Journalism and Mass Communications
Subject Areas |
Courses for ADPR (ADPR)
ADPR
433/833
Art Direction LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
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.
ADPR
434/834
Digital Insight & Analytics LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Prereqs:
Junior standing; ADPR 283.
A study of the digital communication landscape. Course explores how various channels of digital communication can be used to analyze audiences, connect with them and ultimately build brands.
ADPR
438/838
Global Advertising LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
| ACE Outcomes: | 9 |
Prereqs:
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.
ADPR
447/847
Strategic and Creative Concepting LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
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.
ADPR
450/850
Public Relations Theory and Strategy LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
| ACE Outcomes: | 6 |
Philosophies and theories that underlie the discipline and profession of public relations. The critical and supportive perspectives used to gain insight into the history and direction of public relations.
ADPR
451/851
Public Relations Techniques LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Multimedia tools in advertising, public relations, direct marketing, and sales promotion. Promotional writing, publications development, and media relations.
ADPR
458/858
New Media Design LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab 3, Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
The new media and interactive technologies 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.
ADPR
459/859
Writing for Digital Media LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
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.
ADPR
480/880
Japanese Visual Culture in Context LINKCrosslisted as ARTP 480/880| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Studio 32 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 2, 9 |
Test and hone visual literacy skills in a foreign country. Observe, analyze, and interpret visual information without the aid of text in the native Japanese language. Sharpen perceptual and analytical skills through daily drawing, writing, and photography in Japan. Increase global awareness through analysis of an issue.
ADPR
482/882
Direct Advertising LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Prereqs:
Fundamentals of direct advertising, data base 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.
ADPR
483/883
Portfolio Development LINK| Credit Hours: | 1 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 1 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
How to improve individual portfolios of creative work and execute a variety of creative pieces that demonstrate improvement in their collections.
ADPR
484/884
Brands & Branding LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
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.
ADPR
488/888
Media Sales and Promotion LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Prereqs:
For ADPR majors: ADPR 283; Junior standing for BRDC majors.
Techniques for print and electronic media sales and promotion. Rate structures, legal requirements, and social and economic effects.
ADPR
489/889
Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 10 |
Prereqs:
ADPR 489 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.
ADPR
491/891
Special Topics in Advertising LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Topics vary each term.
ADPR
496/896
Independent Study in Advertising and Public Relations LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-24 |
| Max credits per degree: | 24 |
| Course Format: | Independent Study |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission.
ADPR
830
Strategic Communications: Advertising Issues and Strategies LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
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.
ADPR
881
Advertising and Public Relations Research LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Web |
Research in the planning, development and evaluation of advertising. The research process, use of secondary sources of information and how to analyze data from these sources. The planning and execution of primary research. Survey techniques.
ADPR
898
Special Topics in Advertising LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Course may be repeated up to three times so long as the topics are different. Topic varies each semester.
ADPR
98
Senior Assessment LINK| Credit Hours: | 0 |
| Course Format: | Independent Study |
| Course Delivery: | Web |
Prereqs:
Senior standing; ADPR major; candidate for degree.
All seniors must complete an exit interview to remain eligible for graduation. ADPR 98 uses Blackboard. Pass/No Pass only.
Appropriate career-related announcements, activities, and responsibilities.
Courses for BRDC (BRDC)
BRDC
428/828
Advanced Television Production LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
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.
BRDC
454/854
Broadcast Management LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Senior standing and major in broadcasting.
Organizational and management procedures as they relate to the telecommunications media.
BRDC
455/855
Broadcast Programming LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Senior standing and major in broadcasting.
Radio and television program philosophies and formats with emphasis on regulations, responsibilities, economics and audience measurement procedures.
BRDC
456/856
Cable Telecommunications LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
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.
BRDC
461/861
Instructional Television LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Senior standing in broadcasting.
Preparation of instructional television programs. Historical development of television as an instructional medium, learning and communication theory relevant to proper applications of televised instruction.
BRDC
462/862
Advanced Production LINK| Credit Hours: | 6 |
| Course Format: | Lab, Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 10 |
BRDC 462 is the capstone course in the production track.
Produce multiple long-form, edited television programs to be distributed to a mass audience. Directing a weekly, live, thirty-minute television studio newscast. Advanced operation of studio equipment, graphics software and non-linear editing equipment. Prepare demo materials for a professional portfolio.
BRDC
465/865
International Broadcasting LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Senior standing in broadcasting or international studies.
Development of programming patterns and controls as well as cultural consideration of national and international systems of broadcasting.
BRDC
466/866
Telecommunication and Information Systems LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission of department head.
Open to non-majors.
The telephone industry, voice and data communication and networking systems. Explores the development and structure of telecommunications, issues, services, applications, technology and management.
BRDC
469/869
Advanced Cinematography/Videography LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Production of single and double system sound films. Production of videotapes for television.
