The International Journalism and Media Major prepares students to work within the technologically driven, global media environment of the 21st Century and helps students develop as leaders in their careers and communities. The Major provides an interdisciplinary, multimedia approach to the study of several aspects of journalism, media and public relations, and through its core courses and special programs develops an intercultural and global awareness within the framework of the liberal arts tradition.
COM 100 (3 CREDITS)
Introduction to Mass Media and Communications
This course provides an introduction to the study of mass media in contemporary modern societies. The course will pay particular attention to the production and consumption of mass media, including newspapers and magazines, television, film, radio, and the internet. Thus the course will encourage students to critically analyse the stratgeis of media giants, the impact of media ownership over democracy, the effects of media over culture, identities and public opinion. Each topic of the course will be examined with reference to contemporary examples of mass media.
ADM 106 (3 CREDITS)
Introduction to Photography
This course concentrates on developing the student's visual intelligence via photography. Technically, students will learn to use digital Single Lens Reflex cameras and Photoshop for image workflow and editing. By looking at the work of a range of artists, students will be introduced to some of the theories that underpin photographic practice and consider photography's place and role in contemporary culture. Throughout the course students make images which finally result in an edited portfolio of photographic prints.
A studio fee is levied on this course.
COM 203 (3 CREDITS)
Introduction to Intercultural Communications
Reflecting strongly the mission of the University, this course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for the degree in Communications. It provides students with a strong sense of their own complex cultural identities before moving on to teach them the theories underlying the study of International Communication. There will be opportunities for practical applications of these theories in case studies, simulations, and project work.
Prerequisite: ENG 215.
JRN 205 (3 CREDITS)
Introduction to Writing for Media and Journalism
This course introduces students to the practice of journalism, covering the skills, challenges and issues that its practice entails. Students will learn the different journalistic styles (print, broadcasting and internet), basic reporting skills, as well as basic writing skills and the development of a sense of news. Students will be also introduced to some aspects of the legal dimension of journalism. Prerequisite: ENG 215.
ENG 270 (3 CREDITS)
Writing from the Creative Impulse
During interactive class sessions, student creative writing is investigated, developed and refined. As part of this process, similarities and differences that exist between academic and creative writing are identified. Through class work that explores the creative impulse and fosters engagement with a variety of texts as a springboard, students are steered through multiple drafts of their work towards the attainment of a professional level of written presentation. Each student creates a portfolio of work during the semester, and this is assessed at the end of the course.
Pre- or co-requisite ENG 115.
ANT/SCL 203 (3 CREDITS)
Beginning Social Research
Familiarizes students with the basics of social research: the formulation of research questions, the structure of research projects, the most common types of social research methodologies, the use of new technologies in social research and simple analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
Prerequisites: MTH 100 or equivalent and any 100-level social science or communications course.
SCL/PLT 206 (3 CREDITS)
Rich World, Poor World
Examines some of the processes which keep the rich world rich and the poor world poor. Historical factors such as colonialism and imperialism are examined, in addition to such sociological issues as rural-urban migration, agricultural innovation, industrial development, the influence of foreign business interests and "cultural imperialism."
JRN 305 (3 CREDITS)
Feature Writing
This course focuses in consolidating and developing journalistic writing skills. Particular attention is given to the development of different writing styles (hard news and features for newspapers and magazines) and genres (reportage, colour piece, service feature, human interest, reviews and profiles). Students are expected to be familiar with basic reporting skills as all writing will be based on independent reporting. The emphasis of this course is on developing independent writing skills. Prerequisite: JRN 205
JRN 310 (3 CREDITS)
Writing for the Media & Journalism: Reporting and Investigative Journalism
This course concentrates in consolidating and developing journalistic reporting skills. Particular attention will be given to the teaching of specialized reporting skills (such as how to cover major incidents, political events, etc) and of investigative journalism techniques. Students will learn from case studies of complex and high profile investigations and acquire techniques of investigative reporting, so that they can plan, research and write an investigative feature of public concern or in the public interest. The emphasis of the course is on developing independent reporting skills. Prerequisite: JRN 305.
COM 316 (3 CREDITS)
Mass Communications and Society
In this course, "mass communications" is taken in its broadest sense to include cinema, television, newspapers, magazines, comics, and the Internet, as well as fahsion and merchandising. "Society" involves the people who engage with those texts, from critical theorists to fans, censors to consumers. The course examines the relationship between texts and the people at various points during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, from various cultural and national perspectives. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to test and debate established theories by bringing them to bear on everyday popular texts.
