JOUR 295 - Topics in Journalism and Mass Communications

Planned Offering: Offered when departmental resources permit.
Credits: 3 credits in Fall or Winter; 4 credits in Spring

Study of a selected topic in journalism or mass communications. May be repeated for degree credit if the topics are different. Appropriate for non-majors.

Spring 2017, JOUR 295-01: News Media and Religion: Faith, Facts, or Fiction? (4). Prerequisite: Sophomore class standing or higher. Open to non-majors. This class explores how the news media cover religion and whether this coverage helps or hinders understanding. Where do reporters turn for facts about religions? Do journalists reflect accurately and authentically religious lives? How do the news media depict people with extreme beliefs? Students examine these and other questions through readings, discussion, and interviews with experts and people of faith. Field trips allow personal exposure to places of worship. Colón.

Fall 2016, JOUR 295A-01: News Media, Race, and Ethnicity (3). Prerequisite: At least sophomore standing. This course examines how the news media cover race and ethnicity. How accurate is the portrayal of racial and ethnic groups? How do news media deal with clichés, ignorance and fear when it comes to differences? Do they offer a comprehensive and contextual view? The course highlights some of the best examples of reporting on race and ethnicity and how such reporting delves into the complexity of culture that can educate and surprise. Colón.