Journalism B.A.

Bachelor of Arts - Journalism

School of Journalism

Catalog Year: 2015-2016

Degree Specific Credits: 37

Required Cumulative GPA: 2.5

Note: Degree Specific Requirements: must complete at least 37 and no more than 48 JRNL credits. Students must complete at least 72 total credits outside of Journalism.

Pre-Journalism Courses

Rule: 2.5 overall GPA and 2.5 GPA in pre-journalism core.

Note: The lower division core must be completed prior to admission to the School of Journalism professional program. The department strongly recommends students complete 2 semesters of the same foreign language before applying to the professional program.

Minimum Required Grade: C-
38 Total Credits Required

Core Requirements

Rule: Complete with at least a 2.5 in this core.

Note: Must complete these courses in order to apply to the professional programs.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description JRNL 100H - Media History and Literacy
Offered autumn. A survey of the history, development and role of the media in society, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, books, movies, recordings and the World Wide Web.  The course examines ethical, political, financial and other issues related to mass media.  Also included is an introduction to media literacy and critical thinking about the media and their messages.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 170 - Elements of News Writing
Offered Fall and Spring. Prereq. or Co-req., grade of C- or better in WRIT 101. Foundational course in the elements of news writing, with a focus on the style and conventions of writing for print, online and broadcast media.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 257 - Beginning Visual Journalism
Offered autumn and spring. This course provides an introduction to photo and video journalism using digital cameras. Students will learn the basics of editing still images with Photoshop and video with Final Cut Pro. Students will learn how to take compelling, content-driven photographs using light, composition and depth of field. Students will also learn about capturing quality video, audio and natural sound used to build video sequences. The overall emphasis is on visual storytelling.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 270 - Reporting
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JRNL 170. Fundamentals of interviewing, reporting, writing and audio editing of news stories for print, online and broadcast media.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 12 Total Credits Required

Math

Rule: Must complete 1 of the following math courses that fulfills the General Education math requirement.

Note: Other courses considered by department as long as meets the General Education Requirement.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description M 104 - Numbers as News
Offered spring.  Prereq. M 090 with a grade of B- or better, or M 095, or ALEKS placement >= 3, or ACT score of 22, or SAT score of 520. An exploration of mathematics and statistics as used in the popular media. For students in the School of Journalism only.
 3 Credits
Show Description M 105 - Contemporary Mathematics
Offered every term. Prereq. M 090 with a grade of B- or better, or M 095, or ALEKS placement >= 3, or ACT score of 22, or SAT score of 520. An introduction to mathematical ideas and their impact on society. Intended for students wishing to satisfy the general education mathematics requirement.
 3 Credits
Show Description M 115 - Probability and Linear Math
Offered every term. Prereq. M 090 with a grade of B- or better, or M 095, or ALEKS placement >= 3, or ACT score of 22, or SAT score of 520. Systems of linear equations and matrix algebra. Introduction to probability with emphasis on models and probabilistic reasoning. Examples of applications of the material in many fields.
 3 Credits
Show Description M 121 - College Algebra
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 095 or ALEKS placement >= 4. Intended to strengthen algebra skills. The study of functions and their inverses; polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Credit not allowed for both M 121, and M 151.
 3 Credits
Show Description M 122 - College Trigonometry
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 121 or ALEKS placement >= 4. Preparation for calculus based on college algebra. Review of functions and their inverses. Trigonometric functions and identities, polar coordinates and an optional topic such as complex numbers, vectors or parametric equations. Credit not allowed for both M 122 and M 151.
 3 Credits
Show Description M 135 - Mathematics for K-8 Teachers I
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., M 095, M 115, or ALEKS placement >= 4. Open only to elementary education majors. Topics include problem-solving, sets and logic, functions, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, number theory, probability and statistics.
 5 Credits
Show Description M 151 - Precalculus
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., ALEKS placement >= 4. A one semester preparation for calculus (as an alternative to M 121-122. Functions of one real variable are introduced in general and then applied to the usual elementary functions, namely polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, and miscellaneous others. Inverse functions, polar coordinates and trigonometric identities are included. Credit not allowed for both M 151 and M 121 or 122.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

