All Courses in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication

Courses at level: 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 |

Full list of courses

201, Introduction to Mass Communication
Pre-requisite: Open to Fr.; completion of Comm A crse; cons instr for Seniors.
Web Site
Instructor(s): Downey, Mitchell
I, II; 4 cr. (b-S-E) How the mass media are organized and how they function in modern society, their technological bases, economic and political foundations, and social implications.

202, Mass Communication Practices
Pre-requisite: Admission to School of Journalism.
Web Site
Instructor(s): Culver
I, II; 6 cr. (E) Communication as a process involving sender and receiver, message and medium. J202 goals are threefold: 1) to lay a foundation of basic communication skills, including writing, editing, conducting research using traditional and online resources, numeracy, and elements of design and story presentation, 2) to help students develop an appreciation of how different media influence the nature of information presented, 3) to introduce students to technical skills that will be used in advanced professional classes --page layout, HTML authoring, digital audio and video editing.

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335, Intermediate Reporting
Pre-requisite: Journalism 202
Web Site (Drechsel section only)
Instructor(s): Drechsel, Mitchell, Vaughn, Walters
I, II; 4 cr. (I) Basic reporting for print and electronic media. This is a transitional course designed to develop the technical skills introduced in J202 such as digital audio, Web use and composition, and to explore the concepts necessary for advanced reporting courses. Students bring together technical and conceptual skills by creating a variety of print, audio and web-based news stories that revolve around a current public issue of significance to the community.

345, Principles of Strategic Communication
Pre-requisite: Journalism 202
Instructor(s): McLeod, D.Shah, Brossard
I, II; 4 cr. (I) Introduction to strategic communication for students interested in advertising, public relations, health communications and political campaigns. Course focuses on: 1) strategic communication industry, including advertising and public relations firms, 2) ethics and regulation of strategic communications, 3) role of strategic communications in the process of marketing products, ideas and people, 4) components of strategic communication campaigns, 5) professional specialties within the field of strategic communications.

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401, In-Depth Reporting
Pre-requisite: Journalism 335
Instructor(s): Blum, Drechsel, Dunwoody, Friedland, H. Shah, Walters
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Advanced reporting with emphasis on critical evaluation of evidence and on recognizing the complex effects of government actions. Students develop investigative skills, study online and computer-assisted reporting techniques, learn how to follow the trail of a story and track the impact of decisions made by policymakers. Students also discuss journalistic ethics and the impact reporter's actions and decisions have on this process.

404, Interpretation of Contemporary Affairs
Pre-requisite: Journalism 335
Instructor(s): Baughman, Fair
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Preparing and writing editorials, columns and news analyses. Functioning in the role of opinion leaders, students analyze and comment on the news.

405, Creative Nonfiction
Pre-requisite: Journalism 335
Instructor(s): Blum, Walters
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Journalistic storytelling now defines some of the most successful and popular non-fiction of our time. Many journalists move directly from newspapers into serious non-fiction. Creative nonfiction is a class for journalism students who want to build a broad-based portfolio of writing skills, ones that foster good storytelling on multiple levels for print and electronic publications, for daily newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines, and even some skills fundamental to book writing.

411, Multimedia Graphics
Pre-requisite: Journalism 335 OR 345
Web Site
Instructor(s): Culver
II; 4 cr. (A) Explores how the principles of visual communication influence communities that use new media. The revolution in digital media has fragmented traditional communities and it is no longer sufficient to think of an audience as a print reader, a television viewer or a demographic group. This class examines how communities of special interests, including ethnic groups, use multimedia and its graphic design to give voice and vision to members. Students learn the theoretical aspects of multimedia and community as they learn to analyze and think critically about content-driven design, typography, photography and digital technology.

415, Science and Environmental Journalism
Pre-requisite: Journalism 335 or consent of instructor for non-majors
Instructor(s): Blum, Dunwoody
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Instruction and practice in strategies for communicating science to the public. Emphases include: 1) how to explain difficult concepts and processes; 2) skills for telling interesting and artful stories, and 3) strategies for making reasonable judgments about scientific evidence. Students will focus on producing products useful for mass media channels, from newspapers to the World Wide Web. The skills acquired in this course are relevant to practitioners in journalism, public relations and informal education settings such as science museums.

