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Meadows School of the Arts
Tony Pederson, Belo Distinguished Chair of Journalism
Associate Professor: David Sedman; Assistant Professors: Carrie Criado, Craig Flournoy; Senior Lecturer: Jayne Suhler; Lecturers: Carolyn Barta, Michele Houston, Susan Krasnow; Broadcast Executive-In-Residence: Marty Haag; Adjunct Professors: Judy Babb, Tracey Brown, John Cranfill, John Davidson, Quin Mathews, Leslie White.
The world of journalism is changing fast. Once-divergent media forms are rapidly coming together in ways that make it essential for 21st-century journalism education to reect the complexity of actual practice. Graduates must be prepared to function and lead in a new and changing environment. The Division of Journalism prepares students to succeed in this dynamic setting.
Majors will study multimedia journalism. They may choose an emphasis either in broadcast, through traditional radio, television and online broadcast options, or an emphasis on print for publications and online text use. They will learn professional skills that will enable them to adapt swiftly to a changing journalism environment. Content that is useful and interesting will have value regardless of the delivery system or systems of a particular era. For this reason, students also are taught the intellectual and theoretical skills they will need to help them interpret the world around them and understand the role of the media in society. They will graduate as clear, concise thinkers and writers.
The Division of Journalism is located in the Umphrey Lee Center, which houses faculty and administrative ofces, audio and video production, and media support areas, including a new digital newsroom. Over time this facility will be a place where journalism students can write, edit and produce their work across a digital network that will give them skills to work in print, broadcast and on the Internet.
The division also has basic video/audio modules; video logging rooms; off-line editing rooms; nonlinear video editing lab; equipment storage and checkout; digital audio rooms; a teaching radio studio; seminar room; classrooms; graphics lab; editing lab; viewing rooms; and production classrooms.
Strong writing skills are essential to the student's success in the Division's journalism curriculum and later in the profession of journalism. Students may enroll in journalism classes as first-year students. Those wishing permission to major in the Division of Journalism must have completed ENGL 1301 (Introduction to College Writing) and ENGL 1302 (First-Year Seminar in Rhetoric: Contemporary Issues). The student must compile a minimum G.P.A. of 3.00 (B) in both courses. Essay and grammar, spelling, and punctuation tests must be successfully completed before students are allowed to declare journalism as a major. Students transferring from other universities must have completed equivalent courses and obtained the equivalent G.P.A. in those courses before they can be considered a major candidate in the Division of Journalism.
Honors Scholarships are awarded each year to outstanding students who intend to major in journalism. Other scholarships are available to journalism students through a variety of foundations and gifts to the division.
The Honors Program in Journalism is highly selective. At midterm of the sophomore year, and again at midterm of the junior year, declared journalism majors with a G.P.A. of 3.50 or better can apply to the Honors Program. All interested students, including those who have been previously awarded honors scholarships, need to apply for admission to the program. At the midterm of the senior year, the top 10 percent of the graduating class is invited for membership in Kappa Tau Alpha, the Journalism Mass Communication Honorary Society. Those wishing to graduate with distinction in journalism must complete twelve hours of coursework in Honors course sections within the various communications divisions. In addition, seniors must complete an honors directed study and produce an honors thesis. For further information, contact the Honors Program director, Division of Journalism, Meadows School of the Arts, 280 Umphrey Lee, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275.
Upon achieving junior and senior status, students are encouraged to take on experiences that enable them to work under the guidance of professionals in the news industry (internships). Many on-campus activities also offer practical experience (practica), and students are strongly urged to take advantage of the opportunities available to them through the Student Media Company, which publishes a daily newspaper, a yearbook, and a literary magazine. Practica are taken for one credit hour at a time. Internships may be taken for one, two or three credit hours at a time, depending on the number of hours worked. A total of ve credit hours of internships and practica may be counted toward a student's journalism electives. Internships and practica are taken on a pass/fail basis only.