American History

Rule: Complete 1 of the following:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description HSTA 101H - American History I
(AM) Offered autumn.  A comprehensive introductory history of Colonial, Revolutionary and 19th century America, to 1877. Lecture-discussion. Credit not allowed for both 101H and 103H.
 4 Credits
Show Description HSTA 102H - American History II
(AM) Offered spring.  A comprehensive introductory history of the U.S. since 1877. Lecture-discussion. Credit not allowed for both 102H and 104H.
 4 Credits
Show Description HSTA 103H - Honors American History I
(AM) Offered autumn.  Enrollment by consent of instructor. A comprehensive introductory history of Colonial, Revolutionary, and 19th century America, to 1877. Lecture-honors discussion. Credit not allowed for both 103H and 101H.
 4 Credits
Show Description HSTA 104H - Honors American History II
(AM) Offered spring.  Enrollment by consent of instructor. A comprehensive introductory history of the U. S. since 1877.  Lecture-honors discussion. Credit not allowed for both 104H and 102H.
 4 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 4 Total Credits Required

Indigenous and Global General Education Course

Rule: Complete 1 of the following:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description ANTY 101H - Anthro & the Human Experience
Offered autumn and spring. Offered intermittently in summer. A survey of anthropology which introduces the fundamental concepts, methods and perspectives of the field. The description and analysis of human culture, its growth and change. The nature and functions of social institutions.
 3 Credits
Show Description ANTY 141H - The Silk Road
Offered autumn and spring. Introduction to the study of the human communities, cultures, and economies in Central and Southwest Asia along the ancient four thousand mile-long Silk Road.
 3 Credits
Show Description GPHY 243X - Africa
Offered intermittently. A survey of the biophysical and cultural geography of Sub-Saharan Africa. Emphasis is on the region's cultural-historical development and current ecological, demographic, and economic patterns.
 3 Credits
Show Description GPHY 245X - The Middle East
Offered intermittently. A survey of the biophysical and cultural geography of Southwest Asia and North Africa.  Emphasis on environmental change; rehistory; patterns of cultural and historical change; issues of socio-economic, religious, and political diversity; and the broader political significance of the region.
 3 Credits
Show Description HSTR 146H - The Silk Road
(WRLD) Offered autumn and spring. Same as AS and ANTH 106H.  Introduction to the study of the human communities, cultures, and economies in Central and Southwest Asia along the ancient four thousand mile-long Silk Road.
 3 Credits
Show Description HSTR 231H - Modern Latin America
(WRLD) Offered spring. Latin America from wars of independence to the present. Focus on social relations, development models, politics, and popular movements.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 105X - Global Current Events
Offered autumn and spring. Survey of global 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description MCLG 100H - Intro Latin American Studies
Offered autumn or spring.  Same as ANTY 103H.  Multi–disciplinary survey and introduction to Latin America from pre–Columbian times to the present.
 3 Credits
Show Description NASX 105H - Intro Native Amer Studies
Offered Autumn and Spring.  Survey course to acquaint the student with Native American Studies by a general overview of Indian history, culture, philosophy, religious beliefs and contemporary issues.
 3 Credits
Show Description NASX 231X - Indig World View Perspectives
Offered Spring.  Same as ANTY 231X.   Examination of Indigenous belief systems, with regard to world views, religious ceremonies, cultural ways and the impact that Anglo-European culture has had upon these systems.  Focus on Indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 230X - Intro to International Rel
Offered every term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with consent of instr. Review of the evolution of the nation-state system and survey of contemporary international actors, issues and forces for stability and change.
 3 Credits
Show Description SOCI 212H - Southeast Asian Cult & Civ
Offered intermittently. Same as AS and LS 212H. Introduction to the cultures, societies, and contemporary social problems of Southeast Asia.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Political Science Course

Rule: Complete 1 of the following

Note: If PSCI 230 is taken to fulfill the Indigenous and Global General Education Course, PSCI 210 or 220 is required to fulfill this requirement.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description PSCI 210S - Intro to American Government
Offered every term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with consent of instructor. Constitutional principles, structures, and the political processes of the national government.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 220S - Intro to Comparative Govt
Offered every term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with consent of instr. Introduction to the basic political concepts, themes, values and dilemmas as they apply to the world's diverse societies and cultures.
 3 Credits
Show Description PSCI 230X - Intro to International Rel
Offered every term. Not open to senior level political science majors except with consent of instr. Review of the evolution of the nation-state system and survey of contemporary international actors, issues and forces for stability and change.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Economics or Business Course

Rule: Complete 1 of the following:

