Division: Language & Communication Studies
The COS Journalism Department offers a variety of undergraduate-level courses and experiences to prepare students for continued education or an entry-level career in mass communication and journalism. Course offerings provide students with the opportunity to learn about mass communication, newswriting and reporting, news production, digital photography, cultural issues in media, and more. Students can earn an Associate in Arts in Journalism for Transfer (AA-T) degree that meets lower division requirements for Journalism for all CSU campuses.
The Journalism Department is also responsible for the production of the student-run newspaper, The Campus. Students on staff gain real-world, hands-on experience, and create a portfolio of published work that can assist them in earning internships, employment, and scholarships. Staff members have access to professional-grade equipment and receive guidance on professional standards, newsroom etiquette, media ethics, news production, and more. In addition, students have the opportunity to develop skills in leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, time management, and general professionalism. Majors, along with non-majors, are encouraged to enroll and contribute their skills to the publication.
Contact Information
Language and Communication Studies Division Chair
Aimee Ahle | aimeea@cos.edu
Kaweah: 251B | Visalia Campus
Dean of Language and Communication Studies/Educational Support Services
Dr. Francisco Castillo, Ed.D. | (559) 737-5362 | franciscoc@cos.edu
Educational Support Services: 113 | Visalia Campus
For a complete list of courses and descriptions visit: COURSES
JOUR 001 Writing for New Media
3.5 unit(s)
An introduction to gathering, synthesizing/organizing and writing news in journalistic style across multiple platforms. Includes role of the journalist and related legal and ethical issues. Students will report and write based on their original interviews and research to produce news content. Experiences may include covering speeches, meetings and other events, writing under deadline and use of AP Style. While student work may be eligible for use in student and/or professional publications, this is not a publications class. (C-ID JOUR110)
JOUR 007 Mass Communication
3 unit(s)
A media survey course covering newspapers, radio, television, magazines, books, films, the web, public relations/advertising industries, and the recording industry. Students will study strengths and weaknesses of each, as well as the major challenges to a democratic society including censorship, sensationalism, pornography, propaganda, and monopoly. (C-ID JOUR100)
JOUR 011 Introduction to Digital Photography
3 unit(s)
This course is designed for students who want knowledge of digital camera practices, ranging from basic to advanced levels, basic Photoshop and computer skills. The course will give students practical publication experience and an opportunity to publish their photographs in The Campus student newspaper, in print and online.
JOUR 020 Cultural Issues in Film/TV/Web
3 unit(s)
An in-depth study of social and cultural issues such as ethnicity, gender and politics through the prism of film, television and the Internet.
JOUR 114 Editorial Board: Beginning
2 unit(s)
This course is for student editors and other students interested in participating in The Campus student newspaper. Course content includes basic leadership skills, how to work under deadline, newsroom management, beginning opinion writing and editing, general editorial development, beginning multimedia, and professional social media management. Two lab hours required each week by arrangement.
JOUR 115 Editorial Board: Intermediate
2 unit(s)
JOUR 115 is a course for student editors and other students interested in participating in The Campus student newspaper. Course content includes leadership skills, including peer mentoring, newsroom management, opinion writing, editing, new and emerging media including visual journalism and open journalism, social media, multimedia, and marketing a news operation. Two required lab hours to be arranged per week.
JOUR 116 Editorial Board: Leadership 1
2 unit(s)
Journalism 116 is a course for student editors and other students interested in serving as leaders of The Campus student newspaper. Course content includes intermediate leadership skills, including peer mentoring, managing a staff, organizing a news operation, and being in charge of a section of the paper.
JOUR 117 Editorial Board: Leadership 2
2 unit(s)
Journalism 117 is a course for experienced student editors of The Campus. Course content includes advanced leadership skills, managing a newsroom, dealing with personnel issues, and complaints against the paper, edit flow, story assignments and financial aspects of the paper.
JOUR 130 Media Practicum 1
4 unit(s)
This course provides entry level practical experience in all aspects of producing a newspaper through work on The Campus. Course content includes writing, editing, multimedia, and general editorial development. This class meets an additional six hours per week by arrangement with the instructor. (C-ID JOUR130)
JOUR 131 Media Practicum II
4 unit(s)
This course requires higher skill level and/or leadership/management involvement than
JOUR 130. Intermediate student media practicum regularly produces The Campus, a First Amendment student newspaper, both print and online, which is distributed to the college audience and the community. Course content includes weekly news assignments across multiple platforms, including print, broadcast, and online. This class includes practical experience in design/layout, visual, online, multimedia journalism, emerging technologies and leadership/management. The Campus is student produced with student leadership. This class meets an additional six hours per week by arrangement with the instructor. (C-ID JOUR131)