BRDC
473/873
Broadcast Documentary LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Senior standing in broadcasting; BRDC 372.
Depth reporting and advanced production techniques necessary for the preparation of a broadcast documentary program.
BRDC
474/874
Advanced Broadcast Writing LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Senior standing.
Techniques of planning, preparing and writing radio, television and motion picture scripts including announcements, interviews, talk programs, features, editorials, investigative reports and dramatic adaptations.
BRDC
898
Special Topics in Broadcasting LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Course may be repeated up to three times so long as the topics are different. Topic varies each term.
Courses for JOUR (JOUR)
JOUR
401/801
Depth Reporting LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Studio |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Long-form writing, interviewing, computer-generated research, refined writing and teamwork in the creation of a single-subject project.
JOUR
404/804
Digital Photojournalism I LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Studio |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
News, feature, sports and picture-story journalism.
JOUR
406/806
Digital Photojournalism II LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lab 2, Lecture 2 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Building visual skills to recognize action, reaction and/or emotion, and incorporating them into the shootings and pictures.
JOUR
407/807
Investigative and Computer-assisted Reporting LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Conduct investigative and in-depth reporting by using documents and computer databases, interviewing, and field research to write compelling stories.
JOUR
410/810
Page Design LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Designing elements of news presentation, including newspapers, magazines, and web sites.
JOUR
414/814
Government Controls of Information LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Laws, regulations, and practices by which federal, state, and local government enhance or retard access to information about the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
JOUR
446/846
Nebraska Mosaic LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
| ACE Outcomes: | 10 |
Create and present news and information of particular interest to Lincoln's growing refugee communities. The stories students report will be presented on the Nebraska Mosaic website (www.nemosaic.org), and they may also be repurposed as part of printed newsletters or video projects distributed on DVD.
JOUR
467/867
School Publications LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Problems and procedures involved in producing school newspapers, yearbooks, literary magazines, and radio and/or video projects.
JOUR
491/891
Special Topics LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
12 hours max special topics hours at all levels (100, 200, 300, 400) per degree
Topics vary each term.
JOUR
813
Media Economics LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
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.
JOUR
98
Senior Assessment LINK| Credit Hours: | 0 |
| Course Format: | Independent Study |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom, Web |
Prereqs:
Senior standing; JOUR major; candidate for degree.
Appropriate career-related announcements, activities, and responsibilities.
Courses for JGRD (JGRD)
JGRD
809
Media Law Seminar LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture, Recitation |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Reading, discussion, and research on current issues in mass media law or theoretical bases for freedom of expression.
JGRD
811
Seminar in Media History LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture, Recitation |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Readings and discussion of major issues, events, and people in the history of mass media in the United States.
JGRD
820
Mass Media: Introduction LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
Mass media structure, development, systems, responsibilities and ethics, and criticisms.
JGRD
831
Strategic Communications: Writing and Design LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
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.
JGRD
835
International Communications LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission
Systems of mass communications in foreign countries and across international boundaries.
JGRD
891
Special Topics LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
JGRD 891 may be repeated up to three times so long as the topics are different.
Topics vary.
JGRD
896
Independent Study LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Permission of major adviser
JGRD
899
Masters Thesis LINK| Credit Hours: | 6 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
Admission to masters degree program and permission of major adviser
JGRD
901
Ethics and Issues in Mass Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Ethical framework for exploring current issues in mass communications.
JGRD
902
Multi-platform Journalism LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Skills and technologies involved with multi-platform journalism and management.
JGRD
903
Media Management LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Current issues in business management related to the media environment.
JGRD
915
Mass Communication Theory LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Process and effects of mass communication.
JGRD
919
Methods of Mass Communication Research LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
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.
JGRD
954
Mass Media and Government LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Process and effects of regulatory information control procedures of federal, state, and local government.
JGRD
992
Professional Project LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Course Format: | Independent Study |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
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.
JGRD
995
Issues in Mass Communication LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Course Format: | Lecture |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Current problems in mass communication and interrelated social, economic, and political factors. Topic varies.
Courses for NEWS (NEWS)
NEWS
498/898
Special Topics in News-Editorial LINK| Credit Hours: | 1-4 |
| Max credits per semester: | 12 |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Topics vary each term.
NEWS
803
Public Journalism LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Survey of public/civic journalism, its goals and practices and how it differs from and is similar to traditional ideas of journalism.
NEWS
879
Advanced Graphics LINK| Credit Hours: | 3 |
| Campus: | |
| Course Delivery: | Classroom |
Prereqs:
NEWS 303 and permission
Intensive lecture-laboratory experience. Journalism writing and editing with computer graphics techniques.
Description
For a brief description of the program, application requirements and contact information, view the graduate program summary.
Interim Dean: Jim O'Hanlon, PhD
Graduate Chair: Laurie Lee, 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.
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).
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); 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.