417, Magazines and Magazine Editing
Pre-requisite: Journalism 335 OR 345
Web Site
Instructor(s): Culver
I; 4 cr. (A) Students study the modern magazine industry as they produce professional quality magazine articles for the class Internet magazine, Online Wisconsin. The class draws on a broad range of communication skills--critical thinking, writing, editing, interpersonal and managerial skills, design and computer layout, and HTML.

419, Electronic News for Web and Broadcast
Pre-requisite: Journalism 335 OR 345
Instructor(s): Hastings
I, II; 4 cr. (A) Students develop professional skills essential for competence in electronic news writing, editing and production for the World Wide Web and for broadcast. They study issues and problems in electronic news, learn interviewing, use of electronic equipment and presentation, and combine their knowledge of concepts and skills to produce professional quality webcasts. During the course students work in a variety of roles -- reporter, editor, producer and Web site manager.

445, Developing Creative Messages for Media
Pre-requisite: Journalism 345
Instructor(s): Nelson, Brossard
I, II; 4 cr. (A) Introduction to the creative aspects of message development for advertising, public relations and other strategic communication. Course focuses on: 1) basics of "concepting" -- the strategic thinking that underlies developing creative messages, 2) creative writing techniques and general development of writing ability, 3) visualization methods and their application to message creation, 4) integration of copy and visual elements into fully realized creative messages, 5) application of class concepts in manual and computer-assisted message design.

447, Strategic Media Planning
Pre-requisite: Journalism 345
Instructor(s): D.Shah
I, II; 4 cr. (A) Introduction to media planning for students interested in careers in advertising, public relations, or other forms of strategic communication. Course focuses on: 1) challenges facing strategic communicators, especially media specialists, in an "era of choice," 2) basic concepts involved in buying, planning and placing stories in traditional and "new" media, 3) data sources used in the process of strategic media analysis, 4) basic elements of a strategic media plan involving advertising and public relations, 5) tactical and strategic concerns in devising a media plan, 6) use of media planning software to aid in development of strategic media plans.

449, Strategic Communication Campaigns
Pre-requisite: Journalism 345
Instructor(s): McLeod, Nelson, Brossard
I, II; 4 cr. (A) Process of planning, implementing and analyzing strategic communication campaigns. The course will: 1) instill an understanding of strategic communication campaigns, and 2) promote internalization of the campaign process, thus enabling students to intelligently assess campaigns and develop a campaign proposal for a local organization.

475, Special Topics in Advanced Concepts and Skills
Pre-requisite: Consent of Instructor
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Exploration of a particular set of concepts and skills in more depth. A special topics course may choose to focus on a particular issue, for example, a current public affairs topic or critical thinking strategies, or on an applied communication problem, such as designing a competitive strategic information campaign or producing a journalistic product. Subject varies.

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515, Public Information Campaigns and Programs (Crosslisted with L SC Com and Fam Com)
Pre-requisite: LSC Com 111 or 130 or cons inst.
I, SS; 3 cr. (I) Design, production and evaluation of communication programs aimed at informing and educating publics about agriculture, environment, science, health and human ecology issues.

544, Introduction to Survey Research (Crosslisted with Soc, Poli Sci, and Urb R Pl)
Pre-requisite: Junior standing
I or II or SS; 3 cr. (S-A) Theory and practice of survey research; planning, sampling, questionnaire construction, interviewing, content analysis, machine tabulation, analysis of data; two hours lecture; two hours lab or field work.

558, Public, Community, and Alternative Media (Crosslisted with Comm Arts)
Pre-requisite: Com Arts 351
I; 3 cr. (H-A) Examination of media outside the dominant commercial model, especially local and alternative practices, and their cultural role.

559, Law of Mass Communication
Pre-requisite: Junior standing
Web Site
Instructor(s): Drechsel
I or II; 4 cr. (S-A) Freedom of speech and press with particular emphasis on major legal issues confronting media practitioners; introduction to such areas of law as censorship, libel, invasion of privacy, access to information, regulation of electronic media and commercial speech.

560, History of Mass Communication (Crosslisted with History)
Pre-requisite: Junior standing
Instructor(s): Baughman, Vaughn
I or II; 4 cr. (S-A) Major developments in the histories of journalism, advertising, public relations and broadcast news in America, with some attention to government-press relations.

561, Mass Communication and Society
Pre-requisite: Fall semester, Journalism Srs, spring semester, Sr st.
Instructor(s): Friedland, Vaughn
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Relationship between mass communication and society; analysis and evaluation of media performance and the need for change.