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description BGEN 105S - Introduction to Business
Offered every term. Nature of business enterprise; role of business in society; problems confronting business management; career opportunities in business. Open to non-business majors and business majors of freshman or sophomore standing only. Business majors are advised to register for the course their freshman year. Credit allowed for only one of BGEN 105S, MIS 100S, IS 100S, BADM 100S and BUS 103S.
 3 Credits
Show Description ECNS 101S - Economic Way of Thinking
Offered autumn and spring.  A critical examination of the market mechanism as a social decision-making device to guide the use of a nation's resources. The limitations of these processes in light of current economic problems such as the rise of the large corporation, monopoly, environmental degradation, economic discrimination and the increasing role of the government.
 3 Credits
Show Description ECNS 201S - Principles of Microeconomics
Offered every term.  The nature of a market economy, economic decisions of the household and firm, competition and monopoly, value and price determination, distribution of income and applied microeconomic topics.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 3 Total Credits Required

Modern or Classical Language

Rule: Students must complete the first year sequence of any modern or classical language.

Journalism Professional Program

Rule: Complete all courses.

Note: Must also complete 1 capstone course as designated by the faculty.

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description JRNL 300 - First Amendmnt and Jrnalism La
Offered spring. Prereq., JRNL 270 and admission to professional program, 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.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 400 - Ethics & Trends in News Media
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq. JRNL 270 (for minors) or senior standing in journalism's professional program. Practical ethics case studies from print, online and broadcast media, as well as an examination of the trends that are shaping the evolving news media.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 498 - Supervised Internship
(R-2) Offered every term. Prereq., consent of instructor; open to students in the professional program with the appropriate intermediate skills. For each credit, students perform the equivalent of six weeks’ full-time work for communications organizations. All internships must be pre-approved by the faculty internship supervisor.
 1 To 2 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 7 Total Credits Required

Journalism Upper Division Electives

Rule: Complete 5 of the following courses:

