Media Writing I

Catalog description

Credits 3. 2 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours. (COMM 2311) Media Writing I. COURSE OVERVIEW. Explores foundational practices of news and media writing across print, digital and broadcast formats. Covers core principles of reporting, source development, interviewing, story structure, clarity, accuracy and ethics. Emphasizes deadline writing and editorial standards such as Associated Press style. Includes both classroom instruction and lab-based field reporting and/or writing practice. Course content may reference current events or public controversies as real-time reporting contexts, examined for purposes of journalistic analysis. RELEVANCE AND APPLICATION. Builds competencies essential for careers in journalism, public communication, media production and content strategy, including information gathering, source evaluation, editing and professional writing. Supports preparation for advanced coursework in reporting, multimedia storytelling, strategic communication or public affairs. Provides transferable skills for civic participation by strengthening the ability to assess evidence, verify claims and communicate clearly in public-facing formats. DEEPENING UNDERSTANDINGS. Highlights the difference between everyday writing and journalistic writing defined by professional standards of fairness, attribution, style and verification. Considers that responsible reporting involves interpretation, fact assessment, and acknowledgment of perspective without slant or speculation. Develops recognition of how word choice, structure and sourcing shape public understanding. Analyzes how news stories serve both individuals and communities. Develops understanding of professional ethics standards. TOPICS AND THEMES. May include study and practice of news values, interviewing techniques, attribution and quoting, hard news and feature formats, multimedia writing, legal constraints and ethical dilemmas in reporting. Exercises may involve real or hypothetical scenarios involving crime, politics, social issues or public institutions, used solely to develop reporting judgment and writing skills. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in JOUR 102 and JOUR 200 ; enrollment in JOUR major, USLA-BA-JNS concentration or JOUR minor; or approval of program director.