The University of Montana - Missoula
2002-2003 Course Catalog
 

School of Journalism


Jerry E. Brown, Dean
William L. (Bill) Knowles, Chair, Department of Radio Television


Courses in the School of Journalism examine the news media emphasizing their history, privileges and responsibilities and provide instruction in skills required for careers with newspapers, radio and television stations, magazines, web sites, news services and related agencies.

The School of Journalism offers the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, the Bachelor of Arts in Radio Television and a Master of Arts with a major in Journalism with a broadcast, photojournalism, or print option. For further information about the master's degree program, contact Professor Clemens Work, Director of Graduate Studies, School of Journalism, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, or (406)243-2160, or work@selway.umt.edu.

A quality education in journalism is built on a strong liberal arts foundation. Therefore, at least 90 of the 120 credits required for graduation must be outside of journalism and 65 of those credits must be in the liberal arts and sciences.

Journalism majors specialize in one of three options: print, photojournalism, or broadcast news.

Students interested in broadcasting careers that are not primarily devoted to news should work toward the
B.A. in Radio Television.

High School Preparation: In addition to University admission requirements, study of a foreign language and computer skills is recommended.

Pre-Professional Program

The pre-journalism program requires two years of full-time study, primarily in the liberal arts and sciences. Journalism or radio-television courses in the pre-journalism curriculum can be taken at The University of Montana or at another program accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. All non-journalism courses in the pre-professional curriculum can be completed at any college or university.

Students in the first two years of study may enter the pre-journalism or pre-radio-television program during any semester. However, requirements in the pre-journalism curriculum should be completed by the end of the second year of study to enable students to apply for admission to the professional program during the spring of the sophomore year.

Professional Program back to top

Students must apply for admission to the two-year professional programs in journalism and radio television. Applications to the professional programs are accepted only in the spring. Deadline for applications is March 1 for admission in the autumn. Class size is restricted and admission to the professional program is competitive. The admissions process is designed to admit the best overall class into the professional programs.

Students should have completed 45 credits before applying for admission. Completed applications are evaluated by the School of Journalism Admissions Committee and acceptances are made by the faculty and dean based on the recommen-dations of the committee. The primary admissions criteria are the students' grade averages, both overall and in the pre-professional program. Successful applicants will have demonstrated, among other qualities, promise and professional aptitude through the quality of their course work and their overall performance in the pre-professional program, and will have demonstrated an interest in pursuing a career in journalism or radio television production. Students with deficiencies in these requirements may on occasion be admitted provisionally. Once deficiencies are removed from the students' record they will be given full admission status. Students will be notified of their admission status in writing.

The curriculum of the journalism and radio television professional programs is sequential. Therefore, students will enter the professional programs in the autumn semester only. Applications for admission to the professional programs may be obtained from the Office of the Dean, School of Journalism. Applications must be received no later than March 1 preceding the autumn semester for which admission is requested. A $15 non-refundable application fee must accompany the application. Transcripts of all academic courses taken must be forwarded directly to the School of Journalism. Admission for one academic year cannot be deferred to another academic year.

Students transferring from other ACEJMC-accredited programs in journalism or radio television may be admitted, on a space available basis. Transfer credit for pre-professional and professional courses taken at other institutions is accepted only for those courses that are deemed equivalent and in which a letter grade of C or better is obtained.

Academic Progression

The general University academic standing requirements are listed separately in this catalog. See index.

Students enrolled in the professional journalism and radio television programs must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Admission to the professional program requires a cumulative grade average of 2.5. Students who have been admitted and whose grade average subsequently falls below a 2.5 must meet with their advisors to discuss their progress before classes resume the following semester. Students in the professional programs who have a cumulative or professional grade point average less than 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation must achieve at least a 2.0 grade average for the semester and raise their overall grade average or face suspension from the University. Because the professional programs are intensive, employment beyond minimal part time is not recommended.

Students dismissed from the program for substandard performance will not be readmitted, except in cases where substantiation is made to the faculty, by written petition, that the substandard performance was the result of circumstances that no longer exist, or that the student has demonstrated the capability and desire to perform satisfactory work since his or her dismissal from the program.