565, Effects of Mass Communication
Pre-requisite: Junior standing
Instructor(s):
I or II; 4 cr. (S-A) Use and effects of mass communication for individuals and societies. Course examines who is affected, what effects occur and how much, what different media content is involved and what situations make effects more or less likely.

570, History of Books and Printing (Crosslisted with LIS and History)
Pre-requisite: Junior standing; or Grad standing in School of Library and Information Studies.
I or II; 3 cr. (D) History of print culture in the Western World from the invention of moveable type in 15th century Europe to 1900, and in the U.S. from colonial times to the present. Emphasis on print's influence on social intellectual and cultural life.

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614, Communication and Public Opinion
Pre-requisite: Senior standing
Instructor(s): McLeod, D. Shah
I or II; 4 cr. (S-A) The role of mass media in the formation of public opinion. Propaganda goals of government, political, economic and social groups.

616, Mass Media and Youth (Crosslisted with Com Arts, L SC Com, and Fam Com)
Pre-requisite: Journ 565 or Com Arts 457.
I or II; 3 cr. (S-D) Children's and adolescents' use of mass media and mass media effects on them. Particular attention is given to changes in comprehension and other cognitive activities that give insights into media and effects.

617, Health Communication in the Information Age (Crosslisted with L SC Com, Com Arts and Fam Com)
Pre-requisite: Journ 565 or Com Arts 457.
Web Site
Instructor(s): Hawkins
I or II; 3 cr. (S-A) Course examines the role of communication in health, how the revolution in information technology has affected health communication, and the assumptions about health information and communication that drive current efforts to use technologies.

618, Mass Communication and Political Behavior (Crosslisted with Poli Sci)
Pre-requisite: Journ 565 or cons inst.
Instructor(s): Scheufele
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Interrelationships of news media, political campaigning, and the electorate. Impact of media coverage and persuasive appeals on image and issue voting, political participation and socialization.

620, International Communication
Pre-requisite: Junior standing
Instructor(s): Fair, H. Shah
I or II; 4 cr. (S-A) Historical, political, economic and cultural trends in global mass communication systems.

621, Mass Communication in Developing Nations
Pre-requisite: Junior standing
Instructor(s): Fair, H. Shah
I or II; 4 cr. (S-A) Development, structure and role of mass communication systems in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

646, Mass Media and the Consumer
Pre-requisite: Junior standing and two courses in social sciences
Instructor(s): McLeod, Nelson
I or II; 4 cr. (S-A) Mass media content from the consumer viewpoint; consumer need, opportunity for and use of information; consumer evaluation of media performance; guidelines for effective use; alternative means for obtaining information; implications of consumer movement.

658, Communication Research Methods
Pre-requisite: Admission to the School of Journalism or consent of instructor
Instructor(s): McLeod, D. Shah
I; 4 cr. (A) Survey of methods for investigating mass communication processes and effects.

662, Mass Media and Minorities (Crosslisted with Asian Am)
Pre-requisite: Junior standing
Web Site (Danky section only)
Instructor(s): H. Shah, Danky
I or II; 4 cr. (A) (e) Representations of minority groups in U.S. news and entertainment mass media. Historical, social, political, economic and other factors influencing the mass mediated depictions of minorities.

669, Literary Aspects of Journalism
Pre-requisite: Junior standing
Instructor(s): Baughman
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Historical consideration of journalistic writing as literature. Students read the works of individual journalists and writers who had extensive backgrounds in journalism, weighing changes in style and the presentation of non-fiction generally.

675, Topics in Government and Mass Media
Pre-requisite: Senior or Graduate standing or consent of instructor
Instructor(s): Drechsel
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Analysis of political and legal relationships between mass communication and government with emphasis on current problems and issues.

676, Special Topics in Mass Communication
Pre-requisite: Consent of instructor
Instructor(s): varied
I or II; 4 cr. (A) Analysis of a conceptual mass communication issue in more depth than is possible in existing courses. Subject varies.

681, Senior Honors Thesis
Pre-requisite: Consent of instructor
I, II, SS; 3 cr. (A)

682, Senior Honors Thesis
Pre-requisite: Consent of instructor
I, II, SS; 3 cr. (A)

691, Senior Thesis
Pre-requisite: Consent of instructor
I, II, SS; 3 cr. (A)

692, Senior Thesis
Pre-requisite: Consent of instructor
I, II, SS; 3 cr. (A)

697, Internship
Pre-requisite: Admission to School of Journalism and consent of instructor
I, II, SS; 1 cr. (A) Students may earn no more than three internship credits as a part of their undergraduate degree program. Graded on a Cr/N basis. For more details, go to J697: Internship Credit.

