Journalism and Mass Communication
Director
Professors
- Julie Andsager, Daniel A. Berkowitz, Stephen G. Bloom, Meenakshi Gigi Durham, John Kimmich, Judy Polumbaum
Professors emeriti
- Joseph Ascroft, Gilbert Cranberg, Pamela J. Creedon, Carolyn Stewart Dyer, Kenneth Starck, Al Talbott
Associate professors
- Stephen Berry, Venise Berry, Frank Durham, Lyombe Eko, Donald McLeese, Jane Singer, Sujatha Sosale
Associate professors emeriti
- John Erickson, John Kottman, Sue Lafky
Assistant professors
- Kajsa Dalrymple, Petya Eckler, Brian Ekdale, Thomas Oates (American Studies/Journalism and Mass Communication), Melissa Tully, Travis Vogan (Journalism and Mass Communication/American Studies)
Undergraduate major: journalism and mass communication (B.A., B.S.)
Undergraduate minor: mass communication
Graduate degrees: M.A. in journalism; Ph.D. in mass communications
Web site: http://clas.uiowa.edu/sjmc
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Undergraduate Programs
- Major in journalism and mass communication (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science)
- Minor in mass communication
Media writing and visual storytelling form the core of the undergraduate major in journalism and mass communication. Students are required to take both professional and conceptual courses offered by the school; they develop professional skills while studying the historical, legal, cultural, and institutional roles of media in society. They also complete extensive academic work outside the school, consistent with the University's commitment to the liberal arts and sciences.
The major prepares students for careers in the field. Graduates find employment in a variety of areas, such as public relations, advertising, marketing, political communication, health communication, philanthropy and fundraising communication, newspapers, magazines, radio, television, online communications and social media, publication design, photojournalism, and media research.
The school is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications.
Admission to the Major
Undergraduate students are admitted to the major in journalism and mass communication in one of two ways.
First-year students who enter the University with honors standing in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or as Presidential Scholars, Old Gold Scholars, or Daily Iowan Scholars are guaranteed admission to the major as long as they have satisfied the necessary prerequisites.
Students who do not enter the University as honors students, Presidential Scholars, Old Gold Scholars, or Daily Iowan Scholars may declare a journalism and mass communication interest and must apply for admission to the major. They typically apply during the semester in which they will complete 019:090 (JMC:1100) Media Uses and Effects and 019:091 (JMC:1200) Media History and Culture; the General Education Program's Rhetoric requirement; and a total of at least 45 s.h. of course work (or 30 s.h. for students who are admitted to the University of Iowa Honors Program after they enter the University).
The primary criterion for admission to the major is overall academic performance. A statement of interest, demonstrated writing ability, prior journalistic experience, participation in School of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) student organizations, and performance in JMC courses also are considered for applicants with a demonstrated focus on communication or journalism as a career. The number of students accepted each semester depends on the number of students already in the program and available resources.
For applications and deadline information, contact the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who wish to major in journalism may declare a journalism and mass communication interest. They may apply to the major during the semester in which they will complete at least 45 s.h. of course work at The University of Iowa and other institutions, including the General Education Program's Rhetoric requirement and the foundation courses 019:090 (JMC:1100) Media Uses and Effects and 019:091 (JMC:1200) Media History and Culture. Courses taken at other institutions may not be substituted for 019:090 (JMC:1100) or 019:091 (JMC:1200).
The school may accept up to 7 s.h. of transfer credit in journalism toward the major in journalism and mass communication, or up to 3 s.h. toward the minor in mass communication; transfer courses must have been completed at a school accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Course work taken at another school sometimes may be used to satisfy the second major or concentration area requirements. Transfer credit intended to meet School of Journalism and Mass Communication requirements must be approved by the associate director of undergraduate studies.
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Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science with a major in journalism and mass communication require a minimum of 120 s.h., including 34-40 s.h. in journalism and mass communication courses, plus a second major or 24 s.h. in a second concentration area. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the major.
