1002. The Press in America
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: Cannot be taken for credit after passing JOUR 3002.
Grading Basis: Graded
The development of American print journalism from 18th century print shops to 21st century corporations; how journalists and their work have evolved and influenced American life. Fulfills CA 1 – Area C
NOTE: Required course offered every semester
1095. Special Topics
1.00 – 3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 4 credits.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.
Grading Basis: Graded
An introductory exploration of a specialized area of journalism.
NOTE: Elective course, offered periodically.
Spring 2025: Introduction to Sports Journalism
2000W. Newswriting I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011. Cannot be taken out of sequence after passing JOUR 2001W, 3005, 3030, 3040, 3045 or 4091.
Grading Basis: Graded
Defining news; exercising news judgment in a diverse society; employing principles of Associated Press style; writing basic news stories. Laboratory offers intensive newswriting exercises.
NOTE: Required course offered every semester
2001W. Newswriting II
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W; Cannot be taken out of sequence after passing JOUR 3000W, 3012W, 3013W, 3033, 4091.
Grading Basis: Graded
Live reporting using the university and the surrounding community as a laboratory. Emphasis on fact gathering, interviewing, diversity of sources, news judgment and deadline writing.
NOTE: Required course offered every semester
2010. Journalism in the Movies
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: None.
Grading Basis: Graded
Viewing and analysis of motion pictures featuring journalistic themes; journalistic history, ethics, legal issues, contrasting forms of media, and other issues. CA 1.
NOTE: Elective course usually offered during fall or spring semester, at regional campuses and during summer term.
2040. Fundamentals of News Programming
3.00 credits
Recommended preparation: JOUR 1002 and/or JOUR 2000W, which may be taken concurrently.
Grading Basis: Graded
Exploration of the practical steps required to build a professional newscast for TV, radio, or digital distribution.
NOTE: Elective course offered in Fall semester.
2065. Mobile Journalism
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 1002, which may be taken concurrently; open to sophomores or higher.
Grading Basis: Graded
Entry-level multimedia skills course that develops aesthetic and technical skills for storytelling using mobile devices such as smartphones. Capturing and editing photos, audio, and video; practice producing journalistic content for social media platforms.
NOTE: Required course (starting FA24) offered every semester.
2095. Special Topics
1.00 – 3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 4 credits.
Prerequisites: Open to sophomores or higher. Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.
Grading Basis: Graded
With a change in content may be repeated for up to four credits.
2111. Journalism Portfolio I: Multimedia Skills
1.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W. Open to Journalism majors, others with permission.
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to online and multimedia skills used by journalists; emphasis on ethical practices. Students provided portfolio space on a department-maintained site.
NOTE: Required course offered every semester
2575. The Art of the Interview in Documentary Filmmaking.
3.00 credits
Recommended preparation: JOUR 2000W; 2111 or 2065.
Grading Basis: Graded
Exploration of the technical and ethical practices of preparing for and conducting filmed interviews. Development of essential skills for documentary film production and engagement in exercises that deepen understanding of how recorded interviews drive narratives forward.
NOTE: Elective course offered Fall or Spring semester.
3000W. Community Journalism (formerly Public Affairs Reporting)
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W & 2001W; open to juniors or higher.
Grading Basis: Graded
In-depth reporting on state and local government-municipal agencies, boards, commissions, courts, public safety, schools, elections. Includes field trips.
NOTE: Advanced elective course usually offered in Fall semester
3002. Journalism Ethics
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 1002. Not open for credit for students who have passed JOUR 4091.
Grading Basis: Graded
Discussion of such contemporary problems as privacy, good taste, community standards, effectiveness of the press and responsibility of the press.
NOTE: Required course offered every semester
3005. Online Journalism
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W.
Grading Basis: Graded
Application of newswriting techniques to online journalism including assembling and producing interactive news stories.
NOTE: Elective course offered either Fall or Spring
3012W. Feature Writing
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W & 2001W
Grading Basis: Graded
Writing and reporting human-interest stories, personality profiles, and other features; developing skills for nonfiction storytelling with scenes, dialogue, and descriptive narrative
NOTE: Advanced elective course usually offered in spring semester
3013W. Magazine Journalism
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2001W
Grading Basis: Graded
Survey of magazine journalism examining different forms of periodicals and their operation, from mission to final product. Students research, report and write for various publications.
NOTE: Advanced elective course usually offered every other year.
3015. Sports Reporting Across Multiple Platforms
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W. Recommended preparation: JOUR 2111 or 2065, which may be taken concurrently.
Grading Basis: Graded Offered every semester.
Evaluate some of the best sports journalism of the past and present, report and write a variety of sports stories, cover UConn sports, produce sports packages for broadcast and digital platforms, meet working sports journalists.
NOTE: Advanced elective course usually offered every semester.
3020. Media Law
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: Open to juniors or higher.
Grading Basis: Graded
The First Amendment, free speech, free press and prior restraint; issues in news gathering, recording, photography, investigative reporting and covering courts; tort law including defamation, privacy, emotional distress; intellectual property and internet regulation.
NOTE: Required course offered every semester
3030. Multiplatform Editing
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W. Recommended preparation: JOUR 2001W.
Grading Basis: Graded
News value; information verification; editing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style; content editing; headline writing; search engine optimization; handling visuals; building data visualizations; basic layout and design for print and digital platforms.
NOTE: Required course offered every semester
3031. Design for Digital Journalists
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 3030
Grading Basis: Graded
The fundamentals of visual communication design as applied to modern media. Topics include design principles, aesthetics, social media, intuitive design, typography, layout, photo editing, color theory, motion graphics, and informational graphics.
NOTE: Advanced elective course offered spring semester
3035. Podcasting
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W. Not open for credit to students who have passed JOUR 3095 when offered as Introduction to Podcasting.
