Journalism
Overview
American River College provides a strong introduction to both general studies and a journalism or mass communication major. You can begin with a course in news writing and reporting, and an introduction to the mass media. Both these courses are accepted by the California State University campuses which offer a bachelor's degree in journalism.
The campus newspaper, The Current offers valuable experience in writing, editing, photography, design and desktop publishing. Your portfolio can help you earn scholarships and internships--powerful assets to starting a career.
ARC also offers an associate in arts degree in journalism. This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level work in community journalism and for successful transfer to a university.
Roadmaps
Road maps lay out all of the courses you need to take for a given degree or certificate.
AA-T/AS-T Transfer Degrees
- Dean Carina Hoffpauir
- Department Chair Rachel Leibrock
- HomeBase Language and Communication HomeBase
- Phone (916) 484-8101
- Email askhb-LAC@arc.losrios.edu
Associate Degrees for Transfer
A.A.-T. in Journalism and Mass Communications
The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements of the California State University for transfer. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system.
The Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer (A.A.-T.) may be obtained by the completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program outlined below (earning a "C" or "P" or better in these courses), and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education Breadth Requirements.
Students interested in transferring to a CSU campus to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Journalism should meet with a counselor to confirm the courses required for lower division preparation in the major.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2024
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 300 | Newswriting and Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR 310 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| JOUR 410 | College Media Production I | 3 |
| A minimum of 3 units from the following: | 3 | |
| JOUR 301 | Advanced Newswriting and Reporting (3) | |
| JOUR 351 | Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques (3) | |
| JOUR 360 | Photojournalism (3) | |
| JOUR 361 | Multimedia Journalism (3) | |
| JOUR 411 | College Media Production II (3) | |
| A minimum of 6 units from the following: | 6 | |
| ARTPH 300 | Basic Film and Darkroom Photography (3) | |
| COMM 311 | Argumentation and Debate (3) | |
| COMM 361 | The Communication Experience (3) | |
| ECON 302 | Principles of Macroeconomics (3) | |
| or ECON 304 | Principles of Microeconomics (3) | |
| ENGWR 302 | Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3) | |
| or ENGWR 482 | Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3) | |
| JOUR 320 | Race and Gender in the Media (3) | |
| JOUR 350 | Writing for Broadcasting/Podcasting (3) | |
| POLS 301 | Introduction to Government: United States (3) | |
| or POLS 481 | Introduction to Government: United States - Honors (3) | |
| PSYC 330 | Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3) | |
| STAT 300 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics (4) | |
| or STAT 305 | Statway, Part II (6) | |
| Total Units: | 18 | |
The Associate in Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- analyze content of newspapers, magazines, and online media.
- demonstrate an understanding of basic news, feature writing, and reporting in print and on-line media.
- critique his or her own journalistic work and the work of others.
- apply knowledge of grammar and AP style to create mass media products that conform to journalistic conventions.
- produce news and feature articles and/or news and feature photographs for publication in a newspaper or on-line publication.
- apply principles of audience and journalistic ethics to writing and photography, especially as the student's journalistic work relates to gender, ethnicities, and culture.
- demonstrate understanding of the fundamentals of mass media theories, concepts, and practices as they relate to gender, ethnicity, and cultural constructs.
Career Information
The Journalism AA-T degree prepares students for careers in print, broadcast, and online news media.
Associate Degrees
A.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication
This program offers comprehensive training for careers in journalism and communications. Students learn how to create journalistic content for a variety of media platforms, including print, broadcast and online. The program covers news writing and reporting, public relations writing and techniques, photojournalism, and multimedia journalism. It also offers instruction in design and production for both print and online media products.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2024
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 300 | Newswriting and Reporting | 3 |
| JOUR 310 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| JOUR 320 | Race and Gender in the Media | 3 |
| JOUR 351 | Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques | 3 |
| JOUR 361 | Multimedia Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 404 | Editing and Production | 3 |
| JOUR 410 | College Media Production I | 3 |
| JOUR 411 | College Media Production II | 3 |
| JOUR 412 | College Media Production III | 3 |
| A minimum of 2 units from the following: | 2 | |
| JOUR 420 | College Media Production Lab I (0.5 - 3) | |
| JOUR 421 | College Media Production Lab II (0.5 - 3) | |
| Total Units: | 29 | |
The Journalism and Mass Communication Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- write and edit news, features, editorials, and press releases that adhere to professional journalistic standards for a variety of outlets.
