Journalism and Mass Communications
Subject Areas |
Courses for Advertising & Public Relations (ADPR) +/-
833. Advanced Communications Graphics and Electronic Design (3 cr) Lec 3.
ADPR 433/833 has individual and team projects.
Visual and graphic design as applied to the corporate environments of advertising and public relations. Print and electronic design principles, strategies and elements using traditional and new digital technologies. Development of creative materials for actual clients, corporate identities, electronic presentations, professional creative portfolios, non-traditional resumes, and World Wide Web (WWW) sites.
834. Digital Insight and Analytics (3 cr) Lec 3.
A study of the digital communication landscape. Various channels of digital communication used to analyze and connect with audiences and ultimately build brands.
838. Global Advertising (3 cr) Lec 3.
Global advertising and communication. Cultural, economic, political and social differences that affect advertising strategy and execution in foreign markets. Advertising a USA product or service in the global market.
847. Strategic and Creative Concepting (3 cr) Lec 3.
The alternative and advanced methods of communicating a message, a need, a perception, or attitude. Creative storytelling and problem solving, critique and analysis, and how to creatively communicate with strategic thinking and design.
850. Public Relations Theory, Strategy and Management (3 cr) Lec 3.
Philosophies and theories that underlie the discipline and profession of public relations. Critical and supportive perspectives used to gain insight into the history and direction of public relations.
851. Advertising and Public Relations Techniques (3 cr) Lec 3.
Multimedia tools in advertising, public relations, direct marketing, and sales promotion. Promotional writing, publications development, and media relations.
858. New Media Design (3 cr) Lec 3.
The new media and interactive technologies that can be used in a variety of print, broadcast, and electronic media, and digital communications. Writing, designing, and producing communications messages using traditional and new multimedia technologies.
859. Advertising and Public Relations in the Electronic Media (3 cr) Lec 3.
Analysis and preparation of radio and television commercials and announcements in terms of content and production techniques. Development of structure and functions of the broadcast advertising media: regulations, responsibilities, audience analysis, and promotion.
860. Media Planning and Strategy (3 cr) Lec 3.
Assignments for ADPR 860 include evaluating, selecting, and planning the use of media.
Principles and practices of planning, evaluating, and selecting a variety of traditional and non-traditional media in a local and national context. Marketing-driven strategic approaches to understand how media fits into an integrated communication system. Integrating information from a variety of resources and applying basic numerical and statistical concepts that build the foundation for strategic media planning.
881. Advertising and Public Relations Research (3 cr) Lec 3.
Experience the actual research process and produce a report.
Research in the planning, development and evaluation of advertising. The research process, the use of secondary sources of information, and how to analyze data from these sources. The planning and execution of primary research. Survey techniques.
882. Direct Advertising (3 cr) Lec 3.
ADPR 882 assignments provide practical laboratory experience.
Fundamentals of direct advertising. Database building and management, the economics of the industry, development and testing of effective creative materials, product selection and pricing, telemarketing, business to business direct advertising, lead-generating programs, the use of electronic and print media in the direct advertising mix, and fund-raising for worthy causes.
883. Portfolio Development (1 cr) Lec 1.
How to improve individual portfolios of creative work and execute a variety of creative pieces that demonstrate improvement in their collections.
884. Advertising Management (3 cr) Lec 3.
The managerial philosophy, techniques, and processes in advertising. Organizational structures, integrated marketing communications, strategic planning, marketing planning, advertising planning, advertising research, budgeting, and decision paradigms.
888. Media Sales and Promotion (3 cr) Lec 3.
Techniques for print and electronic media sales and promotion. Rate structures, legal requirements, and social and economic effects.
889. Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns (3 cr) Lec 3.
ADPR 889 requires working in teams.
Conduct research and evaluate the findings to develop and present an integrated marketing communications strategy and creative materials for a multimedia advertising and public relations campaign needed by a client. Application of knowledge, experience, and skills learned in previous courses to a new situation.
891. Special Topics in Advertising (1-4 cr, max 12)
ADPR 891 may be repeated up to three times so long as the topics are different.
Topic varies each semester.
896. Independent Study in Advertising and Public Relations (1-24 cr, max 24) Ind.
Prereq: Permission
Courses for Broadcasting (BRDC) +/-
828. Advanced Television Production (3 cr)
Prereq: BRDC 228 or permission
Theory of visualization for television. Practical application of directing techniques. Programs analyzed in relation to translation of facts, ideas, emotions, and attitudes through television. Program production experience in the studios of the University station, KUON-TV.