Each student works with an assigned faculty advisor or an educational advisor to develop a study plan that meets the requirements of the major. Students must earn 65 s.h. of credit in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences courses outside the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. A maximum of 40 s.h. earned in JMC courses [prefix 019 (JMC)] may be counted toward a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Students also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.
Requirements for the journalism major are consistent with the program's accreditation requirements; exceptions cannot be made.
Students are encouraged, but not required, to use the University's ifolio system to collect and edit their preprofessional work. They will find the portfolio useful as they interact with faculty members in preparation for entering the job market and for presentation in job interviews.
The journalism major (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) requires the following course work.
PreMajor Foundation
Both of these:
Journalism Professional Skills Courses
Both of these:
Intermediate/advanced reporting and writing—two of these:
Workshop—one of these:
And:
Conceptual Courses
Students complete two conceptual courses.
One of these:
Optional Journalism Electives
Students may earn up to 6 s.h. in additional journalism and mass communication course work [prefix 019 (JMC)], but they may not count more than 40 s.h. of credit in the discipline toward graduation.
Second Major or Concentration Area
Every student majoring in journalism and mass communication must complete a second major or a concentration area outside the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Study in the second major or concentration area enables students to acquire a substantial body of knowledge or expertise in a relevant area, learn how another discipline views the world, and/or develop a companion set of skills to those in journalism and mass communication.
Students who satisfy the requirement by completing a concentration area must choose 24 s.h. of related course work in one or more departments; at least 15 of the 24 s.h. must be earned in advanced courses (in most departments, advanced courses are numbered 100 or above). Course work in the concentration area must be arranged in consultation with the student's advisor; each student must have the advisor's written endorsement of the second major or concentration area before graduation.
Second Major or Concentration Area for the B.A.
Bachelor of Arts students must complete the requirements for the journalism and mass communication major (34-40 s.h.) and must satisfy the school's second major or concentration area requirement in one of two ways.
Option 1: complete a B.A. major in another department.
Option 2: complete a 24 s.h. concentration of related courses in one or more departments that offer B.A. degrees; at least 15 s.h. of the required 24 s.h. must be earned in advanced courses.
Second Major or Concentration Area for the B.S.
Bachelor of Science students must complete the requirements for the journalism and mass communication major (34-40 s.h.) and must satisfy the school's second major or concentration area requirement in one of two ways.
Option 1: complete a B.S. major in a natural, mathematical, or social science.
Option 2: complete a 24 s.h. concentration of related courses in the social sciences (economics, geography, political science, psychology, or sociology) and/or the natural and mathematical sciences, earning at least 15 s.h. of the required 24 s.h. in advanced courses; and complete all the special math, research methods, statistics, computer science, and/or cognate science requirements required for the B.S. in the department in which the majority of concentration area courses are taken.
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Four-Year Graduation Plan
The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the University's Four-Year Graduation Plan.
Note: Students must be admitted to the journalism and mass communication major by the first semester of their sophomore year in order to be eligible for the Four-Year Graduation Plan. The checkpoints below include the required work in journalism and mass communication plus a second concentration area, but they do not include the requirements of a second major, since the Four-Year Graduation Plan does not apply to second majors.
Before the third semester begins: either 019:090 (JMC:1100) Media Uses and Effects or 019:091 (JMC:1200) Media History and Culture or both, and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation
Before the fifth semester begins: 019:098 (JMC:2010) Journalistic Reporting and Writing and 019:088 (JMC:2020) Introduction to Multimedia Storytelling, an additional course in the major, at least one second-area course, and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation
Before the seventh semester begins: two required professional skills courses; one advanced, conceptual, or elective course in the major; three additional second-area courses; and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation
Before the eighth semester begins: two additional required professional skills courses; one advanced, conceptual, or elective course in the major; and two more second-area courses
During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, all remaining courses in the second area, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate
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Honors
Outstanding students in journalism and mass communication may work toward graduation with honors in the major. They must be members of the University of Iowa Honors Program, which requires that students maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33 (contact the University of Iowa Honors Program for more information). They also must have a g.p.a. of at least 3.50 in work for the major.