- conduct research and evaluate information using appropriate methods.
- analyze and evaluate media materials for credibility, fairness, accuracy, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
- apply journalism ethics and law appropriate to professional practice.
- complete journalistic assignments on deadline.
- create multimedia to accompany text news and feature stories in a variety of formats.
- design, develop and lay out pages for different types of publications using a variety of software programs and applying visual design principles.
- identify and explain the processes, elements, history, theory, and effects of journalism and modern mass media in society.
Career Information
This program is designed to train students for entry-level positions as reporters, writers, editors, producers, photographers, designers, copy editors, and fact checkers for newspapers, magazines, broadcast outlets, websites and other media platforms. It also trains them for entry-level communications/public relations positions that include writing, editing, photography, and/or page layout and design duties. Some career options may require more than two years of college study. This program prepares journalism/mass communications students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions.
Journalism (JOUR) Courses
JOUR 299 Experimental Offering in Journalism
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the experimental courses description.
JOUR 300 Newswriting and Reporting
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or 312 AND ENGWR 300, OR ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU
- General Education:AA/AS Area II(b)
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 110
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course covers evaluating, gathering, and writing news in accepted journalistic style for different types of media. Topics include personal interviews, along with research, fact-checking and coverage of speeches, meetings, and other events. In addition, the role of the reporter and the legal and ethical issues related to reporting are examined.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- apply the processes of news gathering.
- describe the traditional roles of journalists in society.
- analyze information related to observed events to determine its significance to particular audiences.
- demonstrate interpersonal communication skills by conducting informative interviews.
- compose text using grammar and style in accordance with Associated Press style (when using an AP Stylebook).
- compose a variety of news stories, including coverage of events and meetings, feature stories, and personality profiles.
- compose and revise a simple news story with a compelling lede, adequate sourcing and context, clear transitions, and a minimal number of technical writing errors.
- organize and write news stories in a timely manner for both print and website publications.
- discuss and apply broad libel, privacy, and ethical guidelines to common reporting situations.
- apply news literacy concepts to various media outlets, including news websites.
JOUR 301 Advanced Newswriting and Reporting
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:JOUR 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 210
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course covers the development of advanced skills of reporting, interviewing, writing, and editing in the range of work handled by a general assignment or beat reporter. It emphasizes in-depth research, critical analysis, and story format. It also introduces editing and advanced feature and editorial writing.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- identify the major components of local and state government and describe their interrelationships.
- use public records as a news gathering source.
- explain state and federal laws pertaining to information access.
- describe the essential processes of the judicial system.
- prepare and conduct interviews that produce substantive discussion.
- write and edit news stories that explain complex processes and/or relationships.
- write and edit feature stories that explore personalities and explain conditions.
- utilize the internet as a news gathering source.
- collect and confirm information essential to substantive reporting.
- research and produce in-depth news and feature stories and news and feature packages that include sidebars, fact boxes, and statistical charts.
JOUR 310 Mass Media and Society
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); CSU Area D; IGETC Area 4
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 100
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
The course is a survey of the mass media. It covers the history, philosophy, structure, and trends of mass media, as well as the theories that help to explain its effects on social institutions. It includes an exploration of media literacy, economics, technology, law, ethics, and social issues, including cultural, gender and ethnic diversity.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- analyze the essential and structural processes of mass communication.
- analyze theories that have been developed to understand the effects of mass communication on the behavior of individuals, groups, and on social change.
- explain major terms and trends in media studies.
- describe legal and ethical issues that affect the relationship of the media and society.
- utilize their understanding of the history, economics, and developmental structure of the media to evaluate the evolution of media products and services.
- explain how the media affect our culture, attitudes, governance, and beliefs.
- perform a simple content analysis of a media product.
- describe the role, influence, and impact of new and emerging media formats and the practical, legal, and ethical issues associated with them.
- explain the concept of media literacy and its applications in regard to media messages distributed via analogous and digital channels.
JOUR 320 Race and Gender in the Media
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU; UC
- General Education:AA/AS Area V(b); AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area D3; CSU Area D4; CSU Area D7; IGETC Area 4C
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course examines the roles of gender, ethnicity, race and social class as represented and documented in the mass media. These issues are analyzed within the context of media content, development, policy, and ownership, including stereotypes, equity and diversity, representation, and the role of alternative and community media. Critical thinking is emphasized through the review of mass media, focusing on the contributions of diverse groups to mass media and mass communication as an agent, gatekeeper and documenter of social change. Critical thinking will be emphasized in this course.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- differentiate among the various approaches of media.
