Journalism

Introduction to current practices in American news media with a focus on emerging technologies and traditional print and broadcast operations. Exploration of changing career opportunities in news and public relations. Overview of student media organizations and requirements for academic success in journalism. 1 lecture.

Survey of historical influences in the development of today's journalism. Contributions of women and minorities to American mass media. Rise of technology in the communication industry. 4 lectures.

Introduction to the fundamental techniques of reporting and writing news articles from print and online perspectives. Extensive laboratory and field practices in gathering and evaluating information. Writing basic news stories under close supervision. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

The role of the mass media in a democratic multicultural society. Portrayal and stereotyping of ethnic minorities by different mass media forms throughout U.S. history. The growing impact of minorities in the United States. Achievement and goals of current American ethnic media, with special attention to Latinos/as and African-Americans. 4 lectures. Fulfills USCP.

Development of skills and knowledge to produce live and recorded radio shows for the campus radio station KCPR-FM. Basic station operations, FCC compliance standards, and basic station management. Required for KCPR staff. 2 lectures.

Overview of the interaction among mass media, social institutions and individuals. Theoretical perspectives from mass communication and psychology. The power and influence of media messages and practices. How individuals and groups develop an understanding of their place within a highly mediated world. 4 lectures. Fulfills GE Area D2 (GE Area D2 or GE Area D3 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Directed group study of selected topics. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

Introduction to the social, editorial and technical issues surrounding the web as a form of communication. Fundamentals of gathering, writing and publishing content for the web that includes using photographs, sound, pictures and video to tell a story. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Legal basis for freedom of expression. Court decisions resolving conflicts between First Amendment and right to fair trial, privacy, reputation. Source confidentiality, freedom of information, contempt, copyright. Federal and state laws and regulations affecting mass media reporters, editors, publishers, news directors. Course may be offered in classroom based or online format. 4 lectures.

Concepts and technologies associated with bringing video, still images and audio online. Process of web-based audio and video creation, production and publication, from inception to publishing. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Experience leading to advanced skills in reporting and writing stories about contemporary issues, government and courts. Field and laboratory assignments in beat reporting, public meeting coverage, writing style, investigative techniques, and online journalism research. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Overview of the history, growth and ongoing development of public relations as an information management function in a multicultural environment. Public relations practices used in commercial and non-profit sectors, and firsthand application of public relations skills. 4 lectures.

Field experience in radio station operations at KCPR-FM, the campus radio station. Emphasizes support functions such as recording announcements, planning and carrying out promotions, underwriting, events and other station management duties. Required of students also hosting live or prerecorded on-air programs. Total credit limited to 8 units. Open only to students on staff at KCPR-FM. 1 laboratory.

Principles of advertising, copy, layout, and production across media platforms, including online, mobile, social, print and broadcast. Economic, political, and social function of advertising in a free market society. Advertising ethics. Social responsibility of advertising in a multicultural environment. Emerging advertising technologies. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures.

Beginning broadcast news writing and reporting for radio and television. Emphasis on developing news judgment and producing radio newscasts. Introduction to television studio equipment and procedures. Lab experience includes writing and reporting live on-air for KCPR. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Editing for print and online publication. Using the Associated Press style. Writing headlines, captions, summaries and other display text. Repurposing various media content for the web and other formats. Legal and ethical issues for the editor. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Acquire and apply the skills to write, produce, edit, distribute, market and monetize a podcast. Lab experience includes writing and producing a podcast pilot and episodes. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Theory, strategic planning and practice in writing persuasive public relations copy for diverse internal and external audiences. Emphasis on gathering information, preparing news releases, newsletters and other communications vehicles. Analysis of various media case studies. 4 lectures.

Exploration of emerging technologies and media that influence strategic communication, including public relations and advertising practices. Knowledge, insight and analytical skills necessary to create, evaluate, and execute social media campaigns. 4 lectures.

Develop on-air skills in the performance of voice-overs, stand-ups, hosting and the production of televised public service announcements. Emphasis on the effective use of audio and non-linear video editing techniques as well as broadcast writing. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Introduction to the role of research in the field of public relations. Overview of measurement tools and methodologies for gathering and analyzing data. Practical applications. 4 lectures. Prerequisite JOUR 312.

