Journalism (JOUR) Courses
JOUR 299 Experimental Offering in Journalism
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the experimental courses description.
JOUR 300 Newswriting and Reporting
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or 312 AND ENGWR 300, OR ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU
- General Education:AA/AS Area II(b)
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 110
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course covers evaluating, gathering, and writing news in accepted journalistic style for different types of media. Topics include personal interviews, along with research, fact-checking and coverage of speeches, meetings, and other events. In addition, the role of the reporter and the legal and ethical issues related to reporting are examined.
JOUR 301 Advanced Newswriting and Reporting
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:JOUR 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 210
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course covers the development of advanced skills of reporting, interviewing, writing, and editing in the range of work handled by a general assignment or beat reporter. It emphasizes in-depth research, critical analysis, and story format. It also introduces editing and advanced feature and editorial writing.
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 100
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
The course is a survey of the mass media. It covers the history, philosophy, structure, and trends of mass media, as well as the theories that help to explain its effects on social institutions. It includes an exploration of media literacy, economics, technology, law, ethics, and social issues, including cultural, gender and ethnic diversity.
JOUR 320 Race and Gender in the Media
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D3; CSU Area D4; CSU Area D7; IGETC Area 4C
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course examines the roles of gender, ethnicity, race and social class as represented and documented in the mass media. These issues are analyzed within the context of media content, development, policy, and ownership, including stereotypes, equity and diversity, representation, and the role of alternative and community media. Critical thinking is emphasized through the review of mass media, focusing on the contributions of diverse groups to mass media and mass communication as an agent, gatekeeper and documenter of social change. Critical thinking will be emphasized in this course.
JOUR 340 Writing for Publication
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:Eligible for ENGWR 300.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course introduces writing non-fiction for publication. Emphasis is on analyzing online and print magazines; finding ideas; writing a query letter; developing a saleable magazine idea and article; researching and interviewing; as well as organizing, writing and marketing an article. Field trips may be required.
JOUR 350 Writing for Broadcasting/Podcasting
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course introduces the theory and technique of writing for the broadcast media. It includes reporting for radio and television news, writing and storyboarding commercials and public service programming, and an introduction to production techniques. It is recommended for students as preparation for work in broadcasting, instructional media, and related fields.
JOUR 351 Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 150
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is a study of public relations (PR), including planning PR campaigns, preparing client messages for newspapers, magazines, radio, broadcast and online outlets, and working with reporters to position stories. It examines public relations techniques in business, education, entertainment, social service, and other fields. It also covers crisis PR.
JOUR 360 Photojournalism
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 160
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is an introduction to the theory and technique of telling stories with pictures. The role of the photojournalist in the media, pertinent ethical and legal issues, and professional standards are emphasized. Topics include digital still camera operation, composition and lighting, digital image processing, news judgment, and accuracy. Also covered are environmental portraits, photo stories, and feature, sports, and breaking news photography.
JOUR 361 Multimedia Journalism
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 360 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 120
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is an introduction to the theory and technique of combining still images, audio, and video to create multimedia photojournalism content for distribution via broadcast media, social media and the internet. The course introduces basic creative concepts and technical elements of capturing and editing video, audio, and still images to create visual media projects. Students will explore the creative and technical production possibilities of merging visual media and the various software used to edit this content. Students will receive hands-on experience with one or more of the following: smartphone cameras, mirrorless cameras, and HDSLR camera video capture techniques and accessories used in video and audio production. Students will complete a final visual media project.
JOUR 404 Editing and Production
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:JOUR 300
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course provides instruction and practice in editing and design, including page makeup, copy editing, photo editing, legal/ethical issues and production methods for newspapers, magazines, and other publications. It also includes preparing, planning, and organizing publications.
JOUR 410 College Media Production I
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 130
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course focuses on instruction in writing and producing student news media, primarily the publication, The Current, a journalistic product for distribution to a college-wide audience. Topics will include: researching, reporting, and writing articles; taking photographs or managing artwork and participating in editing, caption writing, and layouts; editing articles, writing headlines, and planning packages in conjunction with editors for publication. Ethical and legal aspects of communication are also covered. This course prepares students for transfer work in journalism or entry-level jobs in the field. This course is required for the A.A. degree in journalism and is part of the A.A.-T Journalism degree. JOUR 420 is the optional lab component for this course.
JOUR 411 College Media Production II
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 410 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 131
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
During this second-semester course, which builds on experience learned in JOUR 410, students are instructed on writing and producing student news media, primarily the publication, The Current, a journalistic product for distribution to a college-wide audience. It focuses on intermediate writing and production skills in the following areas: researching, reporting, and writing, taking photographs or managing artwork, and participating in editing, caption writing, and layouts; editing articles, writing headlines, and planning packages in conjunction with editors for publication.
In this second-semester course, students may serve in leadership roles, by learning to participate in editorial meetings in which issues are planned; research, assign, and edit assignments of reporters and photographers for publication;
Ethical and legal aspects of communication are also covered. This course prepares students for transfer work in journalism or entry-level jobs in the field. This course is required for the A.A. degree in journalism and is part of the A.A.-T Journalism degree. JOUR 421 is the optional lab component for this course.
JOUR 412 College Media Production III
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 411 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This third-semester course builds on the experience gained in JOUR 411. It focuses on advanced intermediate writing and production skills, using the school newspaper The Current, as a practical laboratory. The course provides the opportunity to work in at least three of the following areas: researching, writing, and editing articles for the publications; taking photographs and/or managing artwork and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories, designing pages or posting to the website and social media. Students will learn to conduct editorial meetings in which issues are planned; research, assign, and edit assignments from reporters and photographers for publication; and manage production. Ethical and legal aspects of communication are also covered.
JOUR 413 College Media Production IV
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 412 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
In this course, which builds on the experience gained in JOUR 412, instruction is provided in leadership for students who function as editors-in-chief and managing editors using The American River Current as a practical laboratory. Students will plan publication issues and manage section editors, reporters, graphic artists and/or photographers on staff. Students will lead staff meetings in which they plan the vision and content of issues; research and suggest story ideas to section editors; manage section editors and staff; and manage the production of every aspect of each issue of the publication. Ethical and legal aspects of communication and media are also covered for students who serve in top leadership roles.
JOUR 420 College Media Production Lab I
- Units:0.5 - 3
- Hours:27 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:JOUR 404 or 410
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This lab course provides inexperienced journalism students with instruction in writing, editing, photography, multimedia, design, and computer-based publication. This includes one-on-one and small-group instruction in publication software, such as Adobe Creative Suite programs, and Web content management systems.
JOUR 421 College Media Production Lab II
- Units:0.5 - 3
- Hours:27 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 420 with a grade of "C" or better
- Corequisite:JOUR 404 or 411
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This lab course provides experienced journalism students with instruction in writing, editing, photography, artwork, design, and computer-based publication, as well as instruction in staff management and leadership. This includes advanced lessons in publication software, such as Adobe Creative Suite programs, and Web content management systems.
JOUR 495 Independent Studies in Journalism
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in journalism, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in journalism and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.
JOUR 499 Experimental Offering in Journalism
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the experimental courses description.
