School of Journalism

Peggy Kuhr, Dean
Carol Van Valkenburg, Chair, Department of Print Journalism
Ray Ekness, 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, print and online news services and related agencies. The School of Journalism offers Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in journalism and radio-television. Students select options in print, photojournalism, broadcast news or broadcast production.

A quality education in journalism is built on a strong liberal arts foundation. Therefore, at the undergraduate level, at least 80 of the 120 credits required for graduation must be outside the School of Journalism and 65 of those credits must be in the liberal arts and sciences or be General Education courses. For further information about the master’s degree program, contact the Director of Graduate Studies, School of Journalism,The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, or (406)243-6720, or michael.downs@umontana.edu.

Pre-Professional Program

In the first two years of study students are enrolled in prejournalism or pre-radio-television and take courses primarily in the liberal arts and sciences. Journalism and radio-television courses in the pre-professional curriculum may be taken at The University of Montana-Missoula or at another school with a program accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. All non-journalism courses in the curriculum may be completed at any college or university.

Students in the first two years of study may enter the preprofessional program during any semester. However, requirements in the pre-professional 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. Students should have completed at least 45 credits before applying for the professional program. At the time of application, students should have either completed all courses listed in the pre-professional curriculum or be taking the courses needed to fulfill requirements. A grade point average of 2.5 or better is required of applicants.

Professional Program

Students interested in print, photojournalism or broadcast news apply for admission to the two-year professional programs in journalism. Those interested in broadcast production apply for the radio-television professional program. Applications are accepted only in spring and granted only for admission in autumn semester. Deadline for applications is March 1. The admissions process is designed to admit the best overall class into the professional program.

Completed applications are evaluated by the School of Journalism Admissions Committee and acceptances are made by the faculty and dean based on the committee’s recommendations. The primary admissions criteria are the students' grade point averages, both overall and in the preprofessional program, the student’s progress in completing the pre-professional curriculum, and an evaluation of work submitted by the student. 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 broadcast 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.

The curriculum of the journalism 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 nonrefundable 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 program 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 for any reason, whether in good standing or on academic suspension, must reapply for admission.

Special Degree Requirements

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:

Transfer credit to meet this humanities requirement must be approved by the journalism or R-TV chair.

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 radio-television programs must also complete:

Professional Programs

Students in the professional programs must earn a C- or better grade in all journalism or R-TV required skills courses or they must repeat the course.

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

First Year:
Autumn semester: Spring semester: Second Year:
Autumn semester:

Before graduation, students also must complete JOUR 333- Magazine Article Writing (offered summer and fall) or JOUR 415-Feature Writing (offered spring), plus JOUR 490, a onecredit supervised internship, and electives that will bring the total number of journalism credits to at least 35.

Students majoring in journalism with a photojournalism option must complete:

First Year:
Autumn semester: Spring semester: Second Year:
Autumn semester:

Before graduation, students must also complete JOUR 490, a one-credit supervised internship, plus electives, including JOUR 420-Native News (offered spring) and JOUR 429-Documentary Photojournalism (offered fall) that will bring the total number of journalism credits to at least 35.

Students majoring in journalism with a broadcast option must complete:

First Year:
Autumn semester: Spring semester: Second Year:
Autumn semester:

Students also must complete electives that will bring the total number of credits before graduation in journalism or radiotelevision to at least 35.

Students majoring in Radio-Television must complete:

First Year:
Autumn semester: Spring semester: Second Year:
Autumn semester:

Students also must complete electives that will bring the total number of credits before graduation in journalism or radiotelevision to at least 35.

All journalism and radio-television majors must acquire practical experience through pre-approved internships (JOUR 490 or R-TV 490) 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

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. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.

Journalism (JOUR)

U 100S Introduction to Mass Media 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. 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. Includes ethical, political, financial and other issues that face today’s mass media industry.

U 165 Current Events/Honors 2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Survey of world, national and local news intended to make students familiar with the context and vocabulary necessary to understand the news, what makes it, and the implications that stem from it.

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 285 Sports Journalism 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., JOUR 270. Study and practice of sports journalism in print and broadcast, including its history and its finest examples.

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 Freelance Writing 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 331 or consent of instr. The techniques of reporting, writing and selling articles to regional and national magazines.

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.

