Journalism (JOUR)

JOUR 205 Social Impact of Journalism (Units: 3)

History, organization, social role and function of journalism. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors.

Course Attributes:

  • C2: Humanities

JOUR 221 Newswriting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A2 and A3. Typing speed of 25 wpm or better.

Development of news judgment and clear writing skills. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 222 Newswriting Lab (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A2 and A3.

Associated Press style writing, English grammar, and punctuation. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 223 Bilingual English and Spanish Newswriting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Written and verbal fluency in Spanish. Language assessment test.

Development of news judgment, basic reporting, and clear writing skills for Spanish-language media, media produced in both English and Spanish, and media focused on Spanish-speaking cultures. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (ABC/NC grading only)
(This course is offered as JOUR 223 and SPAN 223. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
  • Global Perspectives

JOUR 224 Newswriting Lab in Spanish (Unit: 1)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A2 and A3.

Basic grammar, spelling and punctuation in Spanish applied to news writing. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (ABC/NC grading only)
(This course is offered as JOUR 224 and SPAN 224. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 226 Introduction to Multimedia Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 205* and JOUR 221* or equivalents or JOUR 223* with grades of C or better.

Development of multimedia skills, online research and analysis, and other components of multimedia storytelling, including audio, video, and data reporting. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 235 Photojournalism I: Foundations of Photojournalism (Units: 3)

Photojournalistic style and content. Taking pictures of people, telling stories, and conveying information. Must use DSLR or mirrorless digital camera; smartphones are not adequate. Grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

Course Attributes:

  • C1: Arts

JOUR 250 Deadline Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 221* or JOUR 223* or equivalent, and JOUR 226* or equivalent, all with a grade of C or better, or permission of the instructor.

Explore the process of creating accurate journalism within the constraints of modern news cycles. Examine the deadline journalism process from the assignment to reporting, editing, and publication. Discussion of conducting field reporting and interviews, editing copy for publication, and writing headlines, blurbs, and social posts for written and audio/visual content. (Plus-minus letter grade; RP grading only)

JOUR 300GW Reporting - GWAR (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; GE Area A2*; JOUR 205* and JOUR 221* or JOUR 223* or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Advanced concepts of news gathering, interviewing, and writing. Cover San Francisco and Oakland neighborhoods. A grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. (ABC/NC grading only)

Course Attributes:

  • Graduation Writing Assessment

JOUR 304 Cultural Diversity and News Media (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; GE Area A2*.

Exploration of how the practice of newsgathering influences social reality. Exploration of issues facing U.S. news media as they struggle to understand an increasingly diverse society. Historical overview of the problem and discussion on current obstacles facing journalists' efforts to improve coverage and newsroom representation. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. [Formerly JOUR 610]

Course Attributes:

  • Am. Ethnic & Racial Minorities
  • Social Justice

JOUR 307 News Media Law (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing.

News media law using studies and practical application in journalism including access to public records, constitutional guarantees, ethical responsibilities in reporting, and publications of stories. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 310 Journalism Ethics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: GE Areas A1*, A2*, A3*, and B4* with a grade of C- or better.

A healthy democracy requires a healthy news media landscape. Survey of ethical principles and norms in professional news reporting. Exploration of mistakes in journalism as well as emerging industry challenges that can affect our democracy. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

Course Attributes:

  • UD-C: Arts and/or Humanities

JOUR 320 Investigative Reporting (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 300GW* with a grade of C or better.

Problems and methodology of investigative journalism; techniques of documentation; from theory to practical application. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 321 Feature Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 300GW* with a grade of C or better; or permission of instructor.

Theory and practice of writing newspaper and magazine stories. Definition of a feature; topics, interviewing techniques, deadline writing; freelancing. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 323 Editing and Translation for Bilingual Spanish Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: SPAN 301* with a grade of C or permission of the instructor.

Theoretical and practical aspects of translation applied to news writing. Exercises in translating Spanish to English and vice-versa. Conducted in both Spanish and English. (ABC/NC grading only)
(This course is offered as JOUR 323 and SPAN 323. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 328 Anthropology and Photography (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Examination of the documentary, social, political, and aesthetic roles of photography (and the archive and photo-essay) in anthropology as a mode of representation and control, but also of resistance. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
(This course is offered as ANTH 328 and JOUR 328. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 330 Editing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 205*, JOUR 221*, and JOUR 222* or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Theory and practice of editing; fundamental copy editing, rewrite and layout techniques, headline writing, restructuring, and trimming; story ideas and assignments; page design concepts. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 333 Reporting for Spanish-Language Media (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: JOUR 223* or equivalent with a grade of C or better.