To graduate with honors, students work under the guidance of faculty members as they complete 019:191 (JMC:4955) Honors Project, earning 3 s.h. of credit. The project may be a thesis or a professional project and typically is completed during the last semester of the senior year. Students are encouraged but not required to take 019:190 (JMC:4950) Honors Readings (1-3 s.h.) to prepare for the project.
All majors with an overall g.p.a. of at least 3.33 are encouraged to take any journalism and mass communication course for honors credit and to make use of other honors opportunities in the school. Visit the Journalism Honors Program on the school's web site or contact the school's honors advisor for details.
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Minor
The minor in mass communication requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in mass communication courses, including 12 s.h. in advanced courses taken at The University of Iowa. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Courses for the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Conceptual courses numbered 019:140 (JMC:3300) Media Law and Communication through 019:169 (JMC:3832) Introductory Topics in Mass Communication are considered advanced for the minor. Students are encouraged to take 019:090 (JMC:1100) Media Uses and Effects or 019:091 (JMC:1200) Media History and Culture as a lower-level course.
The minor introduces students to the field of mass communication; it does not prepare them for careers in media.
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National Honor Society
The school's chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national society honoring scholarship in journalism and mass communication, was founded in 1936 and is named for former director Leslie G. Moeller. Students are considered for membership if their grade-point average places them in the top 10 percent of their class and they have completed at least five semesters of University work, including a minimum of 9 s.h. in journalism and mass communication skills courses. Contact the school's Kappa Tau Alpha advisor for details.
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Certificate in Fundraising and Philanthropy Communication
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication administers the undergraduate certificate program in fundraising and philanthropy communication; see Fundraising and Philanthropy Communication in the Catalog.
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Graduate Programs
- Master of Arts in journalism
- Doctor of Philosophy in mass communications
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Master of Arts
The Master of Arts program in journalism requires 33 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must complete a creative thesis. The program admits students for fall entry.
The M.A. program's focus is on communication. Its approach is academic and theoretical, balanced with substantial development of professional skills, to prepare students for careers in media education. The program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in journalism and/or mass communication and wish to continue their education in the field; for experienced journalists or communicators who wish to prepare to teach by earning an M.A. and then a Ph.D.; and for persons who hold a bachelor's degree in another discipline and would like to enter journalism by earning an M.A.
Students in the M.A. program who wish to enter the school's Ph.D. program in mass communications must complete all M.A. requirements, including the creative thesis, before they may be considered for admission to the Ph.D. program. Professional course work from the M.A. program cannot be applied to requirements of the Ph.D. program.
M.A. students gain grounding in concepts, theories, and research methods while they pursue a curriculum that emphasizes technology, innovation and media, creative and collaborative multimedia, design for media, cross-media studies, transformed social interactions, and visual communication. They also hone technical skills in reporting, writing, visual and graphic storytelling, design, and digital imaging.
Students choose courses in consultation with their advisors.
All M.A. students must complete the following course work.
Students who have not taken a recent U.S. media law class must enroll in 019:140 (JMC:3300) Media Law and Communication
or an alternative media law course approved by the advisor. They must have the instructor's consent.
All M.A. students must complete a thesis, an original, in-depth, theory-based work that combines scholarship and creative production. The thesis must be done in an appropriate and reproducible medium. Students may write conventional theses or produce creative, multimedia, and cross-media theses grounded in digital humanistic and social science traditions. Theses may include original scholarly research, creative visual storytelling, visual ethnography, digital animation, digital documentary productions, digital literatures, and so forth.
For a more detailed description of the M.A. program, contact the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy program in mass communications requires 80 s.h. of graduate credit. The program admits students for fall entry. It is designed for students who have completed an M.A. thesis.
