN 101 and JRN 103 are mutually exclusive; JRN 101 cannot be taken for credit in addition to JRN 103 or vice versa.

3 credits

 

JRN102 Colloquium on the News

This course is designed to introduce students to the journalistic process and expose them to some of the leading newsmakers in the area. Students will be expected to do research on timely issues in the news and prepare questions for visitors who will conduct periodic press conferences. Students will be expected to learn basic research and interviewing skills, as well as develop an appreciation of current news issues.  Previously offered as JRN 285.  Not for credit in addition to JRN 285.

1 credit

 

JRN 108-F The History and Future of the American Press

This course traces the history of the American press from pre-American Revolution to post-Internet revolution. It examines the political, economic and technological forces that shaped the news media and how the press, in turn, influenced American government, politics and society. Topics will include freedom of the press, the rise of the popular press, war and the press, the press and presidents, the impact of investigative journalism, the evolution of radio and TV news, and the advent of 24/7 online news.  Previously offered as JRN 280.  Not for credit in addition to JRN 280.

3 credits

 

JRN 110 News I: Basic News Reporting and Writing

            An introduction to reporting and writing the news, including defining what is newsworthy. This is a foundation for all other courses in the journalism program. Through weekly assignments students will develop a mastery of the basic elements of writing a news story that conforms to standards of clarity, accuracy and fairness. An emphasis is placed on gaining practical experience through reporting on classroom, campus and community events. The development of basic skills is accompanied by the exploration of the role of the press in a free society. Previously offered as JRN 287.  Not for credit in addition to JRN 287. This course must be taken in conjunction with JRN 111.

Prerequisite: D.E.C. category A

Mandatory corequisite: JRN 111

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 101-B or JRN 103-G

3 credits

 

JRN 111 - Writing Immersion Lab

This lab, which must be taken in conjunction with JRN 110, is a writing immersion lab in grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Students who pass a proficiency test will be exempt from the attending the lab but all students enrolled in JRN 110 must register for JRN 111 for grading purposes. Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory grading only. Students must receive a Satisfactory grade in order to continue in the JRN program.

Prerequisite: D.E.C. category A

Mandatory corequisite: JRN 110

0 credits

S/U grading

 

JRN 201 Journalism That Changed the World

This course is designed to give students an appreciation for the power of the press to work on behalf of the public interest. It is designed as a case study course in which students examine major, contemporary stories in broadcast and print that have had a significant impact on society. Included are case studies of Watergate, coverage of the Civil Rights movement, revelations of local corruption on Long Island, and the disclosure of ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, among other stories. Students also will be assigned to read, watch and study earlier examples of public service journalism. Journalists who participated in the case studies will visit class and discuss their stories.

Prerequisite: D.E.C. category A

Co- or prerequisite: JRN 101-B or JRN 103-G

3 credits

 

JRN 210 News II: Beat Reporting

Building on their work in JRN 110, students select and develop a news beat, with an emphasis on finding stories, developing sources, interviewing, and research methods. Students become better acquainted with newspaper style, writing to a fixed word-length, using numbers accurately, and writing on deadline. Previously offered as JRN 387.  Not for credit in addition to JRN 387. This course must be taken in conjunction with JRN 211.

Prerequisite: JRN 110

Mandatory corequisite: JRN 211 (starting in Fall 2008)

3 credits

 

JRN 211 News II: Quantitative Literacy Lab (Starting in Fall 2008)

This lab, which must be taken in conjunction with JRN 210, is a “quantitative literacy” immersion lab in the proper use of numbers and statistics in newswriting. Students who pass a proficiency test will be exempt from the attending the lab but all students enrolled in JRN 210 must register for JRN 211 for grading purposes. Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory grading only. Students must receive a Satisfactory grade in order to continue in the JRN program.

Mandatory corequisite: JRN 210 (starting in Fall 2008)

0 credits

S/U grading

 

JRN 220 Media Law and Ethics

This course examines how journalists do their work from the perspectives of legal and ethical parameters. It will provide an introduction to the legal foundation that supports freedom of the press and examine current law on such subjects as source confidentiality, access to documents, libel and invasion of privacy. Students also will examine ethical codes that guide journalists, including standards regarding independence, accountability, truth-telling, protecting sources, and study conflicts that arise when journalistic principles clash with real-life dilemmas.

