JOUR 295 - Topics in Journalism and Mass Communications

Credits: 3
When Offered: Offered when departmental resources permit.

Topic for Winter, 2010:

JOUR 295: Research Methods in Mass Communications. Myth or fact? “Teens’ attitudes toward sex are related to viewing sexually explicit music videos.” “Playing violent video games is linked to aggressive behavior.” “Political attack ads gain votes for candidates.” Learn about the research behind these statements, and how to understand and conduct media research in this new course. The class also engages students in a research project for a local nonprofit agency. Artwick.

Topic for Fall, 2009:

JOUR 295A: Covering Classic Journalism. Open to non-majors. This course re-imagines some of the most notable and well-known examples of news coverage. Students revisit the likes of Watergate, Britney Spears, the eruption of Mount St. Helens, National Public Radio’s Massacre at Cuska, a fashion writer’s humorous look at fancy dress culture among athletes, Election Night (2000, 2004, 2008), and more, all explored in the context of today’s audiences, technology, ethics and economic realities. Students analyze standard-setting coverage, develop skill in applying high-end journalism to reach today’s consumers of news and information, and reinforce the characteristics of excellent journalism that are essential to both major projects and day-to-day news coverage. The course is taught by Reynolds Distinguished Visiting Professor Caesar Andrews, former executive editor of the Detroit Free-Press. Andrews’ newsroom won the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting. Andrews