The
University of Rhode Island
Department of Journalism
Course
Goals
Print
Journalism "Skills" Courses
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JOR 220 Media Writing
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Recognize the characteristics
of news and what gives something news value
- Be capable of basic
information-gathering techniques, including interviewing
- Be able to write
basic news stories
- Be able to use a
stylebook and apply basic newspaper style rules
- Be familiar with
basic journalism terminology
- Be able to articulate
the similarities and differences between writing news for print and broadcast,
and writing for public relations
- Be able to write
at a terminal and write under deadline
- Have been introduced
to libel and basic ethical issues faced by reporters
JOR 320 Public Affairs
Reporting
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be prepared to report
on local government
- Understand the democratic
process at the local level and the media's role in that process
- Be able to conduct
a professional interview
- Be able to use basic
public records (municipal, police, court)
- Be familiar with
news story forms beyond the inverted pyramid
- Be developing your
own philosophical and ethical standards of performance
JOR 420 Advanced
Reporting
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Understand the democratic
processes at the state and federal levels and the media's role in those
processes
- Be able to generate
complex story ideas and write complex (multiple-source) stories on state
government
- Be familiar with
sophisticated interviewing techniques
- Be able to gather
information from a variety of state and federal documents on paper and in
data bases
- Be refining your
philosophical and ethical standards of performance
- Be prepared for an
entry level position as a reporter on a weekly or small daily newspaper
JOR 341 Editing for
Publication I
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to articulate
the role of editing and editors in the process of preparing written information
for publication
- Understand the decision-making
processes that determine what is published
- Be able to use copy
editing terminology
- Be able to edit copy
to specifications, on a computer terminal and under deadline
- Be able to write
headlines to specifications, on a computer terminal and under deadline
- Understand libel
from the perspective of an editor
- Understand the ethical
dilemmas faced by copy editors
JOR 442 Editing
for Publication II
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to articulate
the role of editing and editors in the process of packaging written and
visual information for publication
- Be familiar with
basic typography, design and publishing concepts as they relate to newspapers,
magazines, newsletters and public relations documents
- Be able to design
and produce basic newspaper pages, newsletter layouts and related documents
- Be able to execute
basic projects using desk-top publishing techniques
- Be conversant about
the role of past, current and emerging technologies in the publication of
news and public relations
JOR 321 Magazine
Article and Feature Writing
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to articulate
what a feature story is and how it differs from a news story
- Be able to generate
ideas for feature stories
- Be able to plan,
research and write feature stories that could be published in a newspaper
or magazine
- Be able to identify
suitable market(s) for your feature stories
- Be able to write
a professional-quality query letter
- Be able to conduct
in-depth interviews
- Be able to describe
the roles of feature and magazine writers in the mass media
Broadcast Journalism
"Skills" Courses
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JOR 230 Introduction to Broadcast Newswriting
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to demonstrate
basic techniques of broadcast newsgathering
- Be able to write
a broadcast news script
- Be able to edit audio
tape for broadcast, using electronic editing techniques, and integrate audio
tape into finished news stories
- Be able to assemble
and produce a variety of radio newscasts
- Be able to complete
newswriting assignments under deadline
JOR 330 Television
News
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to demonstrate
basic television newswriting formats
- Be able to use the
basic terminology associated with television news
- Be able to write
the major kinds of stories used in television news
- Be able to mechanically
and aesthetically edit video news stories
- Be able to demonstrate
news judgment by organizing news stories into a half-hour television studio
newscast
- Be able to report
or anchor a short news segment on camera in the studio
- Be developing your
own philosophical and ethical standards of performance
JOR 331 Electronic
News Gathering
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to use a
video camera for reporting in the field
- Be able to integrate
videotape shot in the field into a completed story
- Be able to apply
field-reporting skills, techniques and technology to longer-format feature-oriented
stories
- Be able to discuss
how emerging technologies are affecting electronic news gathering
- Be developing your
own philosophical and ethical standards of performance
- Be able to participate
-- as reporter, anchor, producer or videographer -- in the production of
a half-hour news and information magazine program using multiple segments
to explore a single topic
JOR 430 Advanced
Television News
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to research,
write, tape and electronically edit complex and specialized television news
stones
- Be able to produce
a television news liveshot
- Be able to report
and produce a multi-part television news series on a single topic
- Be refining your
philosophical and ethical standards of performance
- Have assembled a
videotape resume with three to four pieces of your work
Public
Relations "Skills" Classes
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JOR 340 Public Relations
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to define
public relations as an activity and a profession, and be able to describe
its role in the American and international commercial, non-profit and local
communities
- Be able to explain
the symbiotic relationship of public relations and the media and, at least
in theory, know how to interact with the media.
