Journalism Program
Thomas A. Bass, Ph.D.
William Rainbolt, Ph.D.
Director
Nancy Roberts, Ph.D.
Humanities 312
Albany, New York 12222
Tel. 518-442-4087
Fax 518-442-4599
March 11, 2005
Dr. Joan Wick-Pelletier
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
University At Albany
Albany, New York 12222
Dear Professor Wick-Pelletier.
Please find enclosed the Proposal from the Journalism Program for the creation of an undergraduate
major, granting a B.A. in Journalism at the University at Albany. The Proposal is the culmination of a
process—ongoing for thirty-two years—which has seen the Journalism Program evolve from its founding
in 1973 into a well-respected minor in the English Department, with steadily increasing enrollments. In
its next expansion, the Program is poised to meet President Kermit Hall’s challenge to “lead this great
institution to a new level of excellence and stature.”
Given that a University major in journalism represents the final stage in the development of a long-
standing and already successful program, we request that this Proposal be given an Expedited Review
Process. The Proposal includes a Title Page, Table of Contents, fourteen Sections numbered I-XIV, and
four Appendices. Now in its thirty-second year of existence as a minor at the University, the Journalism
Program is looking forward with great enthusiasm to adding the responsibilities–and challenges–of
becoming one of the University’s distinguished undergraduate majors.
We very much appreciate your aid, and the aid of your staff and other officers at the University and
of the Journalism Advisory Board, in drafting this Proposal. The document represents our best efforts at
estimating the projected growth and curricular requirements of what promises to be a rigorous, yet at the
same time highly-attractive, major at the University.
If further documentation or supporting materials are required, we will be pleased to supply them. In
the meantime, we would again like to express our sincere thanks for your help in launching this Proposal
and bringing it to fruition.
Sincerely,
William Rainbolt, Ph.D.
Director of the Journalism Program
Nancy Roberts, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication
Thomas A. Bass, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Undergraduate Major Proposal: B.A. in Journalism
Submitted to
Dr. Joan Wick-Pelletier
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
by
William Rainbolt, Ph.D, Director, Journalism Program
Nancy Roberts, Ph.D, Communication & Journalism
Thomas Bass, Ph.D, English & Journalism
March 11, 2005
UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR PROPOSAL: B.A. IN JOURNALISM
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.
Introduction
II.
Program Proposal
III.
Program History
IV.
Academic Excellence – Concentrations
V.
Curriculum
VI.
Degree Requirements for a Major in Journalism
VII.
Degree Requirements for a Minor in Journalism
VIII. Honors Program
IX.
Advising and Professional Development
X. List of the Four-Year Sequences Required for Completion of the B.A.
XI. Evaluation of the UAlbany Proposal in Relation to Other Institutions
XII. Resources and Projected Growth
XIII. Alumni and Professional Networks
XIV. Faculty
Appendix A. Chart Comparing the UAlbany Proposal to other SUNY Programs
Appendix B. Bulletin Copy for the Journalism Program
Appendix C. Course Action Forms for the Journalism Program
Appendix D. Sources
1
I.
INTRODUCTION
The Journalism Program has existed at the University at Albany since 1973, when
it was inaugurated as a formal curriculum offering a minor in journalism in the English
Department. As Professor William E. Rowley, the Program’s founder, wrote of its stated
mission: “Our primary task is to provide a liberal education and to preserve and nurture
our humanistic culture.” He believed that training in journalism would prove useful for
developing “imagination, critical intelligence, and intellectual independence.”
In the thirty-two years since its founding, the Journalism Program has graduated–
by conservative estimate–at least eight hundred declared minors, and it has supervised
more than five hundred media internships. Since Journalism courses are open to all
qualified applicants, the Program has helped many thousands of University students
develop both their critical thinking and writing skills. In Spring 2005, more than three
hundred students were enrolled in Journalism courses. This is double the number enrolled
in Spring 1999. And in Spring 2005, the Program has a record number students who
have declared Journalism as a first or second minor.
As outlined in the following Proposal, the Journalism Program–hoping to fulfill
the University’s Academic Mission and to serve as a featured component in the College
of Arts and Sciences Strategic Plan–intends to create a B.A. in Journalism to continue this
three decades of expansion for the Journalism Program. The program will offer four
academic concentrations. The concentrations available to a student working toward a
B.A. in Journalism at the University include:
!
Public Affairs Journalism
!
Science and Technology Journalism
!
Visual and Digital Media
!
General Journalism
“General Journalism” will be a concentration that embraces an array of courses in
reporting and writing. It will also include courses aimed at students mastering specific
fields, such as Business and Economic Reporting, Arts Reporting, and Literary
Journalism. The sequential flow of courses required for successful completion of work in
these four concentrations is spelled out in Sections IV-VIII and in Section X of this
Proposal.
Outlined below are what the Program will be emphasizing as its core values.
These draw on the strengths of the University, the talents of its faculty, the School’s
2
privileged position in the State capital, and the Program’s long-standing success in
particular domains. First, the Program will provide a solid foundation in the study of
journalism. Journalism is a growing subject of interest in America’s colleges and
universities, as evidenced by rising enrollments. Journalism and a free press are also
fundamental prerequisites to the well-being of America’s democratic institutions. Along
with nurturing these basic values, the Journalism Program will seek to develop nationally
recognized strengths in five areas of educational excellence.
The areas in which the Journalism Program intends to distinguish itself are:
Public Affairs Journalism. We will take advantage of our location in the State
capital to emphasize research and reporting on public affairs and policy, including civic
and ethical issues of state, regional, and national import. Courses will be taught in urban
and community journalism, opinion writing and investigative reporting, and global
perspectives on the news.
Science and Technology Journalism. Given the University's preeminence in
researching nanotechnology and other advanced fields in physics, genomics,
biotechnology, and atmospheric sciences, the Journalism Program will offer a
concentration in STEM reporting. This is reporting on Science, Technology,
Environmental issues, and Medicine.
New Media Culture. The Journalism Program will capitalize on its current
strengths in digital media and visual culture to offer courses in the design, production,
and analysis of New Media. Technological advances in media production and delivery
continue to affect the form, function, and content of journalism as it evolves in the 21st
century. Students preparing themselves for careers in journalism and related fields will
receive hands-on experience with these new technologies.
Literary Journalism. Our close links to the New York State Writers Institute, a
national treasure in American letters and literary discourse, will be solidified and
nurtured. The Writers Institute sponsors on-campus readings, seminars, and workshops
with authors, including literary journalists, who address issues of concern to our students,
particularly those enrolled in the Program’s Literary Journalism Workshop.
Information Strategies for Journalists. Numeracy, statistical analysis,
information gathering, and the analytical tools required for distinguishing truth from
fiction will be placed at the center of the Journalism Program. Journalism ethics and law,
including the history and traditions of best journalism practices, will also be emphasized.
These subjects will be taught at all levels, in both our introductory and advanced courses.
These five areas of academic excellence are key components in defining the
mission of the Journalism Program. They will be implemented across the curriculum and
3
inform every aspect of the Program’s course design, advisement, and teaching. Further
elaboration of the Program’s mission and its efforts to become a center of excellence at
the University–illustrated by concrete examples of how students will progress through a
four-year B.A. program in Journalism–are presented in Sections II-XIV of this Proposal.
II.
PROGRAM PROPOSAL
In the College of Arts and Sciences Strategic Plan for 2003-2008, Dean Joan
Wick-Pelletier announced, as the third in an ambitious program of forty-two proposals for
enhancing the academic excellence of the University, the mandate to develop a major in
Journalism. In his Fall Address to the Faculty in 2004, Interim President John Ryan said
that a B.A. in Journalism should be included among the University’s “new or enhanced
offerings.” These statements reaffirm the University’s commitment to developing
Journalism as one of the benchmark programs for asserting the School’s academic
excellence.
In spite of its position as a world center for media and culture, New York appears
to be one of only two states in the nation whose flagship academic institutions lack a
B.A.-granting major in journalism. (The other is Vermont.) Nationally, the annual survey
conducted by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the
University of Georgia shows more students are enrolled in journalism, mass media, and
mass communication programs than ever before. This enthusiasm from young people for
media careers is bolstered by projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U. S.
Department of Labor), which foresees an average increase of 19% in the number of
people who will be employed in media careers between 2002 and 2012.
Paralleling this national trend is a growth in the number of students at the
University who are interested in pursuing careers in journalism. Enrollments in
Journalism Program courses have more than doubled in the past five years, from 150
seats filled in Spring 1999 to 313 in Spring 2005. The Program has expanded its course
offerings from nine sections a semester to thirteen. It currently has the largest number of
declared minors it has ever recorded, 134, with even more minors likely to be declared
before Spring Commencement.
Given a tremendous boost in staffing and intellectual rigor, the Journalism
Program added two full-time faculty members in Fall 2004 and Spring 2005. Professor
Nancy Roberts, former Director of Undergraduate Studies at the University of
Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, shares a joint appointment
in the Department of Communication. Professor Thomas Bass, former Director of the
Hamilton College Program in New York City on “Media in the Digital Age,” shares a
joint appointment in the English Department. Both professors are widely-published
authors and highly-respected scholars in their fields.
4
They join Professor William Rainbolt, Director of the Journalism Program, a
former newspaper journalist, freelance writer and editor, and novelist who has been in the
Journalism Program for twenty years. The Program also draws vitally from a part-time
staff of Professional Media Lecturers, who work in a variety of media careers, including
newspapers, magazines, broadcasting, publishing, photojournalism, and freelance
writing. These Lecturers’ important contributions are bolstered by their experience and
expertise, gained from working on a daily basis in the frontlines of contemporary media.