Note: null

Show All Course Descriptions Course Credits
Show Description JRNL 328 - Int Photojournalism
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Must be admitted to Journalism Professional Program. Students create single photo assignments for newspapers, magazines and online publications. Students also create narrative picture stories and photo essays, one of which is produced in Final Cut Pro, and learn the basics of portable flash units.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 330 - News Editing
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Must be admitted to Journalism Professional Program. Fundamentals of editing and headline writing for print and online media.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 331 - Intermediate Web Reporting
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Must be admitted to Journalism Professional Program. Students learn to produce reporting for different websites and digital news sources, with a special emphasis on using digital technologies to broaden sources for stories. Course will also explore the societal, business and ethical effects these emerging technologies are having.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 340 - Intermediate Audio
Offered autumn. Prereq., admission to Professional Program. Use of audio in news, interview and feature programs. Students will write, gather audio and produce segments and programs using digital audio equipment.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 350 - Intermediate Video Photography
Offered autumn. Prereq., admission to Professional Program. Digital video photography, storytelling and non-linear editing.  Students will be introduced to high-definition video cameras and advanced editing techniques and build on photojournalism skills introduced in JRNL 257.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 351 - Intermediate Video Directing
Offered spring. Prereq., JRNL 350. Students will learn the fundamentals of production and directing of studio-based programming. Students will work with those enrolled in Intermediate Video Reporting & Producing to create content. Newscasts produced in these courses are not intended for air.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 352 - Int Video Reporting and Produc
Offered spring. Prereq., JRNL 350. Creation of video news stories and programs including story idea generation, research and interviewing techniques, sound selection, script writing, television anchoring and producing, video photography and editing. Works with Intermediate Video Directing class to create news programs.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 362 - Feature Writing
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Must be admitted to Journalism Professional Program. Classroom instruction and practical experience in applying feature-writing techniques to the coverage of news, entertainment and sports for print and electronic media.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 370 - Public Affairs Reporting
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., Must be admitted to Journalism Professional Program. Study and practice of reporting public issues with emphases on news sources, interpretive writing and the coverage of local, state and federal governments.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 410 - Native News Honors Project
(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.
 1 To 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 411 - Reporting Native News
(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.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description JRNL 412 - Montana Journalism Review
(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.
 1 To 6 Credits
Show Description JRNL 414 - Investigations
Offered autumn. Prereq., JRNL 370 for print students, JRNL 352 for broadcast students. Introduction to methods and ethics of investigative reporting, emphasizing computer-assisted research and analysis of public records and databases.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 427 - Adv Photo & Multimed Storytell
Offered spring. Prereq., JRNL 328 and admission into Professional Program. Students discuss, research, photograph, design, write and produce several documentary-style stories and essays using still photography, video, audio, text and graphics.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 428 - Freelance Photography
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., JRNL 328 and admission into Professional Program. A workshop-style class that centers on the technical aspects of digital still and video camera lighting for freelance photography. Includes instruction in basic business practices for freelance work. Students produce weekly assignments including editorial and adventure portraiture, food illustrations, magazine fashion projects and travel stories. Business and marketing practices will include copyright, branding, usage, pricing, licensing and negotiation. Students must provide a professional still digital SLR with lenses and a portable strobe.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 429 - Documentary Photojournalism
Offered autumn. Prereq., JRNL 427 or consent of instr. Production of an in-depth documentary project involving a social issue with intent to educate, inform and implement change. Students write, shoot and design final project in book form or produce a multimedia project using stills, video, audio and text.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 430 - Print & Web Editing & Design
Offered spring. Prereq., JRNL 330 or consent of instr. Introduction to basic design principles, typography, color theory and usage, headline and caption writing.Discussion of the newest research on how readers use print and online publications. Students will design newsletter, brochure, newspaper, magazine and websites, plus other publications.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 431 - Online Journalism
Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., admission to the professional program or consent of instr. Course introduces students to the basics of website design and organization, explores how the Internet can be used to generate sources for stories and directs students in using multimedia reporting techniques for a web-based news site.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 433 - Marketing Your Work
Offered spring. Prereq., admission to the professional program. This course aims to help upper-division students find buyers for their journalistic work in today's rapidly changing information marketplace. Students will study how to identify news markets, how to establish and maintain relationships with editors, producers and publishers; and how to maintain control of their work while maximizing its value.
 2 Credits
Show Description JRNL 440 - Advanced Audio
Offered spring. Prereq., JRNL 340 or consent of instr. Students will create long-form, in-depth audio programs such as radio documentaries and radio deliberation programming on a variety of topics. Students will report, interview, host, and write the programs for a variety of outlets such as radio stations, webcasting and online.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 470 - Covering Elections
Offered autumn of even-numbered years. Prereq., JRNL 370 or consent of instr. Students will produce coverage of Montana elections for newspapers, broadcast stations and the web. 
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 471 - Covering the Legislature
Offered spring of odd-numbered years. Prereq., JRNL 370 or consent of instr. Students will produce coverage of Montana’s biennial legislative sessions for newspapers, broadcast stations and the web.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 472 - Opinion Writing
Offered intermittently. Prereq., JRNL 370 or consent of instr. Practice in writing editorials, columns, op-eds, and opinion blogs. Examines the evolving role of journalism in moderating and stimulating public discourse.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 473 - International Reporting
Offered intermittently. Prereq., admission to the professional program or consent of instr. Prepares students to report internationally and to develop global sources for local stories. History and practice of foreign correspondence.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 474 - Magazine Freelance Writing
Offered autumn. Prereq., JOUR 315 or consent of instr. The techniques of reporting, writing and selling articles to regional and national magazines.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 480 - Advanced Video Reporting
Offered autumn. Prereq., JRNL 352. Teams will create three to five minute television weekly news updates available online and broadcast on commercial stations in Montana. Students will fill all positions needed to produce the updates including reporters, producers and anchors, in tandem with students in JRNL 450, 650.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 481 - Adv Video Photo and Directing
Offered autumn. Prereq., JRNL 351 or consent of instr. Teams will create three to five minute weekly news updates to be broadcast online and on commercial stations in Montana. Students will fill all positions needed to produce the updates including photographers, editors and directors.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 482 - Advanced Video Storytelling
Offered autumn. Prereq., JRNL 350 or consent of instr. Teams will generate story ideas about Montana issues, businesses and people. Students will research, write, photograph, interview, edit and create long-form video programs. The programs generated in this course are intended for air on Montana PBS
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 485 - Griz TV
Offered spring. Prereq., JRNL 480 or 481. Techniques and strategies for directing, reporting, and producing a 30 minute live newscast. Students will also produce a weekly online newscast.
 3 Credits
Show Description JRNL 488 - Student Documentary Unit
Offered spring. Prereq., JRNL 351 or 352 or consent of isntructor. In-depth examination of a topic of importance in Montana. Students will produce a one-hour television documentary to air on MontanaPBS and other outlets. Students will research, report, write, photograph, edit and promote the film. Co-convenes with JRNL 688.
 3 Credits
Minimum Required Grade: C- 15 Total Credits Required