Due to limited class space and enrollment pressures, a student who fails to appear on the rst day of class may be administratively dropped from the class at the instructor's discretion. Furthermore, students must comply with any more specic attendance policies spelled out in course syllabi; creation and enforcement of such policies are entirely at the instructor's discretion. The division strives to keep class size small enough for individual attention, and large enough to ensure discussion and interaction among students. Very large enrollments will be limited and very small classes may be merged or canceled.
American University. Through a cooperative program with American University in Washington, D.C., students have an opportunity to study in the nation's capital as a part of the Washington Term Program. Students may obtain credit for courses such as Reporting, Advanced Reporting, and Internship, as well as courses in other disciplines.
SMU-in-London. SMU students can earn six credit hours by enrolling in the SMU-in-London: Communications program. Conducted each year during the second session of summer school, students study in London, a hub for international communications. Courses offered carry three credit hours. They do not require prerequisites and are designed to take full advantage of London's importance as an international center. Students live in dormitories in London. As part of their international experience, students are encouraged to explore the culture and ne arts offerings of London and European countries on their own, as class schedules permit.
The role of the journalist in today's society has become increasingly complex and important because of a paradox: As the world shrinks amid the communication revolution, the journalist's horizons and responsibilities have vastly expanded. The rapid development of converging media technologies means journalists of the 21st century must know more about the world and also be capable of working in a variety of new media. All the while, the next generation of journalists must retain the core ethics and values of the craft. Students will study multimedia journalism, choosing one of three emphases or tracks in which to focus their studies: Broadcast, Print or the Internet. The major requires 45 credit hours within the division. A foreign language capability of eight credit hours or its equivalent is required, and students also must satisfy Meadows School of the Arts requirements with three credit hours outside the Meadows communication divisions. Courses may be used to fulll only one of the student's divisional requirements (i.e., a student may not fulll two divisional requirements with one course).
Credit Hours
General Education Curriculum: 41
Multimedia Journalism Core Curriculum: 27
MSA 1301 Mass Media and Society
CCJN 2365 Understanding the World Wide Web
CCJN 3312 Newswriting and Reporting I
CCJN 3313 Newswriting and Reporting II
CCJN 3314 Newswriting and Reporting III
CCJN 3320 News Editing
CCJN 3357 Visual Communication and Graphics Application
CCJN 4315 Ethics of Communications
CCJN 4316 Law of Communications
Professional Development: 9
Broadcast Emphasis (to be taken in sequence):
CCJN 2304 Basic Video and Audio Production for News
CCJN 4320 Broadcast Reporting
CCJN 4384 Advanced Television News
News Editorial Emphasis:
CCJN 3360 Computer-Assisted and Advanced Reporting Techniques
and (choose one of the following two courses)
CCJN 3365 Investigative and Enterprise Reporting
or
CCJN 4395 Public Affairs Reporting
and (choose one of the following two courses)
CCJN 3382 Feature Writing
or
CCJN 4310 Editorial and Critical Writing
Internet emphasis:
CCJN 2380 Web Language and Design
CCJN 4370 Internet Law and Ethics
CCJN 4390 Advanced Webmastery, Cybercasting, and Cyberpublishing
Journalism Electives: 9
All Journalism majors are required to take 9 credit hours of Journalism Electives. Students may choose any CCJN course. The following courses are particularly recommended:
CCJN 3360 Computer-Assisted Reporting and Research
CCJN 3385 Specialty Journalism
CCJN 3390 Literature of Journalism
CCJN 4330 History of Mass Communication
CCJN 4360 Women and Minorities in the Media
CCJN 4380 Perspectives: Objectivity and Bias in the News
Meadows Elective/Corequirement: 3
Foreign Language: 8
Free Electives: 23
TOTAL: 120
The minor in Journalism provides a basic understanding of the role of the news media in American society and an introduction to the basic skills necessary for the practice of the field.
Requirements: 24 term hours, distributed as follows:
MSA 1301 Mass Media and Society
CCJN 2365 Understanding the World Wide Web
CCJN 3312 Newswriting and Reporting I
CCJN 3313 Newswriting and Reporting II
CCJN 3314 Newswriting and Reporting III
CCJN 4316 Law of Communications or
CCJN 4315 Ethics of Communications
Six additional credit hours in any CCJN 3xxx, 4xxx or 5xxx courses
The B.A. Degree in Electronic Media has been discontinued. No new students will be accepted into this major or minor degree program.
