University of Nebraska at Kearney
College of Fine Arts and Humanities

1994-96 UNK Undergraduate Catalog

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Courses (JMC)

Note: F., Sp., and Su. (Fall, Spring, and Summer) indicate when the courses are normally offered. Students should consult advisors for scheduling plans in the near future.

100GS. Mass Media in America - 3 hours

A general survey of the mass media. The nature, processes, effects, personnel and structure of mass media. F., Sp.*

An introduction to the basics in preparing to write for a publication. Covers newsgathering functions, style, copywriting, newspaper beats and basic interviewing. Students enrolled in this course should not enroll for JMC 350, 351, 352 in the same semester they are enrolled in this course. F., Sp.*

Channels of communication, news evaluation, news-story style, and kinds of stories will be examined. The techniques of gathering news and copy preparation for newspapers; includes assignments for the Antelope. This course should be taken following JMC 115. Students should not take JMC 350, 351, 352 in the same semester as this course. F., Sp.*

Basic camera and darkroom techniques for newspaper and magazine photography. Two-hour lecture and two-hour lab each week. Field assignments will be required. Students must furnish own film and paper. A $25 camera deposit is required. F., Sp.*

A nontechnical introduction to the techniques and theory of audio production as it applies to the broadcast and non-broadcast industries. The course will include laboratory experiences. Special lab fee of $10. F., Sp.*

Introduction to advertising with emphasis on market analysis using principles of psychology and sociology. Media utilization strategies and legal-ethical considerations will be examined. F., Sp.*

A nontechnical introduction to the techniques and theory of video production as it applies to the broadcast and non-broadcast industries. Primary emphasis will be on studio production and theory; includes an introduction to electronic newsgathering techniques. Special lab fee of $10. F., Sp.*

Media development in America, emphasizing the colorful and significant personalities who have shaped the course of American journalism.

Prerequisite: JMC 215 or consent of instructor. In-depth and interpretive writing of articles for magazines, newspapers, magazine sections of newspapers. F.*

Analysis of radio-television programming formats and trends. Students will use case studies extensively. F.*

Prerequisites: JMC 229 or consent of instructor. Basics of writing advertising copy to fit specific media and specific client requirements. Assignments designed to develop skills in writing for all advertising media. F.*

Prerequisite: JMC 215 or consent of instructor. Basic principles of corporate and institutional communications programs. F.*

Privileges of and constraints on mass media. Libel, contempt, access, privacy, and copyright are considered. National and state regulations are examined. Students should have junior status. F., Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 215 or consent of instructor. Advanced reporting techniques, public affairs reporting. Conferences to analyze stories and field reporting assignments. Includes occasional assignments for the Antelope newspaper. F.*

An advanced advertising course. Students will create campaigns for both radio and television. Sp.*

A course which develops skills in various aspects of media writing. Topics will include commercials, features, and scriptwriting for radio, television, and print media. Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 215, JMC 229 and Junior standing. A study of the news, opinion, makeup, editing and the business side of a modern newspaper. F.*

Prerequisite: JMC 215 or consent of instructor. Development of skills in editing copy, writing headlines, and captions. Also the mastering of writing and rewriting simply, concisely and coherently. Emphasis on the development of line editing skills including punctuation, grammar and spelling and learning Associated Press style. F., Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 265 or permission of instructor. Involves active participation by the student in shooting and editing videotape in news and non-news applications. Special lab fee of $10. Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 265 or permission of instructor. An advanced television production course. The course includes production of shows that will be shown on UNK's cable television channel. F., Sp.*

Prerequisites: JMC 215, JMC 220. An introduction to visual display of information through the study of typography, illustration and layout as they fit into the design of newspapers, newsletters and magazines. F.*

Prerequisite: JMC 229 and JMC 307. In-depth study of designing and producing advertising for newspaper. Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 325 or permission of instructor. Basic design and production techniques, to include desktop publishing skills used in producing newspapers, magazines, newsletters, brochures and folders. Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 220 or consent of instructor. In-depth study of photojournalism. Students must furnish cameras, film and paper.

Prerequisite: JMC 226 or permission of instructor. A laboratory course for advanced students. Student will work in various departments and on the air at KSCV-FM. F., Sp., Su.*

Prerequisite: JMC 215 or consent of instructor. Students will write and develop news and sports stories and articles for the student newspaper, the Antelope. May be repeated for a total of four hours. F., Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 229 or consent of instructor. Students will develop advertising accounts, sell and design ads for the student newspaper, the Antelope. May be repeated for a total of four hours. F., Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 220 or consent of instructor. Students will take, process, and print pictures for the student newspaper, the Antelope. May be repeated for a total of four hours. F., Sp.*

A course designed to explain the role of an announcer in society; includes practical application in a variety of announcing situations. F.*

Prerequisite: JMC 265 or permission of instructor. Students will direct a variety of television productions. Special lab fee of $10.

Basic theories and styles of station management. Includes ratings interpretation and usage. Representative cases will be examined. Sp.*

Prerequisites: JMC 215, JMC 226, and JMC 265. An advanced broadcast journalism course. Focuses on newswriting for radio and television. Course includes preparation of audio carts and video packages. Special lab fee $10. F.*

The principles of broadcast selling including an understanding of ratings and programming as it relates to sales and rate card theory. Sp.*

Prerequisite: JMC 309. Analysis of public relations problems and procedures. Practice in creating materials which help organizations reach their publics. Sp.*

Planning, designing, financing and layout of high school newspapers and yearbooks. Analysis of the advisor's role in directing school publications.

Prerequisites: JMC 265, JMC 318. Application of video techniques while working with a professional client to prepare and execute all phases of a corporate television project. Students must be able to shoot and edit video prior to enrolling in this course.

Prerequisite: JMC 315 or consent of instructor. Writing editorial and interpretive articles; editorial thinking and research, practice in understanding and evaluating contemporary problems and relating them to the social sciences. F.*

Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor. Problems and methods of instruction in high school journalism. Emphasis on classroom teaching.

The course examines various aspects of mass communication. The content of the course will be announced each time the course is offered. Possible topics: station promotion, research techniques, readership studies, case studies, world broadcast systems. This course may be repeated.

Features single camera projects with close faculty supervision.

Prerequisites: JMC 215, JMC 220 and JMC 329 or JMC 351 and Junior standing. A study of the role, performance, and problems of the community newspaper. Field trips involving actual participation in the production of local dailies and weeklies. Sp.*

The course is designed to accommodate the needs of students interested in understanding and conducting mass communications research. The course will introduce students to examples of mass communication research, as well as methods and typical research designs. Sp.*

Designed for non-broadcast personnel in education and industry. Concentrates on the use of non-broadcast types of equipment.

Prerequisite: Junior standing. An examination of the theories, issues, and controversies surrounding the mass media. Particular emphasis will be given to press ethics, freedom and media effects. Sp.*

Supervised field experience with a cooperative agency in a media-related field. There will be an evaluation and review required with the sponsoring faculty member. Each student will be required to write an evaluation paper. The student must meet special requirements to participate in the program. Complete information is available in the Journalism and Mass Communication department office. F., Sp., Su.*

Prerequisite: Student must have permission of instructor prior to enrolling in this course. Special assignments in the field of mass communication. May be taken for a total of 6 hours. F., Sp., Su.*