Its recent expansion, the breadth and quality of its course offerings, and the
College’s intent to make Journalism a premier program at the University have generated
an outpouring of interest in the Program, both from current and prospective students,
alumni, and the media. Articles on the Journalism Program have appeared recently in the
Albany Times Union (August 24, 2004), Metroland (September 23, 2004), and the
University at Albany Update (September 10, 2004). To enhance this interest in the
Journalism Program, and valorize what promises to be one of the University’s academic
areas of excellence, Dean Wick-Pelletier in 2004 appointed a Journalism Advisory Board
of distinguished professionals in the field. The Board and the Program’s senior faculty
members are currently working with the Assistant Dean for Development on a variety of
long-range plans. These include the creation of an endowed professorship; the
establishment of visiting professorships for media professionals; the creation of a Center
for Public Communication; and other programs, funded from outside sources, which will
enhance the University’s core strengths in Journalism, English, Communication, Criminal
Justice, the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, and other campus
units.
III.
PROGRAM HISTORY
The Journalism Program, offering a formal curriculum in journalism studies and a
minor in journalism, was founded as part of the English Department in 1973. The
Program’s first director was Professor William E. Rowley, former editor of the
Knickerbocker Press and a beloved teacher who retired in 1984. He was succeeded by
Professor William Rainbolt, who directed the Journalism Program from 1984 to 1988.
Professor Carolyn Yalkut served as Director of the Program from 1988 to 1999.
Beginning in the Summer of 1999, Professor Rainbolt once again became Director.
Another person who has played a key role in shaping the Program is William Kennedy.
Working as a Lecturer in the Program from its founding until 1982, Kennedy taught what
a former student describes as an “electrifying” course in Advanced Journalism and
Magazine Writing. Although he has moved on to become Executive Director of the New
York Writers Institute, Bill Kennedy still involves himself informally in the Program. He
played an active role, for example, in helping to choose the new faculty hires.
5
From its inception, the Program has strongly believed in maintaining Professor
Rowley’s taproot commitment to a liberal arts education for students who want
careers in the media or who plan to attend graduate school. For nearly two decades, the
Program concentrated on preparing students to enter the traditional news media, with a
heavy emphasis on newspaper and magazine reporting and editing. Student interests and
demands have shifted dramatically over the past few years. Now, the Program faces the
challenge of instructing students in the digital and electronic formats that are currently
revolutionizing journalism. At the same time, the Program is addressing increased student
interest in online journalism, public relations, advocacy journalism, book publishing, and
broadcasting.
Alumni from the Journalism Program work across the wide spectrum of careers
available to students trained in journalism and media studies. The roster includes Nancy
Sharkey, assistant managing editor of The New York Times; Mark Memmott, political
writer and former deputy managing editor of USA Today; Eric Koli, producer for ABC’s
20/20; Dean Betz, editor of Advance Internet, the Web publishing arm of Newhouse
Newspapers; John Fritze, metropolitan desk reporter, Indianapolis Star-Tribune; Loren
Ginsberg Edelstein, executive editor of Meetings & Conventions and Travel &
Entertainment magazines; Rob Edelstein, TV Guide correspondent and author of two
books on NASCAR; Mike Hess, Web news editor, WNBC.com; Keemin Lim, WNYT-
TV, Channel 13 reporter; David Goldman, brand marketing division, Burson-Marsteller;
Mona Funiciello, Massachusetts Audubon Society; Jessica Valenti, NOW Legal Defense
and Education Fund; Ian Leslie, assistant city editor, Beaufort (S.C.) Gazette; Vincent
Reda, Chief Writer and Editor in the Office of the Vice President for Outreach, University
at Albany; Jan Daniels, environmental writer and founder of Eco Expressions, a creative
writing program for youths; Peter Sands, Ph.D., assistant professor of English, University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Zachary Church, reporter, Bennington Banner; Jennifer
Annello, account executive, Environics Communications; and many more.
The Program is proud of the close relationships it fosters between students and
faculty, the collegial atmosphere it maintains among its expanding network of alumni,
and its steadfast adherence to keeping journalism an interdisciplinary major–some would
say the quintessential interdisciplinary major–in the liberal arts. As one of his former
students said of William Kennedy’s course in journalism and magazine writing, “He
made it all come to life. Everything in the world was there in the classroom, and we were
supposed to write about it.”
IV.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE – CONCENTRATIONS
6
As previously discussed in the Introduction to this Proposal, the Journalism
Program, while providing a solid foundation in the study of journalism, will offer four
concentrations. These concentrations are designed to fulfill University at Albany
President Kermit Hall’s intention to “lead this great institution to a new level of
excellence and stature.”
The four concentrations available to B.A. candidates in Journalism are:
!
Public Affairs Journalism
!
Science and Technology Journalism
!
Visual and Digital Media
!
General Journalism
The last of these, while emphasizing training in general reporting and writing,
may also focus on mastering a specific field of journalism. A parenthetical notation—
denoting specialization within the realm of general purpose reporting—might be
awarded, for example, in Business and Economic Reporting, Arts Reporting, or Literary
Journalism.
The specific courses to be taken for fulfilling the requirements in these four
concentrations are described below in Section V, which discusses the Program’s
Curriculum; in Sections VI through VIII, which describe the Program’s Course
Requirements; and in Section X, which specifies the various four-year sequences required
for completion of the B.A. in Journalism.
V.
CURRICULUM
Proposed course numbering system
With a few exceptions, courses numbered x00–x49 indicate lecture or contextual
courses. Courses numbered x50–x99 indicate writing-intensive workshops, independent
studies, or internships.
The prefix for all courses is AJRL.
100 – Foundations of Journalism and Media Studies
200Z – Introduction to Reporting and News Writing
220 – Visual Culture
270 – Information Strategies for Journalists (Workshop)
7
300Z – Journalism for Non-Majors
308Z – Narrative and Descriptive Journalism
320 – Media Law
325 – Media Ethics
330 – History of Journalism
340 – Global Perspectives on the News
350 – Journalistic Interviewing
355Z – Public Relations Writing
360Z – Intermediate Reporting and News Writing
366Z – Magazine Article Reporting and Writing
370Z – Reporting on Science and Technology
380 – Photojournalism
385 – Broadcast Journalism
390Z – Digital Media Workshop I: Web Publishing
392Z – Digital Media Workshop II: Desk-top Publishing
410 – Images of Journalism in Film
420 – Political Economy of the Mass Media
460Z – Advanced Reporting and News Writing
465Z – Opinion Writing
468Z – Literary Journalism
470Z – Advanced Reporting on Science and Technology
475 – Topics in Journalism
480Z – Public Affairs Journalism
490Z – E-zine: Online Magazine Workshop
495 – Internship in Journalism
497 – Independent Study in Journalism
499 – Senior Honors Project in Journalism
Note: AJRL 475, Topics in Journalism, will include courses such as Urban
Journalism, Community Journalism, Business and Economic Reporting, Arts Reporting,
and other courses which the Program might consider important to add to its regular
offerings.
8
VI.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN JOURNALISM
Journalism Major
The requirements for a Journalism major will be fulfilled by a minimum of 30
credits in AJRL courses, plus 6 credits in another department or program, as approved by
the Director of the Journalism Program or the student’s Journalism advisor. Normally,
these 6 credits will be in major-oriented courses offered by a program related to the
student’s area of concentration. Beyond this 6-credit requirement, courses in other
departments or programs will not be accepted as part of the Journalism Major except as
approved by the Director of the Journalism Program or the student’s Journalism advisor.
Of the required 30 credits in AJRL courses: 9 credits are required at the 100-200
level: AJRL 100, AJRL 200Z, and AJRL 270, and 3 credits of electives chosen from
AJRL 220, AENG 202Z, AENG 216, ACOM 238, or ASOC 255.
At the 300-400 levels, 18 credits are required: 9 credits in a student’s chosen
concentration from the four offered by the Journalism Program, 3 credits in a non-
workshop AJRL course, and 6 credits of AJRL electives. At least 6 credits must be at the
400 level.
For students in the Public Affairs Journalism concentration, 9 credits are required:
AJRL 480Z; 6 credits from AJRL 350, AJRL 366Z, AJRL 460Z, AJRL 475, or AJRL
465Z; 3 credits in a non-workshop AJRL course at the 300 or 400 levels, and 6 credits of
electives in AJRL courses.
For students in the STEM (Science-Technology-Environment-Medicine)
concentration, 9 credits are required: AJRL 370Z, AJRL 470Z; 3 credits from AJRL 350,
AJRL 366Z, AJRL 465, or AJRL 480Z; 3 credits from a non-workshop AJRL course;
and 6 credits of electives from AJRL courses.
For students in the Visual & Digital Media concentration, 12 credits are required:
AJRL 220, AJRL 390Z or AJRL 392Z, AJRL 380, and AJRL 490Z; 3 credits from non-
workshop AJRL courses; and 3 credits of electives from AJRL courses.
For students in the General Journalism concentration, 9 credits are required:
AJRL 308Z or AJRL 366Z, AJRL 350, and AJRL 460Z; 3 credits from AJRL 355Z,
AJRL 385, or AJRL 490Z; 3 credits from non-workshop AJRL courses; and 3 credits of
electives from AJRL courses.
VII.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN JOURNALISM
9
Journalism Minor
The requirements for a journalism minor will be fulfilled by a minimum of 18
graduation credits, including 9 required credits: AJRL 200Z, AJRL 270Z, and AJRL
308Z. The remaining 9 elective credits can be drawn from AJRL courses at the 200 level
(no more than 3 credits), 300 level and 400 level. Courses from outside the AJRL
curriculum can be counted only with permission of the Director of the Journalism
Program. Minors are not eligible for the Journalism Honors Program.
VIII.
