American River College
Open tablet menu Close tablet menu×
Open mobile menu Close mobile menu×
Home Catalog Programs of Study List of Programs Journalism

Journalism

Overview

American River College provides a strong introduction to both general studies and a journalism or mass communication major. You can begin with a course in news writing and reporting, and an introduction to the mass media. Both these courses are accepted by the California State University campuses which offer a bachelor's degree in journalism.

The campus newspaper, The Current offers valuable experience in writing, editing, photography, design and desktop publishing. Your portfolio can help you earn scholarships and internships--powerful assets to starting a career.

ARC also offers an associate in arts degree in journalism. This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level work in community journalism and for successful transfer to a university.

Degrees Offered

  • A.A.-T. in Journalism and Mass Communications
  • A.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Journalism and Mass Communications

The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer (AA-T) provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of a California State University. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students should work closely with their American River College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majoring in Journalism, Mass Communications, Public Relations, or Advertising at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU and the degree may only transfer to specific institutions.

Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) requirements (pursuant to SB1440, §66746):
• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

All ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
Required Core:
JOUR 300 Newswriting and Reporting 3
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society 3
JOUR 410 College Media Production I 3
List A:
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
JOUR 301 Advanced Newswriting and Reporting (3)
JOUR 351 Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques (3)
JOUR 360 Photojournalism (3)
JOUR 361 Multimedia Journalism (3)
JOUR 411 College Media Production II (3)
List B:
A minimum of 6 units from the following: 6
Any courses from List A, excluding JOUR 411, not already used or
JOUR 320 Race and Gender in the Media (3)
JOUR 350 Writing for Broadcasting/Podcasting (3)
ARTPH 300 Basic Film and Darkroom Photography (3)
ARTNM 332 Digital Video (3)
CISA 330 Desktop Publishing (2)
and CISA 331 Intermediate Desktop Publishing (2)
COMM 302 Persuasive Speech (3)
COMM 311 Argumentation and Debate (3)
COMM C1004 Interpersonal Communication (3)
COMM 361 The Communication Experience (3)
ECON C2002 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
   or ECON C2001 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ENGL C1001 Critical Thinking and Writing (3)
   or ENGL C1001H Critical Thinking and Writing - Honors (3)
PHIL 320 Logic and Critical Reasoning (3)
   or PHIL 324 Symbolic Logic (3)
   or MATH 320 Symbolic Logic (3)
POLS C1000 American Government and Politics (3)
   or POLS C1000H American Government and Politics - Honors (3)
POLS 302 Comparative Politics (3)
STAT C1000 Introduction to Statistics (4)
   or STAT C1000H Introduction to Statistics - Honors (4)
   or PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
   or ECON 310 Statistics for Business and Economics (3)
Total Units: 18

The Associate in Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • analyze content of newspapers, magazines, and online media.
  • demonstrate an understanding of basic news, feature writing, and reporting in print and online media.
  • critique his or her own journalistic work and the work of others.
  • apply knowledge of grammar and AP style to create mass media products that conform to journalistic conventions.
  • produce news and feature articles and/or news and feature photographs for publication in a newspaper or online publication.
  • apply principles of audience and journalistic ethics to writing and photography, especially as the student's journalistic work relates to gender, ethnicities, and culture.
  • demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of mass media theories, concepts, and practices as they relate to gender, ethnicity, and cultural constructs.

Career Information

The Journalism AA-T degree is designed to facilitate students’ successful transfer to four-year programs. From there, students are prepared for a variety of careers in print, broadcast, and online news media.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication

This program offers comprehensive training for careers in journalism and communications. Students learn how to create journalistic content for a variety of media platforms, including print, broadcast and online. The program covers news writing and reporting, public relations writing and techniques, photojournalism, and multimedia journalism. It also offers instruction in design and production for both print and online media products.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements
Course Code Course Title Units
JOUR 300 Newswriting and Reporting 3
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society 3
JOUR 320 Race and Gender in the Media 3
JOUR 351 Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques 3
JOUR 361 Multimedia Journalism 3
JOUR 404 Editing and Production 3
JOUR 410 College Media Production I 3
JOUR 411 College Media Production II 3
JOUR 412 College Media Production III 3
A minimum of 2 units from the following: 2
JOUR 420 College Media Production Lab I (0.5 - 3)
JOUR 421 College Media Production Lab II (0.5 - 3)
Total Units: 29

The Journalism and Mass Communication Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, and either (a) the Local General Education Pattern or (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), plus sufficient electives for a total of at least 60 units. See ARC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • write and edit news, features, editorials, and press releases that adhere to professional journalistic standards for a variety of outlets.
  • conduct research and evaluate information using appropriate methods.
  • analyze and evaluate media materials for credibility, fairness, accuracy, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
  • apply journalism ethics and law appropriate to professional practice.
  • complete journalistic assignments on deadline.
  • create multimedia to accompany text news and feature stories in a variety of formats.
  • design, develop and lay out pages for different types of publications using a variety of software programs and applying visual design principles.
  • identify and explain the processes, elements, history, theory, and effects of journalism and modern mass media in society.

Career Information

This program is designed to train students for entry-level positions as reporters, writers, editors, producers, photographers, designers, copy editors, and fact checkers for newspapers, magazines, broadcast outlets, websites and other media platforms. It also trains them for entry-level communications/public relations positions that include writing, editing, photography, and/or page layout and design duties. Some career options may require more than two years of college study. This program prepares journalism/mass communications students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions.

Journalism (JOUR) Courses

JOUR 299 Experimental Offering in Journalism

  • Units:0.5 - 4
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

JOUR 300 Newswriting and Reporting

  • Units:3
  • Hours:54 hours LEC
  • Prerequisite:None.
  • Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU
  • C-ID:C-ID JOUR 110
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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, 2026

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:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • C-ID:C-ID JOUR 100
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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:Local GE L4; Cal-GETC Area 4
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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, 2026

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:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
  • Transferable:CSU
  • C-ID:C-ID JOUR 150
  • Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

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, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.

Catalog