Journalism Certificate
About the Certificate
The Journalism Certificate will give students the basic understanding and skills of working as an entry-level news reporter at a small newspaper or small radio station, or as an entry-level writer in a public relations agency or department. The certificate will also provide students with the skills to obtain a work study or intern position at a larger daily newspaper, magazine, radio, or television news station. Students can also use the certificate to increase their chances of being accepted into a quality bachelor’s or master’s degree program in journalism.
The Journalism Certificate requires students to complete a minimum of 17 journalism credits. These credits can be obtained from three required courses and two or more elective courses:
Required Courses
Intro to Mass Communications (4 credits)
This course examines the history, evolution, and cultural power of today’s media, both nationally and internationally. The course analyzes newspaper journalism, magazine journalism, radio news, Internet journalism, television news, public relations, advertising, and journalism ethics and law. Prerequisite: English 1, 20-801-201; Written Communications, 10-801-151; or instructor consent.
Newswriting and Reporting (4 credits)
This course teaches students the basic skills and knowledge needed as an entry-level reporter working at a small media organization. In Newswriting and Reporting, the student will learn general news reporting; speech reporting; and police, fire and accident reporting. In addition, students will learn interviewing skills needed to write a compelling feature with a strong news hook. Students will also be presented with a basic understanding of libel law. Prerequisite: English 1, 20-801-201; Written Communications, 10-801-151; or instructor consent..
Feature Writing (4 credits)
Writing a longer magazine feature is the main focus of this course. As a follow-up to Newswriting and Reporting, students will examine in more detail various interviewing strategies needed as a feature writer. Then students will apply these interviewing skills when researching well-developed, compelling features. Students will learn how to incorporate the narrative structure, or storytelling approach, into their feature stories. Students will also examine privacy laws as they apply to feature stories. Prerequisite: English 1, 20-801-201; Written Communications, 10-801-151; or instructor consent..
Elective courses
Students can choose any two courses from the following elective courses:
Photojournalism (2 credits)
In this course, students are exposed to techniques in which news stories can be communicated through visual images in print or via the Internet. Prerequisite: Studio Photography 1, 10-203-107; or consent of the instructor.
Writing for the Web (3 credits)
Writing for the Web will explore the creative potential of writing content for electronic media, which demands concise, clear, well-organized copy and an ability to operate in a nonlinear world. In this course students will develop original web content; discuss the techniques, technologies, culture, and problems of publishing in a digital age; evaluate usability and organization when designing content for the web; and research online copyright law, libel law, and information ethics. This course is primarily a writing, editing, and research course, but will explore audio and graphic communication on the web, too. Students will explore blogging, podcasting and social software technology. Prerequisite: English 1, 20-801-201; Written Communications, 10-801-151; or the instructor’s consent.
Editing for Workplace and Professional Publications (3 credits)
This is an overview of techniques used by editors of workplace and professional publications to prepare documents for production. State-of-the-art usability guidelines and editing and testing methods are stressed throughout the course. Attention to the design and visual appeal of texts is considered an inherent part of the editor’s responsibility. The course requires the students to complete a series of editing projects, in print and electronic formats. The course assignments reflect the traditional “levels of edit” model, which stresses all aspects of the editing process, including research and fact checking, page design, usability, content editing, stylistic issues, copyediting, and liability and other legal issues. Prerequisite: 20-801-260, Technical Communications; or the instructor’s consent.
World Issues Journalism (4 credits)
Students of the course engage in news reporting assignments that relate to world issues, such as water, energy, and war. Students write investigative and interpretive news stories; they also produce blogs, video logs (vlogs), and multimedia presentations. The students' final products are showcased in an online magazine. In addition to the reporting assignments, students also study free press issues worldwide, and the journalism practices and traditions that emerge from different parts of the world. Prerequisite: English 1, 20-801-201; Written Communications, 10-801-151; or instructor consent. Note: A link to the course outline is coming soon.
Direct Study/Journalism (1-to-3 credits)
In this internship course, students gain "real world" experience in the field of journalism or public relations. Students interested in journalism will work as reporters/writers/copy editors for newspapers, magazines, news television stations, radio stations, or news-oriented Web sites. Students interested in public relations will work as public relations writers, Web writers, and copy writers for public relations agencies or the public relations departments of institutions, companies, and associations. Prerequisite: Completion of Intro to Mass Communication, Newswriting and Reporting, and Feature Writing; or consent of the instructor.
Creative Nonfiction (3 credits)
Students merge literary techniques with the skills or reportage to develop works of creative non-fiction. Reading assignments allow students to become familiar with principles and practice of literary non-fiction. Class meetings follow a workshop format. Prerequisite: English 1, 20-801-201; Written Communications, 10-801-151; or instructor consent.
Career Potential
- News reporter
- Feature writer
- Copy editor
- Web writer
- Public relations writer
Contact: Larry D. Hansen at (608) 258-2389, or lhansen@matcmadison.edu
|
