Introduces the student to the history and development of the various mass media in America, including newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, with emphasis on news media. Students also discuss current issues and trends within the context of the new communications environment created by digital information technologies. Attention is given to the role of advertising, public relations, media ownership, and the public in shaping the content of mass communication.

Students read the best reportage and nonfiction literature from historical times to the present, with emphasis on the literary roots of modern journalism. Surveys a wide range of journalists and genres, including travel and war reporting, profiles, essays, autobiography, and classic reportage. An intensive reading course that applies literary technique to nonfiction narrative and exposition.

Laboratory course in gathering and writing the news for newspapers, including news evaluation, reporting and writing techniques, and specialized beats. Students write stories under newsroom conditions. Designed to give the journalism student extensive practice. Covers how reporters are assigned stories, how stories are planned and written, and journalism ethics and responsibilities.

Students learn TV and radio writing styles and write stories on deadline. Covers how broadcast newsrooms work and broadcast journalism ethics and responsibilities.

The nonfiction magazine article in theory and practice, including style, technique, and research methods. Students select topics that interest them but that also, in the view of the instructor, are marketable. Articles are written under deadline conditions, then carefully read and criticized by the instructor, who acts as editor.

A collaborative seminar that examines the complex relationship (or different contradictory relationships) between those humans we call "women" and those forms of discourse we call "media." Considers women both as subjects and objects, as creators of media in its many forms and as media's creations. What does our culture's media tell us about its ideas of gender? What, if anything, does our gender tell us about our readings of "media"?

Laboratory course in gathering and writing the news for newspapers, including news evaluation, reporting and writing techniques, and specialized beats. Students write stories under newsroom conditions. Designed to give the journalism student extensive practice. Covers how reporters are assigned stories, how stories are planned and written, and journalism ethics and responsibilities.

Students learn TV and radio writing styles and write stories on deadline. Covers how broadcast newsrooms work and broadcast journalism ethics and responsibilities.

Demonstration laboratory for the beginning photojournalist, involving the use of camera and lens, exposure, film characteristics, and processing. Composition, design, and content are studied through shooting assignments typical of those encountered by professionals. Class critiques are an essential part of the course. A camera with adjustable focus, shutter speeds and f/stops, and a flash are required for the course.

Covers the fundamentals of writing feature articles of newspaper length. Close attention to style, organization, human interest, the use of quotes, leads, and article ideas as applied to sidebars, light articles, profiles, service articles, and a variety of in-depth stories. Writing assignments both in and out of the classroom.

The nonfiction magazine article in theory and practice, including style, technique, and research methods. Students select topics that interest them but that also, in the view of the instructor, are marketable. Articles are written under deadline conditions, then carefully read and criticized by the instructor, who acts as editor.

Students examine the interplay in American culture and politics between traditional journalism and the so-called "fake news" programs on Saturday Night Live ("Weekend Update"), The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. The course examines the history of this media satire, how humor works in the unconscious and considers the accuracy of studies that show people actually get political information from these programs. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart is required viewing, and the class will observe a live taping of The Colbert Report.