Grading Basis: Graded
Researching, recording, writing and producing news podcasts and associated web and social media posts. Ethical considerations.
NOTE: Elective course usually offered during fall semester
3040. Newswriting for Broadcast and Digital Media
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W.
Grading Basis: Graded
Application of newswriting and news reporting techniques for broadcast, digital video and digital audio. Practical use of digital media recording equipment and professional audio/video editing software.
NOTE: Elective course offered every semester
3041. Reporting and Editing TV News
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 3040.
Grading Basis: Graded
This is an advanced broadcast journalism class that teaches students how to gather, edit and deliver accurate, newsworthy information for television newscasts. Students develop the skills needed to report news and organize newscasts through actual experience in and out of class.
NOTE: Advanced elective course offered every other semester
3042. Live News Program Production
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 3041.
Grading Basis: Graded
Assemble a video newscast in a team-oriented, deadline-driven broadcast studio environment. Rotate through a variety of newsroom jobs including writer, producer, anchor, reporter, graphics creator and videographer. Write scripts, edit videos, and develop on-air presentation skills.
NOTE: Advanced elective course offered Spring semester
3045. Specialized Journalism
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W.
Grading Basis: Graded
An introduction to specialized fields such as business, science, education, arts, sports, and entertainment reporting. Students will examine some of the best work in the fields and will consider ethical issues and other problems.
NOTE: Advanced elective course; selection differs by semester
3046E. Environmental Journalism
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W or consent of the instructor. Open to Juniors or higher.
Grading Basis: Graded
Explores specialized coverage of environmental issues by journalists, emphasizing news reporting with the opportunity to produce print, visual and multimedia news reports.
NOTE: Advanced elective course usually offered every semester
3050. Professional Seminar
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W, which may be taken concurrently.
Grading Basis: Graded
Journalists discuss the economic, technological, sociological and ethical issues that challenge their profession.
NOTE: Elective course offered some semesters
3065. Visual Journalism
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W; open to juniors or higher. Not open to students who have passed JOUR 4065.
Grading Basis: Graded
Examines current trends in visual digital journalism; develops skills in photojournalism, multimedia and video storytelling. Instructor approved digital camera required.
NOTE: Elective course offered every other semester
3087. Honors Thesis Preparation Seminar
1.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W, JOUR 2001W and at least three other journalism credits at the 2000-level or above.
Grading Basis: Honors Credit
Honors students choose topics for their theses or projects, develop research proposals and apply for funding if needed. Students work as a community of scholars to discuss and support each other’s work. Usually taken the semester before JOUR 3097, Honors Thesis.
NOTE: Course offered every semester
3093. Foreign Study
1.00 – 6.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Grading Basis: Graded
NOTE: May be repeated for credit with permission of Department Head. Consent of Department Head required before the student’s departure. May count toward the major with consent of the advisor.
3095. Special Topics
1.00 – 6.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary by section; open to juniors or higher.
Grading Basis: Graded
NOTE: Elective; with a change in topic, may be repeated for credit.
3097. Honors Thesis
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W and 2001W; six additional 2000 level or above credits of JOUR.
Grading Basis: Honors Credit
Students in the Honors Program undertake in-depth research and writing under the guidance of a faculty member. Majors must consult with the departmental Honors Advisor and develop a research proposal in the semester before taking the course.
NOTE: Course offered every semester
3098. Variable Topics
3.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary by section; open to juniors or higher.
Grading Basis: Graded
NOTE: Elective; with a change in topic, may be repeated for credit.
3111. Journalism Portfolio II: Content Development
1.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2111. Recommended preparation: JOUR2001W
Grading Basis: Graded
Development of online and multimedia skills used by journalists; emphasis on ethical practices. Students will contribute journalism content completed in other courses and develop new content to build a professional portfolio provided on a department-maintained site.
NOTE: Required course offered every semester. Open to juniors or higher
3575. Black Documentary Film Archival Practices
3.00 credits | Also offered as AFRA3575
Prerequisites: None.
Grading Basis: Graded
Critical and historical examination of Black American archival usage through documentary films and media.
NOTE: Elective course
4016. Publication Practice
1.00 – 3.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Grading Basis: Graded
Students and faculty work together to research, write, edit and produce a publication.
NOTE: Elective; with a change in topic, may be repeated for credit.
4035. Investigative Reporting
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2001W.
Grading Basis: Graded
Using the Internet, databases, and other computer resources to research and report on the actions of courts, businesses, public agencies, and governments. Consideration of ethical questions.
NOTE: Advanced elective course usually offered in fall semester
4065. Video Storytelling
3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 3065; open to juniors or higher
Grading Basis: Graded
Explores multimedia storytelling through time-based media from a journalistic perspective. Students will develop multimedia narrative skills using photography, videography, and audio to create new media content.
NOTE: Advanced elective course usually offered spring semester.
4091. Supervised Field Internship
1.00 – 3.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 2000W, 2001W and 3002.
Grading Basis: Graded
Students research, report and write for newspapers, news departments of radio and television stations, and online publications under supervision of professionals.
NOTE: Elective course offered every semester
4099. Independent Study
1.00 – 6.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites: None.
Grading Basis: Graded
Open to qualified students who present suitable projects for independent work in journalism. May be repeated for credit.
NOTE: Elective course offered every semester
4111. Journalism Portfolio III: Professional Presentation
1.00 credits
Prerequisites: JOUR 3111
Grading Basis: Graded
Completion of student journalism portfolios that include examples of journalistic endeavors in print, still and video photography, audio and multimedia packages. Students will also create and refine their professional resumes, learn about professional networking organizations and interact with a news talent acquisition specialist.
NOTE: Required course offered every semester / Open to seniors only