- describe the structure of print, broadcast, and digital media.
- identify media's role as documenter of history and perpetrator of mainstream culture and cultural change.
- analyze key research and theory on attitudinal, behavioral, and social effects of mass media with emphasis on literature that examines social groups and ethnic and racial minorities.
- critically analyze the presentation of social groups and classes in various media.
- evaluate the bias and balance in each form of mass media.
- identify the role minority-owned and alternative media play in building communities and reaching audiences.
- discuss how minority groups can further social change using the education, enculturation, and social mobilization functions of the mass media.
- define how ethnocentrism, prejudice, and racism have shaped the American experience, media content, policy, ownership, and distribution.
JOUR 340 Writing for Publication
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:Eligible for ENGWR 300.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course introduces writing non-fiction for publication. Emphasis is on analyzing online and print magazines; finding ideas; writing a query letter; developing a saleable magazine idea and article; researching and interviewing; as well as organizing, writing and marketing an article. Field trips may be required.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- propose, write, and edit saleable magazine articles.
- formulate and plan magazine article ideas and identify the most appropriate places to pitch them.
- critically analyze and identify niche publications, readership, and demographics and propose freelance opportunities.
- plan story ideas and focus and target them to particular publications and platforms.
- collect research and successfully execute interviews.
- tailor a story for different markets, publications, and platforms.
- apply First Amendment law and libel restrictions to professional practice.
JOUR 350 Writing for Broadcasting/Podcasting
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course introduces the theory and technique of writing for the broadcast media. It includes reporting for radio and television news, writing and storyboarding commercials and public service programming, and an introduction to production techniques. It is recommended for students as preparation for work in broadcasting, instructional media, and related fields.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- write, edit, and produce news and feature stories for television, radio, and web-based news sources.
- describe the basic structure of radio and television journalism.
- analyze audiences of electronic media.
- develop sources and conduct interviews for produced stories.
JOUR 351 Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:Eligible for ENGRD 310 or ENGRD 312 AND ENGWR 300; OR ESLW 340.
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 150
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is a study of public relations (PR), including planning PR campaigns, preparing client messages for newspapers, magazines, radio, broadcast and online outlets, and working with reporters to position stories. It examines public relations techniques in business, education, entertainment, social service, and other fields. It also covers crisis PR.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- evaluate and assess the role of the PR practitioner in PR firms, corporations, and public information offices.
- research, plan, design, and generate a public relations campaign.
- analyze the use of mass media for PR.
- generate researched and targeted media messages for clients.
- produce researched and targeted press releases, brochures, newsletters, social media posts, and press kits.
- analyze and apply the legal and ethical limits of PR.
JOUR 360 Photojournalism
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 160
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is an introduction to the theory and technique of telling stories with pictures. The role of the photojournalist in the media, pertinent ethical and legal issues, and professional standards are emphasized. Topics include digital still camera operation, composition and lighting, digital image processing, news judgment, and accuracy. Also covered are environmental portraits, photo stories, and feature, sports, and breaking news photography.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- use digital still photography equipment.
- explain terms and procedures typically used in photojournalism.
- analyze ethical and legal issues pertinent to photojournalism.
- explain the role of the photojournalist in the media.
- capture, process, and caption digital still images.
- select images appropriate for use with specific stories.
- assemble a portfolio of digital still images that can be used to obtain career advancement in the professional world.
JOUR 361 Multimedia Journalism
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 360 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 120
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course is an introduction to the theory and technique of combining still images, audio, and video to create multimedia photojournalism content for distribution via broadcast media, social media and the internet. The course introduces basic creative concepts and technical elements of capturing and editing video, audio, and still images to create visual media projects. Students will explore the creative and technical production possibilities of merging visual media and the various software used to edit this content. Students will receive hands-on experience with one or more of the following: smartphone cameras, mirrorless cameras, and HDSLR camera video capture techniques and accessories used in video and audio production. Students will complete a final visual media project.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- use digital still photography, audio, and video equipment, including smartphones and smartphone applications, to create a multimedia project.
- edit a multimedia project using digital still photography, audio, video, and smartphone application software.
- explain terms and procedures typically used in multimedia production.
- explain multimedia editing principles.
- select images, audio, and video content appropriate for use with specific stories.
