General Catalog 2008-2009

Programs and Courses

Journalism, Mass Communications,
New Media Studies

• General Information
• Journalism Certificate
• Course Descriptions

General Information

For Information: Julie Knapp
Phone: 623.845.3914

Student Goals: Career-related, Transfer

Journalism training is based on a broad liberal arts program because the journalist must be well-rounded. In addition, the ability to put that knowledge into words is essential. Despite the tremendous technological growth now affecting news dissemination, no electronic shortcuts will replace the journalist of tomorrow. Reporters and editors will always be needed to witness events, gather facts, make news judgments, and deliver the news. Recent employment studies show that journalism and communication graduates found jobs in daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, public relations, advertising, wire services, magazines, and news broadcasting. A sizable number of graduates found non-media jobs including sales, management, and clerical positions.

Note: It is important for students planning a journalism career to consult with a journalism advisor as soon as possible so that a sequence of journalism experiences can be planned for the maximum benefit of the student.

Transferability: Journalism and Mass Communications courses vary as to acceptance at four-year institutions.

Note: Students should consult with a departmental advisor at both GCC and the four-year school to which they plan to transfer. Due to limited course offerings, degree-seeking students may find it necessary to extend completion time lines and attend both day and evening classes.

Program Description: The following recommendations will satisfy the general education requirements of most four-year colleges and universities. Students should indicate to their advisor the college to which they intend to transfer, since specific requirements in science, foreign language, etc., differ with each institution. Most schools, however, desire a broad background in English and the social sciences.

Departmental Recommendations:

JRN125 Photo Editing    JRN133 Development of Small Publications + JRN201 Newswriting    JRN215 News Production + MCO120 Media and Society + MCO220 Cultural Diversity and the Media

3 credits 3 3 3 3 3

Other Recommendations:

ART131 Photography I

3 credits

Electives:

According to individual interests, students are encouraged to choose from the following. It is strongly recommended that students consult with the journalism advisor when making choices. There is no limit on electives with the MCO or JRN prefixes.

+ ART181 Graphic Design I + ENG111 Technical Writing    JRN140 Print Media Sales    JRN235 Practicum: Public Relations    JRN236 Advanced Practicum: Public Relations    JRN240AA Special Projects (Modules AA, AB, AC)    JRN298AA Special Projects (Modules AA, AB, AC)    NMS120 Media in Cyberspace + NMS215 Electronic Newsroom    VPT102 Video Technology    VPT104 Scriptwriting

3 credits 3 3 3 3 1-3 1-3 3 3 3 3

General Education Requirements:

See approved list for AA degree here. The following courses are recommended within the General Education Requirements:

Humanities and Fine Arts: (8-9 credits)
Any approved course. Students are encouraged to choose ENH (English Lit.) and PHI.

Social and Behavioral Sciences: (6 credits) ECN211 Macroeconomic Principles (3) or ECN212 Microeconomic Principles (3) Any HIS (History) course POS110 American National Government PSY101 Introduction to Psychology

3 credits 3 3 3

ASU Requirements for a B.A. in Journalism:

Students intending to transfer into ASU’s Department of Journalism and Telecommunications may wish to take courses listed below to fulfill requirements for a BA degree in Journalism.

+ COM225 Public Speaking (3) or + COM241 Introduction to Oral Interpretation (3) + ENG210 Creative Writing (3) or + ENG215 Strategies of Academic Writing (3) or + ENG216 Persuasive Writing on Public Issues (3) or + ENG217 Personal and Exploratory Writing (3) or + ENG218 Writing About Literature (3) + MAT142 College Mathematics (3) or + MAT150 College Algebra / Functions (5) or + MAT151 College Algebra / Functions (4) or + MAT152 College Algebra / Functions (3) or higher    Any Foreign Language course Computer Science Requirement: (3 credits)    CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems (Recommended)

/ 3 credits 3 16 3

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Journalism Certificate / 18 credits

Program Description: The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Journalism prepares students to work in the publishing industry whether they have a bachelor's degree in another discipline or are just beginning their career path in journalism. The CCL includes journalism courses required by journalism schools throughout the state and country and requires an internship in journalism and a juried portfolio of published articles to complete the certificate.