HONORS PROGRAM
Honors in Journalism
The Journalism Honors Program supports highly qualified Journalism majors who
want to increase their expertise in contemporary journalism practices and analysis. A
student who successfully completes all the Honors Program requirements graduates “with
honors in journalism” and is recognized individually at commencement. Honors students
get priority scheduling for Journalism courses and receive master’s degree-level
privileges at the University Library.
Selection and Evaluation. In order to be considered for the Journalism Honors
Program, a student must: (a) be a declared Journalism major; (b) have completed 12
credits in JRL courses; (c) have a minimum 3.25 overall GPA and a minimum 3.50
journalism GPA; and (d) submit an application essay. Transfers can apply after they have
completed one semester at the University. Coursework taken elsewhere can be submitted
as part of the application but may not qualify for admission.
Curriculum. In addition to the required courses for the major and for individual
concentrations, honors students must take: one workshop at the 300 or 400 level; one
course from AJRL 320 Media Law or AJRL 325 Media Ethics or AJRL 340 Global
Perspectives on the News; AJRL 330 History of Journalism in the United States; AJRL
460Z Advanced Reporting; AJRL 420 Political Economy of the Mass Media; and AJRL
499 Senior Honors Project.
Graduating with Honors. In order to graduate with honors, a student must
maintain a minimum 3.25 overall GPA and a minimum 3.50 journalism GPA in each
semester of enrollment. Honors students may be put on a probationary status, and may
not be allowed to finish the Honors program, if they fall below either one of the
minimum GPAs, or get a C+ or below in any of the required Honors courses, or do not
complete the Senior Project by the end of the semester in which they are graduating.
IX.
ADVISING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
10
Advising
During the course of three decades, the Journalism Program has established a
solid reputation for giving students individual attention in the areas of curricular advising,
placement in internships, and career planning. This strong tradition will continue for the
Journalism major. An undergraduate majoring in Journalism will be assigned to a fulltime
faculty member in the Program for advisement throughout the student’s career. In
addition, faculty members in the Program are available to meet with students intending to
declare Journalism as a major, or others interested in learning about the program.
11
X.
LIST OF THE FOUR-YEAR SEQUENCES REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION
OF THE B.A.
Reproduced below is a sample worksheet for a student enrolled in the Program’s
concentration in Public Affairs Journalism. Following this worksheet is a list of required
courses for each of the Program’s four concentrations.
JOURNALISM MAJOR WORKSHEET: PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Name: ______________________________________ ID: ____________________
First enrolled at UA: ____________________
Anticipated graduation: _________________
Major: ________________________________
Minor: ________________________________
I. MAJOR CORE REQUIREMENTS – 12 credits
Sem Grade Credits
AJRL 100, Foundations of Journalism & Media Studies
____ ____
____
AJRL 200Z, Introduction to Reporting & News Writing
____ ____
____
AJRL 270, Information Strategies for Journalists
____ ____
____
Choose ONE from:
AJRL 220, Visual Culture
AENG 202Z, Introduction to Studies in Rhetoric and Poetics
AENG 216, Traditional Grammar and Usage
ACOM 238, Introduction to Mass Communication
ASOC, Mass Media
Selection: ________________________________
____ ____
____
II. CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS– 12 credits
Concentration: Public Affairs Journalism
AJRL 480Z, Public Affairs Journalism
____ ____
____
Choose TWO from:
AJRL 350, Journalistic Interviewing
AJRL 366Z, Magazine Article Writing
AJRL 460Z, Advanced Reporting and News Writing
AJRL 465Z, Opinion Writing
AJRL 475, Topics in Journalism
12
Selection: ________________________________
____ ____
____
Selection: ________________________________
____ ____
____
Choose ONE from:
AJRL 220, Visual Culture
AJRL 320, Media Law
AJRL 325, Media Ethics
AJRL 330, History of Journalism
AJRL 340, Global Perspectives on the News
AJRL 410, Images of Journalism in Film
AJRL 420, Political Economy of the Mass Media
AJRL 475Z, Special Topics in Journalism
AJRL 495, Internship in Journalism (3-6 credits)
AJRL 497, Independent Study in Journalism
AJRL 499, Senior Honors Project
Selection: _________________________________
____ ____
____
III. JOURNALISM ELECTIVES: 6 credits
(At least 3 must be from AJRL 220, 320, 325, 330, 340, 410, 420, or 475)
Selection: _________________________________
____ ____
____
Selection: _________________________________
____ ____
____
IV. EXTERNAL CURRICULAR REQUIREMENT: 6 credits
Choose 6 credits from another department or program. Your selections must be approved by your
Journalism Advisor or the Director of the Journalism Program
Selection: __________________________________
____ ____
____
Selection __________________________________
____ ____
____
TOTAL CREDITS: _________
REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS JOURNALISM CONCENTRATION
12 Credits Required:
AJRL 100, Foundations of Journalism and Media Studies
AJRL 200Z, Introduction to Reporting and News Writing
AJRL 270, Information Strategies for Journalists
AJRL 480Z, Public Affairs Journalism
13
6 credits from:
AJRL 350, Journalistic Interviewing
AJRL 366Z, Magazine Article Reporting and Writing
AJRL 460Z, Advanced Reporting and News Writing
AJRL 465Z, Opinion Writing
AJRL 475, Topics in Journalism
3 credits from:
AJRL 220, Visual Culture
AENG 202Z, Introduction to Studies in Rhetoric and Poetics
AENG 216, Traditional Grammar and Usage
ACOM 238, Introduction to Mass Communication
ASOC 255, Mass Media
3 credits from a non-workshop course at the 300 or 400 levels, and 6 credits of electives from
JRL courses.
6 credits from non-JRL courses, as approved by Advisor or Director of Journalism.
TOTAL:
36 CREDITS
REQUIREMENTS FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT, MEDICINE
(STEM) JOURNALISM CONCENTRATION
15 credits required:
AJRL 100, Foundations of Journalism and Media Studies
AJRL 200Z, Introduction to Reporting and News Writing
AJRL 270, Information Strategies for Journalists
AJRL 370Z, Reporting on Science and Technology
AJRL 470Z. Advanced Reporting on Science and Technology
3 credits from:
AJRL 350, Journalistic Interviewing
AJRL 366Z, Magazine Article Reporting and Writing
AJRL 465Z, Opinion Writing
AJRL 480Z, Public Affairs Journalism
14
AJRL 475Z, Topics in Journalism
3 credits from:
AJRL 220, Visual Culture
AENG 202Z, Introduction to Studies in Rhetoric and Poetics
AENG 216, Traditional Grammar and Usage
ACOM 238, Introduction to Mass Communication
ASOC 255, Mass Media
3 credits from a non-workshop course at the 300 or 400 levels, and 6 credits of electives from
JRL courses.
6 credits from non-JRL courses, as approved by Advisor or Director of Journalism.
TOTAL:
36 CREDITS
REQUIREMENTS FOR VISUAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA JOURNALISM
CONCENTRATION
9 credits required:
AJRL 100, Foundations of Journalism and Media Studies
AJRL 200Z, Introduction to Reporting and News Writing
AJRL 270, Information Strategies for Journalists
12 credits from:
AJRL 220, Visual Culture
AJRL 390Z, Digital Media Workshop I: Web Publishing
AJRL 392Z, Digital Media Workshop II: Desk-top Publishing
AJRL 380, Photojournalism
AJRL 385, Broadcast Journalism
AJRL 490Z, E-zine: Online Magazine Workshop
3 credits from:
AJRL 220, Visual Culture
AENG 202Z, Introduction to Studies in Rhetoric and Poetics
AENG 216, Traditional Grammar and Usage
ACOM 238, Introduction to Mass Communication
ASOC 255, Mass Media
15
3 credits from a non-workshop course at the 300 or 400 levels, and 3 credits of electives from
JRL courses.
6 credits from non-JRL courses, as approved by Advisor or Director of Journalism.
TOTAL:
36 CREDITS
REQUIREMENTS FOR GENERAL JOURNALISM CONCENTRATION
9 credits required:
AJRL 100, Foundations of Journalism and Media Studies
AJRL 200Z, Introduction to Reporting and News Writing
AJRL 270, Information Strategies for Journalists
9 credits from:
AJRL 308Z, Narrative and Descriptive Journalism
AJRL 350, Journalistic Interviewing
AJRL 366Z, Magazine Article Reporting and Writing
AJRL 460Z, Advanced Reporting and News Writing
3 credits from:
AJRL 355Z, Public Relations Writing
AJRL 385, Broadcast Journalism
AJRL 490Z, E-zine: Online Magazine Journalism
3 credits from:
AJRL 220, Visual Culture
AENG 202Z, Introduction to Studies in Rhetoric and Poetics
AENG 216, Traditional Grammar and Usage
ACOM 238, Introduction to Mass Communication
ASOC 255, Mass Media
3 credits from a non-workshop course at the 300 or 400 levels, and 3 credits of electives from
JRL courses.
6 credits from non-JRL courses, as approved by Advisor or Director of Journalism.
TOTAL:
36 CREDITS
XI.
EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSAL IN RELATION TO OTHER
16
INSTITUTIONS
The University at Albany Journalism major will become the first B.A.-granting
journalism program at any of the four University Centers. It will put New York in the ranks of
other Eastern and New England states whose flagship public universities offer a B.A. in
Journalism. All of the major state universities in the East, from Penn State and Rutgers to UMass
and Maine, offer a journalism major. The only exceptions to this practice are New York and
Vermont. A world center for media and culture, New York State is long overdue for providing a
journalism major at one of its University Centers.
Stony Brook University offers the closest approximation to the UAlbany Journalism
Program, but the SBU 18-credit minor in the English Department presents a more limited range
of courses–9 courses at SBU, compared to the current UAlbany Journalism minor’s 25 courses
and the proposed major’s 31 courses. SBU students appear to be limited in their course selection
to the 18 credits required for the minor, while UAlbany students have a far wider range of
courses to choose among. (See Appendix A for a chart showing how the UAlbany Proposal for a
B.A. in Journalism compares to other majors, minors, and course offerings at SUNY University
Centers and SUNY University Colleges.)
