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Journalism · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Journalism and Communications

This integrated course bridges the gap between the objective observer (Journalist) and the strategic messenger (Communicator). Students will explore how information flows through society. The curriculum covers media literacy, communication theory, and the converging career paths in media, ensuring students understand both how to report the news and how organizations shape the news.Shutterstock

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Compare the goals of Journalism (Truth) vs. Communications (Persuasion)
  2. Analyze Communication Models (Shannon-Weaver, Lasswell)
  3. Understand the "Media Ecology": How medium affects the message
  4. Navigate the ethics of sourcing, framing, and agenda-setting
  5. Develop skills in both objective reporting and strategic messaging
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Convergence: The Blurring Lines of Media
  2. 02The Role of Journalism in Democracy
  3. 03The Role of Strategic Communications (PR/Comms)
  4. 04Media Literacy: Decoding Messages
  5. 05Sourcing Information: Primary vs. Secondary
  6. 06Framing & Bias in Media
  7. 07Interviewing for Info vs. Interviewing for Quotes
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Communication Theory: Agenda Setting
  10. 10Communication Theory: The Spiral of Silence
  11. 11Media Law: Freedom of Information
  12. 12Global Communication & Cultural Imperialism
  13. 13The Digital Divide & Access
  14. 14Crisis Communication basics
  15. 15Career Paths: Newsroom vs. Corporate
  16. 16Final Project: The Media Analysis Report

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Media Analysis Report

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Media & Culture: Mass Communication in a Digital Age by Campbell, Martin, and Fabos
  2. The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel
  3. McQuail's Mass Communication Theory by Denis McQuail
  4. Strategic Communication: Theory and Practice
  5. Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman
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