Prerequisites: JRN 110 and JRN 111

3 credits

 

JRN 288 On-Campus Internship

Students work for up to two semesters on a campus news publication or broadcast outlet for credit. Students will keep a weekly log and attend monthly meetings with their faculty sponsor. Not for credit in addition to the JRN 288 that was offered prior to Fall 2006.

Prerequisite: JRN 210 and JRN 211; 12 credits of journalism; permission of department

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 310 if broadcast internship;

1 credit. May be repeated for a maximum of 2 credits.

 

JRN 301 Journalism 24/7

This course examines the rapidly evolving media landscape and the implications for journalism and journalists. Students examine the revolutionary changes in digital technology, dramatically shifting patterns of media consumption, the rise of non-traditional competition, the challenges of serving a more diverse audience, accelerating media consolidation and explore alternative visions for the impact on content, standards, business models and jobs in the next decade.

Prerequisite: JRN 108; JRN 110 and JRN 111

3 credits

 

JRN 310 News III: Reporting and Writing for Broadcast

Students learn to report and write news stories for radio and television. Students will become acquainted with the proper use of sounds and visuals in broadcast reporting and learn how to write news scripts to time. Class is held in production/workshop environment. Additional hours in television studio and editing facilities are required.

Prerequisite: JRN 210 and JRN 211; Minors must have JRN 110 and JRN 111 and permission of department

3 credits

 

JRN 320 The Promise and Perils of Online Journalism

This course examines the challenges presented by the explosion of journalism on the Internet and assesses the role of the journalist in an online society. Students are exposed to both practical skills and a broader understanding of issues. Topics include how journalists add value to information online, writing and editing for the Web, the use of interactive tools, blogs and podcasts, and an elementary understanding of Web design. At the same time, students explore issues of privacy, the Internet’s potential threat to traditional journalistic standards and how online publishing is creating new audiences. Students will critique news Web sites, participate in a blog and podcast, create a news Web page, and produce an online story package. Course includes two lectures and a weekly three-hour lab in the use of digital tools.

Prerequisite: JRN 210 and JRN 211; JRN 301      

3 credits

 

JRN 330 Investigative & In-Depth Journalism

This course emphasizes development of investigative and in-depth reporting techniques, including the use of public records, developing documented sources, confrontational interviewing and organizing and analyzing complex data. Students also will become familiar with the elements of computer-assisted reporting. Students will be required to complete a team and an individual project. Previously offered as JRN 389.  Not for credit in addition to JRN 389.

Prerequisite: JRN 310

Advisory prerequisite: AMS 102-C (Elements of Statistics)

3 credits

 

JRN 331 Specialized Beat Reporting (Government)

Students become acquainted with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a specialist in the area of government and public affairs reporting. In seminar format students meet and question broadcast and print beat reporters in the areas of government, politics, the courts, police and education. Four class sessions meet at SBU Manhattan campus. Students may participate via video conferencing to the main campus. Note: This class is only offered in the fall semester. Students may take either JRN 331 or JRN 332, but not both, to satisfy a requirement of the major.

Prerequisite: JRN 310

Advisory prerequisites: POL 367-F (Mass Media in American Politics)

3 credits

 

JRN 332 Specialized Beat Reporting (Culture and Lifestyle)

Students become acquainted with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a specialist in the areas of culture, arts and lifestyle and sports. In seminar format students meet and question beat reporters in the areas of film, theatre, art, fashion, food, architecture and sports. Four class sessions meet at SBU Manhattan campus. Students may participate via video conferencing to main campus. Note: This course is only offered in the spring semester. Students may take JRN 331 or JRN 332, but not both, to satisfy a requirement of the major.

Prerequisite: JRN 310

Advisory prerequisites: SOC 330-F (Media and Society).

3 credits

 

JRN 333 Business Reporting

This course provides practical training for journalism students interested in a possible career in business reporting. It seeks to provide the basic understanding and skills to report on business and consumer news and economic trends. Goals include learning how to read and understand financial statements, how to identify and access relevant public documents and how to interpret basic economic data and statistics. Students profile a public company on Long Island or in New York City, and learn how to write a business story that conforms to standards of accuracy and context. They will be encouraged to visit major financial institutions, public markets and regulatory agencies in New York City. Students also will examine business stories and controversies in the news from the perspective of the business community and journalists.