Neither Binghamton University nor the University at Buffalo offers as many courses as
even the limited program at Stony Brook. The English Department at Binghamton includes five
courses as part of its concentration in Rhetoric, Expository Writing and Journalism: Introduction
to Journalism, Newspaper Editing, Sports Writing, Freelance Magazine Writing, and Topics.
UBuffalo’s bachelor’s degree in communication, in its School of Informatics, accepts 4-5 cross-
listed sections from the English Department that have Journalism topics, but the B.A. does not
provide a specialization in journalism (as it does, for example, with a Certificate in Public
Relations/Advertising).
Six of twelve SUNY University Colleges (excluding Empire State) have outright
Journalism majors, and some others provide a limited specialization or a journalism track within
an English or Communication department. None of the Colleges provides the concentrations that
UAlbany is proposing. These Colleges overlook interdisciplinary study and lack the resources
available at a major Ph.D.-granting university located in the State Capital.
The major public university in almost every state throughout the country offers
Journalism as a major–and, quite often, it is a major within a large, respected school that contains
departments in all the major media. By creating its own major, UAlbany will be joining what
historically has been recognized as not only a benefit but also a necessity for a state’s leading
public university. It is time for the State University of New York to rise to the challenge of
presenting New Yorkers with a center of excellence devoted to developing qualified journalists
and citizens educated in media studies.
XII.
RESOURCES AND PROJECTED GROWTH
17
Resources
The Journalism Program will continue to draw from the good variety of resources that
have helped it grow to the point where the University now seeks to develop a major in the
field. For example, the Program uses the Science Library’s Digital Media Laboratory at least
12 hours a week in Fall and Spring, and 6 hours in the Summer, for classes such as
Introduction to Reporting, Photojournalism, Web Publishing, Desk-top Publishing, and the E-
Zine: Online Magazine Workshop. Several of the new courses proposed for the major can be
assigned to the media lab. As part of the English Department, Journalism receives priority
scheduling for this important space. This will status will continue even as ITS assumes
authority for maintaining and upgrading the Lab beginning in Fall 2006. This Proposal
assumes the Program’s use of the Lab will not increase dramatically in the immediate future,
but will do so gradually as the major grows. With limited additions to the software already
available to students minoring in Journalism, the media lab could become the functioning
testbed for an “electronic” newsroom. This will be particularly useful to students
concentrating in Visual and Digital Media.
The major will not require new resources for its student publications, since its two major
publications now exist online. The E-zine workshop publishes a Web magazine three times
during the Spring semester (http://albany.collegepublisher.com). Student writing also appears as
part of the Program’s own Webpage (www.albany.edu/journalism). The Journalism faculty has
had only brief discussions about expanding the Program’s publishing ventures, and these new
initiatives would be developed only as the major establishes itself with a cohort of students, at
different levels, who are able to staff these publications. In all likelihood, these new publications
would appear online (as a bi-weekly newspaper, for example, or as a regularly-published
magazine). This is a great benefit when considering the difficulties, and costs, of publishing in
traditional ink-and-paper-based formats.
The Program has enjoyed close ties with such publicly-recognized University entities as
the New York State Writers Institute (in fact, the Program has co-sponsored many speakers with
the Institute). Recently, it has developed an active, interdisciplinary programming initiative with
the Center for Humanities, Art, and TechnoScience (CHATS). The new major requires no new
funds or personnel to continue these relationships. Nor are additional resources required to
develop working relationships with the many other University programs that are natural partners
for joint events, cross-listing courses, and so on.
The fulltime teaching faculty is sufficient to begin the major, but only if part-time faculty
members (adjuncts, or, as the Program calls them, Professional Media Lecturers) continue to
play a vital role in bringing the most up-to-date practices and ideas into the classroom. If the
Journalism major proves to be as popular as early signs indicate, then the Program might have to
hire 2-3 additional adjuncts per semester.
Clerical support for the Program has traditionally been drawn from the English
Department staff, and while it is impossible to predict enrollments or the numbers of declared
18
majors, at some point the Program may require a part-time clerical worker dedicated to its
special needs. It is important to point out that the Journalism Program is playing a significant
role in the development efforts of the College of Arts and Sciences. Members of the faculty, as
well as the Assistant Dean for Development, are working to identify potential sources of funding
for a wide range of activities. These include endowing one distinguished and several visiting
professorships, enhancing technological resources, offering special programs or lecture series,
recruiting talented students, and other academic initiatives. Faculty members recognize that these
efforts are crucial to the major’s success, and they are committed to aiding this process as fully
as possible. They also appreciate how these developmental initiatives are being bolstered by the
Dean’s creation of a Journalism Advisory Board (see Section XIII). In addition, the Program
maintains two University of Albany Foundation accounts, one for the Program itself, and one for
the Ronald Schafer Memorial Fund Scholarship, which presents a scholarship to the outstanding
graduating senior in Journalism each year.
XIII.
ALUMNI AND PROFESSIONAL NETWORKS
Journalism Advisory Board
In 2004, Dr. Joan Wick-Pelletier, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, created a
Journalism Advisory Board. Meeting occasionally, the Board advises the Dean on strategic
planning, fund-raising, and other long-range initiatives. This Board of distinguished media
professionals and other senior advisors includes the following members:
Robert J. Bellafiore '82, Partner, Eric Mower Associates
Edward Dague (Chair) News Anchor Emeritus, WRGB-TV (Retired)
Stewart F. Hancock, III, Publisher, Eagle Newspapers
Diane Kennedy, President, New York Newspaper Publishers Association
Marc Z. Kramer '77, Senior Vice President for Circulation, The New York Times
Susan Pinkus '68 (School of Business), Director of Polling, The Los Angeles Times
Michelle Rea, Executive Director, New York Press Association
Rex Smith, Vice President and Editor, Albany Times Union
Monte Trammer, Publisher, Elmira Star-Gazette
Professional Networks
19
In addition to working closely with the Dean’s advisory Board, the Program is increasing
its efforts to build a database of alumni, many of whom have expressed their strong support for
the plan to create a major at the University. Alumni, and other friends of the Program and
supporters of its plans to develop a B.A. in Journalism have demonstrated their support in
significant ways--by offering to appear in classes, meeting with students and recent graduates
interested in career advice, and by contributing $615 in the past year to the University at Albany
Foundation Account for the Journalism Program.
XIV.
FACULTY
Fulltime Faculty
Thomas Bass, Ph.D., Professor, Journalism and English
Thomas Bass is a prolific and internationally-recognized author of books and magazine
articles. His five books have been widely praised, and his latest, The Predictors (Henry Holt,
1999) was serialized in The New Yorker, translated into a half-dozen foreign languages, and
optioned for the movies. His other books are Vietnamerica: The War Comes Home (Soho Press,
1996); Reinventing the Future (Addison-Wesley, 1994), Camping with the Prince and Other
Tales of Science in Africa (Houghton Mifflin, 1990), and The Eudaemonic Pie (Houghton
Mifflin, 1985). The last of these was designated a “Notable Book of the Year” by The New York
Times Book Review. Mr. Bass is currently working on a feature-length article for The New Yorker
magazine and a related book project on Vietnam.
He has written for The New Yorker, Wired, The New York Times, Smithsonian, Audubon,
Discover, Pacific News Service, Technology Review, The Times of London, and other
publications. His work has been featured on Good Morning America, PBS, CNN, NPR, BBC,
Channel 4, and other venues.
Former Director of the Hamilton College in New York City Program on “Media in the
Digital Age,” Mr. Bass teaches advanced journalism and magazine writing, new media culture,
science journalism, contemporary issues in journalism, and cultural studies. He joined the
Journalism Program in January 2005.
He holds a Ph.D. in the History of Consciousness from the University of California at
Santa Cruz, and an A.B. Honors Degree in the Humanities from the University of Chicago.
William Rainbolt, Ph.D., Director, Journalism Program; Lecturer, English
William Rainbolt is Director of the Journalism Program at the University at Albany,
where he has taught since 1984. He specializes in various genres of journalistic writing,
including news reporting, feature writing, and opinion writing, and he teaches a variety of
contextual courses in media and cultural history, images of journalism in film, and media ethics.
He has also taught at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Siena College, and
Rowan University in New Jersey.
Mr. Rainbolt worked on daily newspapers in Texas and New Jersey as a reporter, feature
writer, copy editor, sports writer, and sports editor. He is a published novelist (the historical
20
novel Moses Rose, 1996) and freelance writer who has published in The New York Times, The
Writer, Editor & Publisher, New York State Bar News, Journalism Educator, and other
publications. He has been a writing and media consultant for numerous organizations. His
monograph, The History of Underground Communications in Russian Since the Seventeenth
Century, was published by R&E Research Associates (1979).
He holds a Ph.D. in American Cultural History from the University at Albany, an
M.A. in Journalism from the University of North Texas, and a B.A. in Journalism and Russian
Studies from the University of Maryland’s University College.
Nancy Roberts, Ph.D., Professor, Journalism and Communication
Formerly the Director of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Minnesota School of
Journalism and Mass Communication, Nancy Roberts is a leading national figure in journalism
history scholarship. She has written, co-authored, or edited five books in the field, including the
principal general-survey textbook used by hundreds of journalism programs around the country,
The Press in America: An Interpretive History of the Mass Media, 9th ed. (2000). Her books as
author or editor include American Catholic Pacifism: The Influence of Dorothy Day and the
Catholic Worker Movement (1996); American Peace Writers, Editors, and Periodicals: A
Dictionary (1991); “As Ever, Gene”: The Letters of Eugene O’Neill to George Jean Nathan,
(1987); and Dorothy Day and the “Catholic Worker” (1984). She is former President of the
American Journalism Historians Association and former Head of the History Division of the
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Ms. Roberts has been a freelance writer and on-assignment writer for publications such as
Commonweal, The Christian Science Monitor, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Minneapolis
Tribune, The Providence Journal, U.S. Art, and other publications, including trade magazines.
