Gregory MacDonald, 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, 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 (write to the Graduate School).
About one-fourth of the work for the B.A. in Journalism or Radio-Television is taken in the School of Journalism; the remaining credits required for graduation provide a background in the liberal arts, stressing history, government, economics, philosophy, literature, foreign language, psychology and sociology.
Journalism majors specialize in one of two emphases: print or broadcast.
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 word processing is recommended.
Pre-Professional Program
The pre-journalism and pre-radio-television curriculum, which requires a minimum of two years of full-time study, may be taken at any accredited college or university.
Students at The University of Montana may enter the pre-journalism/pre-radio-television program during any semester. It is recommended that students considering journalism or radio-television declare them as pre-majors as early as possible in order to receive appropriate advising. All pre-professional majors will be assigned an advisor within the appropriate area.
Professional Program
Beginning with the autumn semester 1996, students must apply for admission to the professional programs in journalism and radio-television. Class size is restricted and admission to the program is competitive. The admissions process is designed to admit the best overall class into the professional programs. Students must have completed at least three semesters of pre-professional course work before applying for admission. Completed applications are evaluated by the School of Journalism Admissions Committee. Acceptances are made by the faculty and dean based on the recommendations of the committee. The primary admissions criteria are the students' grade averages, both overall and in the required pre-professional course work. To be eligible for admission a student must have a minimum grade average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and have completed all required courses 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. Students with deficiencies may be admitted to junior year courses on a space available basis, but in no instance will they be admitted to the professional program. Once deficiencies are removed from the student's record he/she may reapply for admission to the professional program.
The School of Journalism gives all applicants from the Montana University System equal consideration for admission into the professional program. There is no restriction on admission of out-of-state students. However, Montana residents are given priority among students with equal qualifications. Students will be notified of their admission status in writing.
The curriculum of the journalism and radio-television programs is sequential. Therefore, students will be admitted to 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 1st preceding autumn semester for which admission is requested.
A non-refundable application fee must be submitted with the application. Admission for one academic year cannot be deferred to another academic year. Official transcripts of all academic courses taken must be forwarded directly to the School of Journalism.
Students transferring from other accredited programs in journalism or radio-television may be admitted with advanced standing, determined on the basis of credits transferred. Transfer credit for professional courses taken at other institutions is accepted only for those courses which 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. 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 are guaranteed readmission if they are in good academic standing and provided they exit by interview with the Dean. Students leaving the program of their own volition and not in good academic standing 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 student in the School of Journalism:
Jour 100S-Introduction to Mass Media
Jour 270-Reporting
Enex 101-Composition
One mathematics course numbered greater than 100
Two semesters of a modern foreign language
Hist 151H-The Americans: Settlement to Civil War
Hist 152H-Civil War to the 21st Century
LS 151L or 152L-Introduction to the Humanities
PSc 100S-Introduction to American Government
PSc 230E-International Relations
Econ 100S-Introduction to Political Economy
CS 170-Computer Applications
In addition to the Core, students interested in photojournalism must also complete:
Jour 227-Photography
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 151-Introduction to Radio-Television Production
R-TV 251-Radio Production
Comm 111A-Public Speaking
Mus 134L-Music Appreciation
Professional Programs
Upon admission to the professional program, students majoring in journalism with a print emphasis must complete:
Jour 227-Photography
Jour 367-Law and Ethics of Mass Communications
Jour 371-Advanced Reporting
Jour 380-News Editing I
Jour 381-News Editing II
Jour 481-Senior Seminar I
Jour 482-Senior Seminar II
A minimum of eight credits of journalism electives
Students majoring in broadcast journalism must complete:
Jour 350-Broadcast News I
Jour 351-Broadcast News II
Jour 367-Law and Ethics of Mass Communications
Jour 450-Newsroom I
Jour 451-Newsroom II
R-TV 494-Broadcast Senior Seminar
Students majoring in Radio-Television must complete:
R-TV 350-Broadcast Production I
R-TV 351-Broadcast Production II
Jour 367-Law and Ethics of Mass Communication
R-TV 450-Broadcast Operations I
R-TV 451-Broadcast Operations II
R-TV 494-Broadcast Senior Seminar
Dram 102-Introductory Technical Theatre
Nine credits of electives from the following:
Dram 351-Lighting I
Dram 451-Lighting II
Dram 334-Scene Design I
Dram 335-Scene Design II
Dram 346-Costume Design
Dram 244-Makeup
All journalism and radio-television majors must acquire practical experience through internships or other employment approved by the dean.
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.
Journalism
U 100S Introduction to Mass Media 3 cr. A survey of the history, development and current status of the mass media in society, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, books, movies and recordings. 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) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 227 Elementary Photography 3 cr.An introduction to photojournalism. Students learn to use cameras, develop film, print photographs, shoot news, feature and sports assignments. Emphasis on content of photographs. Students supply film and paper.
U 270 Reporting 3 cr. Fundamentals of reporting and writing news for print and broadcast media.
U 316 School Publications and Teaching Methods 3 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. Open to non-majors. For students who plan to teach journalism courses in high schools or act as advisors to school publications.
UG 327 Intermediate Photography 3 cr. Prereq., beginning photography or consent of instr. Mastery of the technical aspects of photography; printing, studio lights, double strobe setups, color filters. Students shoot black and white and color film.
UG 328 News Photography 3 cr. Prereq., Jour 327 or consent of instr. Advanced black and white and color photography. Students shoot news, feature, sports and illustration pictures. Goal of the course is published work.