Prerequisite: JRN 310

Advisory Prerequisites: ECO 108-F (Introduction to Economics), BUS 110 (Business in the 21^st Century)

3 credits

 

* JRN 334 Science and Health Reporting

This course examines the various components of reporting and writing science and health news, areas of increasing importance and complexity. Topics include identifying major sources of news, the process by which research becomes news, scientific ethics and potential conflict-of-interest, accurately interpreting scientific data for the public, reporting on risk assessment, and translating scientific jargon. Students explore science and health controversies in the news from the dual perspectives of scientific uncertainty and media coverage. Students will report and write one news story based on a journal study and an in-depth story based on the work of a scientist or health researcher on campus.

Prerequisites: JRN 310, completion of D.E.C categories E and H

Advisory Prerequisite: AMS 102-C (Elements of Statistics)

3 credits

 

JRN 335 Reporting in New York City

Students are based in the news bureau at the university’s Manhattan extension, reporting from key sources of news in New York City, including City Hall, the federal courts, the New York Stock Exchange and the United Nations. This course is only offered during the summer and winter semesters.

Prerequisite: JRN 310; permission of department

3 credits

 

* JRN 336 Sports Reporting

This course provides practical training for students interested in a career in sports journalism, from the basics of game coverage to more complex stories that reflect the importance of sports in cultural systems. Students will work toward an understanding of how to report and write about such topics as the business of sports and gender and racial issues in sports. Students will cover events and practice writing on deadline, study the differences in reporting for print, online and broadcast, and learn how to inject interpretation and color into their coverage without losing professionalism.

Prerequisite: JRN 310

Advisory Prerequisites: PHY 113-E Physics of Sports, PSY 240-F, Survey in Social Psychology

3 credits

 

JRN 337 Introduction to Narrative Journalism

Building on students’ experiences in newswriting, this course examines the reporting and writing of longer stories and more textured feature stories. There will be an emphasis on focus, structure and storytelling, including the rudiments of developing style and a narrative voice. Students will be expected to write several original enterprise stories. They also will explore the similarities and differences in telling stories in print, online and in broadcast formats. Previously offered as JRN 288, “Feature Writing.”  Not for credit in addition to JRN 288, “Feature Writing,” that was offered prior to Fall 2006.

Prerequisite: JRN 210 and JRN 211

Advisory Prerequisite: EGL 399 (Special Topics: Journalists as Novelists)

3 credits

 

* JRN 345 The Global and Ethnic Press

An increasingly diverse society requires media that understand and respond to diverse information needs. Developments in travel and communications, and recent immigration patterns, have produced a vibrant domestic press that focuses on ethnic communities, including a booming ethnic press in New York City. Students will examine the role these publications and TV channels play, how they differ from traditional media, how well they do their job, and whether they provide any lessons for the mainstream American press. Students also will study English-language overseas media and compare to U.S. media in terms of ethical standards, objectivity and political independence.

1 credit

 

JRN 350 The Principles of Editing

This course examines the fundamentals of editing, for all media, with emphasis on critical thinking, maximizing accuracy, removing bias and providing context. Students will practice editing for print, broadcast and online before completing a culminating project involving editing the same story across three different platforms.

Prerequisites: JRN 310

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 320

3 credits

 

JRN 360 Advanced Writing and Reporting for Print and Web

Students concentrating in print journalism learn to report and write more complex explanatory and interpretative stories. In addition to weekly assignments, students will undertake a major project designed to showcase their ability to explain or interpret a major trend or news development. There also will be an online component.

Prerequisite: JRN 310, JRN 337

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 350

3 credits

 

JRN 361 News Editing and Presentation / Print

Students master editing and presentation skills for newspapers and magazines, with emphasis on story selection and news play, copy editing, headline writing, choosing photographs, producing graphics and page design.  Previously offered as JRN 395.  Not for credit in addition to JRN 395.

Prerequisite: JRN 350

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 360

3 credits

 

JRN 362 Magazine Journalism

This course is designed for students who may be interested in a career in magazine journalism. Students will study magazine writing, editing and production for general interest magazines, the booming market in specialty magazines, and the growing market in sports, lifestyle and entertainment magazines. Students will report and write a major magazine story for possible publication in a targeted magazine.

