Journalism Courses | 2021-2022 Academic Catalog | SIU

160-3 Mass Communication in Society. Acquaints students with the history and development of the American mass media. Examines media roles in society, potential for development, weak points, and the roles consumers can and should play regarding the media.

170-3 Understanding Data Communications. This class prepares students in using numbers in communication, particularly in information from the Internet. The class focuses on using basic statistics, open data sources, creating and explaining visualizations, tables and charts, common calculated, and spreadsheet. Focus on understanding such ideas with minimal creating numbers and data.

201-3 Writing Across Platforms. Explores the concept of convergence in media writing while developing a basic understanding of journalism principles and writing skills for newspapers, online news, magazines, public relations, television and radio; develops skills in word usage, grammar, spelling and AP style for print and broadcast. Course fee: $42.

202-3 Creativity Across Platforms. Provides the basic understanding of the fundamentals of new media. Introduces students to the different software and tools that are increasingly being used in the news industry in order to tell stories and deliver content via multiple platforms. Students will learn how to create content by utilizing and integrating different content modalities such as text, audio, photographs and video. Course Fee: $42.

290-3 Writing Concepts for Media Professions. Develops language skills required by the mass media, with an emphasis on grammar and AP and APA style as applied to journalistic problems and media research. Includes study of representative works by masters of journalistic writing. Taught with mastery learning techniques.

301-3 Principles of Advertising/IMC. [IAI Course: MC 912] An introduction to integrated marketing communications elements, including advertising, direct response, sales promotion and marketing public relations, and their functions in today's communication environment. Explores research, media and message elements involved in the creation of a campaign; governmental regulations; and social and economic considerations.

302-3 Copywriting and Creative Strategy for Advertising. Study of the principles and practice in the writing of copy and visual design of persuasive messages such as advertising, sales promotion, direct response, marketing, public relations and others. Includes writing for print and broadcast media, across products and services and oral presentation of materials. Prerequisite: JRNL 301. Lab fee: $42.

303-3 Creating Advertising/IMC Messages. Examination of and practice in the development of persuasive message strategies and the writing and design of messages for all media advertising, direct response, sales promotion and marketing public relations, and oral presentations of IMC materials. Prerequisite: JRNL 301, 302 and ACTE English subscore of 22 or higher, or grade of C or higher in ENGL 290 or LING 290.

304-3 Placing Advertising Messages in the Media. Examination of the various media systems/types available to carry advertising creative messages. Emphasis is given to both the development of advertising media objectives and strategies in the context of a media plan, as well as the steps involved in the actual negotiation of specific media vehicles. Prerequisite: JRNL 301.

305-3 Direct Response Advertising/IMC. Overview of direct response advertising and its measurability; the media involved; and the strategic, tactical and creative approaches. Introduces topics such as database management, mailing lists, telemarketing, lead generation program, catalog marketing, sales promotion and business-to-business marketing communications. Prerequisite: JRNL 301, 302 and MKTG 304.

306I-3 International Media Systems. (University Core Curriculum) An overview of the mass media systems of the world; comparison of theoretical models and actual practice. Explores differing conceptual models of the mass media and their underlying philosophies; actual operations of different press systems with specific economic, political and cultural structures including historical development and current status.

307-3 Interactive Advertising/IMC. Explores the development of interactive media and their impact on integrated marketing communication and consumer behavior. Analyses the use of new media in brand building, business-to-business communication, direct response, database marketing, and sales promotions. Includes examination of strategic, planning, and communication aspects of Web sites, online advertising, e-mail marketing, CD-ROMs, interactive presentations, interactive kiosks, and more. Provides principles such as user experience, content organization, navigation development, and interface design necessary to develop persuasive interactive marketing materials. Prerequisite: JRNL 301. Course fee: $42.

310-3 Writing for the Mass Media. [IAI Course: MC 919] Emphasis on mass media writing styles; basic principles of editing; the techniques of information gathering and reporting; story organization; the use of library and on-line sources; and other basic news gathering skills. Prerequisite: Completion of ENGL 102 with grade of C or better. Lab fee: $42.

