Courses
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COM JO 100: Introduction to Journalism
This course introduces the field of journalism to students. It will acquaint students from COM and across the university with the journalism profession and will include instruction in writing, editing, and journalistic practices in addition to an overview of the news industry. Two credits. -
COM JO 150: History and Principles of Journalism
This course surveys the evolution of the American news media. Students examine press freedom, censorship, changing definitions of news and shifting business models underlying journalism. Based on that history, students examine the enduring values and principles of journalism in modern society. (Formerly JO357, cannot be taken for credit if JO357 has been taken.) -
COM JO 200: Newswriting
The goal of this course is for students to acquire fundamental newsgathering and writing skills needed to thrive as journalists working in any medium. The course is based in the classroom, but students are expected to learn and adhere to professional newsroom standards. The course focuses on essential practices and principles that apply to reporters, photographers, bloggers, producers and editors across all media formats. The class emphasizes news judgment, storytelling and reporting skills, as well as writing clearly and quickly. Four credits, every semester. (Formerly JO 250. If you have taken JO 250, you cannot take JO 200 for credit toward your degree.) -
COM JO 205: Visual Storytelling
This course is designed to provide students with a basic working knowledge of the media required for professional journalism, including photography, sound, video, and editing for production of multimedia packages. No previous experience in visual media is required. Students contribute to the department- managed news service. (Formerly JO303, cannot be taken for credit if JO303 has been taken.) Four credits, every semester. -
COM JO 210: Reporting in Depth
This course helps students advance their reporting skills by covering a city neighborhood or a topical beat. Students branch out across the city and suburbs to cover courts, crime, education, local and state politics, and other essentials of community reporting. Students develop their own sources and story ideas with the goal of professional publication in the department-managed news service or another news site. The purpose is to hone reporting skills, develop sources, and build both competence and confidence. Students produce stories, photos, audio and video for the Web. Class is run like a newsroom, and students are encouraged to show enterprise. (Formerly JO310, cannot be taken for credit if JO310 has been taken.) *Pre-req: COM CO201 and COM JO200/250. Four credits, every semester. -
COM JO 250: Fundamentals of Journalism
Required of journalism majors. The goal is for students to acquire fundamental newsgathering and writing skills needed to thrive as journalists working in any medium. The course is based in the classroom, but students are expected to learn and adhere to professional newsroom standards. The course focuses on essential practices and principles that apply to reporters, photographers, bloggers, producers and editors across all media formats. The class emphasizes news judgment, storytelling and reporting skills, as well as writing clearly and quickly. 4 cr, either sem. -
COM JO 262: Faked Out?
Faked Out? introduces students to news and media literacy, arming them with theories and practices needed to understand news, "fake news," and entertainment media products in today's "attention economy" by studying mass and social media: content, impacts, and institutional practices. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Ethical Reasoning, Critical Thinking. -
COM JO 301: Editorial Design
This is a studio course where students learn the elements of design. Students design a newsletter and sample pages for a magazine on topics of their own choosing. Students design with required Adobe Creative applications. This course covers the principles of typography, composition, and visual language and encourages creative/innovative ideas. All projects will be portfolio pieces. 4 cr, either sem. -
COM JO 303: Visual Journalism
Required of journalism majors. An introductory course designed to provide students with a basic working knowledge of the media required for professional journalism, including photography, sound, video, and editing for production of multimedia packages. No previous experience in visual media is required. -
COM JO 304: Online Journalism
This course introduces students to reporting, writing and creating multimedia journalism for the web. Students learn how to create stories using a variety of media. They learn which elements -- text, stills, audio, video, and interactive graphics -- are best for delivering a story and engaging an online news audience. Students also learn the basics of the tools needed to create multimedia journalism packages and practice using them to report news online. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. Pre-req: JO 205/JO 303 -
COM JO 305: Basic Photography for Non-majors
Students learn the fundamentals of digital photography, from the basics of image capture to processing finished photographs and introduction to their use in digital media. No previous experience in photography is required. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. -
COM JO 309: Feature Writing
The course invites students to refine their reporting and writing skills in projects that will showcase their mastery of the craft. Projects will span a variety of lengths, deadlines, and forms. Prerequisites: COM JO 200, 205 and 210. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. -
COM JO 310: Beat Reporting
Required of all Journalism majors. Students advance their reporting skills by learning to cover a city neighborhood or a community beat. Students branch out across the city and suburbs to cover courts, crime, education, local and state politics, and other essentials of community reporting. Students develop their own sources and story ideas with the goal of professional publication in the Boston University News Service or another news site. The purpose is to hone your reporting skills, develop sources, and build both competence and confidence. Students produce stories, photos, audio and video for the Web. Class is run like a newsroom, and students are encouraged to show enterprise. 4 cr, either sem. -
COM JO 312: Photojournalism I
An introductory course for students interested in pursuing a career in photojournalism and visual reporting. Students photograph assignments to the standards of professional news outlets and advance their skills in digital photography for use on websites and in publications. Prerequisites: COM JO 205. Four credits, fall and spring semesters. -
COM JO 350: Law and Ethics of Journalism
This interactive course introduces the core legal and ethical issues affecting how journalists, including the student press, gather, verify and communicate news. This course offers an exciting deep-dive into the key concepts affecting newsgathering and dissemination today.?Students will discover the underpinnings of a free press as well as practical tools to use when confronted with government efforts to block legitimate newsgathering. Students will gain a working knowledge of how and why the First Amendment protects them as they gather, verify and disseminate the news. Required of all undergraduate journalism majors. Four credits, either semester. (Formerly JO525. Cannot be taken for credit if JO525 has been taken.) -
COM JO 351: Reporting With Audio and Video
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 357: History of U.S. Journalism
Required of Journalism majors. This course surveys the evolution of the American news media, beginning with newspapers in 1704 and continuing through the telegraph, photography, radio, and television before taking up the Digital Revolution now sweeping through journalism. Students examine press freedom, censorship, changing definitions of news, and changes in the business model underlying journalism. Based on that history, we also examine the enduring values and principles of journalism in the U.S. and consider emerging business models. Recommended to be taken before JO525. 4 cr, either sem. -
COM JO 403: Magazine Writing and Editing
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 411: Professional Journalism Internship
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. Comprehensive paper, employer evaluation, and portfolio required at end of semester. -
COM JO 412: Professional Journalism Internship
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.)