Prerequisite: JRN 337, JRN 350

3 credits

 

JRN 363 Advanced Narrative Journalism / Print

Creating compelling stories for print requires observation, description, dialogue, action, development of characters, setting of scene and voice. This class is designed to teach students advanced techniques of narrative writing. Students will write a number of original stories.

Prerequisite: JRN 337

3 credits

 

* JRN 364 In-Depth Reporting / Print

            This course is designed to prepare student journalists to get to the bottom of complex stories through probing reporting that will seek rich detail and context. Students will work independently under the supervision of a “City Editor” to produce one in-depth story of approximately 1,500 words during the semester. These stories will delve deeply into the subject matter. Students will meet regularly with the City Editor in a seminar setting to discuss procedures, ideas, progress, to brainstorm and to share their experiences and assess their progress. They also will work independently on all aspects of developing their stories. Students will be graded on a number of benchmarks such as story proposal, revised proposal, quality of research and reporting, drafts of the story and the final story. It is the goal that the stories be published.

Prerequisite: JRN 310

3 credits

 

JRN 370 Advanced Reporting and Writing for Broadcast and Web

Building on JRN 310, this course will help students to develop their broadcast writing skills more fully, expand their television reporting skills, strengthen their use of video and audio narratives within television news stories and learn to edit news stories for

television more effectively. As future journalists, students will be treated as professional reporters/producers and photographers/editors. Story ideas will be discussed as a group with the professor and with the class before assignments are approved. News packages

completed in class will be used in newscasts produced by students in JRN 371.

Prerequisite: JRN 310

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 350

3 credits

 

JRN 371 Television Production

This course is designed to introduce students to planning, assembling, producing and performing the elements of a newscast. Students will be exposed to the roles of key members of a newscast team, including producers, assistant producers, reporters, writers,

anchors and video photographers and editors. There will be emphasis on developing decision-making and on-air skills, as students complete mini-newscasts and segments for broadcast. Students will be expected to meet strict deadlines and manage critical air time.

Newscast segments will be showcased on JRN Web sites.

Prerequisite: JRN 350

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 370

3 credits

 

* JRN 379 Radio News

Principles of radio news, including writing and announcing, field reporting and editing. Students will cover spot news and features, research, script and produce radio newscasts. This course is also offered as THR 379.

Prerequisite: JRN 310

3 credits

 

JRN 380 Advanced Editing & Presentation / Web

This course, designed for students interested in specializing in online news, will focus on content management and the presentation of news on the Web.  Students will have the opportunity to manage a news Web site in real time, with emphasis on around-the-clock

news judgment and presentation. Students will learn how to enhance online news through multimedia integration and reader/viewer interactivity.  Students also will study information architecture, eye-tracking studies and different ways of making the Web more accessible for readers, including layering information.  The course builds on the skills learned in JRN 320.  After completion of course overview material, students will move through three phases designed to simulate a key role in current online newsrooms. The phases include real-time content management, multimedia integration and harvesting original video. There will be emphasis on building critical thinking skills and developing team work. By the end of this course, students are to produce a complete multimedia project and integrate its production into a real-time online news site.

Prerequisite: JRN 310, JRN 320

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 350

3 credits

 

* JRN 381 Advanced Digital Storytelling.

Combining elements of text, art, video, music, and computer graphics to create interactive digital presentations. This course is also offered as THR 317

Prerequisite: JRN 350

Prerequisite or co-requisite: JRN 380

3 credits

 

JRN 382 Desktop Publishing for Journalists

This one-credit course is designed for JRN students who want to publish, promote or distribute their own work on the World Wide Web. Course work will include a brief examination of the development and structure of the Internet (concepts and terminology),

with the bulk of the course devoted to introductory page design and publishing. Students will explore the basic use of HTML (the hypertext markup language), with special emphasis given to tables, forms and cascading style sheets.

Prerequisite: JRN 320 or permission of instructor

1 credit

 

JRN 390 Special Topics: Issues in Contemporary Journalism

This special topics course will deal with timely and contemporary issues that affect journalists and journalism.  The issues could range from the press in wartime, an examination of the press’s role covering war from World War II to the current war in Iraq, and how the press covers presidential campaigns.