Her teaching specialties include magazine writing and editing, literary journalism, arts reporting,
and media history and ethics. Lecturing on “Literary Aspects of Journalism” and supervising the
Journalism Program’s interns, she joined the faculty in Fall 2004.
She holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Minnesota, an M.A. in
American Civilization from Brown University, and a B.A. in History from Swarthmore College.
Professional Media Lecturers
(Not all Lecturers teach each semester)
Sebrina Barrett, Attorney, New York State Court of Appeals
J.D., Southern Illinois University; B.S., University of Missouri
Experience: Media Law, Farm Journal, Columbia (Mo.) Missourian.
Elizabeth Benjamin, Political Reporter, Albany Times Union
M.A., Columbia University, B.A., University of Rochester
Experience: Albany Times Union, Newsday, Newport (R.I.) This Week.
21
Richard D'Errico, Reporter, The Business Review
M.A., Empire State College, B.S., Northeastern University
Experience: The Business Review, Associated Press, The Boston Globe, The
Journal News (White Plains), Middletown (N.Y.) Times Herald-Record, Schenectady
Daily Gazette, Amsterdam Recorder.
Dennis Gaffney, Freelance Journalist
B.A., Wesleyan University
Experience: Freelance writer and editor, The New York Times, The Christian
Science Monitor, Vanguard, The Boston Globe, The Progressive, Boston Phoenix,
Antiques Roadshow (PBS), American Experience (PBS), Secrets of Lost Empires,
Nova (PBS), others.
David Guistina, News Producer / Director of Special Projects, WAMC Radio
M.A., University at Albany; B.A., Utica College of Syracuse University
Experience: WAMC Radio, WNYT-TV news producer, WUUU/WRNY Radio.
Mike Hendricks, Editor, The Business Review
B.A., University of Michigan
Experience: The Business Review, Associated Press, Middletown Times Herald-
Record, Wayne (Mich.) Daily Eagle.
Mike Hill, Reporter, The Associated Press
B.A. SUNY Geneseo
Experience: The Associated Press, Upstate Bureau and State Capitol Bureau.
Ronald Kermani, Vice President for Public Affairs, New York State Higher Education
Services Corp.
B.S., Syracuse University
Experience: NYS Higher Education Services Corp., Civil Service Employees
Association, NYS Trial Lawyers Association, NYS Public Employees Federation, Albany
Times Union.
Stephen Leon, Publisher and Editor, Metroland
M.S.J., Northwestern University, B.A., Princeton
Experience: Metroland, Young & Rubicam, freelance writing.
Claudia Ricci, Educational Opportunities Program Advisor and Faculty Member, University at
Albany
Ph.D., University at Albany; M.J., University of California at Berkeley; B.A. Brown
University
Experience: The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Sun-Times, freelance writer and novelist.
22
Katherine Van Acker, Freelance Photographer.
B.S., Montana State University
Experience: Albany Times Union, The Associated Press, Elizabeth (N.J.) Daily
Journal, Museum of the Rockies, freelance photographer.
Mike Virtanen, Reporter, The Associated Press
M.A., University at Albany; B.A., Colgate University
Experience: The Associated Press, Albany Times Union, Travel Weekly
(Washington, D.C.), Utica Observer-Dispatch/Daily Press, Amsterdam Recorder.
David Washburn, Web Operations Manager, Time Warner Cable.
M.S., Syracuse University, B.S., Lyndon State College.
Experience: Time Warner Cable, Albany Times Union, The Saratogian (Saratoga
Springs), Bennington (Vt.) Banner.
APPENDIX A
CHART COMPARING THE UALBANY PROPOSAL TO
OTHER SUNY PROGRAMS
SUNY UNIVERSITY CENTERS & UNIVERSITY COLLEGES
THE UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY PROPOSED B.A. IN JOURNALISM
Academic Requirements
Concentrations
23
36 credits, distributed as:
30 credits in JRL courses
6 credits in non-JRL courses
Public Affairs
Science, Technology, Environment, Medicine
Visual and Digital Media
General Journalism
See the following pages for a comparison of the UAlbany Journalism Major to
other Programs at SUNY University Centers and SUNY University Colleges
CURRENT OFFERINGS IN JOURNALISM AT SUNY UNIVERSITY
CENTERS
Univ. Center
College
Department
Major
Minor
Details & Comments
ALBANY
Arts &
Sciences
English
No
Yes
18 cr. minimum, but
many students take
more, with courses in a
wide variety of areas;
12-13 sections offered
each semester
BINGHAMTON
Harpur
College of
Arts &
Sciences
English, General
Literature, &
Rhetoric
No
No
5 courses in the
“Rhetoric, Expository
Writing, & Journalism”
area of Eng-Gen Lit-
Rhet: courses in
Introduction, Special
Topics, Newspaper
Editing, Freelance
Magazine Writing, &
Sports Writing
BUFFALO
Arts &
Sciences
English
No
No
Usually, 4-5 sections a
semester offered, with
courses in Introduction,
24
Informatics
Informatics
Communication
Media Study
No
No
No
No
Literary Journalism,
Feature Writing, Opinion
Writing, & Rhetoric &
Human Rights (Fall ’04)
Eng Dept’s Introduction
course cross-listed with
Com to satisfy a Com
writing requirement
Concentrations in
Production (digital arts,
robotics, virtual reality,
film, video,
documentary), or Critical
Studies
STONY BROOK
Arts &
Sciences
English
No
Yes
An 18-credit minimum,
but students are limited
to that number (unlike
UAlbany). Very
traditional courses in
Intro, Feature Writing,
Reporting, Magazine
Writing, News Editing,
Investigative Reporting,
and Computer-Assisted
Reporting
CURRENT OFFERINGS IN JOURNALISM AT SUNY UNIVERSITY
COLLEGES
Univ. College
College
Department
Major
Minor
Details & Comments
BROCKPORT
Arts &
Performance
Communication
Yes
Yes
1 of 3 tracks in
Communication, with
Broadcasting & Com
Studies; 27 credits
required in traditional
courses, with overlap
among Broadcasting &
Com Studies; Public
Relations and
Internet/Web Publishing
also offered
25
BUFFALO STATE
Arts &
Humanities
Communication
Yes
Yes
Concentrations in
Broadcasting (radio or
TV production),
Journalism (broadcast
news, or print and online
journalism), Public
Communication (PR,
advertising,
organizational Com),
and Com Studies; 39
credits; there is an
Electronic Journalism
component within the
Broadcasting
concentration
CORTLAND
Arts &
Sciences
Communication
Studies
Yes
Yes
Concentrations within
Com Studies in
Journalism, Electronic
Communication, Media
Production, PR & Adv,
Organizational Com,
Health Com, Criticism &
Culture; 21 credits in
“core” courses, 12 in
concentration, 3 in
electives
FREDONIA
Arts &
Humanities
English
No
Yes
21-credit minimum, with
15 required in
Journalism
GENESEO
Communication
Yes
Yes
1 of 2 tracks for major,
along with
Interpersonal/Organizati
onal Communication;
Intro course can be Print
or Radio/TV writing;
other selections include
International
Communication, Media
Management, Television
News, News &
26
Specialized Writing,
Persuasion & Social
Influence
NEW PALTZ
Liberal Arts
& Sciences
Communication
& Media
Yes
Yes
1 of 5 concentrations,
along with PR, Media
Management, TV/Radio
Production, and
Communication; 40
credits (but several
courses earn 4 credits)
OLD WESTBURY
Arts &
Sciences
American
Studies
No
Yes
The minor is in the
“Media and
Communications”
component of the AS
Department; 24 credits,
with some writing but
more in media
production; the AS and
Visual Arts Departments
also offer a joint minor
in Media Design
ONEONTA
Fine Arts &
Humanities
Communication
Arts
Yes
Yes
Production Track (B.S.)
and Critical Analysis
Track (B.A.), oriented
toward R/TV/Film
OSWEGO
Arts &
Sciences
Journalism
Yes
Yes
36 credits + “Learning
Agreement”; 8 courses
required, including 5
practica, and several
electives offered in
R/TV, writing,
information science,
hypermedia/multimedia
design
27
PLATTSBURG
Arts &
Sciences
Journalism
Communication
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
41 credits, B.A. or B.S.,
depending on amount of
production coursework;
magazine journalism
“option”
41-46 credits, B.A. or
B.S., heavily oriented
toward R/TV production,
digital media, some
Broadcast Journalism
POTSDAM
Arts &
Sciences
English &
Communication
No
Yes
19-21 credits for minor
PURCHASE
Liberal Arts
& Sciences
The program
appears to be
one of several
free-standing
programs in the
School of
Humanities,
which is
apparently part
of LAS
Yes
Yes
Apparently, 38 credits,
23 drawn from
Journalism, and 15 from
approved list of selected
courses in Humanities,
Natural Sciences, Social
Sciences, and
Interdisciplinary Studies
Prepared August 2004, William Rainbolt, Ph.D., Director, Journalism Program, University at Albany
APPENDIX B - BULLETIN COPY FOR THE JOURNALISM
PROGRAM
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
Faculty
Professors
Thomas A. Bass, Ph.D.
University of California, Santa Cruz
28
Nancy Roberts, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
Lecturers
William Rainbolt, Ph.D.
University at Albany
Adjunct Faculty
Sebrina Barrett, J.D.
