Journalism (JOUR)

Head of Department: Professor Maureen Croteau
Department Office: Room 422, Arjona Building

For major requirements, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this Catalog.

102. The Press in America

Either semester. Three credits.

The development of American print journalism from 18th century print shops to 21st century corporations; how journalists and their work have evolved and influenced American life.

200W. Newswriting I

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. One 75-minute lecture and one 2-hour laboratory plus field work. Open to sophomores or higher. Worcester

Definition of news, newswriting style, community reporting, covering governmental meetings and writing statistical matter. Laboratory offers intensive practical writing exercises. Field trips required.

201W. Newswriting II

Either semester. Three credits. One 75-minute lecture and one 2-hour laboratory plus field work. Prerequisite: JOUR 200; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to sophomores or higher. Dufresne

Provides in-depth explanations and demonstrations of what reporters can expect to find, and report, in the courts, schools, town halls, land use agencies and other civic offices, boards and commissions.

202. Journalism Ethics

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 102. Breen

Discussion of such contemporary problems as privacy, good taste, community standards, effectiveness of the press and responsibility of the press.

203. Literary Journalism

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 102 or JOUR 200W. May be taken concurrently with JOUR 200W. Open to sophomores or higher.

Critical survey embracing the diverse voices of literary journalism from the 17th century through the 21st.

212W. Feature Writing

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 201; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Open to sophomores or higher.

Emphasis on finding, developing and writing feature stories. Outside stories will be assigned weekly.

213W. Magazine Journalism

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 201; ENGL 105 or 110 or 111 or 250. Recommended preparation: JOUR 212.

Students research, report and write, for publication, a magazine-length non-fiction article.

216. Publication Practice

Either semester. One to 3 credits. May be repeated for credit. Hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. Worcester

Students and faculty work together to research, write, edit and produce a publication.

219. Daily Campus Critique

First semester. One credit. One class period. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated only once for credit.

A weekly critique of the content of the student daily from news stories, through editorials to advertising copy and printing.

220. Law of Libel and Communications

Either semester. Three credits.

Typical subjects: libel, slander, invasion of privacy, obscenity, legal problems of newsgathering, protecting the political process, protecting state secrets, protecting the public welfare.

230. Copy Editing I

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 201.

Editing for grammar, style and content, headline writing, introduction to basic newspaper design concepts.

231C. Copy Editing II

Second semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 230. Croteau

Emphasis on copy and picture selection, copy fitting, photo editing and computer-assisted editing, page layout and production.

233. Opinion Writing

First semester. One credit. Prerequisite: JOUR 201. One two-hour lab-lecture period. Breen

Writing for the editorial and op-ed pages.

235C. Advanced Reporting Techniques

First semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 201. Dufresne

Using the Internet, databases, and other computer resources to research and report on the actions of courts, businesses, public agencies, and governments. Consideration of ethical questions.

240. Newswriting for Radio and Television

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 200. Two 75-minute lab-lecture sessions plus a field trip.

Application of newswriting techniques to the broadcast media.

241. Reporting and Editing TV News

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 240.

This is an advanced broadcast journalism class that teaches students how to gather, edit and deliver accurate, newsworthy information for television newscasts. Students develop the skills needed to report news and organize newscasts through actual experience in and out of class.

245. Specialized Journalism

Either semester. Three credits. Prerequisite: JOUR 200.

An introduction to specialized fields such as business, science, education, arts, sports, and entertainment reporting. Students will examine some of the best work in the fields and will consider ethical issues and other problems.

250. Professional Seminar

Three credits. Three hours. Prerequisite: JOUR 200, which may be taken concurrently (Also available for one credit. Two hours. No prerequisite.) May be repeated once for a maximum total of four credits.

Journalists discuss the economic, technological, sociological and ethical issues that challenge their profession.

293. Foreign Study

Either or both semesters. Credits and hours by arrangement. May be repeated for credit with permission of Department Head. Consent of Department Head required before the student's departure. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor. Croteau

295. Variable Topics

Either semester. Three credits. With a change in topic, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

297. Supervised Field Internship

Either semester. One to three credits. Hours by arrangement. Prerequisite: JOUR 200, 201 and 220. Open only with consent of Department Head. Croteau

Students research, report and write for newspapers, news departments of radio and television stations, and public relations offices under supervision of professionals.

298. Special Topics

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. With a change in content, may be repeated for credit. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.

299. Independent Study

Either semester. Credits and hours by arrangement. Open only with consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

Open to qualified students who present suitable projects for independent work in journalism.