Course Descriptions

JOUR 118 Graphic Design I (1)
This course surveys the history, theory, and techniques of graphic design. Students learn the principles and techniques of contemporary design and image-making, using Mac platforms with Adobe CSS software.ARTS; C.Cirone;

JOUR 119 Digital Photojournalism I (1)
Includes fundamentals of composition, proper exposure, and image editing processes. Readings and discussions concerning journalistic ethics in the age of digital image manipulation. Students may provide a suitable digital camera, or the college will have a limited number of cameras for check out. PhotoShop software will be used to edit photos, but this is not primarily a course to learn PhotoShop. Weekly photo assignments and group critiques of class work. This course focuses on both technical competence and conceptual creativity. ARTS; Students may not receive credit for both JOUR 119 and ART 119; M.Godsil;

JOUR 123 The Centrality of Media (1)
Media occupy an essential place in contemporary societies. Over the past two centuries they have become central to our economic, political, intellectual, cultural and personal lives, influencing virtually every type of social practice, processes of identity formation, and our common-sense understandings of the world. They are currently undergoing profound transformation in both technologies and corporate/institutional forms. This course seeks to provide tools for understanding media institutions and industries and becoming more empowered, self-aware and critical creators and consumers of media products. Students will employ a range of disciplinary lenses, including cultural studies, political economy, history, sociology, anthropology and critical theory. HSS; Cross Listing : ANSO 123; D.Amor;

JOUR 206 Beginning Creative Nonfiction Writing (1)
A seminar in the writing of various kinds of contemporary nonfiction. Discussion of contemporary and student work, plus individual conferences. ARTS; Prereq : ENG 120 strongly recommended; W; N.Rosenfeld; N.Regiacorte; C.Simpson; C.Kitchen; M.Webb;

JOUR 214 Digital Photojournalism II (1)
Students select two photographic projects based on post-modern or contemporary approaches and explore those in depth using digital photography. Weekly group critiques of work and class discussions of assigned readings on photography as post-modern and contemporary art. Prereq : JOUR 119 or ART 119, or permission of the instructor; Students may not receive credit for both JOUR 214 and ART 214; M.Godsil;

JOUR 218 Graphic Design II (1)
This course will further develop graphic design skills with a focus on complex design problems. Current design trends will be studied, and students will learn the history, contexts and theory of design concept. They will also complete comprehensive design projects. Prereq : JOUR 118 or permission of the instructor; Cross Listing : ART 218; C.Cirone;

JOUR 248 Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Prereq : Permission of instructor; May be graded S/U at instructor's discretion; Staff

JOUR 250 Independent Study (1/2 or 1)
Staff

JOUR 270 The Mind of the Journalist: Newswriting and Reporting (1)
This course introduces print journalism through an exploration of its mindset and fundamental forms. Writing- and reporting-intensive, it involves regular assignments for publication about local issues and events, with readings and class discussion. Focusing on Galesburg as a microcosm of reporting anywhere, students form the Knox News Team, meet with city officials and business leaders, and cover stories ranging from recycling to law enforcement to the arts. Articles are regularly printed in local daily and weekly newspapers and on-line venues. Topics include: story research; interviewing and developing sources; covering standard news beats; style and structure of news stories; fact-checking; meeting deadlines; journalism and the law. HUM; W; Cross Listing : ENG 270; M.Webb;

JOUR 272 Digital News: Information Gathering & Reporting for Print, Audio, Video, and the Web (1)
This course teaches students to develop information-gathering skills needed for contemporary professional journalism. Students learn to report through interviewing and accessing public records. The class uses readings, lectures, discussions and writing labs to help students learn how to build stories and report them over multiple new media platforms, including emerging technology (blogging, photo/audio slide shows, digital presentations, video and tweeting). Instruction will include an emphasis on journalistic ethics and best practices. Staff

JOUR 295 Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Journalism not covered in the usual curriculum. In the past these courses have included Interactive Journalism, Web-based Journalism, and Arts Criticism.Staff

JOUR 305 Political Communication (1)
A general examination of the role played in the political process by newspapers, magazines, and television. Emphasis is on both secondary sources and primary materials, leading to analysis of an important aspect of the communication process. HSS; Prereq : PS 101 recommended; Cross Listing : PS 305; R.Seibert;

JOUR 306 Creative Nonfiction Workshop (1)
Intensive work in the reading and writing of creative nonfiction; workshops plus individual conferences. Prereq : ENG 206 or written permission of the instructor; W; May be taken three terms; N.Regiacorte; M.Berlin; N.Rosenfeld; M.Webb;

JOUR 323 Media and Society (1)
Topics include media as instruments of communication, as political intermediaries, as shapers of contemporary ideology and culture, and as commodity-producing industries. The course explores their impact on individuals, institutions and society at large. Print and broadcast, news, entertainment, advertising and the Internet are examined. Some familiarity with social or critical theory is recommended Prereq : junior standing or permission of the instructor; Cross Listing : ANSO 323; D.Amor;

JOUR 324 Media and Globalization (1)
This course examines the role of media in globalization from a number of perspectives: how the development of new communication media has contributed to globalization, from the newspaper and the telegraph to the Internet and worldwide telecommunications; how national and transnational forces shape the evolution of media systems; how media systems are implicated in shaping local, national and transnational economic, political and cultural structures, as well as the texture of lived experience. Prereq : junior standing or permission of the instructor; Cross Listing : ANSO 324; D.Amor;

JOUR 348 Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Prereq : Permission of instructor; May be graded S/U at instructor's discretion; Staff

JOUR 349 Internship in Journalism (1/2 or 1)
Internships in journalism are designed to give students practical, applied experience in an aspect of journalism related to their career interests. These internships are student-initiated and, in most cases, the internship site is identified by the student rather than the supervising faculty member. Part of the internship experience requires the student to produce written work that is evaluated by the Knox faculty member. Prereq : junior standing or permission of the instructor; Staff

JOUR 350 Independent Study (1/2 or 1)
Staff

JOUR 370 Feature Writing and Narrative Journalism (1)
Students study the feature article, its distinguished history--including the birth of the Muckrakers at Knox College--and its alternative forms, including the underground press and "new journalism" beginning in the 1960s, narrative journalism, and online story-telling today. Students also produce professional quality feature stories, some in narrative journalism form, drawing on a broad range of communication skills, including critical thinking, reporting, research, writing and edition. Prereq : JOUR 270 or permission of the instructor; W; Cross Listing : ENG 370; M.Webb;

JOUR 371 In-Depth Reporting (1)
Passionate, fact-based investigative news stories can have a profound impact on society, as the history of McClure's Magazine and the Muckrakers demonstrates. In this course, students work in teams on locally based topics of national significance to produce a substantial investigative story of publishable quality. Students confer with subject-area mentors who provide guidance in research and understanding the technical, scientific or other specialized issues involved. The course involves substantial background research and interviewing, in addition to writing a major investigative feature story. Prereq : JOUR 270 or permission of the instructor; W; Cross Listing : ENG 371; M.Webb;

JOUR 374 Topics in Investigative Journalism (1)
Topics vary from term to term as does the media platform in which the story or stories are told. Cross Listing : ENG 394; Staff

JOUR 395 Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Journalism not covered in the usual curriculum. Staff

JOUR 400 Advanced Studies (1/2 or 1)
See College Honors Program. Staff