Required Courses: 15 credits

Restricted Electives: 3 credits

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Course Descriptions

Course Availability: (F) Fall, (S) Spring, (D) Day, (E) Evening, (Su1) Summer 1, (Su2) Summer 2, (O) Occasionally

Journalism (JRN), Mass Communications (MCO), New Media Studies (NMS)

Journalism (JRN)

JRN125 Photo Editing / 3 credits 3 periods
Basic techniques of photo composition and editing for media reproduction. Use of cropping tools and proportion wheel. Reading contact prints and negatives. Organizing photo staff, darkroom and assignments. Effect of color vs. black and white. Basic techniques of photo essay, photo page and photo story. Prerequisites: None. (F,D)

JRN133
Development of Small Publications / 3 credits 3 periods
Design, plan and write newsletters, brochures, and advertisements. Desktop computer production and paste-up techniques. Prerequisites: None. Computer experience and (BPC138AA or BPC138AB) suggested but not required. (S,D)

JRN140
Print Media Sales / 3 credits 3 periods
Sales methods and techniques used by newspaper and magazine salespersons, including advertising sales presentations, campaigns, designs, layouts, and paste-up ads. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D)

JRN201
News Writing / 3 credits 5 periods
Writing news for the print media. Composing at the computer keyboard. Associated Press editing style, writing skills, and organizational structure for news. Prerequisites: ENG101, ENG107 or equivalent. (F,S,D,E)

JRN202
Reporting / 3 credits 5 periods
Emphasis on interviewing and in-depth reporting; mastery of reporting, rewriting skills, and legal and ethical concerns. Prerequisites: JRN201 or permission of the instructor. (O)

JRN212
Broadcast Writing / 3 credits 5 periods
Writing techniques for basic broadcast scripts; promotions, commercials, public service announcements, news leads, news stories, audio and video, sports, weather, traffic checks, five-minute newscasts, reports, using broadcast style rules. Prerequisites: MCO120 and ENG101. (O)

JRN215
News Production / 3 credits 5 periods
Writing, editing, and publishing the student newspaper. Emphasis on news judgment, page design, computer pagination, photo usage, headline writing, editorial writing, newsroom management, and legal and ethical considerations. Emphasis may vary according to student goals. Prerequisites: None. (F,S)

JRN234
Feature Writing / 3 credits 3 periods
Emphasis on crafting stylized stories for publications. Includes research, interviewing, writing techniques, editing and professional concerns. Prerequisites: ENG101 or ENG107 or equivalent. (F,E)

JRN235
Practicum: Public Relations / 3 credits 5 periods
On-campus public relations experience, including writing media releases, designing and producing promotional materials, planning events, script writing, and developing presentations. Prerequisites: BPC128, JRN133, JRN201, JRN215, MCO120 and MKT101. (S)

JRN236
Advanced Practicum: Public Relations / 3 credits 5 periods
Off-campus public relations experience integrating skills developed in previous courses. Students placed in community public relations job sites. Writing media releases, designing and producing promotional materials, planning events, script writing and developing presentations. Prerequisites: BPC128, JRN133, JRN134, JRN201, JRN215, JRN235, MCO120, and MKT101. (S)

JRN240AA Journalism Internship / 1 credit 1 period
JRN240AB Journalism Internship / 2 credits 2 periods
JRN240AC Journalism Internship / 3 credits 3 periods
Journalism work experience with a newspaper or other news organization. 80 hours of designated work per credit. Maximum of 6 credits allowed. Prerequisites: JRN215. (F,S,Su1)

JRN298
Special Projects 1-3 credits
Organized and tailored around the interests and needs of the individual student. Structured to provide an atmosphere of individualized research and study paralleled by professional expertise and guidance. Professional-type facilities and equipment available for student use. Allows the best aspects of independent study and individualized learning to be combined to maximize student development. Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or instructor. (F,S,Su1)

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Mass Communications (MCO)

MCO120
Media and Society / 3 credits 3 periods
Study of historical and contemporary roles of media and its pervasiveness in society as it related to politics, education and culture. Prerequisites: ENG101 or ENG107, or equivalent. (F,S,D,E,Su1,D)

MCO220
Cultural Diversity and the Media / 3 credits 3 periods
Images of the diverse cultures and gender issues within the U.S. media. Exploration of racial and gender roles which shape the media as well as media roles which influence U.S. race relations and racial change. Roles, contributions, and challenges of the minority press in the United States. Prerequisites: ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. (F,S,Su1,D,E)

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New Media Studies (NMS)

NMS120
Media in Cyberspace / 3 credits 3 periods
Using on-line material, investigates how the new information technologies affect the more traditional media. The effect on consumers and society. Prerequisites: None. (F,S,D)

NMS215
Electronic Newsroom / 3 credits 5 periods
Creating, writing, designing, managing, promoting, and publishing the on-line student publication through team effort. Emphasis on style, consistency, and news/information judgment combined with community involvement. Prerequisites: JRN215, or NMS120, or ENG/NMS203, or instructor approval. (F,S)

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