- assemble a 3-minute multimedia project.
JOUR 404 Editing and Production
- Units:3
- Hours:54 hours LEC
- Prerequisite:None.
- Advisory:JOUR 300
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course provides instruction and practice in editing and design, including page makeup, copy editing, photo editing, legal/ethical issues and production methods for newspapers, magazines, and other publications. It also includes preparing, planning, and organizing publications.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- describe editing and production processes.
- design and lay out a variety of publications.
- demonstrate and coordinate the elements contained in each type of publication.
- convey design principles.
- compare and contrast techniques in photo editing.
- assess the target audience.
- develop a design to convey the correct message.
- evaluate publications for their efficacy, strengths, and weaknesses.
- analyze the legal and ethical issues journalists, photographers, and designers experience.
JOUR 410 College Media Production I
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 300 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 130
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This course focuses on instruction in writing and producing student news media, primarily the publication, The Current, a journalistic product for distribution to a college-wide audience. Topics will include: researching, reporting, and writing articles; taking photographs or managing artwork and participating in editing, caption writing, and layouts; editing articles, writing headlines, and planning packages in conjunction with editors for publication. Ethical and legal aspects of communication are also covered. This course prepares students for transfer work in journalism or entry-level jobs in the field. This course is required for the A.A. degree in journalism and is part of the A.A.-T Journalism degree. JOUR 420 is the optional lab component for this course.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- produce beginner-level work suitable for publication.
- apply the basic principles of news judgment to assignments.
- explain the role of the student press as a member of the campus community.
- utilize production processes while working under deadline pressure.
- apply the principles of the First Amendment and other laws appropriate to professional practice.
- apply basic ethical principles in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness, and diversity.
- evaluate work for accuracy, fairness, appropriate style, and grammatical correctness.
- develop an electronic portfolio of 10-20 writing, design, photo and/or graphic artwork, or multimedia stories published in the student publications.
- write and report stories that are free of libel.
- produce, edit, and publish photos or manage artwork that takes into account copyright regulations.
JOUR 411 College Media Production II
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 410 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- C-ID:C-ID JOUR 131
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
During this second-semester course, which builds on experience learned in JOUR 410, students are instructed on writing and producing student news media, primarily the publication, The Current, a journalistic product for distribution to a college-wide audience. It focuses on intermediate writing and production skills in the following areas: researching, reporting, and writing, taking photographs or managing artwork, and participating in editing, caption writing, and layouts; editing articles, writing headlines, and planning packages in conjunction with editors for publication.
In this second-semester course, students may serve in leadership roles, by learning to participate in editorial meetings in which issues are planned; research, assign, and edit assignments of reporters and photographers for publication;
Ethical and legal aspects of communication are also covered. This course prepares students for transfer work in journalism or entry-level jobs in the field. This course is required for the A.A. degree in journalism and is part of the A.A.-T Journalism degree. JOUR 421 is the optional lab component for this course.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- produce intermediate work suitable for publication.
- apply basic and advanced principles of news judgment to assignments.
- utilize the production processes while working under deadline pressure, including layout, publication and posting to social media.
- apply the principles of the First Amendment and other laws appropriate to professional practice.
- produce intermediate work suitable for publication by researching, reporting, and writing intermediate-level stories, or by taking and preparing intermediate-level artwork and/or photographs and layouts, or by assigning and editing intermediate-level stories, or by writing headlines, planning issues, and designing pages.
- write and report and/or assign and edit stories that are free of libel.
- publish photos or manage artwork that takes into account copyright regulations.
- apply basic and advanced ethical principles in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
- develop an intermediate electronic portfolio of ten to twenty assignments that includes work in at least two of these areas: writing, editing, design, photo, artwork, or multimedia assignments published in student publications.
JOUR 412 College Media Production III
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 411 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This third-semester course builds on the experience gained in JOUR 411. It focuses on advanced intermediate writing and production skills, using the school newspaper The Current, as a practical laboratory. The course provides the opportunity to work in at least three of the following areas: researching, writing, and editing articles for the publications; taking photographs and/or managing artwork and creating graphic illustrations; developing multimedia stories, designing pages or posting to the website and social media. Students will learn to conduct editorial meetings in which issues are planned; research, assign, and edit assignments from reporters and photographers for publication; and manage production. Ethical and legal aspects of communication are also covered.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- produce advanced stories between 800-1,200 words in length; compose headlines, manage artwork, captions and social media content on deadline.