Advanced concepts of newsgathering, interviewing, and writing for Spanish-language media. Cover Spanish speaking communities in the Bay Area. Activity. (ABC/NC grading only)

JOUR 335 Photojournalism II: Staff Photojournalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 235* with a grade of C or better.

Students demonstrate their proficiency in 10 skills required to become a viable candidate for a general assignment newspaper/magazine/online internship or job. Skills include spot news, general news, feature, portraiture, issue/op-ed illustration, sports, studio lighting, print/web picture story, basic professional portfolio production, and social media. Must have interchangeable lens digital camera. A grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 395 Online Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 226* and JOUR 300GW* or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Multimedia production for journalists; creation of electronic outlet of text, sound, archived video, and graphics for news. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 400 Video Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 226* and JOUR 300GW* with grades of C or better.

Video journalism is ubiquitous in legacy and digital-first newsrooms. From live reports on social media to cinematic, high-quality productions, to police body cams and user-generated first-person accounts, video has revolutionized how we report and tell stories. Examine a wide range of video storytelling, and an exploration of the technical skills and reporting methods needed to pitch, develop, produce, shoot, edit, and publish professional-quality video journalism. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 409 Directed Study in Journalism (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor or the department.

Individual projects or career advancement by working with a professor or media organization. May be used for internships and may be repeated for a total of 6 units with the permission of the department. Internships done in JOUR 409 may not be used to meet major requirements. (CR/NC grading only)

JOUR 410 Building Chinese Media Literacy (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: CHIN 401 or consent of the instructor.

Vocabulary, structures, styles, and topics of contemporary Chinese media. Newspapers, radio and television broadcasts, websites, blogs, and social media of Greater China. Intensive focus on reading and listening, augmented by writing and presentation assignments.
(This course is offered as CHIN 410 and JOUR 410, and is taught in Chinese. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 411 Media Chinese (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: CHIN 401 or consent of the instructor.

Mandarin as it is used in various genres on radio/television and in news reports and articles, editorials, interviews, and advertisements.
(This course is offered as CHIN 411, I R 413, and JOUR 411. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • Global Perspectives

JOUR 426 Data Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 226, JOUR 300GW, and JOUR 395* or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Exploration and application of techniques of data analysis, processing, and visualization to build interactive journalism elements and projects. A grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus grading only)

JOUR 427 Media Entrepreneurship (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Introduction to the application of entrepreneurship principles to various media industries, with an emphasis on the creation of a media start-up. The principles examined include innovation, rigorous evaluation of the industry, market analysis, and feasible business plans. Exploration of both the creation of new media companies as well as how to work as an independent media professional. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
(This course is offered as JOUR 427 [formerly JOUR 675] and BECA 427. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 435 Photojournalism III: Editorial Photography and Business Practices (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 221, JOUR 300GW*, and JOUR 335* with grades of C or better; or permission of the instructor.

Use of artificial and available light to create a portrait essay and a magazine-style essay on a particular theme or location, with the intent to formally pitch to a publication. Engagement with the practice of sustainability and networking models through direct interaction with publications, non-profits, and NGOs. A grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 450 Publication Design and Graphics (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Journalism majors and minors with JOUR 221* or equivalent with a grade of C or better, or Design majors with DES 200* with a grade of C or better, or permission of instructor.

Editorial design and production for newspapers, magazines, and digital devices. Introduction to data visualization and reporting. Concepts and skills for editorial designers, graphics editors, and photo editors. A grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only.)

JOUR 452 International Media Politics (Units: 4)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing.

Examination of how communication among states and non-state entities shapes international relations, from the perspective of various theoretical and epistemological approaches.
(This course is offered as I R 452, JOUR 452, and BECA 451. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

Course Attributes:

  • Social Justice

JOUR 454 Israeli Media Landscape: Journalism, Communications, and Society (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area A2.

Introduction to Israel's media institutions and the forces that have shaped the country's present media landscape. The development of Israeli media from the birth of Hebrew-language newspapers in Europe, through the first decades of statehood, the shift towards a market economy in the 1980s, and the implications of the digital revolution on local media outlets. Topics include the party press, establishment of public broadcasting and recent struggles for its reform, rise of commercial broadcasting, and major corruption affairs.
(This course is offered as JS 468, JOUR 454, and BECA 468. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 469 Media on Media: Media Scandals and Journalism Ethics in Israel, the U.S., and U.K. (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: GE Area A2.

