Journalism

  • COM JO 150: Hist/Prin of Jo
    This course description is currently under construction.
    • Historical Consciousness
  • COM JO 200: Newswriting
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) and COM CO201.
    Students acquire fundamental newsgathering and writing skills needed to thrive as a journalist working in any platform. 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 at newspapers, magazines, radio, television and online media. The class emphasizes news judgment, storytelling and reporting skills as well as writing clearly and quickly. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing- Intensive Course, Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Critical Thinking
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • COM JO 205: Visual Storytelling
    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. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • COM JO 210: Reporting in Depth
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: JO 200 and JO 205
    In J0210 you will learn and practice in-depth reporting in a community. You will develop sources, walk the streets, cover a beat, attend meetings, shoot photos and provide readers with public interest journalism. This is a working newsroom. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Writing- Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy.
    • The Individual in Community
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • COM JO 300: Media & Democracy - Journalism in an Age of Disinformation
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: JO150 and at least junior standing.
    This course is for anyone who reads the news or produces it, for those who want accurate information and those who want to provide it. Students will gain a true-north understanding of the role of the free press in a democracy, the rise and allure of online fake news, and how empowered individuals and the news media can push back against this 21st century threat to freedom. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, The Individual in Community, Research and Information Literacy.
    • The Individual in Community
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • COM JO 309: Feature Writing
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 210.
    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 312: Photojournalism I
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: COM JO 205.
    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 322: Smart Phone Reporting
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: JO200
    This course teaches video journalism- how to identify, research, shoot, write and edit accurate, compelling news videos on deadline, using smart phones equipped with Adobe software. Students will become informed citizen journalists as well as adopt the standards and skill sets of professional mobile, multimedia journalists. Smart Phone Reporting teaches news and visual literacy, multimedia expression and applied writing skills to non- journalism majors while also training students to acquire a multimedia skill set required to become journalists. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • 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. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry II, Ethical Reasoning, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Social Inquiry II
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • 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.
    • 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.)