Course descriptions:
Undergraduate Studies
To view graduate-level courses in the SJMC, click here.
Click on course titles in red for a more in-depth course profile.
1xxx level courses: Courses for undergraduates; may not be applied to graduate programs.
3xxx level courses: Courses for undergraduates; may not be applied to graduate programs.
4xxx level courses: Primarily for undergraduate students in their fourth year of study. 4xxx courses can be counted for a Graduate School degree if the course is taught by a member of the graduate faculty or an individual appointed to Limited Teaching Status (LTS).
5xxx level courses: Primarily for graduate students; undergraduate students in their third or fourth year may enroll in such courses.
JOUR 1001 - Introduction to Mass Communication (SSCI, C/PE)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Pre-jour or non-jour major; A-F only, Meets social science core and citizenship and publice ethics theme requirements)
Historical, economic, political, legal, ethical, and social aspects of mass communication. Changing media environment of books, magazines, newspapers, records, movies, radio, television, and the Internet in global context.
JOUR 1905 - Freshman Seminar
(3.0 cr; Prereq-freshman; A-F or Aud, fall, every year)
Topics specified in Class Schedule.
JOUR 1910W - Freshman Seminar (WI)
(3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-freshman; A-F or Aud, fall, every year)
Topics specified in Class Schedule.
JOUR 3004W - Information for Mass Communication (WI)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Jour major or Jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Information resources for professional/academic work in mass communication. Techniques for locating, retrieving, appraising, and verifying information acquired from public records, libraries, research institutions, databases, the Internet, observation, and interviews.
JOUR 3006 - Visual Communication
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major or #; A-F only)
Visual media, role of images in mass communication. Social, cultural, historical, psychological approaches to visual communication.
JOUR 3007 - The Media in American History and Law: Case Studies (HP)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only, Meets historical perspectives core requirement)
Media in socioeconomic-political-technological context of a specific historical period. Focuses on legal context and ethics questions.
JOUR 3008 - Mass Communication Processes and Structure
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only)
Communication theories as they relate to mass communication processes. Major structural aspects of mass communication systems.
JOUR 3101 - News Reporting and Writing
(3.0 cr; =[JOUR 3101H]; Prereq-[3004W or concurrent registration], [Jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major], typing skill; A-F only)
Basic news gathering, journalistic writing. Developing story ideas. Problems associated with handling of news/features. Professional standards/responsibilities.
JOUR 3101H - Honors: News Reporting
and Writing
(3.0 cr; =[JOUR 3101]; Prereq-[3004W or concurrent registration], [jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major], honors, typing skill; A-F only)
News gathering, journalistic writing. Developing story ideas. Problems associated with handling of news/features. Professional standards/responsibilities.
JOUR 3102 - Visual Journalism
(3.0 cr; Prereq- 3304 or concurrent registration, Jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Introduction to nonfiction storytelling in multiple visual media. Photojournalism, news videography, print/Web graphics. Conceptualizing stories, information gathering, camera work, editing, presentation strategies for print/electronic media.
JOUR 3121 - Intermediate News Reporting
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3101, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Reporting news that is fundatmental to the basic beats in most news organization. Crime, government, politics, environment, health, in-depth profiles, issues relating to civic life.
JOUR 3155 - Publications Editing
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3101, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Improving news/information copy through stylistically correct copyediting/rewriting. Selection/editing of news-editorial content for newspapers, magazines, and online services. Hands-on experience using news judgment to present information in print and on the Web.
JOUR 3173W - Magazine Writing (WI)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3101, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Writing feature articles for consumer/trade publications. Market free-lance methods.
JOUR 3201 - Principles of Strategic Communication: Advertising
(3.0 cr; Prereq-[3004 or concurrent registration], [jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Market analysis, positioning, creative/media strategies, evaluation. Structure of advertising industry. Economic, social and regulatory contexts influencing advertising.
JOUR 3202 - Principles of Strategic Communication: Public Relations
(3.0 cr; Prereq-[3004W or concurrent registration], [jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
History/development of public relations practice/principles. Professional writing assignments in various institutional settings. Analysis/critique of public relations in contemporary society.
JOUR 3241 - Creative Strategy and Copywriting
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3201, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Advertising appeals/strategy. Advertising for print/broadcast. Individual/group projects.