Prerequisites: COM 203 and COM 231 or equivalent.
ADM 335 (3 CREDITS)
Photojournalism and Publication Layout
Concentrates on the reportage area of photography, using digital equipment. Students learn about the history, nature, and techniques of photojournalism by studying the work of eminent practitioners, and by designing, shooting, printing, and laying out a number of documentary style projects. This course is recommended for communications, journalism, and social science students as well as photographers. The University has digital SLR cameras for student use.
Prerequisite: ADM 323 or ADM 106 or equivalent. A studio fee is levied on this course.
COM 350 (3 CREDITS)
Ethics in the Media
Media professionals, and in particular journalists, face ethical dilemmas on a daily basis. This course will introduce students to the main ethical issues which journalists of the digital age encounter in their working lives. Thus, the course will focus on issues such as the public sphere and public service, market values in journalism, objectivity and neutrality, freedom of the press, censorship, codes of conduct for journalists, privacy and publicity, media regulation, reporting restrictions and national interest, gender issues, and reporting in a multicultural society.
ADM 362 (3 CREDITS)
Pixel Playground
This course focuses on the study of image-making -- both digital and hand-made. Through art and design briefs, students will study and explore color, composition, illustration and visual narratives. This course introduces students to two core visual applications: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. No previous experience with design or computers is necessary. This course serves as a prerequisite for most of the ADM digital courses.
COM 460 (3 CREDITS)
PR and Self-Presentation in the Media
This course examines the theory and practice of contemporary public relations. Topics include: planning, the selection and use of appropriate public relations tactics, evaluation, how to handle media interviews and self presentation skills.
As part of the course, students will examine and evaluate a real PR campaign and develop, budget, propose tactics for, evaluate and present a theoretical public relations campaign.
Prerequisite: Senior Status. Study Abroad students may take this course with the permission of the instructor.
COM 462 (3 CREDITS)
New Media/Cyberculture
This course traces the historical development of new media, emphasizing the social, political and cultural context of new media technologies. It introduces the students to a number of contemporary theoretical debates for understanding the role of new media in contemporary democracies and their impact on identity formation processes. Interfacing practical skills and critical thought, a number of key debates in digital culture are addressed through written texts and the investigation of internet sites and electronic texts.
Prerequisite: Senior Status. Study Abroad students may take this course with the permission of the instructor.
JRN 401 (3 CREDITS)
Senior Project I
A capstone senior project course of independent journalistic writing using the wide range of skills learnt throughout the degree, including reporting, investigating current affairs, writing a professional feature, editing, and using photography and multimedia. In this course students are required to research and write a 3500-word feature article on a topic of public interest. Teh journalistic piece will be supervised by a tutor but the aim is to develop independent reporting and writing skills. The emphasis of this course is on using the practical and theoretical skills learnt throughout the degree. Prerequisite: Senior Status.
JRN 402 (3 CREDITS)
Senior Project II
This is a capstone course for the International Journalism and Media major. It differs from the other courses in the degree in that students primarily work independently and meet for a weekly tutorial with the aim of developing a thesis-driven research paper related to media ethics. Students are also required to present orallly their research according to conference standards. Prerequisite: Senior Status.
COM 307 (3 CREDITS)
Scriptwriting
Students are guided through the creative processes of writing scenes for the stage, TV, and film. The building of character and plot is examined as well as the industry standard formats for writing in these media. Group and team work is encouraged as well as discussions, critique, and analysis of the narrative techniques used in existing stage plays and films.
Prerequisite: ENG 112.
SCL/ANT 309 (3 CREDITS)
Researching Social Life
Examines the methods commonly used by sociology and anthropology, stressing that methods are dictated by the kinds of questions being asked. Advantages and disadvantages of statistical surveys, participant observation, historical research and textual analysis are examined. The course introduces students to important online resources and use of analytical tools.
Prerequisite: Any 200-level social science course.
ADM 323 (3 CREDITS)
Photography: Theory and Practice
Photography: Theory and Practice Intended for students with modest or no background in the history, theory and practice of black and white photography. It is designed to familiarize students with skills which combine visual research, photographic composition, camera operation and printing, together with conceptual ideas, especially those of narrative photography. Students provide their own film and photographic paper. The University has cameras for student use, although it is recommended that students provide their own manual 35 mm SLR camera.
A studio fee is levied on this course.
