Department of Journalism

Before enrolling in Journalism 312, each student must receive a passing score on the Department of Journalism Word Processing Test (typing skills only). In addition, students must apply to the department for consent to enroll in Journalism 312, 320R, 321K, 324K, 325, 325K, 325L, 343R, 370K, 371K, and 379. Information about the word processing test and the consent procedure is available in the departmental office.

Unless otherwise stated in the description below, each class meets for three lecture hours a week for one semester. Because prerequisites are subject to change, students should consult the Course Schedule before registering.

Journalism: J

Lower-Division Courses

309. Communication Technology and Society.

Study of communication technologies, their uses in interpersonal, group, mass, and international contexts, and the impact of technologies on work.

310. Critical Thinking for Journalists.

Aims to develop the student's ability to acquire, comprehend, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information by solving journalistic problems in a variety of cases and from multiple perspectives.

310K. Visual Literacy.

An introduction to the visual concerns of message design and interpretation, including their bases in theories of visual perception, semiotics, and media practice.

311K. Photographic Communication.

Introduction to discussing, using, and taking still photographs. Introduction to the use of the 35-mm single-lens reflex camera; students must provide their own cameras. Three lecture hours and one and one-half laboratory hours a week for one semester. Journalism 311K and 321M may not both be counted.

312. Writing for the Mass Media.

Introduction to the fundamental writing and fact-gathering skills of journalism and public relations for print and electronic media. Two lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 310 and 310K with a grade of at least C in each, a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test, and a passing score on the Department of Journalism Word Processing Test.

314. Copyediting.

Fundamentals of copyediting for print media, including selection, processing, and display of news and other information; studies in reader interests, readability, clarity, verification, and style. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 310, 310K, and 312 with a grade of at least C in each and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

Upper-Division Courses

320R. Broadcast News.

Development of news broadcasting skills: reporting, writing, microphone and camera technique, use of news tape. Two lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Journalism 322 with a grade of at least C and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

Topic 1: Specialized Reporting. Study and practice of different styles of television news broadcasting; introduction to the use of news tape and to microphone and camera technique. Additional prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Topic 2: Sports as News. Problems in radio-television coverage of athletic events. Additional prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Topic 3: Problems of Radio-Television News Coverage. News coverage practicum, with emphasis on preparation of news reports for KUT/90.5 MHz. Additional prerequisite: Journalism 320R (Topic 1) with a grade of at least C and consent of instructor.

Topic 4: News Documentaries and Public Affairs. Study and practice of gathering, writing, and producing documentaries of significant events. Additional prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

321K. Projects in Professional Experience.

Internships to be arranged by student and approved by instructor. Internship to be arranged; in addition, one and one-half lecture hours a week are required for public relations majors. Offered on the pass/fail basis only. May be taken only once. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test. Each student must also have earned a grade of at least C in the following course or courses appropriate to his or her area of concentration: broadcast news: Journalism 320R (Topic 1: Specialized Reporting); magazine journalism: Journalism 327; news and public affairs: Journalism 322; photojournalism: Journalism 325K; public relations: Journalism 312, 327, 333, 348, and 377K; or, for students with approval to complete a graphics internship, Journalism 336.

321L. Intensive Writing/Editing.

Training in fundamentals of news gathering, writing, and editing for advanced students with no previous journalism. Prerequisite: Ability to type and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

322. News Reporting.

Advanced development of skills in gathering and writing news for print and broadcast media. Two lecture hours and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 310, 310K, and 312 with a grade of at least C in each; ability to type; and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

323. International News Survey.

Survey of international news flow patterns, barriers to free news flow, comparative studies of the foreign press, and the role of foreign correspondents and international news agencies. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

324. Newspaper Editing and Layout.

Newspaper typography, layout, and editing. Graphics techniques and production processes; planning content and format of newspapers; copydesk management. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing, Journalism 314 and 336 with a grade of at least C in each, and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

324K. Layout and Editing for Photojournalism.

Design principles, typography, and printing processes, with emphasis on the use of the photographic image. Principles and practices of photographic picture editing. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Journalism 324K and 336 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.

325. Photography I.

Technical, aesthetic, and communication requirements for professional photography, including darkroom technique. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 310, 310K, 312, and 324K (or 336 [Visual Design: Photojournalism]) with a grade of at least C in each; consent of instructor; and either Journalism 311K with a grade of at least B or a passing score on the Photojournalism Entrance Test and approval of portfolio by photojournalism faculty members.

325K. Photography II.

Advanced concerns of professional photography, with emphasis on location assignments for print media; color photography. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 325 with a grade of at least C and consent of instructor.

325L. Photography III.

Continuation of Journalism 325 and 325K, with emphasis on completion of a portfolio. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 325K with a grade of at least C and consent of instructor.

327. Feature Writing.

Procedures in gathering material for feature stories, with stress on newspaper articles; analysis of reader appeal; study of feature story structure; development of style by practice in writing feature stories. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test; additional prerequisite for journalism majors: Journalism 310, 310K, and 312 with a grade of at least C in each.

329K. The Mass Media and Society.