854. Broadcast Management (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Organizational and management procedures as they relate to the telecommunications media.
855. Broadcast Programming (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Radio and television program philosophies and formats with emphasis on regulations, responsibilities, economics, and audience measurement procedures.
856. Cable Telecommunications (3 cr)
Prereq: BRDC 228 or permission
Development of cable telecommunications systems and relevant regulatory aspects of cable development. Current and future projections of cable systems management systems--satellites, teletext, interactive, access channels, importation, origination, pay cable.
861. Instructional Television (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Preparation of instructional television programs. Historical development of television as an instructional medium, learning and communication theory relevant to proper applications of televised instruction.
865. International Broadcasting (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Development of programming patterns and controls as well as cultural consideration of national and international systems of broadcasting.
866. Telecommunication and Information Systems (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission of College Dean’s office
Open to non-journalism students. The telephone industry, voice and data communication and networking systems. Development and structure of telecommunication, issues, services, applications, technology, and management.
869. Advanced Cinematography/Videography (3 cr) Lec 3
Prereq: BRDC 359 and 369
BRDC 469/869 is a continuation of BRDC 359 and 369.
Production of single and double system sound films. Production of videotapes for television.
873. Broadcast Documentary (3 cr)
Prereq: BRDC 372 or permission
Depth reporting and advanced production techniques necessary for the preparation of a broadcast documentary program.
874. Advanced Broadcast Writing (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Techniques of planning, preparing and writing radio, television and motion picture scripts, including announcements, interviews, talk programs, features, editorials, investigative reports and dramatic adaptations.
898. Special Topics in Broadcasting (1-4 cr, max 12)
Course may be repeated up to three times so long as the topics are different. Topic varies each term.
Courses for Journalism Core Courses (JOUR) +/-
801. Depth Reporting (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: JOUR 302
Work in JOUR 801 will appear on the student news World Wide Web (WWW) site. JOUR 801 is 'Letter grade only.'
Long-form writing, interviewing, computer-generated research, refined writing and teamwork in the creation of a single-subject project.
804. Digital News Photography (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: Completion of all 100-level College of Journalism and Mass Communications core courses.
News, feature, sports, and picture story journalism.
806. Digital Photojournalism II (3 cr) Lec 2, lab 2.
Prereq: JOUR 404/804
Work in JOUR 406/806 will appear on the student news World Wide Web (WWW) site. JOUR 406/806 is 'Letter grade only.'
Building visual skills to recognize action, reaction and/or emotion, and incorporating them into the shootings and pictures.
*807. Investigative and Computer-assisted Reporting (3 cr) Lec 3.
Conduct investigative and in-depth reporting by using documents and computer databases, interviewing, and field research to write compelling stories.
*808. Politics and the Media (3 cr) Lec 3.
Current issues in media and politics, domestically and internationally.
810. Page Design (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: JOUR 162 and 201
JOUR 810 is 'Letter grade only.'
Designing elements of news presentation, including newspapers, magazines, and Web sites.
812. Literature of Journalism (3 cr) Lec 3.
The roles and effects of mass media and major works exemplifying the practice of journalism.
*813. Media Economics (3 cr) Lec 3.
Economic theory applied to analysis of mass media industries. Structure, performance, and competitions across print media, advertising, broadcasting, and new digital media. Preparation for conducting economic analyses of mass media behavior and performance.
814. Government Controls of Information (3 cr) Lec 3.
Laws, regulations and practices by which federal, state, and local government enhance or retard access to information about the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
822. Race, Gender, and Media (3 cr)
Open to non-College of Journalism and Mass Communications majors. Multicultural and gender diversity issues within the mass media. Broadcast news, print, and advertising media messages of racial, ethnic, and gender-based minorities, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and women.
844. Science Writing (ALEC 844) (3 cr) Lec 3.
Prereq: Permission
Open to non-College of Journalism and Mass Communications majors.
Articles will be submitted for publication. Advanced writing about science for the non-expert and/or general audience. Issues in science communication explored through reading the best writers in science and journalism. Research and write short articles and longer profiles about science and scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and elsewhere.