Instruction on electronic news gathering (ENG) that includes advanced news writing, field reporting and editing for broadcast. Emphasis on developing research techniques, interviewing skills, responsible and effective non-linear video editing, compelling use of natural sound and professional on-air delivery. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Introduction to the techniques of finding stories in data sets and presenting them visually via interactive online displays. Emphasis on adapting emerging tools for digital storytelling. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Reporting lab for the print and digital editions of Mustang News. Total credit limited to 8 units. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Students produce a live 30-minute CPTV newscast per week, or a one-hour KCPR segment that incorporates news, information, talk and entertainment. Emphasis on news producing, reporting and announcing skills. Total credit limited to 8 units. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Develop advanced skills in sports reporting and writing for broadcast, web and social media. Play-by-play. Job search in sports journalism. Field trip may be required. Course offered in hybrid format with classroom-based and online learning. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Innovation and entrepreneurship in journalism. Human-centered design. Business plan development. Designing content to reach and engage an audience. Identifying opportunities to create sustainable journalistic enterprises for real-world application in Cal Poly's student-run media organizations. 4 lectures.

Examination of the interrelationship between sports and community including participant, sports organization, sports media, and sports fan. Explores how these interrelationships reinforce social values, challenge social norms, and social identities relevant to sports and cultural values. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as COMS/JOUR 387.

Theory and application of visual communication in today's media. Visual communication's power to inform, educate and persuade. Production of visual media across digital, broadcast and print platforms. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 8 units, with a maximum of 4 units per quarter.

Global communications facilities and operations; world transmission of information; survey of world wire services and international print and electronic media. Analysis of press operations under varying government ideologies, including third world countries. 4 seminars.

Current issues revolving around the social responsibility of the mass media. Role of the public, government, and media in considerations of media accountability. Professional behavior in media organizations. 4 seminars.

Development of fundamentals pertaining to the technical and aesthetic proficiencies used in video communication for public service, public relations, marketing and advertising. All aspects of pitching, planning, production, editing and post-production in addition to historical and regulatory aspects of communication policy and mandates. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Practice in researching, interviewing and the writing and marketing of both long and short form nonfiction articles for various media outlets. Analysis of similar work in current distribution. 4 lectures.

Apply the theories and applications of digital journalism to the development and publication of innovative digital content. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Apply contemporary public relations theory to turn crisis into opportunity. Analyze Homeland Security and FEMA best practices using public relations framework and strategy. Practical exercises in planning, implementing, and evaluating public relations messages in a variety of media platforms. 4 lectures.

Development of skills needed to plan and conduct internal and external public relations campaigns for corporate and non-profit organizations. Includes goal setting, management of resources, budgeting, creation of campaign communications, and outcomes analysis. 4 lectures.

Capstone experience that applies public relations principles and strategies in the context of the student-run agency, Central Coast PRspectives. Emphasis on proposing, creating, managing, and implementing public relations campaigns. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Examination of intellectual property rights covered by copyright, trademark and, to a limited degree, patent law as well as commercial speech rights in a digital media age. Emphasis on intellectual property rights as they affect content creators and other publishers in a digital world. 4 lectures.

Application of techniques on daily basis with media under supervision of department faculty. Credit/No Credit grading only.

Field experience in management of Cal Poly student media. Emphasizes planning, leadership, media integration, goal-setting and measurement. Required of students in elected leadership positions in KCPR-FM, Mustang News, Central Coast PRspectives and MNTV. Total credit limited to 8 units. Intended for students in leadership positions of student media. 1 laboratory.

Selection and completion of a project under faculty supervision. Projects typical of problems which graduates must solve in their fields of employment. Project results are presented in a formal report. Minimum 120 hours total time.

Capstone experience that applies principles and tools of print, broadcast and digital journalism to tell engaging stories across multiple platforms. Emphasis on integrating text, video, audio, graphics, search engine optimization and social networking to produce content for digital publication. 3 lectures, 1 laboratory.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 laboratories.