Readings, lectures, films, guest speakers, and panel discussions on views of functions, role, and social responsibility of the mass media in modern society. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

332. History of Photography.

People, events, influences, and major works in the field of still photography. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

333. Principles of Public Relations.

Public relations theories, principles, and practices, including ethical and legal considerations. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; Journalism 310 and 310K with a grade of at least C in each; credit with a grade of at least C or registration for Journalism 312; and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

336. Visual Design.

Design and production of magazines and public relations materials; design principles, typography, copyfitting and photosizing, printing processes and color reproduction, imposition and camera-ready copy. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Journalism 324K and 336 may not both be counted. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; Journalism 310, 310K, and 312 with a grade of at least C in each; and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

337. Advanced Visual Design.

Execution of projects (primarily in print media) to provide broad experience in layout and graphic design. One lecture hour and six laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: For journalism majors, Journalism 324K or 336 with a grade of at least C and approval of portfolio by instructor; for others, Journalism 336 or approval of portfolio by instructor.

343R. Advanced Broadcast News.

Examination and practice of electronic newsgathering of an advanced level. Two lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 320R (Topic 1: Specialized Reporting) and 320R (Topic 3: Problems of Radio News Coverage) with a grade of at least C in each, consent of instructor, and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

348. Writing for Public Relations.

Analysis and mastery of written communication techniques and public relations concepts. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; Journalism 310, 310K, 312, and 333 with a grade of at least C in each; and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

351. Science Writing and Reporting.

Explores ways of presenting scientific, medical, and engineering developments, and their effects on society, in the print and electronic media. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

352. Topics in Journalism.

Contemporary social, professional, and intellectual concerns in the practice of journalism. Lecture and/or laboratory hours as required by the topic. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Varies with the topic and is given in the Course Schedule.

Topic 1: Fundamentals of Journalism Practices. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Topic 2: Community Journalism. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Topic 3: Magazine Management. Three lecture hours a week for one semester.

Topic 4: Journalist as Novelist. Same as American Studies 370 (Topic 9: Journalist as Novelist) and English 379M (Topic 1: Journalist as Novelist). Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Nine semester hours of lower-division English, including English 316K or the equivalent.

Topic 5: Computer-Assisted Reporting. Two lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester.

359. Mass Media and Minorities.

Same as Latin American Studies 322 (Topic 10: Mass Media and Minorities) and Mexican American Studies 374 (Topic 22: Mass Media and Minorities). Survey of minority communication problems: alienation, fragmentation, media access; criticism and feedback for minority groups based on racial/ethnic background, age, sex, disability, social or economic class, and sexual orientation. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

360. Media Law and Ethics.

Social and ethical responsibilities; legal rights and restrictions, including Constitutional guarantees, libel, invasion of privacy, and contempt of court. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

361. Reporting Urban News.

Study of community news sources; reporting on courts and city and county government; emphasis on fact-finding and skill in writing; in-depth reporting of significant events. Two lecture hours and six hours of laboratory reporting a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 322 with a grade of at least C and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

363. Theories of Mass Communication.

Comparative study of views and theories of communication through the mass media; theories of perception and communication; information and recall involving newspapers, magazines, and electronic media. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

368. Advanced Feature Writing.

Analysis of writing in current publications; research for writing; preparing scientific and technical material for nontechnical readers; development of style; free-lance markets. Prerequisite: Journalism 327 with a grade of at least C, or upper-division standing and consent of instructor; and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

369. Politics and Publicity.

News media leadership in the creation of public opinion on issues, candidates, and governmental policies. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing and consent of instructor.

370K. Advanced Photojournalism.

Projects in intensive photographic reportage and documentation. Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Journalism 325K with grade of at least C, consent of instructor, and approval of portfolio by photojournalism faculty members.

371K. Photographic Illustration.

Three lecture hours and four laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Journalism 325K with a grade of at least C, consent of instructor, and approval of portfolio by photojournalism faculty members.

375. Magazine Editing and Desktop Publishing.

Processes of creative editing; magazine layout; principles, procedures, and problems related to general magazines, company publications, and business journals. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 327 and 336 with a grade of at least C in each and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

376. History of Journalism.

Development of the mass media; social, economic, and political factors that have contributed to change. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.

377K. Public Relations Campaigns.

Analysis, planning, and implementation concepts for public relations programs, including case-study applications. Comprehensive integration of communication theory, research, and methods. Three class hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Journalism 333, 336, 348, and Communication 360 with a grade of at least C in each and a passing score on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test.

378. Media Management.

Newspaper and broadcast management decision making in areas of operations, personnel, content, promotion, finance, and governmental regulations. May be repeated for credit when the topics vary. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing in the College of Communication.

379. Journalism Research Projects.

Designed to give students the opportunity to pursue special studies for which separate courses have not been organized. The equivalent of nine laboratory hours a week for one semester. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of the chairman of the department.

379H. Honors Tutorial Course.

Conference course of intensive study, planned by Journalism Honors Committee; research and the writing of a substantial paper on a special journalism topic. Individual instruction. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of the chairman of the department.

28 August 1996. Registrar's Web Team
Comments to rgcat@utxdp.dp.utexas.edu