Students leaving the program of their own volition and not in good academic standing must reapply for admission. Students leaving the program of their own volition who are in good academic standing also must reapply for admission.

Special Degree Requirements back to top

Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.

Pre-Professional Curriculum

The following courses must be completed prior to admission to any of the School of Journalism professional programs. Students who are unsuccessful in gaining admission to the professional programs should realize that completion of the pre-professional program fulfills a significant portion of the University General Education Requirement.

Core requirements for all pre-professional students in the School of Journalism:

-JOUR 100S Introduction to Mass Media
-JOUR 270 Reporting (for print or photojournalism option students)
-JOUR 280-Reporting for Broadcast (for broadcast new and radio-television students)
-ENEX 101 Composition
-One mathematics course numbered greater than 100
-Two history courses taught in the history department, including at least one in American history
-At least one course of three credits or more which meets a University general education requirement in each of the following subjects: economics, political science, humanities, natural sciences
-Demonstrated competency in basic computer skills

In addition, before graduation, students must complete two semesters of a modern foreign language.

In addition to the core, students seeking admission to the photojournalism professional program must also complete JOUR 227 Photojournalism.

In addition to the core, students seeking admission to the broadcast journalism program must also complete:

-R-TV 151 Introduction to Radio Television Production
-COMM 111A Public Speaking

In addition to the core, students seeking admission to the Radio Television program must complete:

-R-TV 150 Introduction to Radio
-R-TV 151 Introduction to Radio-Television
-COMM 111A Public Speaking
-DRAM 103A-Introduction to Theatre Design

Professional Programs back to top

Upon admission to the professional program, students majoring in journalism with a print option will take the following courses:

First Year:
Autumn semester:

-JOUR 331-Public Affairs Reporting
-JOUR 381-Editing I
Spring semester:
-JOUR 367-Law of Mass Communication
-JOUR 381-Editing II

Second Year:
Autumn semester:

-JOUR 481-Senior Seminar

At some point before graduation, students also must complete JOUR 333-Magazine Article Writing or JOUR 340-Feature Writing, and electives that will bring the total number of journalism credits to at least 30.

Students majoring in journalism with a photojournalism option must complete:

First Year:
Autumn semester:

-JOUR 327-Intermediate Photojournalism
-JOUR 380-News Editing I

Spring semester:

-JOUR 328-Advanced Photojournalism
-JOUR 367-Law of Mass Communication
-JOUR 381-News Editing II

Second Year:
Autumn semester:

-JOUR 417-Picture Story/Photographic Essay
-JOUR 481-Senior Seminar

Spring semester:

-Electives that will bring the total number of journalism credits to 30.

Students majoring in journalism with a broadcast option must complete:

First Year:
Autumn semester:

-JOUR 350 Broadcast News I

Spring semester:

-JOUR 351-Newscast Production
-JOUR 367-Law of Mass Communication

Second Year:
Autumn semester:

-JOUR 450-Broadcast Newsroom
-R-TV 494-Senior Seminar

Students also must complete electives that will bring the total number of credits in journalism or radio-television to 30.

Students majoring in Radio Television must complete:

First Year:
Autumn semester:

-R-TV 350-Television Production I

Spring semester:

-R-TV 351-Television Production II
-JOUR 367-Law of Mass Communication

Second Year:
Autumn semester:

-R-TV 450-Broadcast Operations I
-R-TV 494-Senior Seminar

Students also must complete electives that will bring the total number of credits in journalism or radio-television to 30.

All journalism and radio television majors must acquire practical experience through pre-approved internships or other employment approved by the faculty.

All journalism and radio-television majors must meet the Upper-division Writing Expectation by successfully completing an upper-division writing course from the approved list in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog. See index.

Courses back to top

U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.