311-3 Reporting and News Writing. Continues development of news reporting skills for all media. Emphasizes personal interviews, development and use of news sources, analysis of public records, news beats and specialized reporting structures, and the professional working relationship between the writer and other news personnel. Prerequisite: JRNL 310. Lab fee: $42.

312-3 Editing. [IAI Course: MC 920] Introduces principles and techniques of editing and information management. Course emphasizes the editing of body copy and display type for maximum clarity and impact in a wide variety of news media including print, broadcast, and new media publications. Prerequisite: JRNL 310. Lab fee: $42.

313-3 Basic Photojournalism. Includes basic camera technique, digital photo imaging methods and evaluation of pictorial communication effects. Discusses the history and ethics of the profession. Student supplies own materials. Lab fee: $52.

314I-3 American Politics and the Mass Media. (University Core Curriculum) (Same as POLS 314I) The role of the mass media in American politics. Emphasis will be on the way in which the news media covers political actors and institutions, the effects of media on political behavior, and the expanding role of the internet in politics.

332-3 Journalism Law. Examination of the constitutional law of press censorship, of libel and privacy, of commercial speech and its regulation, of copyright and trademark, of access to government proceedings, and of confidentiality in newsgathering.

334-3 Ethics in Media, Culture and Society. (University Core Curriculum) (Same as PHIL 334) The purpose of this course is to discuss what it means to act ethically. Does it mean anything more than doing what is right? Are ethics for a lawyer different from a journalist or priest or doctor? How does society decide what is ethical behavior and what is not?

335-3 Graphic Communication. Explores the history of visual communication with an emphasis on the integration of text and graphic images through design. Introduces fundamental design principles and the basics of typography, color usage, picture editing, and project management, all within the context of changing communication technology and production methods. Lab fee: $42.

337-3 Video for Online Journalism. Introduces professional shooting and editing techniques to students interested in producing video stories within integrated new media storytelling for online journalism. Conduct pre- and post-production work to develop, investigate and report online news stories in a converged media environment. Prerequisite: JRNL 311 and 313 or consent. Lab fee: $42.

340-3 Media and Visual Culture. This course introduces ways of reading, analyzing, and interpreting visual media, so that we may become careful and critical observers. The goal of the course will be to understand how people both communicate meanings visually and produce visual images for media. Themes and topics to be covered include how images function as signs; politics, propaganda, and power; fashion; scientific and medical imagery; advertising and the commodification of visual images; gender and sexuality; and the global circulation of visual information. The course will draw on numerous historical and contemporary examples from journalism and advertising, film, art and architecture, television, new media and other forms of visual communication and culture. The course will be a combination of lectures and discussions, with assignments designed to help students sharpen their critical viewing, reading, and writing skills.

360-3 Magazine Management and Production. The day-to-day operations of a magazine and the techniques involved in producing a magazine. A combination of lectures and workshops in which the professor will deal individually with student projects. Each student will produce an original magazine idea and bring it to, at least, the semi-comprehensive stage of development. Lab fee: $42.

390-1 to 6 Saluki AdLab. The function of creativity and business in advertising. The mission of this course is to provide students with professional experience and exposure by applying the skills and theory from the classroom via projects with local, regional and national business and organizations. All aspects of advertising agency services will be provided. The course will be organized and structured as a business and include all the necessary policies, standards, and processes required for success. Each semester the AdLab will work with 3-5 clients. Students will be organized in teams, assigned a client, and be responsible for project management and execution. The students will also participate in the American Advertising Federation's annual National Student Advertising Competition. As a multidisciplinary course that combines practice and research, the AdLab will draw students from a wide range of disciplines. These include, but are not limited to: Advertising, Marketing, Management, English, Finance, Psychology, Sociology, Information Systems, Art & Design, Public Relations, Industrial Design, Photography, Computer Science, Radio, Television, and Digital Media, and Cinema.

