JOUR 3004W/V:
Information for Mass Communcation
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Basic Information
Prerequisites
Course Description
Expected Competencies
Competency Goals
Assignments and Activities
Workload
Timing for Enrollment
JOUR 3004W/V: Information for Mass Communcation (3 credits)
- Multi-section course
- Lecture & class discussion twice a week
- Small group discussions once a week
- Writing intensive (V section is for honors students and is writing intensive)
- Required for all journalism majors and minors
Prerequisites
- Major or minor status
Course Description
This course introduces the concept of the information strategy as it applies to mass communication. The strategies, techniques and resources discussed will apply to any type of mass communication message production; they will also apply to academic work such as term paper and project production. The course teaches the process of information gathering, evaluation and use. A case study format is used to study this process in depth throughout the semester.
Expected Competencies
Students who enroll in 3004W or 3004V must have taken Jour 1001, and be admitted into the major or minor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or have an approved individualized major program that includes SJMC courses. Those who enroll in Jour 3004V (honors and writing intensive) must also be admitted into the CLA Honors program. All students should have the following skills:
- An understanding of the media industries and the types of mass media messages produced in news, advertising, public relations and informational communications.
- The ability to use clear presentation style in the completion of assignments.
- An appreciation of the importance of factual accuracy and depth of information in tailoring messages for audiences.
- The ability to meet deadlines and follow directions.
- An appreciation of the value of having work critiqued on a regular basis.
Competency goals for 3004W/V
Students who complete Jour 3004W or Jour 3004V will:
- Develop the ability to analyze the audience and narrative (storytelling) elements of media messages as they relate to information strategies
- Develop the ability to analyze the context and content of a message task as it relates to information strategies
- Develop the ability to choose and apply the appropriate method of information gathering for a message – monitoring, searching and/or interviewing
- Develop the ability to identify appropriate contributors to an information search
- Develop the ability to construct and execute an efficient and effective search for information using print and electronic search tools
- Develop the ability to evaluate information using standard criteria for selection of materials for mass communication purposes
- Develop rudimentary numeracy skills as they relate to evaluation and selection of information for messages
- Develop a basic understanding of legal and ethical obligations in information gathering and use for media messages
Writing assignments
For both Jour 3004W and 3004V, students will complete
- seven assignments constructed around a case study topic that provides the opportunity to master the various elements of the process of information gathering, evaluation and use for mass media messages.
- one major project that synthesizes the work from the seven case study assignments and demonstrates mastery of the information process
- weekly in-class exercises in the small group discussion sections designed to reinforce class concepts
- Jour 3004W: One midterm exam and one final exam; objective, multiple-choice/true-false format
- Jour 3004V: One final exam; objective, multiple-choice/true-false format
- Jour 3004V: One additional project that requires honors-level work (varies from semester to semester)
Workload
Students are assigned 50 pages of course-related reading each week. In order to successfully complete some assignments, students must use research and reference tools available from Wilson Library. Students are also asked to complete one assignment that requires using a computer-assisted instruction exercise available via the University’s JAWS web site. The assignment is accessible through any computer that has a web-enabled browser (Internet Explorer, Foxfire, Netscape).
Timing for enrollment
Students should enroll in this course the semester after they are admitted into the School of Journalism and Mass Communication or their individualized major program is approved. Students may take their "gateway" skills course (Jour 3101, 3201, 3202) concurrently with Jour 3004, but it is advisable to take Jour 3004 before beginning the professional skills course work when at all possible.