The certificate program in community journalism provides students with a basic understanding of the principles of covering communities as a journalist including reporting, researching and crafting stories. In addition, they will learn the fundamentals of state and local government as well as the basic principles governing responsible, effective journalism.

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of this program will be able to:

• demonstrate proper news coverage of state and local governments;
• write news and feature stories;
• articulate the historical roots and accepted practices of community journalism.

Requirements

18 credit hours

Required Courses:

JOUR 1030 Fundamentals of Reporting (3)

Students learn the basic forms and techniques of modern journalistic writing. Students write both simple and complex news stories and are introduced to feature writing and other specialized story forms. Basic word processing skills and competence in diction and grammar are required.

JOUR 2140 Advanced Reporting (3)

Students learn a variety of specialized news story forms, as well as the formats for interpretative stories, editorials, op-ed pieces, and personal columns. Actual reporting assignments, both on- and off-campus, are an integral part of the coursework. Students are expected to compose subjective commentaries based on their objectively reported story assignments. Prerequisite: JOUR 1030 OR permission of the instructor.

JOUR 2350 Outdoor/Nature Journalism (3)

This course has a three-fold purpose: to acquaint new journalists and writers with the best works of those who have found inspiration for their prose from the outdoors; to familiarize student writers with journalism about nature sites in the Missouri and Midwest region; to encourage developing outdoor/nature writers to experiment with expository and advocacy journalism.

JOUR 2360 History and Principles of American Journalism (3)

Students learn the historic and contemporary influences on both print and electronic journalism in the American political scene. The course content focuses on key individuals in American media development and their political impact. Prerequisite: junior/senior standing or permission of the instructor.

JOUR 3060 Community Reporting (3)

Students learn and apply the concepts of local reporting of city government, police, fire, schools, and special business districts. Students are assigned community "beats" and are expected to report regularly with stories in their assigned areas. Prerequisite: JOUR 2140.

JOUR 3130 Feature Writing (3)

Students learn the longer feature and the interpretative or specialized newspaper or magazine article writing style. Student-written articles from class assignments are submitted for publication on a free-lance basis. Prerequisite: JOUR 2140 OR permission of the instructor.

POLT 1750 State and Local Government (3)

Studies the politics, organization, and activities of state and local governments in the United States.