Courses
Journalism
0410-News Reporting 4 s.h.
Accelerated, in-depth instruction in various forms of writing, nature of news, structuring news stories, style, information gathering, copy editing fundamentals.
Prerequisite: admission to M.J. program or permission of the M.J. Director
0411-News Editing 4 s.h.
Accelerated, in-depth, computer-based instruction in editing; editorial judgment; accuracy; headline writing; fundamentals of page makeup; use of illustrations.
Prerequisite: JPRA 410 or permission of the M.J. director
0412-Public Affairs Reporting 4 s.h.
Instruction in feature writing and computer-assisted investigative reporting, primarily dealing with public affairs in the Philadelphia area.
Prerequisite: JPRA 410 or permission of the M.J. director
0418-Literary Writing in Journalism 4 s.h.
Writing in the increasingly popular narrative style of today's journalism. Style and techniques often associated with fiction are critically examined and applied. Related ethical issues discussed.
Prerequisite: JPRA 410 or permission of MJ Director
0421-Public Relations Concepts and Practice 4 s.h.
Concepts of public relations as a management function. Topics include societal trends and issues that affect public relations; communication with various publics, including the media, employees, community, government, and shareholders; and public relations practices in corporations, not-for-profits and agencies.
0423-Writing for Business and Public Relations 4 s.h.
Basic principles of writing clearly and effectively for business and public relations activities. Topics covered include news releases, reports, speeches, annual reports, and managing others to produce such work.
Prerequisite: JPRA 410 or permission of instructor
0424-Public Relations -Case Problems and Management 4 s.h.
A case-method approach to the management of public relations. Critical analysis of successful and unsuccessful public relations concepts, campaigns, and case problems. Class discussions and assignments center on practical applications of public relations practices.
Prerequisite: JPRA 421 or permission of instructor
0431-Nonfiction Writing 4 s.h.
Intended for graduate students who want to write non-fiction for a variety of publications and outlets. It will examine the styles of various writers and publications; development of ideas into saleable magazine articles for major periodical publications; marketing; and book publishing, including selecting a publisher and preparing a book proposal.
Prerequisite: JPRA 410 or permission of the M.J. director
0432-The American Magazine 4 s.h.
Analysis of content, editorial policy and trends in American magazine journalism; discussion of publishing procedures; marketing, circulation, and advertising problems; reader research.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
0433-Short Story Writing 4 s.h.
Experience in writing the short story, with a slant to writing for available markets. Combined lecture and workshop approach. Attention to the use of short story techniques in writing nonfiction. Also, analyses of classical and modern short fiction.
Prerequisite: JPRA 410 or permission of instructor
0434-Introduction to Broadcast News 4 s.h.
The development of reporting and writing skills for radio and television broadcast; consideration of how principles can be applied in other settings, such as public relations and the non-profit sector.
Prerequisite: JPRA 410 or permission of instructor
0460-Electronic Information Gathering and Presentation 4 s.h.
Computer-based exploration of the Internet, World Wide Web, databases and on-line libraries to develop information gathering and presentation skills. Research approaches and data analysis emphasized.
0481-Magazine Editing 4 s.h.
In-depth instruction in editing processes: issue planning, assignments and negotiations, acquisitions, manuscript preparation, page design, rights and permissions, projecting editorial focus, effective budget management.
Prerequisite: JPRA 431 or permission of instructor
0495-Writing Humor 4 s.h.
Attention to all forms of humor writing, with the goal of developing style applicable to various genres and disciplines. Assignments will include short anecdotal humor, columns, fiction, and nonfiction. Students will write for publication.
Prerequisite: JPRA 410 or permission of instructor
0511-Advertising and Public Relations Research 4 s.h.
Types and methods of research used in advertising and public relations. Includes media research, product research, market research, consumer research, opinion research, and campaign testing.
0518-Contemporary Issues in Journalism 4 s.h.
Intensive study of topical and serious problems facing today's media. Topics announced in advance of semester, but course will include media-performance crises involving breaking news stories that develop during a semester.
0585-Media Management 4 s.h.
Comparison of the organizational structures of news media; editorial content, advertising, circulation, and business aspects.
0605-Seminar: Public Relations 4 s.h.
Special topics in public relations theory and practice.
Prerequisite: JPRA 421 or permission of instructor
0621-Communication History 4 s.h.
Cross-listed with MM&C 621. Study of the technological and social development of communication systems from ancient to present times with emphasis on historical/descriptive research methods.
0622-Communication Law 4 s.h.
Cross-listed with MM&C 622. Legal and philosophical study of government regulation of information transmission from 15th century to the present. Emphasis on legal descriptive research methods.
0661-Seminar: Advertising Problems 4 s.h.
A case-method approach to solving advertising problems, e.g., those involving creative, media, campaign, and management strategies. Focuses on oral and written analyses of both actual and simulated case problems in advertising.
0800-0860-Seminars in Communication 1-4 s.h.
Special-topic courses in a broad range of communication areas including print and broadcast news, magazines, public relations, advertising, and new technologies.
0841-Seminars in Communication Abroad 6 s.h.
Summer seminar in London; study of British mass media including print and broadcast journalism, advertising, public relations, and film.
0951-Directed Readings 1-4 s.h.
0960-Directed Lab Projects in Communication 1-8 s.h.
Tutorial course where use of photo or computer lab, video editing facility or broadcast studio required. A specific faculty member must agree to serve as supervisor before the student registers. Special form needed.
0961-Directed Projects 1-8 s.h.
Faculty-supervised independent study in applied communication fields; includes internships.