Meredith Donaldson- JMC Overview

Writing for Mass Media, an undergraduate course in the college of journalism, is designed to develop writing skills for all types of mass media. It is a two part course containing a lecture and a lab. Students will practice various types of media writing such as: broadcast news stories, web products, public relations products, and advertising.

Teaching a set of professional skills, the class prepares students to be able to gather information properly and be able to communicate it effectively. Writing for mass media gives students a broad overview of all areas in mass media such as: print media, broadcast media, public relations, and advertising thus helping students identify what type of area to specialize in.

The lecture part of this course focuses on skills needed in writing for the mass media and the different concepts a part of it as well. There will be daily quizzes and 3 exams worth 25 % each, so the total lecture grade is 50%.

Lab is set up to practice the concepts and skills taught in lecture. In the lab sections 25 assignments will be due on set deadlines, teaching students professional responsibilities. The lab section is worth 50% of the final grade combined with the lecture.

Attendance is necessary to pass this class, missing more than 4 of either the lab or lecture will result in failing the course. There will be a 10 minute grace period to be late to class afterwards it will be counted as an absence.