The program emphasizes interdisciplinary inquiry into media communication phenomena from sociocultural, historical, and social science perspectives. It is defined by the scholarly interests of its faculty, which include ethnographic, scientific, historical, legal, critical, cultural, social, feminist, and international aspects of media communication, both verbal and visual; comparative communication; convergence; new and emerging media; health communication; popular culture; and globalization. Faculty members use qualitative or quantitative methods in their research and teaching.
The program is highly individualized. In consultation with his or her advisor, each student draws on courses offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication as well as other academic units to develop a course of study that reflects his or her academic background, experience, professional goals, and intellectual interests.
Students may count up to 30 s.h. of master's degree credit toward the 80 s.h. required for the Ph.D., with the graduate committee's approval, as long as the credit was earned in courses relevant to the Ph.D. study plan. The Graduate College does not accept transfer credit for professional skills courses. Students who have earned professional master's degrees must take additional Ph.D. course work.
The Doctor of Philosophy in mass communications requires the following course work.
For a more detailed description of the Ph.D. program, contact the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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Joint J.D./M.A. and J.D./Ph.D.
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication and the College of Law offer a joint Juris Doctor/Master of Arts and a joint Juris Doctor/Doctor of Philosophy. The joint degree programs allow students to count a limited amount of credit toward both degrees. Separate application to each degree program is required. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the joint degree program. Admission for journalism and mass communication graduate programs is for fall entry.
For information about the J.D., see the College of Law section of the Catalog.
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Admission
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog.
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Facilities and Resources
Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication moved into the Philip D. Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building in January 2005. The 65,000-square-foot building has computer laboratories for audio, video, design, writing and web publishing, and a resource center. A photography laboratory is located nearby. The building also is home to offices of the Iowa High School Press Association; the Quill and Scroll Society, an international honor society for high school journalists; the University's award-winning student newspaper, The Daily Iowan; and Daily Iowan TV, a student-run newscast.
Iowa Center for Communication Study
The Iowa Center for Communication Study encourages and facilitates student and faculty research in communication. It also sponsors publications and provides editorial oversight for the Journal of Communication Inquiry.
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Financial Support
More than $130,000 in scholarships and awards is disbursed to journalism and mass communication students each year. Scholarship information and applications are available each fall. Visit Scholarships on the School of Journalism and Mass Communication web site or contact the school.
The school offers research and teaching assistantships for graduate students; preference is given to Ph.D. students. Journalism and mass communication students have been successful in winning competitive fellowships open to all graduate students; applicants must be nominated by the graduate committee.
The school has a program of modest financial support for undergraduate and graduate student research projects.
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Professional Enrichment
Internships
The school encourages undergraduate majors and Master of Science professional journalism emphasis students to complete at least one internship. The school's internship and assessment coordinator helps students find appropriate positions.
Undergraduate students may earn up to 3 s.h. of internship credit, registering with appropriate faculty sponsorship for 019:099 Journalism Internship (1-3 s.h.). Internships do not fulfill requirements for the major, but internship credit counts toward the maximum 40 s.h. of journalism and mass communication credit that may be applied toward the bachelor's degree. Students may take internships for no credit through 409:019 Internship in Journalism.
Students also are encouraged to pursue opportunities for journalism experience on campus through student-operated media, including The Daily Iowan, Daily Iowan TV, and KRUI-FM radio.
Job Placement
The school's internship and assessment coordinator helps students seeking career guidance and employment opportunities. The school compiles and publicizes notices of professional jobs open to JMC students and graduates. It also cooperates with the University's Pomerantz Career Center in providing career guidance and placement services as well as workshops and programs on seeking jobs.
