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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• 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
  

• 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.