Pepperdine Journalism Curriculum

This is our starting out point. This is the curriculum for Pepperdine journalism majors.

Communication Core Requirements - 12 Units

COM 200	Communication Theory (3)
COM 300	Introduction to Communication Research (3)
COM 301	Message Creation and Effects (3)
COM 400	Communication Ethics (3)

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism - 28 Units

JOUR 241	Introduction to Journalism (4)
JOUR 325	Publication Editing and Design (4)
JOUR 345	Reporting and Editing (4)
JOUR 463	Feature Article Writing (4)
JOUR 469	Critical and Editorial Writing (4)
JOUR 561	Public Affairs Reporting (4)
JOUR 595	Journalism Internship (1)
MSCO 570	Mass Communication Law (4)

Outside Concentration: 3 upper division courses (9 to 12 units)
(must be in an area outside of mass communication).

Course Descriptions: Journalism

*COM 200. Communication Theory (3)
Considers the process of theorizing in human communication, recognizing that theory building is commonly used sense-making behavior in all cultures. The study includes consideration of the nature and application of theorizing, how theories evolve and develop, and an examination of specific theories dealing with humans communicating. This is a core course required of all communication majors.

*COM 300. Introduction to Communication Research (3)
An examination of research methodologies used in the study of communication. Emphasis is placed on locating, reviewing, and evaluating research studies; the nature of inquiry in the human and social sciences; formulating research questions; designing studies; gathering and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data; and writing research reports. Exemplars of research are drawn from all areas of communication scholarship. This is a core course required of all communication majors. Prerequisite: COM 200 and one of the following: COM 220, JOUR 241, or TC 270. (WI, RM, PS)

*COM 301. Message Creation and Effects (3)
Fundamental to this course is the concept that everyone constructs and receives messages designed to affect behavior. Thus, this class examines the process of influencing and being influenced. It extends across the communication spectrum from interpersonal, to direct speaker-audience, to mass media, including new technologies. The course examines strategies involved in persuasive discourse, including being able to structure oral, written, and visual messages. This is a core course required of all communication majors. Prerequisite: COM 200 and one of the following: COM 220, JOUR 241, or TC 270.

COM 400. Communication Ethics (3)
This course examines different ethical approaches to communicating. Students will investigate motives for choice-making among what may appear to be equally compelling or attractive choices. The assumption of responsibility for communication choices by communicators will highlight class assignments. This is a core course required of all communication majors. Prerequisites: COM 300 and COM 301.

*JOUR 241. Introduction to Journalism (4)
Introduces students to the basics of research, reporting and writing in a news style appropriate for print or broadcast media. The course will sketch the history and growth of theoretical and philosophical traditions including alternative journalism, in the United States. The students will be exposed to a variety of writing opportunities.

JOUR 251. Publications Production, Independent Study (1–2)
An independent study course designed to give the student a variety of journalism laboratory experiences, including special projects in newspaper, magazine, yearbook, news bureau, photography, and production activities. (A student may accumulate a maximum of two units in this course.) Prerequisite: COM 200 or consent of instructor. CR/NC grading only.

JOUR 325. Publication Design (4)
Principles and practice in publication design (newspapers, magazines, and online), headline and caption writing, photo editing, typography, and printed and online visual communication. Prerequisite: JOUR 241.

*JOUR 345. Reporting and Editing (4)
An introduction to the processes of news gathering, with special attention to the speech story, the handling of public meetings, and the conducting of interviews. Copy editing and proofreading, headline and caption writing, photo editing, topography, and page make-up will be included. Prerequisite: JOUR 241.

JOUR 351. Advanced Publications Production, Independent Study (1–2)
An independent study course, comparable in scope to JOUR 251, for upper division students. Special projects may include work in University publications and special journalism projects. (A student may accumulate a maximum of two units in this course.) Prerequisite: JOUR 241 or consent of instructor. CR/NC grading only.

JOUR 463. Feature Article Writing (4)
Research, writing, and marketing of feature-length articles and series for magazines and newspapers, including both general interest and specialized publications. Prerequisite: JOUR 345 for journalism majors or JOUR 241 for creative writing majors.

JOUR 469. Critical and Editorial Writing (4)
Theory and practice in writing for the opinion pages of newspapers, including editorials and columns, plus reviews of the arts. Each student is to write a series of opinion pieces which will be subjected to in-class critique. Prerequisite: JOUR 241 for journalism majors or COM 304 for creative writing majors.

JOUR 561. Public Affairs Reporting (3)
Advanced reporting of local government agencies, such as counties, cities, school districts, the courts, and other local public entities, with emphasis on both reporting techniques and the principles under which these agencies operate. Classroom and off-campus laboratory activity. Prerequisite: JOUR 345.

JOUR 595. Journalism Internship (1–4)
A supervised internship for journalism majors. Placement is with a newspaper or business in greater Los Angeles where the student will be expected to develop a regular schedule of on-duty hours each week, with frequent reporting to the instructor on campus. The student is expected to work a minimum of three hours per week off campus for each unit of credit. (A student may accumulate a maximum of four units in this course.) Prerequisites: completion of seventy-six units and consent of instructor. To be eligible for an internship, the applicant must meet standards established by the division. CR/NC grading only.

MSCO 570. Mass Communication Law (4)
Covers statutes, administrative regulations, and court judgments affecting freedom of information, censorship, libel, privacy, obscenity, legal access, and copyright questions; the implications for print, telecommunications, and advertising practitioners. Prerequisite: junior status.

An asterisk (*) denotes a course in which students must earn a minimum grade of "C-" before they can advance to subsequent courses.