Activities
The school engages in a variety of activities for the enrichment of students, faculty, and the entire campus. Speakers visit campus each year under lectureships funded by the John F. Murray and Leslie G. Moeller Fund. In addition, guest speakers are funded through the Hearst Visiting Professionals Program and the Hageboeck Daily Iowan Visiting Professionals Program. Campus organizations for students include Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA, a national society honoring scholarship in journalism), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Radio and Television News Directors' Association (RTNDA), Health Beat, and Ed on Campus (EOC).
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Courses
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Primarily for Undergraduates
| 019:029 (JMC:1000) First-Year Seminar | 1-2 s.h. |
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Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities). Requirements: first‑ or second‑semester standing.
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| 019:050 (JMC:1500) Social Media Today | 3 s.h. |
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Prehistory of social media and identification of ideas, events, and elements in ancient and historical times; earliest days of online posting and interacting; first instances of social engagement on the Web; how social media (journalism, politics, health care, romance and lifestyle, entertainment, war and terrorism, professions and jobs) affects individual areas of life, culture, and society; what's next and how social media changes lives in the future and affects the fate of humanity.
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| 019:090 (JMC:1100) Media Uses and Effects | 3 s.h. |
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Introduction to mass communication theory as it relates to practical applications in the media industry and American society.
GE: Social Sciences. | | |
| 019:091 (JMC:1200) Media History and Culture | 3 s.h. |
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Historical development of journalism in the United States; cultural, historical content.
GE: Historical Perspectives. | | |
| 019:096 (JMC:2200) Communication and Public Relations | 3 s.h. |
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Theory and practice of public relations; cultural, social, organizational roles of public relations, opportunities, problems, and solutions. Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:099 (JMC:2100) Journalism Internship | 1-3 s.h. |
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Faculty‑supervised professional work experience in journalism and mass communication. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:101 (JMC:3025) Methods: Secondary School Journalism | 3 s.h. |
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Methods and materials for teaching high school journalism; publication policies, staff organization, production schedules, technology, the Internet, and techniques for advising student publications; experience in simulated teaching situations. Offered fall semesters.
Same as 07S:113 (EDTL:3025). | | |
| 019:102 (JMC:3026) Workshop for Secondary School Journalism/Communication Teachers | 1-3 s.h. |
|
Workshops on journalism/mass media curriculum, audio/video production, photojournalism, publication design, journalistic writing techniques, advising student publications.
Same as 07S:130 (EDTL:3026). | | |
| 019:120 (JMC:3400) Specialized Reporting and Writing | 4 s.h. |
|
Topics may include public affairs, law, science, business, medicine, intercultural affairs, education, computer‑assisted reporting. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:121 (JMC:3405) Depth Reporting and Writing | 4 s.h. |
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Enterprise reporting; emphasis on reporter as researcher, organizer, writer of complex stories in a variety of contexts. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:122 (JMC:3410) Magazine Reporting and Writing | 4 s.h. |
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Finding ideas, researching, interviewing; problems of organization and style; identification of audiences and markets; development of writing skills. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:123 (JMC:3411) Radio and Television Storytelling | 4 s.h. |
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Principles; gathering, writing, editing, reporting the news; techniques and concepts as a foundation for understanding, successfully writing, and delivering broadcast news. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Corequisites: 019:134 (JMC:3603). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:124 (JMC:3412) Strategic Communication Writing | 4 s.h. |
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Principles and practices of persuasive writing; focus on public relations; may include editorials, op‑ed pieces, magazine essays, reviews. Prerequisites: 019:096 (JMC:2200) and 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:125 (JMC:4405) Freelance Reporting and Writing | 4 s.h. |
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Approaches to writing and marketing articles to magazines, newspapers, other publications; developing ideas, researching periodical markets, writing queries, writing and rewriting articles for publication. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
Same as 08N:125 (CNW:4405). | | |
| 019:126 (JMC:4410) Arts and Culture Reporting and Writing | 4 s.h. |
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Writing about arts and culture in a range of formats (e.g., news, profiles, features, criticism, essays); emphasis on original reporting that draws on resources, issues, people, and events on campus and in the community, especially in visual and performing arts. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:127 (JMC:4415) Narrative Journalism | 4 s.h. |
