Course Descriptions
The starting point is a comprehensive survey course, Mass Media and its Impact on Society, in which students examine mass media in its print, electronic and digital formats. This fundamental course helps students understand and appreciate the roles and responsibilities of the communications media.
Students then develop news writing and journalism skills through journalism news writing and feature writing courses, and by working in a newsroom environment on the college newspaper. Student reporters, editors and photojournalists report news stories, write feature articles and cover events that matter to the college community. The student news staff has the responsibility to determine content and set editorial policy at the First Amendment student newspaper, La Voz, which publishes in print and online.
Media Theory and Writing
JOUR 2: Mass Communication and its Impact on Society, 4 units
Journalism 2 is an introductory course to help students become more media literate and consider a future in mass media. The course presents a comprehensive survey of the mass media and its impact on culture and society. Students study media effects on global and American institutions, and on individuals and on society in the context of each medium: books, newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, recordings, television and the Internet. Students look at the ethical and legal implications of the media on gender, ethnic and minority issues, and study the professionals' roles in the media industries. (Prerequisite: English 1A advised.)JOUR 21A: News Writing and Reporting, 3 Units
Journalism 21A gives students the fundamentals of journalistic writing by offering
instruction and practice in reporting and news writing, including analysis of newspapers
and news stories. Students concentrate on the language and style of news writing,
the organization and structure of news stories, the lead and the basic story types
as they gain practical writing experience. (Prerequisite: English 1A required.)
JOUR 21B: Feature Writing and Reporting, 3 Units
Journalism 21B advances students' journalistic writing skills by teaching them the
fundamentals of feature writing for newspapers and magazines, with instruction and
practice in profile, human interest, consumer and interpretive news feature writing.
Students gain practical experience in interviewing, writing special story types and
revising stories. Students will freelance a story for publication in the college newspaper
or other outlet. (Prerequisite: English 1A required; Journalism 21A advised.)
Production
JOUR 61: Newspaper Staff, 3 Units
Journalism 61 is the main production segment of the student newspaper. In this class, students produce La Voz, the student newspaper for the De Anza College community. In this course, students take on the roles of reporting news and feature stories, making editorial decisions, writing opinions and columns, designing graphics and cartoons, taking photographs and laying out pages. Students also edit the newspaper's Web site, including podcasts and vodcasts, (Prequisite: Journalism 21A advised.)
JOUR 62: Newspaper Freelancing, 1 Unit
Journalism 62 gives students practical experience contributing as a freelancer to the college newspaper or other media outlet as a reporter, copy editor, columnist, graphic artist, photojournalist, cartoonist, videographer or other freelance position. Students work on their own, set their objectives, and complete individual contracts with a faculty adviser.
JOUR 63: Newspaper Advertising Staff, 1 Unit
Journalism 63 offers students an oportunity to participate in the business and advertising funcitons of the college newspaper. It combines functions of advertising and business management, including an introduction to advertising sales, design, production and billing. Students work closely with the newspaper's business and advertising manager.
Special Topics and Projects
JOUR 66: Special Topics in Journalism, 1–4 Units
Journalism 66 offers a rotating selection of elective classes. Often classes are seminar-style,
with the topics suggested by students. Courses offered in the past included “Magazine
Staff,” “The Journalist in Popular Culture,” “Broadcast Journalism” and “Convergence
Journalism.” During fall 2006, the course offered is “Writing for a Living,” featuring
professional writers as guest speakers.
JOUR 70: Special Projects in Journalism, 1–4 Units
Journalism 70 allows students to embark on self-determined projects as individuals or small groups, under the guidance of an instructor. Frequently, students who enroll in this class are participating in an internship at a newspaper or television station, and need class credit as a requirement of the internship. Performing work as a teaching assistant is another option.