COMM 305 Media Law and Ethics
COMM 306 Broadcast News
COMM 417 Advertising
JOUR 310 Advanced News Writing and
Reporting
JOUR 311 Television News Production
JOUR 312 Photojournalism
JOUR 410 Feature Writing
JOUR 411 Advanced Editing, Layout, and
Design
JOUR 412 Copy Editing
JOUR 413 Gathering Information:
Computer Assisted Reporting
JOUR 414 International Communication:
Global Journalism
JOUR 415 News Analysis and Opinion
Writing
JOUR 490 Internship in Journalism
JOUR 491 Research in Mass
Communications and Journalism
This course will introduce students to the study of legal and ethical issues in the media. Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of these issues and the ability to analyze the important legal and ethical issues involved with the mass media industry.
COMM 306 Broadcast News: Techniques of
gathering, analyzing, and writing news and features for broadcast. Practice in
interviewing, observation, and use of documentary references that include
computer information retrieval and analysis skills.
COMM 417
Advertising
To gain an understanding of the role of advertising
and how an advertising agency functions and examines global issues impacting
advertising and the increasingly global nature of advertising campaigns.
Understand the role of diverse cultures in selecting and targeting ad
campaigns. Students will be introduced to key concepts and approaches in the
industry. The course proceeds through a combination of lectures, seminars,
workshops and readings.
COMM 418 Public
Relations
Study of the basic concepts and principles of public relations. This course will show you that there is a promising future for those who understand that the value of public relations is in its strategic application. The objectives of this course are to learn and gather, analyze, organize, synthesize and communicate information needed in public relations profession
JOUR311
Television News Production
Reporting, preparation and presentation of news for television. Discussion and practice in writing, reporting, videotaping and editing news for TV. Analysis of TV writing problems: use of photographs, graphics and video tape as visuals; uses of sound in TV news; and ethical problems of the TV reporter and editor. Prerequisite COMM 306 and JOUR 311
JOUR312 Photojournalism: This is an introductory
photojournalism course focusing on the basics of light, camera operation, and
the use of chemical and digital darkrooms. It includes instruction in spot news
and feature photography as well as instruction in ethics, privacy and law.
JOUR 410 Feature Writing: To introduce
students to the world of the magazine and show them what it takes to
participate in that world as a professional. Main focus will given on the
article, the editorial heart and soul of the magazine. An article is an idea
first. Then, it's research (library, observation, reporting, interviewing,
participating, surveying). Then, it's planning organizing, structuring.
Finally, it's writing. And all of this must be done with sensitivity to
audience. Each aspect of that development will be covered in this course.
JOUR 412
Copy Editing: Copyediting and headline
writing for newspapers; emphasis on grammar and style. Problems in evaluation,
display, makeup, and processing of written and pictorial news matter under time
pressure.
JOUR 413
Gathering Information: Computer Assisted Reporting
This is study of and practice
in using electronic resources (records, databases, internet, etc.) to gather
information for publication. And it is
a core course required of all mass communication and journalism majors.
JOUR 414 International
Communication
A survey of concepts, issues, and developments in the field of international communication. Encompass the international economic, political, and structural contexts in which the communication and information industries and nations interact.
JOUR 415 News Analysis and
Opinion Writing:
Study of editorials, editorial columns, commentary pieces, reviews and
criticism. Development and refinement of skills and techniques for
writing news analysis, editorials, and opinion articles. Examines editorial
boards, generating ideas for columns, and writing book, theater and film
criticism. Provides practice in writing opinion pieces for publication. Techniques
for understanding, analyzing, and reporting on complex events and issues.
JOUR 490 Internship in Journalism (six
credit hours)
The internship course in Mass Communications is a
field-based course in which students have an opportunity to apply or
demonstrate writing, editing, public relations, advertising, layout and design
skills in a real world setting. They will be placed in local newspapers, Wire
Services, Texarkana Chamber of Commerce and other industries doing reporting,
writing press releases, copy editing and desktop publishing, public relations
and advertising related jobs. Students also will have an opportunity to work in
the offices of state, federal, and locally elected officials. Students will be
engaged in meaningful tasks and assignments that contribute to their
understanding of how media industries operate. Students will find their own
placements. However, department of Mass Communications will help students
networking with professional organizations.
JOUR 491 Independent Research in Mass Communications and Journalism
Variable credit (one to three hours):
A supervised course tailored to specific student interests. It provides
opportunities for independent reading, research, and experimentation on
relevant issues in mass communications. The
professor and student develop a syllabus that permits exploration of advanced
or specialized topics or analysis of current issues and practices in journalism
and mass communications. Prerequisites: Two semesters of Mass Communications
and approval of Mass Communications Program Director.