JOUR 3251 - Strategic Communication Research
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, [3201 or 3202], [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Introduction to applied quantitative/qualitative research methods in advertising/public relations campaign development, management, and evaluation.
JOUR 3279W - Public Relations Writing and Campaign Tactics (WI)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-[3004W, [3201 or 3202], [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major] or # for professional jour track students; A-F only)
Public relations tactics. Emphasizes professional skills in writing for various audiences/purposes.
JOUR 3321 - Basic Media Graphics
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004 or concurrent registration, [Jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Relationships between text, type, and image in communication information. Typical individual or group projects include creating a Web site, experimenting with images/text, creating a basic layout, and new media image-making/storytelling.
JOUR 3451 - Electronic News Writing and Reporting
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3101, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
News writing, reporting, video photography/editing, on-air delivery.
JOUR 3551 - Economics of New Media
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only)
Economic issues related to traditional/new media companies and emerging communications technologies.
JOUR 3552 - Internet and Global Society (IP)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only. Meets international perspectives theme requirement)
Structure/processes of the Internet and global society in a comparative context. The Internet, via the World Wide Web, as an ideal site to explore how/why societies come to see/know the world and its issues the way they do.
JOUR 3614 - History of Media Communication (HP)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only. Meets historical perspectives core requirement)
Historical perspective on tools of communication, from earliest times to present. Impact of new technologies on society.
JOUR 3741 - People of Color and the Mass Media (CD)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only. Meets cultural diversity theme requirement)
Past/present depictions of people of color in movies, literature, radio/TV, etc., against anthropological, psychological, and sociological knowledge/experience. Emphasizes personal/political effects of media depictions.
JOUR 3745 - Mass Media and Popular Culture (CD, SSCI)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only. Meets social science core and cultural diversity theme requirements)
Mass media's role in formation of popular culture and cultural discourse. Prevalent media metaphors, caricatures, and stereotypes. Social/commercial pressures influencing media representation.
JOUR 3771 - Mass Media Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Case Studies (C/PE)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only. Meets citizenship and public ethics theme requirement)
Overview of ethical dilemmas faced by journalists, advertisers, and public relations and communications specialists. Case studies, ethical principles/theories, professional codes of ethics, standards that have been used by mass media.
JOUR 3776 - Mass Communication Law
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major or #; A-F only)
Brief historical background, First Amendment rights, basic law of defamation, free press and fair trial, access to news, access to the press, privacy, contempt, obscenity, regulation of broadcasting/advertising.
JOUR 3796 - Mass Media and Politics (C/PE)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or jour major with course appr on prog plan or pre-jour with adviser approval; A-F only. Meets citizenship and public ethics theme requirement)
Analysis of role of mass media in politics. Emphasizes television and electoral campaigns. News coverage vs. newsmaking. Free press in democracy.
JOUR 3990 - Special Topics
in Mass Communication: Professional
(3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-Jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Special professional topics courses provide a professional skills learning opportunity not regularly offered by the School. Topics offered in any semester are specified in the class schedule.
JOUR 3991 - Special Topics
in Mass Communication: Context
(3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-Jour major or Jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Special context topics courses provide a context course not regularly offered by the School. Topics offered in any semester are specified in the class schedule.
JOUR 3993 - Directed Study
(1.0 - 3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-[jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major], #, ?, @; A-F only)
Directed study, projects.
JOUR 3996 - Directed Internship
(1.0 cr [max 3.0 cr]; Prereq-Jour major, ?; S-N only)
Internship supervised by communications organization at which student is working and by student's academic sponsor.
JOUR 4171 - Capstone: Covering the Arts
(3.0 cr; Prereq-[3004W, 3101, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]] or #; A-F only)
Assignments may follow flow of Twin Cities arts/entertainment scene, including its controversies, or may trace the journey of a particular arts organization (e.g., Jungle Theater) through its season. Weekly writing assignments, readings, field trips, guest lectures from artists/arts journalists.
JOUR 4242 - Advertising Portfolio Development
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W or 3004V or 3241 or 3321 [jour major or approved IDIM or ICP or BIS] ; A-F or Aud)
This course introduces students to creative development and conceptual thinking. They will develop creative ideas based on strategies, with particular emphasis on print. At the end of the term, successful students will be able to apply practical creativity to advertising ideas and will have a basic understanding of how to put a book together to get a job in advertising.