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Process of writing the true story; development of skills in researching, interviewing, information gathering, organization, story‑telling techniques, writing final story; story publication in magazines, newspapers, journals, online. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:128 (JMC:3415) Writing Across Cultures | 4 s.h. |
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Forms of travel writing and other types of crosscultural reporting; skills, knowledge, understandings vital to writing well about an increasingly multicultural and diverse world. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:129 (JMC:3520) Feature Reporting and Writing | 4 s.h. |
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Storytelling techniques for magazine, newspaper, web site features; stylistic flair; human elements in stories; research, interviewing, and reporting. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:130 (JMC:3600) Topics in Media Production | 4 s.h. |
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Analysis and solution of problems with communication strategies and/or media products; public relations, newsletter production, radio, media research, web basics, global media, interviewing, PR fund‑raising. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:131 (JMC:3610) Graphic Design | 4 s.h. |
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Problems of design, layout and production; practical and aesthetic considerations; digital techniques; creative projects. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:132 (JMC:3525) Photo Storytelling: Making Powerful Images | 4 s.h. |
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Techniques; basic craft, location shooting, editing photographs; group critiques of assignments.
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| 019:133 (JMC:3633) Philanthropy Communication in a Digital World | 4 s.h. |
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World of philanthropy and nonprofit work that changes rapidly with and in response to developments in digital communications; campaigns and fundraisers driven by free agents on social networking sites as an example of how philanthropists and nonprofit workers operate in digital environment; overview of trends in areas of philanthropy and nonprofit work; practical skills to help communicate, create, and disseminate messages using multiple digital tools and social media; analysis of communication/media strategies; media production.
Same as 217:133 (FPC:3633). | | |
| 019:135 (JMC:3615) Strategic Communication Campaigns | 4 s.h. |
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Development and presentation of public relations campaigns for client organizations; communication theory and research techniques applied to analyzing and solving public relations problems through objective‑based strategic planning. Prerequisites: 019:096 (JMC:2200) and 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:136 (JMC:3605) Editing the News | 4 s.h. |
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Principles and process of editing content for publication; micro‑ and macroediting, headline writing, other aspects of editing. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:137 (JMC:3625) Planning and Evaluation of Strategic Campaigns | 4 s.h. |
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Undergraduate‑level research methods used specifically for public relations and advertising; basic quantitative and qualitative methods as related to strategic communication; hands‑on exercises. Prerequisites: 019:096 (JMC:2200) and 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:138 (JMC:3620) Applied Digital and Social Media | 4 s.h. |
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Creation of original journalistic web sites incorporating writing, design, and structure; contemporary online media issues. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:140 (JMC:3300) Media Law and Communication | 3 s.h. |
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Issues affecting the media: freedom of expression, libel, privacy, access to information, protection of news sources, free press/fair trial, copyright, government regulation of broadcasting. Requirements: junior standing.
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| 019:141 (JMC:3835) Classic and Contemporary Sports Writing | 3 s.h. |
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Critical reading of sports reportage, including historical and current examples; social and cultural preoccupations and problems viewed through the prism of sports journalism.
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| 019:150 (JMC:4850) Visual Communication | 3 s.h. |
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History of modern visual communication from a cultural perspective; visual form, composition, spatial representation, color and other topics; in‑depth study of selected artists, designers, photographers.
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| 019:151 (JMC:3840) Solving Communication Problems | 3 s.h. |
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Fundamentals of scientific inquiry in the study of communication and mass communication behavior; language, concepts, procedures, application of behavioral research methods; field and experimental approaches.
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| 019:154 (JMC:3895) Media and Consumers | 3 s.h. |
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Communications media in historical, political, economic contexts and their relationships with audiences; criteria for evaluating media content in relation to nature and consequences of news, entertainment, advertising.