396-3 Create Successful Website Content. This course instructs content creators about the most current best practices for publishing on the web. Students learn the basics of content management systems and the preparation of text, graphics and multimedia for an audience-appropriate interactive communication experience. Websites and content produced may include interactive news and information, sports and other educational training development, business marketing applications, non-governmental organization communications and professional portfolios. Topics of study also include introductions to code, copyright, social media and user experience (UX) research.

399-3 First Freedoms. (University Core Curriculum) (Same as PHIL 399) The First Amendment protects citizens from the government and sets boundaries for democratic self-government. The course encompasses free expression in all media-social, broadcast and cinema. It explores tensions between law and ethics, press freedom and privacy, intellectual freedom and equality and liberty and security.

400-3 History of Journalism. Development of American newspapers, magazines, and radio-television with emphasis on cultural, technological, and economic backgrounds of press development. Current press structures and policies will be placed in historical perspective.

402-3 Advanced Creative Strategies. Examination of and practice in the development of persuasive, strategic campaigns and message strategies for multiple clients. Creation of a professional quality portfolio demonstrating proficiency in both traditional and new media required. Prerequisite: JRNL 302.

403-3 Media Sales. Historical perspective of media and sales philosophies and tactics grounded in sales ethics. Learn and apply relationship selling techniques enabling students to become media advertising consultants. Learn how to effectively work with local clients, agencies and national firms and balance the goals of management with the needs of clients while enhancing communication effectiveness. Prerequisite: JRNL 302 and 304.

404-3 Advanced Media Strategies and Planning. Provides an understanding of the factors that influence media strategy. Emphasis will be placed on advanced concepts such as building reach patterns, calculating effective frequency levels, in order to develop an effective media plan. Introduces media planning for the web and other new media options. Prerequisite: JRNL 304.

405-3 Introduction to Mass Communication Research. Overview of communication research methods including practical training in interpretation and presentation of social science data. Introduction to survey research methods, experimental design, and use of computers for analysis of data. Presentation of data in journalistic forms and social science reports. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisite: JRNL 201 or instructor/departmental approval.

406-3 Advertising Campaigns. Conceptual synthesis and practical application of business, research, media and creative principles used in the formation of persuasive messages. Includes the development of a complete campaign for a specific advertiser. Includes all relevant target audience contact points (e.g., advertising, sales promotion, marketing public relations, event marketing, packaging) and both written and oral presentation of the campaign. Prerequisite: JRNL 304 and JRNL 405 with grades of C or better.

407-3 Social Issues and Advertising. Analysis of social issues involving advertising; economic relationships, government and self-regulation, cultural effects, influence on media content and structure, role in democratic processes, international comparisons and the stereotyping of women, minorities and other audience segments.

409-3 Specialized Topics in Advertising/IMC. New developments in advertising and integrated marketing communications. Topics change each term. Repeatable up to three times as long as the topic changes. Students should check specific topic and any special requirements and prerequisites before enrolling.

410-3 Multi-Media Publication Project. All journalistic skills and tools will combine to produce a report on a public issue important to southern Illinois. The report will be published both in hard copy and on the web. Students will have an opportunity to hone skills they already have learned or to learn new skills that broaden their repertoire. Prerequisite: JRNL 310 or 413 or consent. Lab fee: $42.

411-3 Public Policy Reporting. Continued development of reporting skills with emphasis on the reporting of public policy issues and on use of statistics, the analysis of computerized data bases, and advanced techniques for the investigation of complex stories. Prerequisite: JRNL 311 or consent of instructor.

412-3 Images and Sound. Photojournalism course advancing news gathering techniques, visual and interactive journalistic communication, and photographic content and sound. Audio recording, editing, and flash photography skills will be developed and professional and ethical aspects of photojournalism will be emphasized. Prerequisite: JRNL 313 or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $42.

413-3 Advanced Photojournalism. Emphasis on in-depth photojournalistic reporting. Students research, write and photograph picture stories. Examines ethics, history and social role of photojournalism domestically and internationally. Digital imaging and an introduction to full-motion video. Students must have fully adjustable camera. Prerequisite: JRNL 412. Student supplies own materials. Lab fee: $64.