JOUR 4259 - Cases in Strategic Planning and Thinking
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, [3201 or 3202], 3251, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Strategic communication cases related to campaigns or issues in business, government, education, or community.
JOUR 4261 - Advertising: Media Strategy
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, [3201 or 3202], 3251, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Strategic elements of media planning, media consumption patterns/trends. Context/role of media plan within marketing/advertising. Information resources, terminology, and tools used in media planning and negotiations.
JOUR 4263 - Capstone: Strategic Communication Campaigns
(4.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, [3201 or 3202], 3251, Mktg 3001, [3241 or 3279 or 4259 or 4261], [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Developing campaign strategy/tactics. Emphasizes planning/decision-making skills. Students work in groups with varying specializations.
JOUR 4272 - Interactive Advertising
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only)
Interactive advertising models, how they differ from traditional ad models. Issues related to creating, measuring, pricing, and targeting interactive ads. Interactive ads in global, legal, and ethical contexts.
JOUR 4274W - Advertising in Society
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Forms of regulation: self-regulation and governmental. Critique of advertising's role in society. Current issues (e.g., stereotyping, political advertising, advertising to children). Ethics in advertising.
JOUR 4302 - Electronic Photojournalism
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3102, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F or Aud, fall, spring, every year)
Practice of photojournalism in contemporary digital environment. Visual storytelling, digital processing, professional/ethical issues.
JOUR 4451 - Capstone: Advanced Electronic News Writing and Reporting
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3101, 3121, 3451, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Researching, reporting, shooting, writing, and editing TV news packages. Lecture, lab.
JOUR 4452 - Capstone: Electronic Newscast Producing
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004, 3101, 3121, 3451, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major]; A-F only)
Planning, writing, and producing live TV newscasts. Lecture, lab.
JOUR 4551 - New Media Culture
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or jour major with course appr on prog plan or pre-jour with adviser approval; A-F only)
Impact of "new media" (all forms of Internet communication, wireless media, and combinations of "old" and "new" media) on current/future cultures. How new media may change ways we communicate, distribute, and process information. Social impact.
JOUR 4721 - Mass Media and U.S. Society
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or jour major with course appr on prog plan or pre-jour with adviser approval; A-F only)
Economic, political, social determinants of character/content of mass communications in America. Effect, structure, functioning of mass media. Problems, prospects, criticism. Professionalism, technology, reform.
JOUR 4731H - Honors: Senior Seminar
(1.0 cr; Prereq- jour major, honors; A-F only)
Honors discussion section in conjunction with capstone course in the professional tracks or 4xxx or 5xxx level course in mass communication track.
JOUR 4801 - Global Communication (IP)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only. Meets international perspectives theme requirement.)
Structures, processes, and consequences of global mass communication. Problems in free flow of information. Roles of international organizations. Mass communication in social, political, and economic development. Implications for conflict resolution.
JOUR 4990 - Special Topics
in Mass Communication: Professional
(3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-Jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Special professional topics courses provide a professional skills learning opportunity not regularly offered by the School. Topics offered in any semester are specified in the class schedule.
JOUR 4992 - Field Based Practicum
(3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-Jour major; A-F only)
JOUR 4993H - Honors: Thesis
(1.0 - 3.0 cr [max 3.0 cr]; Prereq-Jour major, honors div regis, #, ?, @; A-F only)
Honors thesis.
JOUR 5131 - Capstone: In-Depth Reporting
(3.0 cr; Prereq-[3004W, 3101, 3121, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major] or grad student; A-F only)
Techniques/issues of special project stories. Explanatory, investigative, civic, and literary or ethnographic journalism. Topics (e.g., civil rights, governmental malfeasance, health care problems) typically involved in these stories.
JOUR 5155 - Capstone: Advanced Reporting Methods
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3101, 3121, [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major] or grad student; A-F only)
Investigative techniques for mass media, computer-assisted reporting, use of records/documents, advanced interviewing, methods for adverse conditions, or field-based practicum.