1301. Mass Media and Society. A survey of all print and broadcast media their backgrounds as well as their current status as industries. Ethics, law, effects of mass media, international communication, advertising, and public relations are also treated. Required for majors.
2304. Basic Video and Audio Production for News. Practical training in the fundamentals of video and audio production techniques used in news gathering, including field production and editing.
2365. Understanding the World Wide Web. An overview and introduction to the Internet and online media, including news gathering and writing in an online environment.
2380. Web Language and Design. Students will study the convergence of traditional media as they apply to new communication technologies and produce multimedia Web sites that incorporate photography, videography, audio, and graphics. Prerequisite: CCJN 2365 or permission of instructor.
3312. Newswriting and Reporting I. First course in a rigorous multi-term sequence, during which students will develop the skills required for writing and reporting for various news media. Prerequisite: CCJN 1320.
3313. Newswriting and Reporting II. See above. Prerequisite: CCJN 3312.
3314. Newswriting and Reporting III. See above. Prerequisite: CCJN 3313.
3320. News Editing. Skills and concepts required in editing for various media, including copy editing, assigning and analyzing stories, coaching and managing editorial staff, and relevant legal and ethical issues. Prerequisite: CCJN 3312.
3355. TV News Production. Electronic news gathering and the writing, voicing, producing and editing of television news stories. Researching of various television news story formats. Students serve as on-camera reporters, writers, narrators and producers. Technical skills of shooting, lighting, recording, editing, and post-production. Prerequisites: CCJN 2304, 3312, and 4320, and permission of instructor.
3357. Visual Communication and Graphic Applications. Appreciation for and understanding of the visual and aesthetic aspects of communication layout and design. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
3360. Computer-Assisted Reporting and Research. Development of skills in gathering, documenting, and organizing computerized data for news gathering operations, with emphasis on mastery of professional abilities required of journalists. Techniques for locating, retrieving, appraising, and verifying information. Will include gathering information from electronic sources, including libraries, research institutions, government documents, databases, observation, interviews, the Internet, and polling. Prerequisites: CCJN 3313 and 3320.
3365. Investigative and Enterprise Reporting. Intensive introduction to the art of generating original news ideas about issues of public signicance, developing critical news judgment, unearthing often difficult-to-access information, and organizing the information into focused, well-documented and compelling stories. Prerequisites: CCJN 3313 and 3320.
3382. Feature and Lifestyle Writing. Course emphasizes the conceptual and technical skills needed to develop one's own voice, bring a literary quality to one's journalism, and produce professional-level descriptive pieces and features for various media. Prerequisite: CCJN 3313.
3385. Specialty Journalism. Students will explore the techniques and issues associated with reporting for a range of specialty beats, including business, the arts, sports and religion. The course is meant to facilitate the special Area of Journalistic Specialty degree offered by the Division of Journalism. Prerequisites: CCJN 3313 and 3320.
3390. Literature of Journalism. Reading and research to acquaint the student with the literature of journalism. Special emphasis is given to the development of the journalistic style of writing in magazines and books. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
4101,4102. Practica. One credit hour for work at on-campus media positions. Maximum of two credit hours may be earned and counted toward Journalism electives. See "Internships and Practica" for more details. Offered on a Pass/Fail basis only. Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of instructor and adviser.
4125, 4225, 4325. Internships in Journalism. Internship credit for off-campus work in the field during the regular term or in the summer. Students may count as electives as many as ve credit hours in suitable outlets, such as television and radio stations, newspapers, magazines, etc. Offered on a Pass/Fail basis only. Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of adviser.
4300. Broadcast News Seminar. Selected students are given an intensive study of an area of broadcast news that examines coverage of current events and issues. 4301. News Editorial Seminar. This seminar, offered only occasionally, usually is conducted away from campus during the summer sessions. Topic varies.
4302, 4303, 4304, 4305. Washington Term Directed Studies. Offers students an opportunity to study and practice journalism in the nation's capital.