UG 400 Online News 1-2 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 270, 570 or 227, and consent of instr. Practical experience in reporting, writing and photographing news stories to appear on the School of Journalism Web page.

UG 412 Media and Cultures 2 cr. Offered autumn. Critical examination of the U.S. media’s reporting on the growing multicultural 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 415 Feature Writing 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 331 or JOUR 570. Classroom instruction and practical experience in applying feature-writing techniques to the coverage of news, entertainment and sports for print and electronic media.

UG 417 Multimedia Projects 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 328 or consent of instr. Capstone class in core photo curriculum in which students discuss, research, photograph, design and write and record several stories and essays using still photography and audio/video equipment.

U 420 Native News Honors Project Variable cr. (R-6) Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Researching, photographing and designing stories about Montana's Native American community. Photojournalism students travel with reporters to Montana’s seven Indian reservations to document in depth stories on a single topic.

U 421 Reporting for Native News Honors Project Variable cr. (R-6) Offered spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Researching, reporting and editing stories about Montana’s Native American community. Reporters travel to Montana’s seven Indian reservations to investigate in depth a single story topic. Editors coach reporters and edit their stories. The stories appear in a 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 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 461 New Media 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 381, or R-TV 351, or R-TV 361, 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 Investigations 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 331 for print students, R-TV 361 for broadcast students. Introduction to methods and ethics of investigative reporting, emphasizing computer-assisted research and analysis of public records and databases.

U 477 Rural News Network 1-6 cr. (R-6) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., professional program standing and consent of instructor. Students will visit rural towns in Montana that have lost their newspapers or never had one and will create an online newspaper. Students write, photograph and record stories for use on the site. Students work with local citizens and co-author pieces. Students and faculty train townspeople to become citizen journalists to keep the news site on going.

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 488 Preparing for an Internship 1 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., admission to the journalism professional program or the journalism graduate program. Acquaints students with internship requirements including application procedures, such as building a resume and learning what internships–local through international–are available.

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.

UG 494 Pollner Seminar 2 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., consent of instr. or print department chair. Seminar on a topic selected by the T. Anthony Pollner Distinguished Professor. Topics will range from journalism history, ethics, practices and performance to current issues in the news media.

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 501 Project/Thesis Seminar 2 cr. Offered spring. Introduction to appropriate research methods and presentation techniques for professional projects and theses in journalism.

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 551 Graduate Newscast Production 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 560 or consent of instr. Intensive instruction and practice in reporting, writing, producing, directing and delivering television newscasts. Work on a special program for Montana PBS in tandem with students in R-TV 351, 361 and 551.

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 public 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 Community News Service 1-3 cr. (R-3) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr. Students working under faculty supervision write articles of statewide interest for publication in a network of Montana newspapers.

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. Prereq., consent of instr. 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-Editorial 3 cr. (R- 6) Prereq., JOUR 550, 551 or consent of instr. Students direct, photograph and edit a daily Newsbrief report for Montana PBS, and a weekly UMNews program for commercial stations, in tandem with student in R-TV 460, R-TV 450 and 650.

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 (R-TV)

U 150 Introduction to Radio Production 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 100S or consent of instr. Introduction to the fundamentals of audio and radio production, including announcing, use of microphones, recording equipment, editing techniques and programming.

U 151 Introduction to Television Production 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 100 or consent of instr. Use of cameras, microphones, and lighting gear for field production. Use of mixer and videotape editors for post production.

U 280 Reporting for Broadcast 3 cr. Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JOUR 100S. Fundamentals of reporting and writing news for broadcast including use of digital audio recording and editing equipment.

U 295 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 350 Television Directing and Production 3 cr. Prereq., R-TV 151. Production and direction of studio and remote television programs.

U 351 Advanced Television Directing and Production 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., R-TV 350. Advanced production and direction techniques in both the studio and field. Work with students in R-TV 361 on special programs for Montana PBS.

U 360 Advanced Broadcast Reporting 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., R-TV 280, R-TV 151. Radio and television reporting including writing, interviewing, news gathering and preparation of radio and television news stories.

U 361 Newscast Reporting and Producing 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., R-TV 360. Intensive instruction and practice in reporting, writing, producing and delivery of television newscasts. Work with students in R-TV 351 on special programs for Montana PBS.

U 370 KBGA Reporting 1 cr. (R-3) Offered spring. Students report, write and produce stories for KBGA, the student radio station, under supervision of KBGA News Director and a faculty member.