Journalism

U 100S Introduction to Mass Media 3 cr. Offered autumn. A survey of the history, development and current status of the mass media in society, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, books, movies, recordings and the World Wide Web. Involvement of advertising and public relations in the mass media. Basic ethical dilemmas of the mass media.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 227 Photojournalism 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. An introduction to photojournalism. Students learn to use 35mm cameras, develop and print black-and-white film, shoot portraits, feature and sports assignments. Emphasis on content of photographs. Students must supply cameras, film, paper and developing reels.
U 270 Reporting 3 cr. Offered every term. Prereq., JOUR 100S. Fundamentals of reporting and writing news for print and broadcast media.
U 280 Reporting for Broadcast 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 100S. Fundamentals of reporting and writing news for broadcast.
U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 327 Intermediate Photojournalism 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 227. Mastery of the technical aspects of photojournalism: studio lights, portable strobes, lighting on location, color temperature. Students shoot weekly assignments on and a photo story on color slide film. Students must supply film, 35mm camera, and portable strobe. Introduction to PhotoShop.
UG 328 Advanced Photojournalism 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 327. Advanced black and white and color photography. Students shoot news, features, sports, illustration and picture stories.
U 331 Public Affairs Reporting 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 270. Study and practice of reporting public issues with emphases on news sources, interpretive writing and the coverage of local, state and federal governments.
UG 333 Magazine Article Writing 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 331 or consent of instr. The techniques of preparing and selling articles to national and regional magazines.
U 340 Feature Writing 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 270. Classroom instruction and practical experience in applying feature-writing techniques to the coverage of news, entertainment and sports for print and electronic media.
UG 350 Advanced Broadcast Reporting 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 280. Radio and television reporting including writing, interviewing, news gathering and preparation of radio and television news stories.
UG 351 Newscast Production 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 350. Instruction and practice in radio and television newscast production.
UG 360 Media Management and Marketing 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. The role of marketing and management procedures and techniques in the print and electronic media.
U 367 Law of Mass Communications 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 270 or consent of instr. Overview of issues related to journalism and the law. Exploration of libel, privacy, prior restraints, access and other First Amendment questions along with ethical problems peculiar to media news gathering.
UG 375 Kaimin Reporting 1-3 cr. (R 3) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 331. Reporting for the Montana Kaimin.
UG 380 News Editing I 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 270. Fundamentals of editing and headline writing for the print media.
UG 381 News Editing II 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 380 or consent of instr. Introduction to layout and design techniques for newspapers, magazines and other publications. Projects in design, typography, headline writing; use of photographs, art work and informational graphics.
UG 389 Literature of Journalism 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Study of literary journalism focusing on fiction and nonfiction by American journalists.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 396 Advanced Journalism Problems Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of the dean. Independent study.
U 412 Multi-cultural and Diversity Problems in Journalism 2 cr. Offered autumn. Critical examination of the U.S. media's reporting on the growing multi-cultural movement that is transforming the country and of newsroom diversity issues related to the employment of journalists of color and women. Examination of the risks of error and insult--such as stereotyping and conveying and strengthening misconceptions--inherent in writing about minority cultures.
UG 417 Picture Story/Photographic Essay 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 328 and 381 or consent of instr. Culminating class in core curriculum in which students discuss, research, photograph, design and write several stories and essays. Study of the master storytellers.
UG 420 Native News Honors Project Variable cr. (R 6) Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Researching, reporting and photographing stories about Montana's Native American community. Stories appear in a special publication distributed throughout the state and nation.
UG 429 Documentary Photojournalism 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 328 or consent of instr. Production of an in-depth documentary project involving a social issue with intent to educate or implement change. Students write, shoot and design final project in book form..
UG 430 Community News Service Variable cr. (R 6) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 331, 380, consent of instr. Writing and editing articles for computer bulletin board news service serving Montana's community newspapers.
UG 439 Picture Editing and Management 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., JOUR 381 and 417 or consent of instr. Study of the cross-departmental role of the picture editor in a newspaper, magazine and online publication.
UG 440 Montana Journalism Review Variable cr. (R 6) Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Students assist writing, editing, design and overall production and distribution of the Montana Journalism Review, a publication of the School of Journalism.
UG 450 Broadcast Newsroom I 3 cr. (R-6) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 351 and consent of instr. Intensive laboratory experience in all phases of broadcast news. Students work on programs for broadcast including KUFM news, the Student Documentary Unit, College Beat and others determined by the faculty.