698, Directed Study
Pre-requisite: Junior or Senior status and consent of instructor
I, II, SS; 1-6 cr. (A) Graded on a Cr/N basis.

699, Directed Study
Pre-requisite: Junior or Senior status and consent of instructor
I, II, SS; 1-6 cr. (A) Graded on a lettered basis.

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701 Proseminar-Mass Communication

I; 3 cr. Research from the standpoint of major theoretical and methodological approaches.
P: Grad St.

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800 Advanced Mass Media Practice

II; 3 cr. Advanced projects in professional practice in mass media. When course focuses on journalism, it will typically emphasize advanced projects in specialized reporting. The course is designed for professional-track M.A. students. Emphasis will vary with instructor. Course may be repeated with a different instructor.
P: Previous experience or courses and cons inst.

805 Communication Research Methods

I or II; 3 cr. Course in research methodology. It is designed to assist students design research and analyze and interpret evidence. Other goals are to develop a deeper appreciation of research strategies and decisions and to make students aware of the variety of available research and analysis techniques.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: qualitative or quantitative]

806 Conceptualization and Design of Mass Communication Research (Crosslisted with L SC Com)

I or II; 2-3 cr. Assists students to turn research questions into substantive research designs with understanding of the concepts involved. For most students, the final product will be a well-developed thesis or dissertation proposal. Major portion of class sessions is devoted to student presentations and critiques of ongoing projects. In this manner the course serves as a forum for working out individual problems.
P: Grad St.

810 Mass Communication Law and Policy

I or II; 3 cr. Intensive reading and discussion focusing on theories of press freedom and current issues in mass communication law and policy. A bibliographic essay will be required.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: legal]

819 History of Mass Communication (Crosslisted with History)

I or II; 3 cr. An intensive reading and discussion designed to introduce students to the literature of mass communication history.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: historical]

829 Political Communication (Crosslisted with Poli SCI)

I or II; 3 cr. This course examines the role of communication in American politics. Topics covered include the communication of politics (e.g., communication by political elites, the effects of mass media and interpersonal communication on political attitudes) as well as the politics of communications (regulation of political communication, policy issues, etc.).
P: Grad St.
[methodology: quantitative]

830 International/Development Communication

I or II; 3 cr. Readings and discussion focusing on global media issues. Topics may include news flow, cultural imperialism, representations, history and political economy, globalization trends, new technologies, mass media and nation building, communication and grassroots politics.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: qualitative]

839 Critical and Cultural Studies of Mass Communication

I or II; 3 cr. Intensive readings focusing on the critical studies and/or cultural studies traditions in mass communication theory and research. Topics may include political economy of mass media, theories of representation, critical sociology of mass media, critical news analysis and critique, cultural politics and mass media, critical approaches to mass media, race and gender.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: qualitative]

840 Strategic Mass Communication (Crosslisted with L SC Com)

I or II; 3 cr. Intensive readings focusing on theories, strategies, and methods involved in the strategic uses of mass communication. The course may focus on the macro area of campaign communication, with exemplars drawn from such applied contexts as commercial advertising, politics, public relations, and social issues, or on various micro issues including media convergence, risk communication, resistance to influence, or others.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: quantitative]

849 Mass Communication and the Individual

I; 3 cr. Theory and research on individuals' use of mass communication and effects of mass communication. Topics include choice, selection and functions of mass media use, attention and cognitive processing, information effects, persuasion and emotion/involvement, and social and behavioral effects. In addition, the course will emphasize the broader issues of assumptions and methods in the construction and evaluation of communication theory. Students will gain an idea of the issues and sources in each area, along with tools for further papers and research. The emphasis will always be on the search for explanation, as opposed to simply description.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: quantitative]

860 Science and Environment Communication (Crosslisted with L SC Com and Environmental Studies)

I or II; 3 cr. This course uses available scholarship and commentary to track the evolution of mass media coverage of science and the environment. Emphasis on how journalists utilize evidence, the influence of scientific and journalistic norms on stories, and the effects of mass media science and environment messages on the public.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: Blum/qualitative; Dunwoody/quantitative; O'Keefe/quantitative]

870 Mass Communication and Societal Institutions

I or II; 3 cr. This course examines systematic procedures for theory building and comparison of theories of communication processes between mass media and other societal institutions and their relationships with both individuals and micro-social systems.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: quantitative]

880 Topics in Mass Communication (Crosslisted with L SC Com)

I or II; 3 cr.
P: Grad St.
[methodology: qualitative or quantitative depending upon instructor]

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900 Seminar-Research in Applied Mass Communication

I or II; 3 cr.