Prerequisite: JRN 101 or 103; U3/U4 or permission of instructor

3 credits

 

JRN 391 Journalism Workshops

This 1-credit workshop course is designed to assist students in developing skills that will be useful in various journalism courses. Topics will rotate.  Anticipated topics include Digital Photography, Databases, FOIL and Sunshine Laws, On-Air Performance, Editing Software. 

Prerequisites: JRN 101; JRN 103; permission of the department

1 credit

 

* JRN 410 Web / Print Practicum

Print and online students collaborate to report, write, edit, design and produce a weekly online newspaper. The newspaper will focus on the campus and surrounding community, and include breaking news, features, and strong interactive elements.

Prerequisites: JRN 360 or JRN 380

Prerequisites or Co-prerequisites: JRN 361 or JRN 381

3 credits

 

JRN 411 Television Practicum

This is a capstone course for students specializing in video. This day-long workshop class meets on Fridays from 9 am to 6 pm, with an hour break for lunch. Each week, students will produce and broadcast a half-hour, live newscast that will be broadcast on the Web and on a campus news channel. The class will experience the working conditions of a professional TV newsroom. Over the course of the semester, students will have the opportunity to work in each of they key jobs necessary for a successful newscast: broadcast producer, news director, anchor, field producer, reporter, video editor and member of the studio crew. Following each newscast, the news team will gather for a “postmortem” meeting. At this meeting, work will be critiqued and plans will be made for follow-up stories and the next week’s newscast. The post mortem will serve as a weekly assessment for the students. 

Prerequisite: JRN 370, permission of the instructor

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 371

3 credits

 

JRN 435 Journalism Without Walls

This course, which will be offered only during winter or summer sessions, is designed for experienced and energetic journalism students. Students will be assigned as part of a team to travel to a location and using only mobile technology, transmit stories and video from the field. Their work product will be published via a special Web site. Students will have one week to research a topic or location before leaving for their destination. (A team of students, for example, might be sent to New Orleans to report on how well the community is recovering from Hurricane Katrina, or to one of the two major political conventions, or to an overseas location.) While on assignment, students will file blogs, gather multimedia and video, write and edit stories, produce a Web site and establish a

"mobile news-room." One or several instructors will accompany the students. This is a capstone course that combines students' journalistic skills, judgment and enterprise with knowledge of emerging technology.  

Prerequisite: JRN 360 or 370 or 380 and permission of department

A Passport may be required.

3 credits

 

JRN 475 Undergraduate Teaching Practicum I

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member’s regularly scheduled courses. The student must attend all classes and carry out tasks assigned by the faculty member to assist in teaching the course. The student will meet with the instructor on a regular basis to discuss intellectual and pedagogical matters relating to the course. Not for major or minor credit.

Prerequisites: U3 or U4; Permission of instructor and undergraduate program director.

3 credits, S/U grading

 

JRN 476 Undergraduate Teaching Practicum II

Work with a faculty member as an assistant in one of the faculty member’s regularly scheduled courses. Students assume greater responsibility in such areas as leading discussions and analyzing results of tests that already have been graded. The course in which the student is permitted to work as a teaching assistant must be different from the course in which he or she previously participated. Not for major or minor credit.

Prerequisites: JRN 475; permission of instructor and undergraduate program director.

3 credits, S/U grading

 

JRN 487 Independent Study

Intensive study of a special topic undertaken with close faculty supervision. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and director of undergraduate studies.

0-6 credits, S/U grading

 

JRN 488 Off-Campus Internship

Students work for a professional news outlet to further develop their newsroom skills. Each intern will be assigned a faculty adviser. Interns must keep a weekly journal, meet regularly with their adviser and complete a semester project. The adviser, in consultation with the student, will determine the form of the project. Preference for JRN 488 goes to journalism majors who have completed JRN 288.

Prerequisite: 12 credits of journalism, including JRN 210; GPA of 2.5 or better; permission of internship coordinator.

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 310 if broadcast internship

Pre- or corequisite: JRN 320 if online internship

3 credits

S/U grading

 

* JRN 490 Senior Project

In a culminating activity, students produce a major story, first in their area of concentration and then for two additional media, adding journalistic value in each case. Students attend weekly seminar and work independently under the supervision of a faculty sponsor.

Prerequisite: U-4 standing, JRN 360 or JRN 370 or JRN 380

Prerequisite or co-requisite: JRN 361 or JRN 371 or JRN 381

3 credits

                                                                                                                        Revised 11/01/07