- Be able to write
simple news releases
- Be able to explain
the public relations "cycle" (research, definition, definition of objectives,
planning and implementing, evaluation) and apply this cycle to simple public
relations
- Be able to describe
the basic internal structure of a public relations agency and an internal
public relations department
- Be able to explain
the public relations code of ethics and articulate the need for such a code
JOR 441 Public Relations
Practices
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to integrate
your knowledge from other courses, general life experience and current events
into public relations planning/implementation
- Be able to write
several types of print news releases, and know how to hire/evaluate someone
trained to write/produce more complex communication tools
- Be able to describe
methods of placing stories in the media
- Be able to articulate
the goals and limitations of different types of public relations
- Be able to write
a simple public relations plan with a timeline and budget
- Be able to work with
a public relations/advertising/marketing team
Conceptual
Courses
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JOR 110 Introduction to Mass Media
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Have an overview
of American mass media, including newspapers, magazines, books, radio, television,
films, recordings and new technologies
- Be able to explain
the functions of each medium (who does what and why)
- Be able to discuss
the development, significant names and dates of each medium, and use its
basic terminology
- Be able to discuss
the basic theories and principles of each medium, how it influences individuals
and society, and its effects on individuals and society
- Be familiar with
the First Amendment, along with legal and ethical issues, rights and responsibilities
of American mass media
JOR 115 Foundations
of American Journalism
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be familiar with
what journalists do -- and why -- and be able to discuss the role of journalism
and journalists in American society
- Recognize the similarities
and differences between the practice of journalism in America and press
systems in other countries
- Be able to demonstrate
a basic understanding of the First Amendment, journalism history, law, criticism
and ethics
- Be familiar with
the resources available to journalism scholars, including books, journals
and trade publications
- Be able to discuss
and write about issues facing journalists in a critical manner
JOR 210 Journalism
History
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to explain
the development of American journalism
- Be able to explain
the role of journalism in the social and economic development of the United
States
- Be able to articulate
the links between journalism history and contemporary trends and problems
in Journalism
JOR 211 History
of Broadcasting
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to explain
the significant events and people shaping the development of radio and television
in America
- Be able to explain
the social, cultural and historical contexts in which radio and television
operate in American society
- Be able to discuss
the landmark radio and television programs of the last 50 years
- Be able to explain
how contemporary news broadcasting developed and how radio's and television's
futures may develop
JOR 310 Mass Media
Law
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to explain
the role of federal and state governments in the communication of news
- Be able to explain
the historical and legal ramifications of the First Amendment
- Be able to explain
the major decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court that have had an impact on
mass media in the 20th century
- Be able to relate
those major decisions to the day-to-day work of a responsible journalist
JOR 311 Media Criticism
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to discuss
the works of historical and contemporary media critics
- Be able to explain
the role of the news media in a democratic society
- Be capable of critiquing
media performance based on standards you articulate
JOR 313 Alternative
Media
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to define
alternative media
- Be able to explain
the roles alternative media have played in shaping American society
- Be able to explain
the impact of alternative media on contemporary society
- Be better prepared
for a diverse and multi-cultural world and workplace
JOR 410 Mass Media
Issues
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to articulate
the basis for making ethical decisions regarding the news media
- Be able to discuss
controversial issues related to the practice of reporting/editing
- Be able to make editorial
decisions regarding full disclosure of information and sources
- Be conversant about
contemporary and traditional problems facing professional and academic journalists
- Be able to describe
the professional codes of ethics used by journalists
- Be able to defend
your positions on the First Amendment and the public's right to know
JOR 415 Perspectives
on Reporting
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to provide
a cultural and societal context for the practice of reporting in America
- Be able to articulate
how the roles of reporters have evolved
- Be able to discuss
the differences between the myths and realities associated with the practice
of reporting in American society
- Be able to articulate
alternative perspectives on the reporting process
Internships & Independent
Study
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JOR 345 Journalism Internship
Upon completion of this course, you should . . .
- Be able to write
a cogent and coherent resume and cover letter to use for potential jobs
in your field
- Be able to show written
or taped accomplishments produced as part of your internship
- Be aware of job seeking
skills, including published and unpublished sources for jobs
- Be aware of how to
proceed in a job interview
- Be able to discuss
workplace issues, problems and solutions, including sexual harassment, professional
misconduct, employee rights, obligations and benefits
- Be able to communicate
effectively with professionals in the workplace
- Be prepared to enter
the workplace after graduation
JOR 440 Independent
Study
Goals will vary depending on subject of course.
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