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 Independent Study in Broadcasting Variable cr. (R-6) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instr. and broadcast faculty. Independent study in broadcasting issues of interest.

UG 401 Broadcast Programming 3 cr. Offered autumn odd-numbered years. An examination of formats, distribution systems, ratings, programming strategies and the business aspects of programming in the broadcasting and cable television industries.

UG 403 Sports and Media 3 cr. Offered autumn evennumbered years. An examination of the historic marriage between the mass media and sports on both collegiate and professional levels.

UG 410 Legislative Reporting 1-6 cr. Offered spring semester during legislative years. Prereq., JOUR 430. Students produce daily radio news reports and newscasts from the Montana Legislature in Helena that are distributed to Montana radio and television stations for broadcast.

UG 420 Radio Deliberation Project 1-2 cr. (R-4) Offered every term. Prereq.,consent of instr. Students will be responsible for producing The Footbridge Forum, a radio program airing on KBGA College Radio. Students learn the deliberative process, formulate program content, select guests, conduct research, promote the programs and are responsible for technical production of the shows.

UG 430 Lighting for Video 3 cr. Offered spring evennumbered years. Prereq., R-TV 350 or Dram 351 or consent of instr. Special techniques of lighting for the video camera.

UG 440 Advanced Video Editing and Storytelling 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., R-TV 351 or 361 or consent of instr. Advanced non-linear video editing, photography, lighting, audio and writing for television production.

U 450 Broadcast Newsroom-Production 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., R-TV 351 or consent of instr. Students direct, photograph and edit a daily Newsbrief report, and a weekly UMNews program for commercial stations, in tandem with students in R-TV 460, 650.

U 460 Broadcast Newsroom-Editorial 3 cr. (R-6) Offered autumn. Prereq., R-TV 361. Students report, write, produce and deliver a daily Newsbrief report, and a weekly UMNews program for commercial stations, in tandem with students in RTV 450, 650.

UG 481 Documentary-Editorial 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., R-TV 460 or consent of instr. Students conceive, research, report and otherwise produce a one-hour television documentary for Montana PBS, in tandem with student of RTV 482.

UG 482 Documentary-Production 3 cr. (R-6) Offered spring. Prereq., R-TV 450 or consent of instr. Students conceive, research, photograph, edit and otherwise produce a one-hour television documentary for Montana PBS, in tandem with students of JOUR 481.

UG 485 Advanced Television News Producing 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., R-TV 460 or 461. Techniques and strategies of daily production of a full-length newscast.

U 489 Preparing for an Internship 1 cr. Offered autumn to students admitted to the professional program. Acquaints students with internship requirements, including application procedures, such as building a resume and learning what internships–local through international–are available.

UG 490 Broadcast Internship 1-4 cr. (R-4) Offered every term. Prereq., R-TV 351 or 361 and consent of instr. Required of all broadcast news and broadcast production students without requisite professional experience. Students perform the equivalent of six weeks’ full-time work in a radio or television station or similar broadcast news or broadcast production enterprise. Internship hosts are approved by the faculty.

UG 494 Senior Seminar 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., senior standing in broadcast news or broadcast production option or consent of instr. Exploration of the current and historic broadcasting in American society, including current business, editorial, production and ethical issues in the industry. Each student completes a major research paper as part of the course.

G 550 Graduate Television Production and Direction 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., consent of instr. Production and direction of studio and remote television programs.

G 560 Graduate Advanced Broadcast Reporting 3 cr. Offered autumn. Prereq., R-TV 280 or JOUR 570 or consent of instr. Radio and television reporting including writing, interviewing, news gathering and preparation of radio and television news stories.

G 650 Graduate Broadcast Newsroom-Production 3 cr. Offered autumn. Students direct, photograph and edit a daily Newsbrief report, regular half-hour Montana Journal magazine programs for Montana PBS, and a weekly UMNews program for commercial stations, in tandem with students in R-TV 460 and 450.

G 681 Graduate Documentary 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., JOUR 650 or consent of instr. Students conceive, research, report, photograph and edit a one-hour documentary for Montana PBS in tandem with students in R-TV 481 and 482.

Faculty

Professors

Associate Professors

Assistant Professor

Adjunct Professors

Lecturers

Emeritus Professors