414-3 Picture Story and Photographic Essay. Production of photographic stories and essays for newspapers, magazines and news media presentations. Students discuss, research, photograph, design and write several stories and essays, while studying the work of influential photojournalists. Student must supply own camera equipment. Prerequisite: JRNL 412 or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $42.

416-3 Critical and Persuasive Writing. The roles and responsibilities of the editor, editorial writer, and opinion columnist with emphasis upon editorial writing and critical thinking. Editorial problems, methods, policies, style and the fundamentals of persuasion and attitude change form the basis for study. Prerequisite: JRNL 311.

417-3 Freelance Feature Writing. Identification, research and application of creative writing techniques in producing feature articles for various media. Students analyze reader appeal as well as feature story structure and methods of marketing features to various audiences and publications. Prerequisite: JRNL 310. Lab fee: $42.

419-3 Specialized Topics in News Reporting. Develops detailed reporting expertise in such topics as business, environment, education, arts and entertainment, health and medicine, sports, new media, etc. Repeatable up to three times as long as the topic changes. Prerequisite: JRNL 311 or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $42.

426-3 Online Journalism. Examination of emerging forms of news delivery by computer and related convergence of print and broadcast media. Apply concepts and theories and skills in projects, and web-news content management as a real world setting for the production of professional-level cyber-clips for an online portfolio. Includes the production of news stories via email, cellular and other evolving media environments. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in JRNL 302 or JRNL 310 and JRNL 396.

434-3 Media Ethics. (Same as PHIL 434) Explores the moral environment of the mass media and the ethical problems that confront media practitioners. Models of ethical decision-making and moral philosophy are introduced to encourage students to think critically about the mass media and their roles in modern society.

435-3 Advanced Graphic Communication. Continues development of message design skills. Emphasizes creative solutions to the display of complex content in a wide variety of media. Prerequisite: JRNL 335 or consent of instructor. Lab fee: $46.

436-3 Multimedia Publication and Design. Building upon the basic skills learned in publishing to the WWW, the course continues the exploration of using computer based technologies for presentation of information to the wide audience using the interactive capabilities of the internet and other new media. Focus is on organization of information, and the production of multimedia files in a networked environment. Includes discussion of topics including intellectual property, libel, and other matters of concern to an interactive publisher. Prerequisite: JRNL 396 with a grade of C or better. Course fee: $42.

450-3 Account Planning and Consumer Research. Introduces the field of account planning. Provides an understanding of how consumer research influences and informs the creative process. Learn to use qualitative research methods that are used in consumer research. Writing creative briefs that are effective and provide insights for the creative team. Prerequisite: JRNL 405.

481-3 Sports Reporting. Sports reporting requires two essential ingredients: the ability to write compelling prose and a good grip on news gathering and reporting techniques. This course emphasizes both and utilizes students' interest in sports to advance their reporting skills and while preparing them for sports reporting positions in the media industry. Prerequisite: JRNL 310 or RTD 310.

488-3 Sports Communication and Promotion. This course will expose students to the rapidly expanding and complex world of sports business, with an emphasis on sports communication and promotion. Topics include, but are not limited to, packaging proposals for event sponsorship, event promotion and management, effective strategies to maximize product and corporate exposure through media partnerships, and client representation.

490-1 to 6 (1 to 3, 1 to 3, 1 to 3) Readings. Supervised readings on subject matter not covered in regularly scheduled courses. Limited to maximum of 3 credits per semester. Not for graduate credit. Special approval: written consent of instructor and director.

494-1 to 6 Practicum. Study, observation, and participation in publication or broadcast activities and related areas. Special approval needed from the instructor and area head. Mandatory Pass/Fail for undergraduates.

495-1 to 12 (1 to 6, 1 to 6) Proseminar. Selected seminars investigating media problems or other subjects of topical importance to advanced journalism majors. Seminars will be offered as the need and the interest of students demand. Restricted to senior standing.