4310. Editorial and Opinion Writing. Focuses on examining the role of opinion writing in American journalism and teaching techniques that will help students develop clear and effective editorials and columns on a range of topics. The course emphasizes critical thinking as well as writing skills. Prerequisites: CCJN 3313 and 3320.
4315. Ethics of Communication. Exploration of ethical issues that are the foundation of all communication fields. Topics include free speech, privacy, government regulation, and censorship. Using a problem-solving approach, this course is designed to help students develop their own philosophical and ethical standards concerning journalism. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
4316. Law of Communication. Exploration of the historical and philosophical basis for freedom of expression. Practical applications of the law in such areas as libel, censorship, access, privacy, obscenity, copyright, and government regulations affecting broadcasting, advertising, and the press. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
4320. Broadcast Reporting. Writing, videotaping, and editing news reports for television. Includes live reporting. Prerequisites: CCJN 2304 and 3313.
4326. Washington Term Internship.
4331. Issues in Broadcast News. Analysis of broadcast news, techniques of investigative reporting, newsroom decision making, political coverage, election coverage and polling, crisis coverage, and other topics. Study of the daily operation of the broadcast news profession. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
4360. Women and Minorities in the Media. Examines the impact and representation of women and minorities in the mass media from historical and critical perspectives. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
4370. Internet Law and Ethics. Explores the legal and ethical issues associated with the Internet and its continuing development and evolution. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
4375. News Management and Media Economics. Introduction to concepts and principles of news media management including strategic planning, leadership, organizational strategies, ethical and legal issues. Case studies of how media managers make decisions dealing with money, marketing, product, personnel, production and new technology. Prerequisite: Junior standing.
4380. Perspectives: Objectivity and Bias in the News. A study of current developments in the news as seen against the historical evolution of events. The course will emphasize the role news media play in agenda setting. Other theories of information and communications will be presented. Ideally suited for students planning careers in news, but also helpful to the news consumer. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
4384. Advanced Television News. Students serve as reporters, camera-persons, editors, producers, anchor-persons, assignment editors, and studio personnel for television newscasts, news magazine and interview programs. Technical and performance/reporting skill required. Prerequisites: CCJN 4320 and senior standing.
4385. Advanced Production and Design. The design and production of print, presentation, and Internet graphics. This course draws together the various aspects of editing and graphics as they apply to the production of printed and visual pieces. Emphasis will be on the production of brochures, newsletters, slides, overheads, multimedia, home pages, etc. Prerequisite: CCJN 3355.
4387. Arts/Media Criticism. Students obtain experience in writing reviews of movies, books, art exhibits, concerts, etc. The course often includes sessions with local critics and experts in various areas of arts and literature. Prerequisite: CCJN 3312 or CCPA 2308.
4390. Advanced Webmastery, Cybercasting, and Cyberpublishing. Class will create, cyberpublish, and cybercast projects on the Internet while exploring the effective use of Internet technologies and current issues. The class will maintain an interactive Web site to showcase students' work from all Meadows communication divisions, possibly expanding at some point to include other Meadows divisions. The Web site will feature student-produced radio and TV news and feature programs through streaming audio and video clips. It will also highlight written text, including articles and reviews. The Web site will be updated at least weekly, giving individual students and teams an opportunity to display their work.
4395. Public Affairs and Political Reporting. Emphasis on skills required for the reporting of news emanating from governmental bodies or politics. Prerequisites: CCJN 3313 and 3320.
5110, 5210, 5310. Directed Study. Independent study under the direction and supervision of a faculty member. A directed study is a close collaboration between the professor and an advanced student who conducts a rigorous project that goes beyond the experience available in course offerings. The student must secure written permission from the instructor and return a completed directed studies form to the Division of Journalism ofce before the start of the term during which the study is to be undertaken. Prerequisites: Junior standing and permission of instructor.
5301-4. Topics. This course is designed to provide a study and discussion setting for an issue or topic of current interest in the journalism profession. The courses will be offered on an irregular basis depending on the signicance and timeliness of the topics that will be studied and discussed.
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