JOUR 5174 - Capstone: Magazine Editing and Production
(4.0 cr; Prereq-3004W, 3101, [3155 or 3173W or 3321 or 4302], [jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major] or grad student; A-F only)
Writing, editing, illustration, design, layout, and photocomposition of print or Web magazine. Emphasizes reporting, telling substantive stories. Students work in groups with varying specializations.
JOUR 5251 - Psychology of Advertising
(3.0 cr; Prereq-jour major or minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major or #; A-F only)
Psychological principles, research techniques, and applications in advertising/selling. Consumer attitudes/behavior. Psychological mechanisms upon which effectiveness of advertisements/commercials depends.
JOUR 5316 - Theories of Visual Communication
(3.0 cr; Prereq-3006, [jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or approved ICP major or approved BIS major] or grad student or #; A-F only)
Perspectives on study/analysis of visual communication. Message structure, systems of production, use of visual media. Contributions from sociology, anthropology, psychology, and history.
JOUR 5501 - Communication and Public Opinion
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or jour major with course appr on prog plan or prejour with adviser approval; A-F only)
Theories of communication, persuasion, attitude change. Functions of interpersonal/mediated communication in diffusion of information and in opinion formation.
JOUR 5541 - Mass Communication and Public Health
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Jour major or jour minor or grad major or IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Intersection of mass media, public health and behavior. Role of theory in understanding intended/unintended campaign effect. Role of health journalism. Decisions that inform media-based interventions.
JOUR 5552 - Law of Internet Communications
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or jour major with course appr on prog plan or [pre-jour with adviser approval]; A-F only)
Whether/how/which traditional media laws/regulations apply to the Internet. Developing law of communication on Internet, global/ethical issues.
JOUR 5601W - History of Journalism (WI)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Development of American media, from beginnings in Europe to present day. Rise of film/radio/television/Internet. Relation of communications development to political, economic, social trends.
JOUR 5606W - Literary Aspects of Journalism (WI)
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Literary aspects of journalism as exemplified in, and influenced by, works of American/British writers, past/present. Lectures, discussions, weekly papers, critiques.
JOUR 5615 - History of the Documentary
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or jour major with course appr on prog plan or pre-jour with adviser approval; A-F only)
Social history of photography, film, video. Informational, documentary, propaganda, and entertainment functions of visual communication. Rise/influence of visual media industries and of public-image making.
JOUR 5725 - Management of Media Organizations
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or jour major with course appr on prog plan or prejour with adviser approval; A-F only)
Introduction to concepts/principles of media management. Strategic planning, leadership, organizational strategies, ethical/legal issues. Working in teams. Balance sheets, income statements. Motivating/promoting people.
JOUR 5771 - Media Ethics: Principles and Practice
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or [jour major, course appr on prog plan] or [pre-jour, adviser approval]; A-F only)
Connecting theoretical approaches to media ethics with real-life case studies. History of ethical standards in print, broadcast, photojournalism, public relations, and advertising. Making ethical judgments in complex situations.
JOUR 5777 - Contemporary Problems in Freedom of Speech and Press
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Legal/constitutional derivation of freedom of press/speech. Emphasizes case law, statutes, judicial theories. Leading cases in privacy torts, prior restraints, news gathering/dissemination. Access to courts/government, including via the Internet. Legal-research techniques.
JOUR 5825 - World Communication Systems
(3.0 cr; Prereq-Non-jour major or jour major with course appr on prog plan or prejour with adviser approval; A-F only)
Mass media systems of world, described/analyzed regionally/nationally. Historical roots. Social, economic, cultural context. Contemporary conditions/prospects. Relevance of journalism/mass communication to international affairs.
JOUR 5990 - Special Topics
in Mass Communication: Professional
(3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-Jour major or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Special professional topics courses provide a professional skills learning opportunity not regularly offered by the School. Topics offered in any semester are specified in the class schedule.
JOUR 5991 - Special Topics
in Mass Communication: Context
(3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-Jour major or Jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major; A-F only)
Special context topics courses provide a context course not regularly offered by the School. Topics offered in any semester are specified in the class schedule.
JOUR 5993 - Directed Study
(1.0 - 3.0 cr [max 6.0 cr]; Prereq-[jour major or jour minor or approved IDIM major or ICP major or BIS major], #, ?, @; A-F only)
Directed study, projects.