UG 451 Documentary Production 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 450. Planning, research, writing and production of broadcast documentaries.
UG 461 New Media 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 381, 351, or R-TV 351, or consent of instr. Exploration of new media, concentrating on the Internet and the World Wide Web from a journalistic perspective. Students learn to edit, produce and design for the Web. Discussion of legal, social and cultural issues regarding the new media.
UG 471 Computer-Assisted Reporting 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 331 for print students, JOUR 351 for broadcast students. Introduction to computer-assisted research and analysis, emphasizing methods and ethics of doing online research and using spreadsheets, database managers and mapping software in journalistic reporting.
UG 481 Senior Seminar 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., senior standing in journalism or consent of instr. Ideas, individuals and movements shaping contemporary society and which constitute the background for today's news.
UG 489 Opinion Writing 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., JOUR 331 or consent of instr. Practice in writing editorials, columns, op ed articles, and reviews. Study of the role of editorial pages.
U 490 Supervised Internship 1-2 cr. (R-2) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr.; for print students JOUR 331; for photojournalism students JOUR 327. Practical experience working for newspapers, magazines or other approved businesses, agencies or organizations.
U 494 Seminar 1-9 cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently.
UG 495 Special Topics 1-9 cr. (R 9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
G 500 Teaching Journalism in Secondary Schools 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Developing a high school journalism curriculum and advising school publications.
G 505 Journalism and Society Seminar 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing. Discussion and research on current journalism issues. Study of traditional and online research methodology.
G 527 Color and Lighting Techniques 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., graduate standing and consent of instr. Technical aspects of photography, electronic printing, color techniques, lighting, filters. In-depth color photo essay.
G 550 Graduate Broadcast News I 3 cr. Classroom instruction and practical experience in reporting, writing, and editing news for both radio and television.
G 551 Graduate Newscast Production 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 350. Advanced broadcast reporting skills, including coverage of state and local government. Student produce laboratory television newscasts.
G 567 Studies in Press and Broadcast Law 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., graduate standing. Examination and discussion of state and federal court cases affecting the mass media, with emphasis on First Amendment issues.
G 570 Reporting 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., graduate standing. Principles of news gathering through records, documents, meetings, and observation of events, combined with interviewing. Writing news and news feature accounts for broadcast and print media. Perspectives on reporting standards and practices.
G 571 Reporting Public Affairs 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 570 or consent of instr. Advanced reporting techniques for covering pbulic affairs. Study and coverage of public affairs topics and beats.
G 580 News Editing 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 570 or consent of instr. Fundamentals of copy editing and story editing for the print news media. In addition, students perform deadline editing on actual news stories for publication.
G 585 Montana News Service 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 571 and 580. Students working under a faculty member's direction write news articles on issues of statewide interest for the Journalism School's Community News Service, which makes those stories available to Montana newspapers via a statewide electronic bulletin board.
G 594 Seminar 1-9 cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 8) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
G 597 Methods of Journalism Research 3 cr. Prereq., consent of the dean.
G 599 Professional Project Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Planning, research and execution of a major project in print, photographic or broadcast journalism.
G 620 Graduate Honors: Covering Native American Issues 3 cr. Offered spring. Researching, writing, photographing and/or editing in-depth special reports on issues that affect the Indians who reside within Montana's borders.
G 640 Montana Journalism Review 1-3 cr. (R-6) Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Intensive laboratory experience in all phases of magazine publication, including writing, editing, layout, design, production and distribution of Montana Journalism Review, an annual publication fo the School of Journalism.
G 650 Graduate Broadcast Newsroom I 3 cr. (R-6) Prereq., JOUR 550, 551. Intensive laboratory experience in all phases of broadcast news. Students work on programs for the Student Documentary Unit, College Beat, KUFM News and others determined by the faculty.
G 651 Documentary Production 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 450. Planning, research, writing and production of broadcast documentaries.
G 670 Covering the Environment 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., JOUR 570 or consent of instr. Practical opportunities to research and report on a variety of public health and natural resource issues, combined with a critical examination of how news media cover these issues.
G 690 Supervised Internship 1-2 cr. (R-2)Offered every term. Prereq., JOUR 571. Practical experience working for newspapers, magazines, wire services or other approved businesses, agencies or organizations.
G 696 Advanced Problems Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of the dean. Independent study.
G 697 Research in Journalism Variable cr. (R 9) Offered every term. Prereq.,consent of the dean.
G 699 Thesis Variable cr. (R 6) Offered every term. Research and writing of master's thesis.