864. Sports Media Relations (3 cr) Lec 3.
Issues in sports media relations and integrated marketing communications. Background of the unpredictable nature of the sports industry and the relationships with its various publics and the media.
867. School Publications (3 cr) Lec 3.
JOUR 867 is open only to students seeking a grade 7-12 journalism teaching endorsement.
Problems and procedures involved in producing school newspapers, yearbooks, literary magazines, and radio and/or video projects.
885. Mass Media History (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission.
Required of all students seeking a degree through the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. History of American mass media in cultural and philosophical contexts. The evolution of mass media as a social institution.
886. Mass Media Law (3 cr) Lec 3.
Legal basis for freedom of speech and press. Limitations imposed upon rights by statue, common law and court decisions. Resolving conflicts between those rights and other constitutional rights. Enhancing critical-thinking and writing skills. Roles, rights, and responsibilities of mass media in a free society through analysis of cases.
887. Mass Media and Society (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission.
Required of all students seeking a degree through the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Interrelationships between American mass media and society, integrating ethics, theories and contemporary issues.
891. Special Topics (1-4 cr, max 12) Lec.
JOUR 891 may be repeated up to three times as long as the topics are different. JOUR 891 is 'Letter Grade only.'
Topic varies each term.
Courses for Journalism Graduate Courses (JGRD) +/-
*809. Media Law Seminar (3 cr) Lec, rct.
Reading, discussion, and research on current issues in mass media law or theoretical bases for freedom of expression.
*811. Seminar in Media History (3 cr) Lec, rct.
Readings and discussion of major issues, events, and people in the history of mass media in the United States.
*820. Mass Media: Introduction (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Mass media structure, development, systems, responsibilities and ethics, and criticisms.
*830. Strategic Communications: Advertising Issues and Strategies (3 cr)
Seminar for graduate students who do not have the equivalent of an undergraduate degree in advertising. Business of advertising and promotion, and the processes and planning involved in strategic promotional communication. Current issues and strategies faced by advertising practitioners, the importance of branding, integrated marketing communications and promotion. Creation of a strategic marketing plan.
*831. Strategic Communications: Writing and Design (3 cr)
Seminar for graduate students who do not have an undergraduate degree in advertising. Strategic and creative components of advertising, both from the visual and textual perspectives. Specific strategies for writing and designing advertising, promotional and public relations materials; creative aspects related to strategic planning.
*835. International Communications (3 cr)
Prereq: Permission
Systems of mass communications in foreign countries and across international boundaries.
891. Special Topics (1-4 cr, max 12)
JGRD 891 may be repeated up to three times so long as the topics are different.
Topics vary.
*896. Independent Study (1-3 cr, max 3)
Prereq: Permission of major adviser
*899. Masters Thesis (6 cr)
Prereq: Admission to masters degree program and permission of major adviser
901. Ethics and Issues in Mass Communication (3 cr) Lec 3.
Ethical framework for exploring current issues in mass communications.
902. Multi-platform Journalism (3 cr) Lec 3.
Skills and technologies involved with multi-platform journalism and management.
903. Media Management (3 cr) Lec 3.
Current issues in business management related to the media environment.
915. Mass Communication Theory (3 cr)
Process and effects of mass communication.
919. Methods of Mass Communication Research (3 cr)
Research concepts and procedures with emphasis on methodology and research techniques in mass communication. Development of competency in consumption and interpretation of research combined with an introduction to research design, analysis, and decision making.
954. Mass Media and Government (3 cr)
Process and effects of regulatory information control procedures of federal, state, and local government.
992. Professional Project (1-6 cr, max 6) Ind.
Development of thesis topic may come from JGRD 992. JGRD 992 is designed for increasing competency in professional practice and depending on goals, may be concentrated in ADVT, BRDC, or NEWS. Translation of social, political, and economic affairs to mass audiences in both print and electronic media.
995. Issues in Mass Communication (1-3 cr, max 3) Lec.
Current problems in mass communication and interrelated social, economic, and political factors. Topic varies.
Courses for News Editorial (NEWS) +/-
*803. Public Journalism (3 cr)
Prereq: BRDC 372 or NEWS 371 or permission
Survey of public/civic journalism, its goals and practices and how it differs from and is similar to traditional ideas of journalism.