Research on theories and practice on aspects of journalism, advertising, and/or public relations. Focus will vary with the instructor. Topics may include: advertising, public relations, newsroom economics and management, news and community structure, civic journalism, communicator analysis, science communication, media economics and management, and others. Course may be repeated on a different topic.
P: Cons inst.

901 Colloquium in Mass Communication (Crosslisted with L SC Com)

I; 1 cr. May be repeated to a maximum of 3 credits. Colloquium series for communication graduate students. Course will offer research presentations by mass communication scholars, and is designed to acquaint graduate students with theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of communication.
P: Grad St.

910 Seminar-Mass Communication Law and Policy

I or II: 3 cr. Research in the law of mass communication. Students will explore documentary, social scientific, and qualitative research in the context of mass communication law, and design and execute research projects.
P: cons inst.
[methodology: legal]

919 Seminar-History of Mass Communication (Crosslisted with History)

I or II; 3 cr. A seminar in the history of mass communication in which students are expected to produce original research based on primary documents.
P: cons inst.
[methodology: historical]

930 Seminar-International/Development Communication

I or II; 3 cr. Research on global media issues. Possible topics include news flow, cultural imperialism, representations, history and political economy, globalization trends, new technologies, mass media and nation building, communication and grassroots politics.
P: cons inst.
[methodology: qualitative]

939 Seminar-Critical and Cultural Studies of Mass Communication

I or II; 3 cr. Research in critical studies and/or cultural studies. The topics may include political economy of mass media, theories of representation, critical sociology of mass media, critical news analysis and critique, cultural politics and mass media, critical approaches to mass media, race and gender.
P: cons inst.
[methodology: qualitative]

940 Seminar-Strategic Communication (Crosslisted with L SC Com)

I or II; 3 cr. Research involving strategic uses of mass communication. The seminar involves students in active research on a preselected issue in strategic mass communication, and affords an opportunity for students to design an original research proposal concerning an issue of their choice. Strategic mass communication includes the macro area of campaign communication, with exemplars drawn from such applied contexts as commercial advertising, politics public relations, and social issues, or such micro issues as media convergence, risk communication, resistance to influence, or others.
P: cons inst. [methodology: quantitative]

949 Seminar-Mass Communication and the Individual

I or II; 3 cr. Seminar in a specialized topic involving mass media use and effects on individuals. The course features readings from current research literature. In addition, the course will involve either a group or individual research project. Possible specializations could include: cognitive processes in comprehending mass communication messages, developmental patterns of mass media use, processes of medium and message selection, effects of televised violence, and use and processing implications of communication technologies.
P: cons inst.
[methodology: quantitative]

960 Seminar-Science and Environment Communication (Crosslisted with L SC Com)

I or II; 3 cr. This research seminar involves students in active research concerning mass media coverage of science and the environment. It provides an opportunity for students to design a research proposal on an issue of their choice. Potential topics could be drawn from the general areas: the way journalists utilize evidence, accuracy in reporting, the influence of scientific and journalistic norms on stories, who controls what becomes news, the way journalists deal with uncertainty in reporting about science and the environment, and the effects of mass media science and environment messages on the public.
P: cons inst.
[methodology: Blum/qualitative; Dunwoody/quantitative; O'Keefe/quantitative]

970 Seminar-Mass Communication and Societal Institutions

I or II; 3 cr. Construction and testing of theories of mass media and societal institutions and their relationships with individuals and micro-social systems. Various quantitative, qualitative, or historical approaches are appropriate to research for the seminar research paper requirement. Recent seminars have focused on: public opinion and the mass media, mass media and democratic processes, mass media and social movements, framing in the production and consumption of mass media, and mass media and social cognition.
P: cons inst.
[methodology: quantitative]

980 Seminar-Topics in Mass Communication (Crosslisted with L SC Com)

I or II; 3 cr.
P: Cons inst.
[methodology: quantitative or qualitative depending upon instructor]

990 Thesis 1-9 cr. P: Grad St.

999 Independent Research Problems 2-4 cr. P: Grad St.