Radio Television back to top

U 150 Introduction to Radio/Audio 3 cr. Introduction to the fundamentals of audio and radio production, including announcing, use of microphones, recording equipment, editing techniques and programming.
U 151 Introduction to Radio Television Production 3 cr. Prereq., JOUR 100 or consent of instr. Introduction to broadcast production techniques. Use of microphones, mixers, cameras, videotape and audio tape editing, field and studio production.
U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
U 298 Internship Variable cr. (R 6) Prereq., consent of instr. Radio production work with the Broadcast Media Center, KUFM, and other radio production internships.
UG 301 Broadcast Programming 3 cr. Offered alternate years. An examination of formats, distribution systems, ratings, programming strategies and the business aspects of programming in the broadcast industry.
U 350 Television Production I 3 cr. Prereq., R TV 151. Production and direction of studio and remote television programs.
U 351 Television Production II 3 cr. Prereq., R TV 350. Continuation of 350. Advanced production and direction techniques in both the studio and field.
U 395 Special Topics Variable cr. (R 9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one time offerings of current topics.
UG 396 Advanced Radio Television Problems Variable cr. (R 6) Independent study.
UG 450 Broadcast Operations I 3 cr. Prereq., R TV 351. Intensive laboratory experience in all phases of radio and television production. Student are assigned work producing and directing news, sports, documentaries, features, magazines, entertainment programs and others as determined by the faculty.
UG 451 Broadcast Operations II 3 cr. Prereq., R TV 450. Continuation of 450.
UG 460 Lighting for Video 3 cr. Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., R-TV 350 or Dram 351 or consent of instr. Special techniques of lighting for the video camera.
UG 480 Advanced Digital Televison Editing and Graphics 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., R-TV 351 or consent of instr. Advanced non-linear video editing and computer graphic production for television.
UG 485 Advanced Television News Producing 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 351.
UG 490 Broadcast Production Internship 1-4 cr. (R 4) Prereq., R TV 351. Required approved internship under the direct supervision of the faculty.
UG 494 Senior Seminar 3 cr. Prereq., senior standing in R TV or consent of instr. Exploration of the current and historic place of broadcasting in American society and current business and ethical issues in the industry. Each student will complete a major research paper as part of the course.
G 550 Advanced Television Production and Direction 3 cr. Prereq., R-TV 451 or consent of instr. Production of long-form programs, particularly documentary or within the fields of drama, musc, and art.
G 650 Advanced Television Production 3 cr. Prereq., R-TV 550. Writing, producing and directing programs in a variety of genres designed for distribution to on-air commercial and public television outlets or "new media" outlets including the internet and CD-ROM.

Faculty back to top

Professors

Sharon Barrett, M.A., University of Wisconsin, 1967
Nathaniel Blumberg, Ph.D., Oxford University, 1950 (Emeritus)
Edward B. Dugan, M.A., University of Missouri (Emeritus)
Charles E. Hood, Jr., Ph.D., Washington State University, 1980 (Emeritus)
William L. Knowles, B.A., San Jose State College, 1959
Gregory MacDonald, M.A., University of Michigan, 1973 (Chairman, Radio Television)
Dennis McAuliffe, Jr., B.A., University of Maryland, 1976
Robert C. McGiffert, M.A., Ohio State University, 1965 (Emeritus)
Carol B. Van Valkenburg, M.A., The University of Montana, 1988
Clemens P. Work, J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, 1975

Associate Professor

Dennis L. Swibold, M.A., The University of Montana, 1991

Assistant Professor

Denise Dowling, B.A., University of Montana, 1982 (Visiting)
Michael Downs, M.A., University of Arkansas, 1999 (Visiting)
Raymond Ekness, M.A., The University of Montana, 1995
Keith Graham, M.A., University of Missouri, 1979
Sheri Venema, M.A., University of Minnesota, 1983 (Visiting)

Adjunct Professors

Deni Elliott, Ed.D., Harvard University, 1984
John Talbot, A.B., Harvard University, 1951

Lecturers

Gus Chambers
Sherry Devlin
William Marcus
Sally Mauk
John Twiggs

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