Southern Illinois University
Elizabeth Benjamin, M.A.,
Columbia University
Richard D=Errico, M.A.,
Empire State College
Dennis Gaffney, B.A.,
Wesleyan University
David Guistina, M.A.,
University at Albany
Mike Hendricks, B.A.,
University of Michigan
Mike Hill, B.A.,
SUNY Geneseo
Ronald Kermani, B.S.,
Syracuse University
Stephen Leon, M.S.J.,
Northwestern University
Claudia Ricci, Ph.D.,
University at Albany
Katherine Van Acker, B.S.,
Montana State University
29
Mike Virtanen, M.A.,
University at Albany
David Washburn, M.S.,
Syracuse University
The Journalism Program offers a wide array of courses in nonfiction writing, media
analysis and production, and the history and global context of journalism in the 21st century. The
Program also offers workshops that concentrate on student writing and editing, as well as courses
that address the legal and ethical issues confronting journalists today.
The Program’s courses and internships prepare students for work as journalists, freelance
writers, TV producers, broadcasters, webcasters, editors, magazine and book publishers, copy
writers, and public advocates. The Journalism Program also provides excellent preparation for
students who wish to pursue careers in related fields, such as law, government, history,
educational policy, teaching, and graduate study.
While offering survey courses that review the history and development of journalism
from its early days in print to its new electronic formats, the Program also gives students hands-
on experience with writing newspaper and magazine articles and producing webzines and other
electronic forms of journalism. Our internship program encourages students to work at television
and radio stations, newspapers and magazines, publishing houses, governmental agencies, non-
governmental organizations, and public relations firms.
Students may choose Journalism as either a major or minor, and -- space permitting -- our
courses are open to undergraduates in all fields. Journalism majors may apply for admission to
the Honors Program. Students majoring in Journalism are strongly encouraged to study at least
one foreign language.
The program offers four concentrations in Journalism. Students studying in the Program
will select courses from one or more of these special areas of interest. The four concentrations
available to students working toward a B.A. in Journalism include:
- Public Affairs Journalism
- Science and Technology Journalism
- Visual and Digital Media
- General Journalism
The last of these is a concentration which might include topics such as Business and
Economics Reporting, Arts Reporting, and Literary Journalism.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Journalism
30
The requirements for a Journalism major will be fulfilled by a minimum of 30
credits in AJRL courses, plus 6 credits in another department or program, as approved by
the Director of the Journalism Program or the student’s Journalism advisor. Beyond this
6-credit requirement, courses in other departments or programs will not be accepted as
part of the Journalism Major except as approved by the Director of the Journalism
Program or the student’s Journalism advisor.
Of the required 30 credits in AJRL courses: 9 credits are required at the 100-200
level: AJRL 100, AJRL 200Z, and ARL 270Z, and 3 credits of electives chosen from
AJRL 220, AENG 202Z, AENG 216, ACOM 238, or ASOC 255.
At the 300-400 levels, 18 credits are required: 9 credits in a student’s chosen
concentration from the four offered by the Journalism Program, 3 credits in a non-
workshop AJRL course, and 6 credits of AJRL electives. At least 6 credits must be at the
400 level.
For students in the Public Affairs Journalism concentration, 9 credits are required:
AJRL 480Z; 6 credits from AJRL 350, AJRL 366Z, AJRL 460Z, AJRL 475, or AJRL 465Z; 3
credits in a non-workshop AJRL course at the 300 or 400 levels, and 6 credits of electives in
AJRL courses.
For students in the STEM (Science-Technology-Environment-Medicine)
concentration, 9 credits are required: AJRL 370Z, AJRL 470Z; 3 credits from AJRL 350,
AJRL 366Z, AJRL 465, or AJRL 480Z; 3 credits from a non-workshop
AJRL course; and 6 credits of electives from AJRL courses.
For students in the Visual & Digital Media concentration, 12 credits are required:
AJRL 220, AJRL 390Z or AJRL 392Z, AJRL 380, and AJRL 490; 3 credits from non-
workshop AJRL courses; and 3 credits of electives from AJRL courses.
For students in the General Journalism concentration, 9 credits are required:
AJRL 308Z or AJRL 366Z, AJRL 350, and AJRL 460Z; 3 credits from AJRL 355Z,
AJRL 385, or AJRL 490Z; 3 credits from non-workshop AJRL courses; and 3 credits of
electives from AJRL courses.
Honors Program
Outstanding students are encouraged to consider the Journalism Honors Program, which
is designed to give them the opportunity to work closely with members of the faculty on
research, writing, and other media projects. The Journalism Honors Program supports highly
qualified Journalism majors who want to increase their expertise in contemporary journalism
practices and analysis. A student who successfully completes all the Honors Program
requirements graduates “with honors in journalism” and is recognized individually at
31
commencement. Honors students get priority scheduling for Journalism courses and receive
master’s degree-level privileges at the University Library..
Selection and Evaluation. In order to be considered for the Journalism Honors
Program, a student must: (a) be a declared Journalism major; (b) have completed 12 credits in
JRL courses; (c) have a minimum 3.25 overall GPA and a minimum 3.50 journalism GPA; and
(d) submit an application essay. Transfers can apply after they have completed one semester at
the University. Coursework taken elsewhere can be submitted as part of the application but may
not qualify.
Curriculum. In addition to the required courses for the major and for individual
concentrations, honors students must take: one workshop at the 300 or 400 level; one course
from AJRL 320 Media Law or AJRL 325 Media Ethics or AJRL 340 Global Perspectives on the
News; AJRL 330 History of Journalism in the United States; AJRL 460Z Advanced Reporting;
AJRL 420 Political Economy of the Mass Media; and AJRL 499 Senior Honors Project.
Graduating with Honors. In order to graduate with honors, a student must maintain a
minimum 3.25 overall GPA and a minimum 3.50 journalism GPA in each semester of enrollment.
Honors students may be put on a probationary status, and may not be allowed to finish the
Honors program, if they fall below either one of the minimum GPAs, or get a C+ or below in any
of the required Honors courses, or do not complete the Senior Project by the end of the semester
in which they are graduating.
Courses
32
AJRL 100, Foundations of Journalism
Introduction to journalism and mass media. This course will help students become more
informed about media and introduce them to the major issues in journalism and media
studies. Topics range from media history and the economic structure of the industry to broad
questions about the impact of media on individuals and society. Also addressed will be
ethical and legal issues related to media practices in newspapers, magazines, radio,
television, the internet, advertising, and public relations.
AJRL 200Z, Introduction to Reporting and News Writing
In this introductory workshop, students develop the skills of practicing reporters and news
writers. They acquire the news judgment that allows them to identify what should be reported
and written about, and they learn the fundamental forms of journalistic writing. Students
familiarize themselves with journalistic sources and evaluate their reliability. They practice
editing and revising and learn to use The Associated Press Stylebook.
AJRL 220, Visual Culture
The course explores the increasing predominance of visual media in contemporary life. It
examines how traditional narrative forms of story-telling are being replaced by visual forms
of story-telling in art, photography, film, television, the internet, video games, anime, graphic
novels, and advertising. Particular attention will be paid to the global flow of visual culture
and the technologies that facilitate these cultural exchanges. Readings include works by
Walter Benjamin, Jean Baudrillard, Arjun Appadurai, Laura Mulvey, Susan Sontag, and
others.
AJRL 240, Information Strategies for Journalists (Workshop)
Students will work to improve their information literacy by learning how to identify and
evaluate sources of information, including personal interviews, archival material, public
records, and printed and electronic sources. Students will learn how to marshal statistical and
numerical evidence while writing about complex issues of public import. While developing
their critical and interpretive skills, students will also explore the ethical and legal issues
involved in using–or misusing–information.
AJRL 300Z, Journalism for Non-Majors
For students interested, but not necessarily planning to major, in journalism, this course
offers an introduction to news, feature writing, opinion writing, broadcast journalism, web
publishing, and related subjects. Students will write a variety of short assignments, some of
them produced under deadline in the media classroom.
AJRL 308Z, Narrative and Descriptive Journalism
Students will explore a variety of journalistic styles, with an emphasis on compelling
narrative and description, combined with the skillful use of quotes and dialogue. The class
features intensive critiques of students’ work. A variety of formats will be studied:
newspapers, magazines, non-fiction books, and online publications. Readings for the course
33
include works by Janet Malcolm, Barbara Ehrenreich, Ellen Ullman, Mary Karr, Edward
Abbey, Edmund Wilson, Michael Herr, and James Baldwin. Students submit weekly writing
assignments and a final portfolio of edited work.
AJRL 320, Media Law
The First Amendment remains a concept unique in the world. No discussion of media law in
America would be complete without understanding our Constitutional guarantees to freedom
of speech and of the press. At the same time–given the corporatization of modern media,
conflicting regulatory demands, and global constraints on free speech–it is imperative that
students understand the case law and legal precedents under which journalism is practiced.
Topics include the historical development of First Amendment rights and of the laws
governing libel, privacy, confidentiality, public access to information, fair trials,
broadcasting, copyright, anti-trust, pornography, and other pertinent issues.
AJRL 325, Media Ethics
Students will explore the ethical dilemmas encountered by professional journalists. These
revolve around conflicts of interest, differing interpretations of community standards, the
right to privacy versus the public’s right to know, First Amendment guarantees of free
speech, the constraints of corporate ownership, and evolving ideas of what constitutes
acceptable journalistic practices. Students are strongly encouraged as a prerequisite to take
one of the Philosophy Department courses listed as APHI 114L, APHI 115L, or APHI 212L.
AJRL 330, History of Journalism in the United States
This course examines the development of journalism in the United States, emphasizing the
role of the press as a social institution. Subjects covered include the function and purpose of
the press, evolving definitions of news, changing interpretations of the First Amendment, and
the ethical and legal dimensions of free speech. Also examined will be the social, economic,
political, technological, and cultural forces that have shaped the practice of journalism today.