Legal, ethical, and normative questions in the work of journalists and media organizations are examined in case studies from Israel, the U.S., and the U.K. by analyzing the media's relationships with the political arena, the private sector, and security forces. Topics include libel suits, source protection, and advertising boycotts; appropriate means for monitoring and regulating the media; and the significance of media self-reflection and transparency in the digital age.
(This course is offered as JS 469, BECA 469, and JOUR 469. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 480 Audio Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division standing; JOUR 226* and JOUR 300GW*, or BECA 231* and BECA 300GW* or equivalents.

Planning, reporting, production and publication of audio journalism. Conveying accurate and compelling reports using audio-based story forms. Examination of digital literacy and media analysis, story development and pitches, interview technique, field producing, scripting and transcribing, plus audio editing, production and publishing. (Plus-minus letter grade only)
(This course is offered as JOUR 480 and BECA 480. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 495 Profiles (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 226* and JOUR 300GW* or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Investigation and implementation of profile reporting and storytelling techniques, using a combination of multimedia tools of the students' choice: writing, photography, video and/or online interactivity to bring people's stories alive through keen observation, captivating dialogue, proper tone, effective structure and organization. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. Activity. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 500 Contemporary Magazines (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; or permission of the instructor.

Development and role of the contemporary magazine and the rise of specialized periodicals. Magazine start-ups, dynamics of editorial strategy and planning; editing, design, and short article writing. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 535 Photojournalism IV: Documentary Capstone (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 435* or equivalent with a grade of C or better; or permission of the instructor.

Research and creation of a grant proposal and a crowdfunding proposal for a semester-long social documentary project. Creation of a thematic visual essay and a social media presence for the work. Students must provide their own equipment. Specialized equipment is available for short-term loan. A grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 536 Latina/o Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing.

Overview of U.S. Latina/x/o journalism from the mid-1800s to the present. Provides insight into the ways in which Latinas/x/os have used journalism as a way to engage in activism and center the experiences of Latina/x/o communities. [CSL may be available]
(This course is offered as LTNS 536 and JOUR 536. Students may not repeat the course under an alternate prefix.)

JOUR 570 Opinion Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 221 and JOUR 300GW* or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Principles and techniques of effective column and op-ed writing. Strategies for getting published. Emphasis on research and critical thinking. History and importance of editorial writing versus news coverage. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 575 Community Media (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: JOUR 221* and JOUR 300GW* or equivalents, or JOUR 223* with grades of C or better.

Gain experience producing stories for community news outlets, ethnic news outlets, hyperlocal sites, niched-oriented news in the Bay Area. Explore the value, relevance, and role of these alternative media publications. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 580 Environmental Journalism (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors and Environmental Studies majors; JOUR 300GW* or ENVS 450GW* or equivalents.

Examination and practice of environmental journalism through reading and analysis of selected examples along with research and reporting necessary for completion of short and long word, photo and multimedia stories. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 595 Magazine and Feature Writing (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 221 and JOUR 300GW* or equivalents with grades of C or better.

Principles and techniques of magazine and feature writing, developing, researching, and writing factual articles. Markets and steps necessary to get published. A grade of C or better required for Journalism majors and minors. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 605 Magazine Publication Lab (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 300GW* and either JOUR 580* or JOUR 595* or equivalents, all with grades of C or better.

Production of print and digital editions of Xpress Magazine, including updates of the Xpress Magazine website and related social media networks. A grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 609 Newspaper Publication Laboratory (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 205 and JOUR 221 or equivalents or JOUR 223; JOUR 300GW* or equivalent; all with grades of C or better.

Reporting, writing, photography, editing, and producing print and online publications. A grade of C or better is required for Journalism majors and minors. May be repeated for a total of 6 units. Extra fee required. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 617 Advanced Journalism Internship (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to upper-division Journalism majors and minors with JOUR 300GW* with a grade of C or better. Approved internship proposal required prior to the registration deadline. May not be taken concurrently with JOUR 605* and JOUR 609*.

Credit for an approved internship with employers in news, magazine, or online media outlets. Students document their work through reflection on experiences in journals, resume package preparation, and an online portfolio of work. (CR/NC only)

JOUR 695 Senior Seminar (Units: 3)

Prerequisites: Restricted to Journalism majors and minors; JOUR 395* or JOUR 400*; JOUR 605* or JOUR 609*; or equivalents all with grades of C or better; or permission of the instructor.

Journalism publishing project applying skills and knowledge of the major. (Plus-minus letter grade only)

JOUR 699 Independent Study (Units: 1-3)

Prerequisite: Restricted to upper-division standing or permission of the instructor.

Intensive study and investigation of a selected problem under the supervision of an instructor. May be repeated for a total of units. (CR/NC only)