- plan the content section of the publication under their authority, in collaboration with other section editors and the editor-in-chief and managing editor at editorial board meetings.
- manage reporters, photographers, artists, and graphic designers by guiding them during assignments and ensuring they meet deadlines; write headlines and format copy for production or publication, as well as social media, under deadline pressure.
- apply the principles of the First Amendment and other laws appropriate to professional practice.
- adhere to ethical principles and adhere to professional standards while pursuing assignments and editing the works of others.
- develop an advanced intermediate electronic portfolio of 18 assignments that includes work in at least two of these areas: writing, editing, design, photo, graphics, or multimedia assignments published in student publications.
- write, report, and/or edit stories that are free of libel.
- publish photos or manage artwork with respect to copyright regulations.
- play a basic role in management.
- evaluate the work of others for accuracy, fairness, appropriate style, grammatical correctness, and news judgment.
JOUR 413 College Media Production IV
- Units:3
- Hours:36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 412 with a grade of "C" or better
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
In this course, which builds on the experience gained in JOUR 412, instruction is provided in leadership for students who function as editors-in-chief and managing editors using The American River Current as a practical laboratory. Students will plan publication issues and manage section editors, reporters, graphic artists and/or photographers on staff. Students will lead staff meetings in which they plan the vision and content of issues; research and suggest story ideas to section editors; manage section editors and staff; and manage the production of every aspect of each issue of the publication. Ethical and legal aspects of communication and media are also covered for students who serve in top leadership roles.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- produce advanced stories between 800-1,200 words in length; compose headlines, captions and social media content on deadline.
- evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy, fairness, appropriate style, grammatical correctness, and news judgment.
- manage the publication; plan and execute a production process while working under deadline pressure.
- develop an advanced electronic portfolio of ten to twenty assignments that includes work in at least three of these areas: writing, editing, copyediting, social media, design, photo, artwork, or multimedia assignments published in student publications.
- play an active role in leadership of the news organization, including making decisions based on the professional and ethical standards of journalism.
- mentor new journalists.
JOUR 420 College Media Production Lab I
- Units:0.5 - 3
- Hours:27 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Corequisite:JOUR 404 or 410
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This lab course provides inexperienced journalism students with instruction in writing, editing, photography, multimedia, design, and computer-based publication. This includes one-on-one and small-group instruction in publication software, such as Adobe Creative Suite programs, and Web content management systems.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- apply journalistic principles to assignments.
- report and write stories for publication using multiple sources.
- assess and apply the basic skills of layout and design.
- create and prepare photographs or manage artwork for publication.
- create basic headlines for publication.
- develop a basic digital portfolio of up to ten writing, photo, editing, and/or design pieces published in student publications.
JOUR 421 College Media Production Lab II
- Units:0.5 - 3
- Hours:27 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:JOUR 420 with a grade of "C" or better
- Corequisite:JOUR 404 or 411
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This lab course provides experienced journalism students with instruction in writing, editing, photography, artwork, design, and computer-based publication, as well as instruction in staff management and leadership. This includes advanced lessons in publication software, such as Adobe Creative Suite programs, and Web content management systems.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- apply intermediate journalistic principles, including story planning, assigning and editing, to assignments.
- report and write in-depth or enterprise stories for publication using multiple sources.
- apply the intermediate skills of layout and design.
- take and prepare photographs and photo essays or manage artwork for publication.
- develop advanced/complex headlines for publication.
- develop online headlines under search engine optimization guidelines.
- develop an intermediate digital portfolio of up to ten writing, photo, editing, and/or design pieces published in student publications.
JOUR 495 Independent Studies in Journalism
- Units:1 - 3
- Hours:54 - 162 hours LAB
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
Independent Study is an opportunity for the student to extend classroom experience in journalism, while working independently of a formal classroom situation. Independent study is an extension of work offered in a specific class in the college catalog. To be eligible for independent study, students must have completed the basic regular catalog course at American River College. They must also discuss the study with a professor in journalism and secure approval. Only one independent study for each catalog course will be allowed.
JOUR 499 Experimental Offering in Journalism
- Units:0.5 - 4
- Prerequisite:None.
- Transferable:CSU
- Catalog Date:August 1, 2024
This is the experimental courses description.
Faculty
Programs and Majors
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The American River Current
The Current is a student-run newspaper produced by the students of Journalism 410, 411, 412 and 413 at American River College in Sacramento, California.