Courses
The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.
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COM JO 351: Reporting With Audio and Video
Undergraduate Prerequisites: JO200 and JO205
Learn how to find, write, shoot, and edit news packages, broadcast on television or the internet. Taught by veteran journalists in a newsroom complete with the latest digital technologies. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. (Prerequisites: COM JO 200 and 205.) -
COM JO 358: British Journalism, Culture, and Society
Covers the workings of the British State and the obsessions and quirks of British culture so students can understand UK newspapers, and helps students build upon their own feature writing output from conception to completion. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation. -
COM JO 400: Newsroom
Undergraduate Prerequisites: JO150, JO200, JO205, and JO210
What is it like to work in a deadline-driven, multimedia newsroom? That's the focus of this capstone course which will immerse you in an environment that produces deadline stories, long-form reporting and data- driven projects. As you report, you will employ new technologies learned in a weekly Innovation Lab. For Fall 2023, sections A1 will focus on Multimedia, Section B1 will be Print, and C1 will be TV newsroom. -
COM JO 403: Magazine Writing and Editing
Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 250 and COM JO 310.
Students learn to research and write lengthy articles of national magazine quality. Students also learn editing skills. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. (Prerequisites: COM JO 200 and COM JO 210.) -
COM JO 412: Professional Journalism Internship
Undergraduate Prerequisites: JO200 and JO205; junior standing; at least a 2.0 GPA in COM
Graduate Prerequisites: .
Valuable on-the-job practice of journalism skills. Provides student with portfolio of professional work. The student works 150 hours per semester or summer at the internship. Assistance in placement; instructor must approve project. Paper, employer evaluation, and portfolio required at end of semester. Credit variable, every semester. (Undergraduate Prerequisites: Rising junior status; a 3.0 GPA in COM; completion of JO200/250 and JO205/303.) -
COM JO 435: Online Radio Newsroom
Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 351.
For students who like the teamwork and adrenaline of a real newsroom. Students produce a half-hour LIVE news show on the student radio station, WTBU, during each class. Students report, write, produce and engineer all the news sports and commentary on deadline. Students use social media to report stories and upload content to the Boston University News Service website. Student file stories frequently and programs from NPR, BBC, WBZ, and other radio news outlets will be critiqued. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. (Prerequisite: COM JO 200.) -
COM JO 455: Journalism Professional Project - Undergrad
Undergraduate Prerequisites: JO150, JO200, JO205, and JO210.
A capstone project completed by undergraduate students in consultation with one or more full-time Journalism faculty members. Projects may consist of long-form narrative stories, hard-news stories, video or audio or multimedia work, or a combination of all three. Must be approved by consulting faculty. -
COM JO 490: Directed Studies
Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
Students work with faculty on individual research, professional training, or special studies. Variable credits, either sem. -
COM JO 500: Media Criticism
How well have the media covered recent U.S. wars? Do the media have political biases? What effect has Fox News had on the mainstream media? In the face of growing competition from the Internet, what is the future of traditional journalism? What impact are changes in the business model having on editorial integrity? Does political satire such as the "Daily Show" elevate or debase the political process? This timely course takes a critical look at the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of the news media, including current controversies. Four credits, either semester. -
COM JO 502: Journalism Special Topics
Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 200.
Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 721.
Spring 2023: A1-FREELANCING: In this class, student writers will become proficient in developing one or more freelance "beats"; conducting research, developing sources, interviewing, drafting queries, writing story-drafts, shooting photographs and video, managing social media, and keeping track of expenses for tax purposes. The goal of the course is to pitch newsworthy stories to editors at media outlets across the country, with the best stories appearing in print.; B1- Longform Video Storytelling. C1-THE ROLE OF RACE, GENDER AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IN SPORTS MEDIA. Race, Gender, and Social Justice have all become increasingly prevalent touchpoints in society, and Sports Media is no exception. This class seeks to have frank discussions centered around the aforementioned themes, with an emphasis on examining and explaining their evolving impact on sports media now and their potential going forward. The class will pay close attention to the political and ideological thoughts of the day as they relate to sports media, mindful of their historical context. Also, helping amplify the discussions in class will be conversations led by sports industry executives, content producers, and content creators, along with award-winning multimedia journalists. . -
COM JO 503: Journalism Research
A rigorous grounding in research and investigative methods from interviews and records searching to computer-assisted reporting and use of the Freedom of Information Act. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. (Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 200. Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 721.) -
COM JO 504: Arts Criticism
In this course, students learn how to cover entertainment and the arts and how to write criticism of performances and exhibitions. Students develop critical thinking and writing. Topics include: structuring a review; critical biases; profiling celebrities from a critical perspective; cultural criticism (how to write about entertainment or the arts to make broader points about our culture) and, style - how to get it. Assignments include TV, film, music and theater reviews, screenings and a trip to a Boston theater. Guests include prominent Boston critics. Four credits, fall semester. -
COM JO 505: Race & Gender in the News Media
Students examine the nature of race and gender stereotypes and the forms they take, and the historic context in which they develop and change overtime. The class looks at the structures, practices and culture of the news (and entertainment) media that create or echo and reinforce race and gender stereotypes. Students evaluate and analyze dominant political and ideological positions on race and gender in the U.S. and how they are presented by major media outlets. Four credits, every semester. -
COM JO 508: Multi-platform Story Editing
Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 200 and COM JO 205.
Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 704 and COM JO 721.
Whether you go to work for a print, broadcast or digital only newsroom, or produce content for your own start-up or non-profit, knowing how to properly edit content for multiple platforms is critical. This course is designed to give you hands-on experience with editing for multiple platforms. Examples of typical assignments: Editing a text story for print and web, writing a headline and description for YouTube video, copy editing photo captions for a photo gallery, fact checking social media. Students will put what they've learned to practical use by editing content that will run on the department's award-winning showcase news site for journalism students' work. (Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 210. Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 704.) -
COM JO 511: Covering Government and Politics
Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 200 and COM JO 210.
Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 721.
This class provides instruction in covering state government, including legislative process, analyzing data, interviewing, and developing beats. Students learn how to write so that readers understand significant issues. Guest lectures, readings, and exercises explore the dynamics of political and public affairs reporting. Taken in the same semester as JO546 (Statehouse Program) as part of the Boston Statehouse Program. Class is open to journalism majors in all specializations. Four credits, every semester. (Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 200 and JO 210. Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 721.) -
COM JO 513: Photojournalism II
Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 312; or consent of instructor.
Graduate Prerequisites: and consent of instructor.
An intensive course designed to give students the skills necessary to produce professional quality work meeting publication standards, with emphasis on storytelling in the visual medium. Weekly assignments require students to produce original picture packages complete with written material and captions. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. (Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 205/303 and JO 312; or consent of instructor. Graduate Prerequisites: JO 706 or consent of instructor.) -
COM JO 514: Sports Journalism
Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 200.
Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 721.
A special-topic writing course for students interested in a career in sports journalism. Topics include game stories, features, columns, and profiles, as well as examining sport as a commercial enterprise. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. (Undergraduate Prerequisite: COM JO 200. Graduate Prerequisite: COM JO 721.) -
COM JO 516: Foreign Reporting
Undergraduate Prerequisites: Pre-req: JO200 or JO721
Graduate Prerequisites: COM JO 308; or consent of instructor.
This course covers the practical, critical, and theoretical issues involved in reporting the world for domestic audiences. How can journalists best report on different cultures? How can they demystify the other for their readers and viewers? How do you work with a fixer? Manage your own trauma? Stay safe? How does 19th Century colonialism still influence foreign coverage, and how do you escape this influence? What's to be learned from Conrad's Heart of Darkness about reporting on Africa? When is personalizing the news a bad idea and when is a good time to do it? Students read outstanding examples of foreign reporting, workshop their stories, and learn how to be successful given the current standards for foreign reporting. However, in light of such challenges as globalization, global warming, ethnonational conflict, and the rise of China, the class also debates how to develop better norms in the future. Four credits. (Undergraduate Prerequisite: COM JO 200/250. Graduate Prerequisite: COM JO 721.) -
COM JO 519: Narrative Radio
COM JO 519: Narrative Radio Students produce in-depth, character-driven, sound-rich narrative audio stories similar to what is heard on public radio programs such as This American Life, Radio Lab and Story Corps. They will use digital recorders and audio software. Students also produce audio slide- shows and podcasts. Most stories air on WBTU, WBUR or other NPR outlets. Familiarity with public radio programming is essential. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Creativity/Innovation. -
COM JO 521: Data Journalism
Undergraduate Prerequisites: JO 200
Graduate Prerequisites: JO 721
This course teaches the basics of how to find, report, write and present data- driven news stories.? It is an introduction to the collection, analysis, presentation and impact of structured information by journalists.?Students will learn six skills:? identifying and obtaining government data, downloading and importing data, "scraping" data, cleaning and standardizing data, analyzing data, visualizing data and crafting a compelling data-driven story for your audience.? Students will also gain an effective mindset for approaching data, including how to obtain data from government agencies and strategies for overcoming obstacles in getting that data. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. (Undergraduate prerequisite: COM JO 200; Graduate prerequisite: COM JO 721.)