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| 019:156 (JMC:3700) Comparative Communication Systems | 3 s.h. |
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Culture and communication as central to examining media in different social and political settings; emphasis on contemporary problems.
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| 019:158 (JMC:3805) News-Editorial Problems | 3 s.h. |
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Current issues in journalism, editing strategies; emphasis on press performance and practical problems journalists confront in their work.
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| 019:159 (JMC:4810) On the Campaign Trail: Elections and the Media | 3 s.h. |
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Relationship between political campaigns and mass media; critical evaluation of nature, role, function of media political coverage.
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| 019:160 (JMC:4825) Media and Health | 3 s.h. |
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Potential and limits of mass media's ability to educate the public about health; research and theory on the influence of information and entertainment media; theories, models, assumptions of mass communication in relation to public health issues.
Same as 172:140 (CBH:4825). | | |
| 019:164 (JMC:3820) Images and Society | 3 s.h. |
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Development and uses of photography, film, and television as technologies of reproduction in contemporary culture.
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| 019:166 (JMC:4820) Communication Technology and Society | 3 s.h. |
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Implications and effects of computer‑based forms of communication, especially the Internet, for journalists, the media audience, and society at large.
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| 019:167 (JMC:3830) Gender and Mass Media | 3 s.h. |
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Media images and representations of the body in terms of gender; impact on people, society; media and body image, sexuality, gender roles, gender and power, race, ethnicity, class, age; critical analysis of mediated images.
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| 019:168 (JMC:4805) Journalism Ethics | 3 s.h. |
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Application of ethical principles in journalistic decision making; consideration of potentially conflicting values, loyalties, and goals that force professional journalists to make difficult choices.
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| 019:169 (JMC:3832) Introductory Topics in Mass Communication | 3 s.h. |
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Focus on particular area, issue, approach, or body of knowledge; may include international media, media criticism, new technologies, history of documentary photography, literary journalism, media management.
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| 019:171 (JMC:4400) Advanced Reporting and Writing | 4 s.h. |
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Project journalism; extended magazine pieces, explanatory/investigative journalism, series for newspapers, or task‑force projects by entire class on a major issue, with goal of publication. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major and one course from 019:120 (JMC:3400) through 019:129 (JMC:3520).
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| 019:172 (JMC:4610) Advanced Photo Storytelling | 4 s.h. |
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Photojournalism skills; may include documentary photography, advanced photojournalism methods and techniques. Prerequisites: 019:132 (JMC:3525).
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| 019:176 (JMC:4630) Visual Storytelling | 4 s.h. |
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Experience with journalistic storytelling techniques, generating story ideas, researching, writing, producing, editing, and critiquing documentary features and other visual narratives; use of digital video and archival material to produce visual narrative pieces for broadcast and other media platforms. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010), 019:123 (JMC:3411), and 019:134 (JMC:3603). Requirements: journalism major.
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| 019:178 (JMC:4605) Iowa Journalist | 4 s.h. |
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Experience in photojournalism and desktop publishing software consistent with real‑world media and public relations objectives; students write, edit, design, and produce Iowa Journalist magazine. Prerequisites: 019:098 (JMC:2010). Requirements: journalism major and one course from 019:120 (JMC:3400) through 019:138 (JMC:3620).
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| 019:180 (JMC:4900) Special Projects in Mass Communication | arr. |
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Research and readings to fit needs, interests of students.
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| 019:181 (JMC:4910) Readings in Communication and Mass Communication | 1-3 s.h. |
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Focus on a problem or issue.
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| 019:190 (JMC:4950) Honors Readings | 1-3 s.h. |
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Topic in journalism or mass communication, chosen by student. Requirements: honors standing.
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| 019:191 (JMC:4955) Honors Project | 3 s.h. |
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Independent research or project for honors students. Requirements: honors standing.
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| 019:192 (JMC:4800) Advanced Topics in Mass Communication | 3 s.h. |
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An area, issue, approach, or body of knowledge (globalization and news, critical issues in mass media, literary journalism, and so forth).
