Student participating in class

Course Information

Course Descriptions

  • C200 Introduction to Mass Communications
  • C201 Topics in Journalism
  • C300 The Citizen and the News
  • C327 Writing for Publication
  • J110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • J200 Writing for Mass Media
  • J210 Visual Communication
  • J280 Sophomore Seminar in Journalism
  • J290 Internship in Journalism
  • J300 Communications Law
  • J310 Editorial Practices
  • J315 Feature Writing
  • J320 Principles of Creative Advertising
  • J390 Corporate Publications
  • J410 The Media as Social Institutions
  • J413 Magazine Article Writing
  • J425 Supervision of School Publications
  • J427 Public Relations in a Democratic Society
  • J492 Media Internship

C200 Introduction to Mass Communications (3 cr.)

Survey of functions, responsibilities, and influences of various mass communications media. For nonmajors. Directed toward the consumer and critic of mass media in a modern society.

C201 Topics in Journalism (3 cr.)

Prerequisite: sophomore or junior class standing. Topical course dealing with changing subjects and material from semester to semester. Variation of fundamental concepts presented in C200. May be repeated once for credit with a different topic. Does not count toward journalism major.

C300 The Citizen and the News (3 cr.)

A study of the institutions that produce news and information about public affairs for the citizen of American mass society. The problems about the selection of what is communicated. Case Studies. International comparisons. Cross listed with Political Science.

C327 Writing for Publication (3 cr.)

Recommended prerequisites: J200 and an A or B in W131. A workshop for nonmajors to improve writing skills and learn basic requirements of writing for publication. Instruction in market analysis and interpreting specific editorial requirements in gathering and researching background materials, and in preparing manuscripts. Examination of various types and styles of published writing. Will not count toward journalism major. May count toward IPFW journalism minor.

J110 Foundations of Journalism and Mass Communication (3 cr.)

American social-intellectual history integrated with the story of media development, emphasizing colorful and significant personalities who have shaped the course of American journalism. Origin, growth, shortcomings, and achievements of media in the United States. Impact of society on the media and vice versa. Required course for journalism majors and IPFW journalism minor.

J200 Writing for Mass Media (3 cr.)

Prerequisite: typing ability of 35 words per minute, and English W131 or its equivalent. Small working seminar relating communication theory to practice in journalistic writing. Emphasis on narration, exposition, description and argumentation. Development of skills in conceptualization, organization, gathering evidence, and effective presentation of articles for publication in various mass media. Required course for journalism majors and IPFW journalism minors.

J210 Visual Communication (3 cr.)

Basic principles, theories, and history of channels of human communication other than written and spoken language; development of elementary skills and experimentation in producing nonverbal messages and combining nonverbal with verbal messages. Some darkroom lab activities. Adjustable camera required. Required course for journalism majors and IPFW journalism minor.

J280 Sophomore Seminar in Journalism (3 cr.)

Prerequisite: 6 hours of journalism including C200. Selected topics in journalism, e.g. professional ethics, government and the press, contemporary problems of the press.

J290 Internship in Journalism (1-3cr.)

Prerequisite: J200. Work as staff member on campus publications. Work will include reporting and writing, layout and paste up work, photo work, and advertising sales work.

J300 Communications Law (3 cr.)

History and philosophy of laws pertaining to free press and free speech. Censorship, libel, contempt, obscenity, right of privacy, copyright, government regulations, and business law affecting media operations. Stresses responsibilities and freedoms in a democratic communications system. Required course for journalism majors and IPFW journalism minor. Also required course for communication students.

J310 Editorial Practices (3 cr.)

Prerequisite: J200. Workshop in fundamentals of editing and reporting with special emphasis on news judgment, fairness, accuracy, and editorial balance. Practical experience in gathering, writing, and editing news and public affairs materials. Stress on principles applying to all mass media.

J315 Feature Writing (cr. 3)

Prerequisite: J200. The course aims to develop skill in gathering and presenting feature story material, exploring the realm between straight news and editorials. It follows feature-story practice in combining information with entertainment stressing the imperative of research, accuracy, and mechanical correctness. Will replace C327 for IPFW journalism minors.

J320 Principles of Creative Advertising (3 cr.)

Analysis of strategy employed in developing creative advertising, with emphasis on role of the copywriter.

Under development

J390 Corporate Publications (3 cr.)

This course focuses on the practical and specialized concerns of editing and designing newsletters, tabloids, magazines and newspapers for business, industry, institutions, or other organizations. Attention is given to audience surveys, readability, copy editing, headlines, photographs, cutlines, copy-fitting, and printing instruction, with special emphasis on design techniques for the four major types of organization publications. Includes practice in all facets of publication design recommended for persons interested in print communications programs, or in developing limited circulations publications. Limited enrollment; permission of instructor required. Will replace C327 for IPFW journalism minors.

J410 The Media as Social Institutions (3 cr.)

Probing examination of the mass media in American Society. Discussion of democracy and changes it has undergone in the twentieth century, with emphasis on functions of communication in a free society. Critical analysis of mass media effects on public morals, public tastes, and public issues. Both graduate and undergraduate credit.

Under development

J413 Magazine Article Writing (3 cr.)

Prerequisite J200. In-depth explanation of the non-fiction magazine article field. Examination of trends and problems in non-fiction writing for both general and specialized magazines. Criticism of student articles written for publication. Seminar sessions with editors and free-lance writers. Both for graduate and undergraduate credit. Will replace C327 for IPFW journalism minors. Transfer students advised to complete this course at IUPUI or in Bloomington.

J425 Supervision of School Publications (3 cr.)

Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of journalism courses. Lectures and discussion on designing, producing, and financing school newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks. Management of school news bureau. Both for graduate and undergraduate credit.

Available through correspondence.

J427 Public Relations in a Democratic Society (3 cr.)

Lectures and discussion on dissemination of public information by industry and institutions. Examination of procedures and policies and evaluation of public relations efforts. Contrast public relations practices in America with those in other nations and cultures.

J492 Media Internship (1-3 cr.)

Must have permission to enroll. Supervised professional experience in communications media. Does not contribute to 27 credit hours of required course work in journalism major but will count toward 33 credit hours maximum allowed in journalism and telecommunications. May be repeated, but student may take no more than 3 hours of internship credit for the B.A. degree either through journalism or any other academic unit.