COM 332 (3 CREDITS)
Political Communications
The course focuses on the role of political communications in the political process. It examines the relationship between governments, the media and the public in Western democracies, with emphasis on the UK and the US political systems. Starting with an overview of the role of the media in political theory, it moves to the examination of the origins and development of political marketing and public relations, the use of political advertising by political parties, and the representation of non-governmental actors in the media coverage. Furthermore, the course considers issues of national security and secrecy as well as changes in political communications brought about by the introduction of new technologies. Particular attention is given to the use of techniques and strategies during election campaigns.
Prerequisite: At least one 200-level COM, PLT or INR course.
ENG 370 (3 CREDITS)
Creative Writing: Towards a Collection
In this writer's workshop students submit examples of their work for critical consideration by the instructor and other members of the class. Impetus is given to the writing tasks through the close reading and discussion of a selection of writing from different genres and cultures. Students identify aspects of poets’ and fictionists’ craft and develop an awareness of narrative structure with which to shape their own projects through a feedback-driven revision process. By the end of the semester, each student will have produced a collection of finished poems and pieces of short fiction.
Pre-requisite ENG 215
ADM 372 (3 CREDITS)
Web Design
The course provides students with the core foundations and practical skills required to design a fully functional and interactive website. It offers a snapshot of the brief history and current status of the medium, and practitioners working within it. Web Design focuses on two main areas: prepartion and design of a website, followed by the design/build ready for online publication. It is ideal for students who want to showcase a portfolio of work on the web.
Prerequisite: ADM 362 or equivalent.
ADM 379 (3 CREDITS)
Animation and Motion
Intended for students who want to create moving image work within an art and design studio environment. The course enables progress in animation, time-based media, motion graphics and video art within a single screen display (monitor or projection). Both the theory and history of moving image work is considered. A major focus of the course is practical; students will learn to develop new skills and gain hands-on technical and digital production experience in the creation of moving image work.
Prerequisite: ADM 362 or equivalent.
ADM 386-397 (3 CREDITS)
Special Topics in Art, Design, and Media
An advanced course on a topic of current interest or in a faculty member's specialty.
MSC/SCL 395 (3 CREDITS)
Modern Popular Music
An interdisciplinary course examining the historical, sociological, aesthetic, technological, and commercial elements of contemporary popular music. It deals specifically with the origins and development of contemporary popular music; the relationship between culture, subculture, style, and popular music; and the production and marketing of the music. Audio-visual resources are combined with lectures, and, where appropriate, field trips to concerts in London.
Prerequisite: SCL 150 or equivalent.
ADM 447 (3 CREDITS)
From Script to Screen
Intended for students who have experience of video production and want to expand their knowledge and skills. Students will create and produce a video, starting from the inception of the idea through to the realization of the idea as a finished film to be screened at the end of the course. Focusing on the journey from having an idea for a film through to writing a high spec script, students will learn how drama is represented in the written form, analyze and explore scripts from existing films and other forms of drama, and learn more about the film and TV industry and the place of screenwriting in it. In doing so, students have the opportunity to try the different 'parts' of film-making, from the creative and theoretical - writing, story boarding, workshopping, casting, and directing - to the technical - camera operation, sound recording, and video editing.
Prerequisite: ADM 326 or submission on video or DVD of a video/film made by the applicant. Can be in any genre, but must demonstrate the ability to use a video camera and basic skills in sound recording and editing. A studio fee is levied on this course.
ADM 450 (3 CREDITS)
Fourth Bridge: Art, Design and Media Projects
Provides an opportunity for senior students to bring their various skills and ideas together and focus them on an ambitious project devised by themselves. These pieces are expected to be conceptually sound, well designed and structured, and technically competent. Upon completion, the work is exhibited and serves as a capstone presentation. Students work under the supervision of a course coordinator and may also be assigned to a specialist technical advisor.
Prerequisite: Senior status or permission of the instructor. Students purchase their own materials.
COM 461 (3 CREDITS)
Fashion and Media
This course traces the multiple connections between the fashion and media industries. It emphasizes the material realities, pragmatic and creative dynamisms, fantasy components, and essential visuality of fashion. It also highlights how London and cities in general function as creative agencies for fermenting style and fashion ideas and attitudes.
Prerequisite: Senior Status. Study Abroad students may take this course with the permission of the instructor.
JRN 483 (3 CREDITS)
Internship in Journalism and Media
Course description coming soon.
Degree Planner/GCL form - for students who started in September 2010 or later.