879. Advanced Graphics (3 cr)
Prereq: NEWS 303 and permission
Intensive lecture-laboratory experience. Journalism writing and editing with computer graphics techniques.
898. Special Topics in News-Editorial (1-4 cr, max 12)
Course may be repeated up to three times so long as the topics are different. Topic varies each term.
Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Dean: Gary Kebbel, MS, MA, MSW
Graduate Chair: Frauke Hachtmann, PhD
The graduate program in journalism and mass communications is designed to prepare students to enter a variety of media professions. Students hone their abilities to communicate effectively to audiences in the midst of a changing media environment by focusing their studies in advertising, broadcasting, news-editorial or a combination of areas.
Students interested in news-editorial and broadcasting can select the professional journalism track, designed to combine principles and practices to prepare them to be leaders in the field, or a thesis track, created to help them build a foundation for a successful future in the academic world. Students interested in an academic career in advertising, publication and strategic communication can also choose the thesis track. Advertising students can also select an interdisciplinary program that permits them to combine course work in strategic communications in advertising and public relations with minors in marketing and communication studies (MCA specialization).
Students entering the graduate program, with the exception of those in the advertising, marketing and communication studies specialization, must have the equivalent of a journalism major from an accredited program in journalism. Applicants with an undergraduate major in an area of study other than journalism, or students with deficiencies in their journalism background, may be admitted with a provisional status and will be required to complete undergraduate journalism courses. For students admitted to an advertising graduate option, an undergraduate or graduate level statistics course is a prerequisite. An applicant's professional experience will be considered by the graduate committee of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications in determining the specific courses required to provide a background necessary to qualify for study in the master of arts program in journalism and mass communications.
Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications.
All candidates must complete a program that conforms to the general requirements of the Graduate College. Refer to "Requirements for Graduate Degrees" in this bulletin. Completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours credit in approved courses is required for those choosing the thesis track, Option I (refer to "Requirements for the Masters Degree"). Up to 9 hours in graduate-level courses may be included from academic course work from outside the College or outside the student’s area of specialization within the college. Journalism course numbers that are required in Option I are: 915 Mass Communication Theory (3 cr); 919 Methods of Mass Communication Research (3 cr); 954 Mass Media and Government (3 cr); 992 Professional Project or advanced level course work (6 cr); 899 Masters Thesis (6-10 cr).
The advertising, marketing and communication studies (MCA) specialization is an Option II program. The program consists of a major-a minimum of 18 hours in advertising and two minors of 9 hours-one in communication studies and one in marketing. Eighteen hours of the program are specified courses that include 6 hours from each of the following three departments: Advertising, Communication Studies and Marketing. Required courses for MCA students include: ADVT 881 Advertising and PR Research (3 cr); ADVT 884 Advertising Management (3 cr); GRBA 813 Managerial Marketing (3 cr); MRKT 830 Strategic Issues in Marketing Communication; COMM 852 Communication and Culture; and COMM 886 Organizational Communication. All students in this specialization must pass an oral comprehensive exam.
News-editorial and broadcasting students in the professional journalism specialization follow the guidelines for Option III. This requires students to complete 36 hours of course work, including a professional project and intensive course work in place of a minor. Fifteen hours of course work are required, including JGRD 901 Mass Media Issues and Ethics (3 cr); JGRD 902 Multi-Platform Journalism (3 cr); JGRD 903 Media Management (3 cr); and JGRD 992 Professional Project (6 cr). Students select 21 hours of approved electives. Eighteen credit hours must be earned in courses open exclusively to graduate students. A minimum of 18 credit hours must be taken in the college.
All applicants to the graduate program must provide Graduate Record Examination scores. Competitive applicants have a combined score of 1,000 with a verbal score of 500 and an analytical writing score of 4.5. Applicants with lower scores will also be considered. In addition, applicants who speak English as a second language must present documentation of a TOEFL score of 600 or higher (100 computer-based) and a minimum of 25 on the speak portion of the TOEFL exam, if they do not have a bachelors degree from a U.S. post-secondary institution.
Specializations available for the MA in Journalism and Mass Communications:
Integrated Media Communications (IMC); Marketing, Communication and Advertising (MCA); Media Studies; and Professional Journalism.
Please note that Journalism and Mass Communications offers a media specialization in cooperation with the doctoral program in Political Science. Students may also obtain a joint degree (JD/MA) in conjunction with the College of Law.