AJRL 340, Global Perspectives on the News
This course provides a global perspective on news production and the distribution of media
around the world. After studying the political and legal constraints under which international
media operate–including the operating procedures of American journalists working as foreign
correspondents–the course will explore topics including censorship, information warfare,
internet piracy, the blogosphere, and conflicts between national interests and media
technologies that are unconstrained by national borders. Readings include works by Marshall
McLuhan, Umberto Eco, Benjamin Barber, Susan George, and others.
AJRL 355Z, Public Relations Writing
Students are introduced to the history of Public Relations, tracing its modern development in
the twentieth century and current rise to political prominence. Topics to be discussed include
branding, logos, packaging, and other corporate practices. Students will review the legal and
34
ethical rules governing PR. Only after exploring how the goals of PR may be antithetical to
those of journalism, will students be asked to produce a variety of writing samples, including
advocacy journalism, press releases, speeches, position papers, web content, and other forms
of PR. Some of this work, simulating crisis management, will be produced on deadline.
AJRL 360Z, Intermediate Reporting and News Writing
Building on the techniques acquired in AJRL 200Z, students will develop their news instincts
and hone their reporting and writing skills. Much of the class will be spent developing “live”
stories–covering events, interviewing subjects, scrutinizing news sources, or handling a
“beat.” Students will produce news articles and feature stories like those expected of
professional reporters with a modicum of experience in the field.
AJRL 366Z, Magazine Writing
This course gives students experience in conceptualizing, researching, writing, rewriting, and
submitting for publication different types of articles that are found in magazines, webzines,
and the features section of newspapers. Ethical issues and writer-editor relationships are also
examined. Students write several articles of varying length and complete other assignments,
such as writing query letters and analyzing magazine content.
AJRL 370Z, Reporting on Science and Technology
A foundations course in writing about science and technology–two forces that play an
increasingly dominant role in modern life. Students will learn how to evaluate scientific
claims and distinguish the relative importance of technological advances in fields ranging
from computers and telecommunications to biotechnology, nano-scale research, and
environmental studies. Ethical issues surrounding military research, patents, copyrights, and
intellectual property will also be explored. Weekly reading and writing assignments.
AJRL 380, Photojournalism
Students develop the critical skills for evaluating and the technical skills for producing,
editing, and publishing digital photographs in a variety of formats, including traditional
newspapers, satellite transmissions from the field, and internet web sites. Students should
have prior photographic experience and be able to demonstrate, through a portfolio of work,
their readiness for the course. While developing their aesthetic and technical skills, students
will critique each others’ photos in a workshop format.
AJRL 385, Broadcast Journalism
Students will report, write, produce, air, and record a variety of television and radio news
stories with a degree of professionalism resembling what might be found in local newscasts,
whether they be short reports or longer, feature-length stories. Working individually or in
groups, students will use analog and digital video technologies and recording devices to
produce their stories.
AJRL 390Z, Digital Media Workshop I: Web Publishing
35
This workshop teaches the editing and design skills required to produce literary websites,
webcasts, blogs, and other forms of online digital journalism. The class is taught as a hands-
on workshop in a digital classroom. Students, working on individual and team projects, will
produce digital media using a variety of tools, ranging from Photoshop and Flash to
Dreamweaver and HTML.
AJRL 392Z, Digital Media Workshop II: Desk-top Publishing
This course develops the skills required for writing, editing, designing, and publishing on the
web, primarily webzines and internet news sites. This hands-on workshop is taught in a
digital media lab. Working individually and in teams, students will produce and publish three
major media projects.
AJRL 410, Images of Journalism in Film
This course explores the depiction of American journalism and journalists in a variety of
fictional films and selected works of prose. Students study the history of filmed
representations of journalists; they also study the images that journalists have presented of
themselves and their profession. The course does not involve journalistic reporting and
writing, but it does require close analysis of films, attentive reading, participation in class
discussion, and a willingness to explore.
AJRL 420, Political Economy of the Mass Media
The course examines the production, distribution, and consumption of media and how these
social constraints shape the news, images, and cultural artifacts that surround us. Proceeding
by case-study analyses of various cultural industries, including publishing, broadcasting, and
other mass media, the course will examine topics including global marketing and branding,
media corporatization, and other links between our cultural experience and the modern
political economy. Readings of works by Herbert Schiller, Stuart and Elizabeth Ewen, Robert
McChesney, Joseph Stiglitz, Katha Pollitt and others.
AJRL 460Z, Advanced Reporting and News Writing
After prior work in lower-level courses, students in this advanced workshop will develop
their skills as investigative reporters and writers of news stories and articles that are
thoroughly researched and compellingly written. Students may choose to write and rewrite
one article throughout the semester or a cluster of articles on related subjects. Students are
expected to develop a sense of journalistic tenacity and appreciation for applied research.
They will learn how to develop a story through multiple drafts and how to produce articles
that are noteworthy for their journalistic flair, emotional impact, or informative power.
AJRL 465Z, Opinion Writing
This workshop gives students experience in writing a variety of journalistic pieces normally
found in the opinion sections of newspapers, magazines, and online sites. Among the types of
articles students will produce are personal columns, movie and music reviews, and editorials.
Students will also read widely among the best practitioners of opinion writing, from H.L.
Mencken and Hunter Thompson to Maureen Dowd and Molly Ivins.
36
AJRL 468Z, Literary Journalism
This course requires students to read literary journalism and to write their own. Readings
include works by Daniel Defoe, Charles Dickens, Samuel Clemens, Stephen Crane, Janet
Flanner, Lillian Ross, Rebecca West, John Hersey, James Agee, Dorothy Day, Meridel
LeSueur, Truman Capote, Joan Didion, Tracy Kidder, and others. While reflecting on the
relationship between journalism and literary fiction and nonfiction, students will complete bi-
weekly writing assignments.
AJRL 470Z, Advanced Reporting on Science and Technology
The successor to 370Z, the introductory course on science writing and technology. Students
will be expected to produce a sustained, well-researched and argued body of work on a
scientific domain or domains of their choosing. Acceptable topics include computers and
information, public health, medicine, biotechnology, nano-scale research, and environmental
studies. Weekly reading and writing assignments, the latter sometimes consisting of outlines
or drafts of longer work-in-progress.
AJRL 475, Topics in Journalism
This course may be either an intensive skills-oriented workshop or a conceptual course on a
topic in journalism that bears serious study. More than one section of the course may be
offered in a semester.
AJRL 480Z, Public Affairs Journalism
The Capital District offers a unique laboratory for reporting on public affairs at all levels,
from the local to the national. These include governmental affairs, but also judicial matters,
relations between New York State and the State’s indigenous Indian tribes, and policy issues
concerning medicine, technology, business, and education. Public affairs journalism is now
part of a larger debate about the lengths to which journalists should go in hosting community
events and creating an informed citizenry. Along with numerous writing assignments,
students will engage in wide reading of journalists who have staked out positions in this
debate and operated effectively as reporters or advocates in the public arena.
AJRL 490Z, E-zine: Online Magazine Workshop
E-zines, defined here as magazines published on the World Wide Web, are flourishing in the
rapidly expanding domain of electronic journalism. This now includes blogs, webcasts,
internet news services, and other specialized sites. The workshop is devoted to publishing
several issues of an online magazine, which will include articles, images, graphics, and other
interactive features. Students will work in teams to do the reporting, writing, editing, layout,
design, coding, and publishing of these web-based e-zines.
AJRL 495, Internship in Journalism
The course is limited to Journalism majors and minors. Internships in a variety of media are
offered for variable credit. The internship requires that students work on-site in a professional
media organization, under the direct supervision of a qualified supervisor. A faculty
37
supervisor will also design an academic component for the internship, based on readings,
daily journals, and the writing of papers that analyze and reflect on the work experience. The
faculty supervisor will meet regularly with interns, both individually and as a group. The
Journalism Program Director will establish the specific requirements that must be fulfilled to
receive credit for this course.
AJRL 497, Independent Study in Journalism
For variable credit (1-3), students in Journalism pursue an independent project under the
supervision of a fulltime faculty member. A student might use this course to enhance a
portfolio, gain expertise in journalistic practices, research a special topic, or complete work
on a major assignment. An application to a faculty member is required. A written agreement
outlining the goals and work to be completed during the independent study is also required.
The course is limited to seniors with prior journalism experience, although they do not have
to be a Journalism major or minor.
AJRL 499, Senior Honors Project in Journalism
Students will define, develop, research, and write or produce in electronic or visual form an
individual project of serious merit. The project is intended to demonstrate the range of skills
acquired during the student’s training in Journalism. The project should also demonstrate a
nuanced understanding of the ethical and legal issues of the profession. Work on the project
will be supervised by advanced arrangement with a faculty member. The decision on whether
a student’s final project merits receiving Honors in Journalism will be made by the faculty of
the Journalism Program.
