JTC 326 - Online Writing and Journalism

Prerequisite

JTC 210 (Newswriting); JTC 211 (Computer-Mediated Visual Communication).

Description

By enrolling for JTC 326, students become better researchers, writers and editors in an online world, no matter the discipline, be it public relations or news reporting. The course and its related assignments help participants write clearly, concisely, conversationally and creatively for the World Wide Web.

The focus is on quality reporting, writing and editing, not computer skills. Students are introduced to audio news production and editing, and basic photographic storytelling as a means of preparing for the multi-platform newsrooms and PR shops where employment likely occurs.

By the end of the semester, students have a better understanding of the challenges facing both online and traditional journalism today, mostly because of:

• the creation of their own news beat blogs;
• the practice of the basics of audio news production, including script writing;
• the publication of original journalistic stories for the Web;
• readings about and discussion of the changing face of journalism and the role that online media has in that change; and
• the production of one multi-media package as individuals and one as part of a team.

In short, students leave this course not only with the skills considered vital in today's communication fields, but also a critical understanding of how communicators in the converging new media best serve society.

JTC 326 is offered all three terms: fall, spring, and summer.

This course can be applied towards:

• Liberal Arts (B.A.)

Important Information

One of the required course textbooks is "Journalism 2.0: How to Survive and Thrive" by Mark Briggs. The book is available for free online at several links, including this one: http://www.kcnn.org/resources/journalism 20/

Please download the book, and if necessary, print it and place it in a binder. Students are responsible for keeping either a digital copy, a hard copy or both. Also keep up with the text's blog site at http://www.journalism20.com/blog

Textbooks and Materials

Textbooks and materials can be purchased at the CSU Bookstore unless otherwise indicated.

Required

• The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law 2010
  Darrell Christian (editor)
  ISBN: 978-0917360541

Instructors

Jeff Browne
(785) 864-7625
Jeff.Browne@ColoState.EDU

Jeff Browne, a former professional journalist, is an instructor in the Department of Journalism and Technical Communication at CSU. He also served CSU as the Director of Student Media and as Adviser to The Rocky Mountain Collegian student newspaper.