Journalism - JRN
JRN 100 Introduction to Journalism 3 Credits
Introduces the history and development of journalism, its norms and best practices. Examines theories of justice, and how they apply to and affect the pursuit of journalism since this country’s founding. The course looks at how the institution of American journalism has both promoted justice, and at times allowed injustice to persist, through case studies, readings, and viewings of short documentaries.
Fulfills College Core: Justice
Offered: every fall.
JRN 200 Multimedia Storytelling 3 Credits
Introduces the fundamentals of digital systems and technologies as they apply to journalism. Through class lecture and hands-on approaches, students will learn software and hardware used for journalistic applications of web design, multimedia, video production, graphics and audio production.
Offered: fall.
JRN 201 Advanced Multimedia Storytelling 3 Credits
Students will explore multimedia storytelling through class lecture and hands-on experience of the digital systems and technologies used in journalism. The student will develop a better understanding of the nature of multimedia journalism using audio, video, graphics, animation and writing to tell news stories.
Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in JRN 200 or permission of instructor.
Offered: fall.
JRN 301 Newsgathering and Reporting 3 Credits
This course covers both traditional methods (e.g., observing, interviewing, listening) and newer methods (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, crowd sourcing) to gather and verify material for news and feature stories, to be distributed via print, broadcast, web and mobile media.
Offered: spring.
JRN 309 Sports Broadcasting 3 Credits
Sports Broadcasting centers on the skills needed for play-by-play announcing in all sports, along with broadcast anchoring and reporting.
Offered: spring of even-numbered years.
JRN 310 Journalism 3 Credits
Focuses on writing news and features for print and on- line media, using a variety of storytelling designs (e.g., the narrative, the inverted pyramid, the focus approach) combined with a variety of multimedia presentation methods.
Prerequisite: minimum grade of C- in JRN 100 and JRN 301 or permission of instructor.
Offered: fall.
JRN 311 Advanced Journalism and Investigative Reporting 3 Credits
Advanced study and practice of all aspects of journalism, including news gathering, reporting, writing and editing.
Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in JRN 200, JRN 301, and COM 203.
Offered: occasionally.
JRN 322 Feature/Magazine Writing 3 Credits
Profiles and other human-interest features developed for newspapers, magazines, broadcast. Freelance writing is introduced.
Offered: every other year.
JRN 336 Sports Journalism 3 Credits
Instruction on covering sports in the 21st century, including exposure to cross-platform journalism and the influence of social media. Students will learn practices and theories commonly encountered in locker rooms and press boxes from those in the business. Also counts as a COM elective.
Offered: spring of odd-numbered years.
JRN 340 Podcasting and Audio Storytelling 3 Credits
Introduces the basics of audio storytelling through podcasting, including writing, research, interviews, capturing sound, sound editing, and “on-air” presentation, and distribution. Ethics in journalism and editing will also be discussed.
Offered: occasionally.
JRN 342 Narrative Journalism 3 Credits
The advanced study and practice of long-form, literary-influenced journalism, from magazines and nonfiction books to cross-platform, online media outlets. Students explore methods of conceptualizing, reporting, researching and writing long-form journalism while working on a literary nonfiction project of their own.
Offered: occasionally.
JRN 358 Sports Field Production I 3 Credits
The principles and techniques of shooting, writing, directing and producing live broadcast events. Students in this course will be responsible for production of live basketball, hockey and other Canisius sports events aired over ESPN3 and ESPNU, as well as for other campus events as needed.
Offered: fall & spring.
JRN 359 Sports Field Production II 3 Credits
Advanced principles and techniques of shooting, writing, directing and producing live broadcast events. Students in this course will be responsible for production of live basketball, hockey and other Canisius sports events aired over ESPN3 and ESPNU, as well as for other campus events as needed.
Offered: every fall & spring.
JRN 369 Television Features 3 Credits
Design, write and produce special feature reports, multiple-part series, investigative stories and mini-documentaries. Emphasis on field work.
Offered: occasionally.
JRN 380 Special Topics in Journalism: Electing a President 3 Credits
Course will focus on the history and practice of political journalism, with a special focus on national journalism about presidential elections. The course includes two capstone reporting trips to take place in July and August of 2024, to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Students will take an "incomplete" for the spring semester, and final grades will be calculated after the summer reporting trips. Instructor approval required.
Offered: occasionally.
JRN 488 Internship I Seminar 1-9 Credits
Student experientially learns journalism functions in compatibly matched professional setting, locally or out-of- town. Faculty and on-site supervision. Seminar required. Pass/fail. May be repeated as JRN 498; 12-credit limit for JRN 488 and JRN 498 combined. Information about the internship application process is available on the Journalism Program website.
Restriction: must be JRN major, junior or senior standing, minimum overall GPA of 2.50, minimum journalism average of 2.70, & approval by department faculty.
Offered: every semester.
JRN 490 Senior Project and Portfolio 3 Credits
Culminating experience for Journalism majors in which they synthesize what they have learned in their program of study. Students work independently to create an online journalism portfolio, with an emphasis on the work that aligns with their chosen concentration.
Prerequisites: min grade of C- in JRN 100, 200, 310 and COM 203.
Offered: every spring.
JRN 498 Internship II Seminar 3-9 Credits
Sequel to JRN 488 for students taking multiple internships. Each student is limited to a combined total of 12 credit hours for JRN 488 and JRN 498.
Restriction: JRN major with junior or senior standing, minimum overall GPA of 2.50, minimum communication studies average of 2.70, & approval by department faculty.
Offered: every semester.