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| 019:193 (JMC:4993) Honors Workshop | 3 s.h. |
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Preparation for honors project; coordination of student's individual thesis work, introduction to issues in research design, methods. Requirements: honors standing.
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Primarily for Graduate Students
| 019:220 (JMC:5100) Masters Seminar | 1 s.h. |
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Theoretical or methodological problems in mass communication.
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| 019:225 (JMC:5300) Media Principles, Problems, and Challenges | 3 s.h. |
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Current issues in journalism and mass communication in the United States and the world.
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| 019:226 (JMC:5400) Master's Advanced Reporting and Writing | 3 s.h. |
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Writing workshop for new M.A. professional journalism emphasis students.
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| 019:229 (JMC:5500) Master's Media Project | 3 s.h. |
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Group project on topic chosen by students and instructor; research, investigation, and dissemination of findings in several media formats; advanced writing, visual, broadcast, or multimedia interest area.
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| 019:231 (JMC:6210) Media Communication Theory I | 3 s.h. |
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Introduction to theory used by communication scholars.
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| 019:235 (JMC:6310) Media Communication Research Methods I | 3 s.h. |
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Interpretive media studies research methods that involve field observation, interviews, textual analysis; use of contemporary, historical, legal resources.
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| 019:236 (JMC:6320) Media Communication Research Methods II | 3 s.h. |
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Journalism and media communication research methods that involve collection of quantifiable data, including surveys, content analyses, experiments.
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| 019:240 (JMC:5240) Social Media and Online Communication | 3 s.h. |
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Exploration of information industry growth; creative processes involved in developing a blog and utilizing multimedia tools to enhance strategic messages; focus on characteristics and spread of new communication technologies and their social, economic, and political effects.
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| 019:252 (JMC:7030) Social Meanings of News | 3 s.h. |
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How concept of news and news work has been studied in occupational, organizational, social, cultural contexts.
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| 019:254 (JMC:7120) Communication and Change | 3 s.h. |
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Diverse perspectives on changing communication forms and their implications for media and society; theoretical and methodological approaches to research involving innovation.
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| 019:255 (JMC:7020) Problems in International Communication | 3 s.h. |
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Representative topics: communication systems in national development and globalization; international and cross‑cultural communication structure and theory; human rights; images, values; mass persuasion; laws, agreements; information channels, content, flow, effects; censorship, language, literacy.
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| 019:265 (JMC:6700) Approaches to Teaching | 3 s.h. |
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Institutional and disciplinary issues that influence the journalism/mass communication classroom, philosophies of teaching, and use of teaching strategies, techniques, and classroom technologies; for students planning to work in academia.
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| 019:276 (JMC:6776) Visual Narratives Techniques | 3 s.h. |
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Analyses of theories, aesthetics, and methodologies of visual narratives in media storytelling; narrative techniques employed in different media from broadcast television documentaries and news features to narrative storytelling in cyberspace; conceptual survey of visual narratives; hands‑on research, writing, production, and editing of narrative video content for broadcast television and online platforms; production of a high‑quality visual narrative project.
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| 019:280 (JMC:5910) Masters Tutorial | arr. |
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Topics in communication and mass communication inquiry.
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| 019:281 (JMC:5920) Masters Practicum | arr. |
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Research, readings, projects to fit needs, interests of students.
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| 019:310 (JMC:6340) The Internet, Human Rights, and Freedom of Expression | 3 s.h. |
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Origins of international human rights regime from a comparative and collective memory perspective; major human rights and freedom of expression controversies from a comparative and international perspective.
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| 019:320 (JMC:6100) Ph.D. Seminar | 1 s.h. |
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Forum on theoretical or methodological problems in mass communication.
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| 019:381 (JMC:7920) Ph.D. Research Practicum | arr. |
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Conceptualization and execution of research projects.
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