UG 333 Magazine Article Writng 3 cr. Prereq., Jour 371 or consent of instr. The techniques of preparing and selling articles to national and regional magazines.
UG 350 Broadcast News I 4 cr. Prereq., R-TV 151 and Jour 270. Classroom instruction and practical experience in reporting, writing and editing news for both radio and television.
UG 351 Broadcast News II 4 cr. Prereq., Jour 350. Continuation of 350. Advanced broadcast reporting skills, including coverage of state and local government. Students also produce newscasts for radio and television.
UG 360 Media Management and Marketing 3 cr. Prereq., consent of instr. The role of marketing and management procedures and techniques in the print and electronic media.
U 367 Law and Ethics of Mass Communications 3 cr. 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 newsgathering.
UG 371 Advanced Reporting 4 cr. Prereq., Jour 270. Coverage of actual new events under deadline conditions for the print media.
UG 375 Kaimin Reporting 1-2 cr.(R-3) Prereq., Jour 371. Reporting for the Montana Kaimin.
UG 380 News Editing I 3 cr. Prereq., Jour 270. Fundamentals of editing and headline writing for the print media.
UG 381 News Editing II 3 cr. 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. Some assignments on Macintosh computers.
UG 389 Literature of Journalism 3 cr. Study of literary journalism focusing on fiction and nonfiction by American journalists.
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.
U 396 Advanced Journalism Problems Variable cr. (R-6) Prereq., consent of the dean. Independent study.
UG 420 Native News Honors Project Variable cr. (R-6) 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 430 Community News Service Variable cr. (R-6) Prereq., Jour 371, 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) 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 4 cr. 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 Broadcast Newsroom II 4 cr. Prereq., Jour 450. Continuation of 450.
UG 481 Senior Seminar I 2 cr. Prereq., senior standing in journalism or consent of instr. Ideas, individuals and movements that have shaped contemporary society and which constitute the background for today's news.
UG 482 Senior Seminar II 2 cr. Prereq., Jour 481 or consent of instr. Continuation of 481.
UG 489 Opinion Writing 3 cr. Prereq., Jour 371 or consent of instr. Practice in writing editorials, columns, op-ed articles, and reviews. Study of the role of editorial pages.
UG 490 Internship Variable cr.(R-3) Prereq., Jour 371. Practical experience working for newspapers, magazines or other approved businesses, agencies or organizations.
UG 491 Student Documentary Unit 1-3 cr. (R-3) Prereq., consent of instr. Collaborative work, including research and writing, on selected departmental productions for broadcast. Open to non-majors only with consent of instr.
UG 495 Special Topics 1-9 cr. (R-9) 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. Developing a high school journalism curriculum and advising school publications.
G 501 Studies in Press and Broadcast Law 3 cr. Examination and discussion of state and federal court cases affecting the mass media, with emphasis on First Amendment issues.
G 503 Problems in Governmental Reporting 3 cr. Student coverage of government agencies followed by analysis and critiques with the instructor.
G 595 Special Topics Variable cr.(R-8) 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) Planning, research and execution of a major project in print, photographic or broadcast journalism.
G 696 Advanced Problems Variable cr. (R-6) Prereq., consent of the dean. Independent study.
G 697 Research in Journalism Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq.,consent of the dean.
G 699 Thesis Variable cr. (R-6) Research and writing of master's thesis.
Radio-Television
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 201H Broadcast History 3 cr. Prereq., Jour 100. An examination of the technical, financial, legal and artistic forces that have shaped the electronic media.
U 251 Radio/Audio Production 3 cr. Prereq., R-TV 151. Advanced audio production and recording techniques for radio and television.
U 298 Internship Variable cr. (R-6) Prereq., consent of instr. Radio production work with the Telecommunication Center, KUFM, and other radio production internships.
UG 301 Broadcast Programming 3 cr. Prereq., R-TV 201. Offered alternate years. An examination of formats, distribution systems, ratings, programming strategies and the business aspects of programming in the broadcast industry.
UG 350 Television Production I 4 cr. Prereq., R-TV 151. Production and direction of studio and remote television programs.
UG 351 Television Production II 4 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 4 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 4 cr. Prereq., R-TV 450. Continuation of 450.
UG 490 Broadcast Production Internship 1-3 cr. (R-3) Prereq., R-TV 351. Required approved internship under the direct supervision of the faculty.
UG 494E Senior Seminar 3 cr. Prereq., senior standing in R-TV and lower-division course in Perspective 5 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.
Faculty
Professors
Frank Edward Allen, M.A., University of Oregon, 1974 (Dean)
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)
Joe Durso, Jr., M.S., Columbia University, 1968
Charles E. Hood, Jr., Ph.D., Washington State University, 1980 (Emeritus)
William L. (Bill) Knowles, B.A., San Jose State College, 1959
Gregory MacDonald, M.A., University of Michigan, 1973(Chairman, Radio Television)
Robert C. McGiffert, M.A., Ohio State University, 1965 (Emeritus)
Associate Professors
Patricia Reksten, M.A., The University of Montana, 1990.
Dennis L. Swibold, M.A., The University of Montana, 1991
Carol Van Valkenburg, M.A., The University of Montana, 1988
Clemens P. Work, J.D., Golden Gate University School of Law, 1975
Lecturers
Gus Chambers
Terry Conrad
Ray Ekness
John Engen
William Marcus
Sally Mauk
John Talbot