38
APPENDIX C - COURSE ACTION FORMS FOR THE
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
39
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 300Z
New: AJRL 100
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Foundations of Journalism and Media Studies
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Introduction to journalism and mass media. This course will help students become more informed about media and introduce
them to the major issues in journalism and media studies. Topics range from media history and the economic structure of the
industry to broad questions about the impact of media on individuals and society. Also addressed will be ethical and legal issues
related to media practices in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, the internet, advertising, and public relations.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course, formerly taught at the 300 level, will now be redesigned and taught at the 100 level.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
William Rainbolt, Director/Journalism Michael K. Hill, Chair, English
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
40
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 200Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Introduction to Reporting and News Writing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
In this introductory workshop, students develop the skills of practicing reporters and news writers. They acquire the news
judgment that allows them to identify what should be reported and written about, and they learn the fundamental forms of
journalistic writing. Students familiarize themselves with journalistic sources and evaluate their reliability. They practice editing
and revising and learn to use The Associated Press Stylebook.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
41
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364 / 365
New: AJRL 220
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Visual Culture
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
The course explores the increasing predominance of visual media in contemporary life. It examines how traditional narrative
forms of story-telling are being replaced by visual forms of story-telling in art, photography, film, television, the internet, video
games, anime, graphic novels, and advertising. Particular attention will be paid to the global flow of visual culture and the
technologies that facilitate these cultural exchanges. Readings include works by Walter Benjamin, Jean Baudrillard, Arjun
Appadurai, Laura Mulvey, Susan Sontag, and others.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364 & 365.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
42
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 270
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Information Strategies for Journalists (Workshop)
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Students will work to improve their information literacy by learning how to identify and evaluate sources of information,
including personal interviews, archival material, public records, and printed and electronic sources. Students will learn how to
marshal statistical and numerical evidence while writing about complex issues of public import. While developing their critical
and interpretive skills, students will also explore the ethical and legal issues involved in using—or misusing—information.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
43
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
X
Other:
See below
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 300Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Journalism for Non-Majors
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
For students interested, but not necessarily planning to major, in journalism, this course offers an introduction to news, feature
writing, opinion writing, broadcast journalism, web publishing, and related subjects. Students will write a variety of short
assignments, some of them produced under deadline in the media classroom.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
Formerly taught as an introductory course for students intending to minor in Journalism, this course is now being offered to the
general student body.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
44
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
X
Other:
See below
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 308Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Narrative and Descriptive Journalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Students will explore a variety of journalistic styles, with an emphasis on compelling narrative and description, combined with
the skillful use of quotes and dialogue. The class features intensive critiques of students’ work. A variety of formats will be
studied: newspapers, magazines, non-fiction books, and online publications. Readings for the course include works by Janet
Malcolm, Barbara Ehrenreich, Ellen Ullman, Mary Karr, Edward Abbey, Edmund Wilson, Michael Herr, and James Baldwin.
Students submit weekly writing assignments and a final portfolio of edited work.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is currently being taught in the Journalism curriculum.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
45
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364/365
New: AJRL 320
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Media Law
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
The First Amendment remains a concept unique in the world. No discussion of media law in America would be complete without
understanding our Constitutional guarantees to freedom of speech and of the press. At the same time—given the corporatization
of modern media, conflicting regulatory demands, and global constraints on free speech—it is imperative that students
understand the case law and legal precedents under which journalism is practiced. Topics include the historical development of
First Amendment rights and of the laws governing libel, privacy, confidentiality, public access to information, fair trials,
broadcasting, copyright, anti-trust, pornography, and other pertinent issues.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364 & 365.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
46
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL364/365
New: AJRL 325
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Media Ethics
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Students will explore the ethical dilemmas encountered by professional journalists. These revolve around conflicts of interest,
differing interpretations of community standards, the right to privacy versus the public’s right to know, First Amendment
guarantees of free speech, the constraints of corporate ownership, and evolving ideas of what constitutes acceptable journalistic
practices. Students are strongly encouraged as a prerequisite to take one of the Philosophy Department courses listed as APHI
114L, APHI 115L, or APHI 212L.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364 & 365.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
47
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 365
New: AJRL 330
Credits: 3
Course Title:
History of Journalism in the United States
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This course examines the development of journalism in the United States, emphasizing the role of the press as a social
institution. Subjects covered include the function and purpose of the press, evolving definitions of news, changing interpretations
of the First Amendment, and the ethical and legal dimensions of free speech. Also examined will be the social, economic,
political, technological, and cultural forces that have shaped the practices of journalism today.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is currently being taught in the Journalism curriculum under the Topics rubric AJRL 365.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
48
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364 / 365
New: AJRL 340
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Global Perspectives on the News
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This course provides a global perspective on news production and the distribution of media around the world. After studying the
political and legal constraints under which international media operate—including the operating procedures of American
journalists working as foreign correspondents—the course will explore topics including censorship, information warfare,
internet piracy, the blogsphere, and conflicts between national interests and the media technologies that are unconstrained by
national borders. Readings include works by Marshall McLuhan, Umberto Eco, Benjamin Barber, Susan George, and others.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the topics rubric AJRL 364 & 365.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
49
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
X
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
X
Other:
See below
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 350
New:
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Journalistic Interviewing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Students in this course will gain experience in journalistic interviewing. They will work on assignment in a variety of situations,
including personal interviews, background interviews, cold calls, solicitations for comment, and repeat interviews to press for
clarification or new information. Also discussed in the course are the ethics of journalistic interviewing and editing, as well as the
legal issues involved in prior consent, release forms, taped interviews, and other journalistic practices. The course satisfies the
Oral Discourse general education requirement.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
Prerequisites: a grade of B or higher in any AJRL course at the 100-, 200-, or 300-level, or permission of instructor.
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is currently being taught in the Journalism curriculum.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
50
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364Z / 365Z
New: AJRL 355Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Public Relations Writing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Students are introduced to the history of Public Relations, tracing its modern development in the twentieth century and current
rise to political prominence. Topics to be discussed include branding, logos, packaging, and other corporate practices. Students
will review the legal and ethical rules of governing PR. Only after exploring how the goals of PR may be antithetical to those of
journalism, will students be asked to produce a variety of writing samples, including advocacy journalism, press releases,
speeches, position papers, web content, and other forms of PR. Some of this work, simulating crisis management, will be
produced on deadline.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364Z & 365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
51
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 360Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Intermediate Reporting and News Writing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Building on the techniques acquired in AJRL 200Z, students will develop their news instincts and hone their reporting and
writing skills. Much of the class will be spent developing “live” stories—covering events, interviewing subjects, scrutinizing news
sources, or handling a “beat.” Students will produce news articles and feature stories like those expected of professional
reporters with a modicum of experience in the field.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
52
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 366Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Magazine Writing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This course gives students experience in conceptualizing, researching, writing, rewriting, and submitting for publication
different types of articles that are found in magazines, webzines, and the features section of newspapers. Ethical issues and
writer-editor relationships are also examined. Students write several articles of varying length and complete other assignments,
such as writing query letters and analyzing magazine content.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
53
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364Z / 365Z
New: AJRL 370Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Reporting on Science and Technology
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
A foundations course in writing about science and technology—two forces that play an increasingly dominant role in modern
life. Students will learn how to evaluate scientific claims and distinguish the relative importance of technological advances in
fields ranging from computers and telecommunications to biotechnology, nano-scale research, and environmental studies.
Ethical issues surrounding military research, patents, copyrights, and intellectual property will also be explored. Weekly reading
and writing assignments.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364Z & 365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
54
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
X
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364Z / 365Z
New: AJRL 380
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Photojournalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Students develop the critical skills for evaluating and the technical skills for producing, editing, and publishing digital
photographs in a variety of formats, including traditional newspapers, satellite transmissions from the field, and internet web
sites. While developing their aesthetic and technical skills, students will critique each others’ photos in a workshop format.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
Students should have prior photographic experience and be able to demonstrate, through a portfolio of work, their readiness for
the course.
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364Z & 365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
55
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 385
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Broadcast Journalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Students will report, write, produce, air, and record a variety of television and radio news stories with a degree of
professionalism resembling what might be found in local newscasts, whether they be short reports or longer, feature-length
stories. Working individually or in groups, students will use analog and digital video technologies and recording devices to
produce their stories.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
56
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364Z / 365Z
New: AJRL 390Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Digital Media Workshop I: Web Publishing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This workshop teaches the editing and design skills required to produce literary websites, webcasts, blogs, and other forms of
online digital journalism. The class is taught as a hands-on workshop in a digital classroom. Students, working on individual and
team projects, will produce digital media using a variety of tools, ranging from Photoshop and Flash to Dreamweaver and
HTML.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364Z & 365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
57
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364Z / 365Z
New: AJRL 392Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Digital Media Workshop II: Desk-top Publishing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This course develops the skills required for writing, editing, designing, and publishing on the web, primarily webzines and
internet news sites. This hands-on workshop is taught in a digital media lab. Working individually and in teams, students will
produce and publish three major media projects.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364Z &365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
58
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 365
New: AJRL 410
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Images of Journalism in Film
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This course explores the depiction of American journalism and journalists in a variety of fictional films and selected works of
prose. Students study the history of filmed representations of journalists; they also study the images that journalists have
presented of themselves and their profession. The course does not involve journalistic reporting and writing, but it does require
close analysis of films, attentive reading, participation in class discussion, and a willingness to explore.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is currently being taught in the Journalism curriculum under the Topics rubric AJRL 365.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
59
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 420
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Political Economy of the Mass Media
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
The course examines the production, distribution, and consumption of media and how these social constraints shape the news,
images, and cultural artifacts that surround us. Proceeding by case-study analyses of various cultural industries, including
publishing, broadcasting, and other mass media, the course will examine topics including global marketing and branding, media
corporatization, and other links between our cultural experience and the modern political economy. Readings of works by
Herbert Schiller, Stuart and Elizabeth Ewen, Robert McChesney, Joseph Stiglitz, Katha Pollitt and others.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
60
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 460Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Advanced Reporting and News Writing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
After prior work in lower-level courses, students in this advanced workshop will develop their skills as investigative reporters
and writers of news stories and articles that are thoroughly researched and compellingly written. Students may choose to write
and rewrite one article throughout the semester or a cluster of articles on related subjects. Students are expected to develop a
sense of journalistic tenacity and appreciation for applied research. They will learn how to develop a story through multiple
drafts and how to produce articles that are noteworthy for their journalistic flair, emotional impact, or informative power.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
61
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364Z /365Z
New: AJRL 465Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Opinion Writing
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This workshop gives students experience in writing a variety of journalistic pieces normally found in the opinion sections of
newspapers, magazines, and online sites. Among the types of articles students will produce are personal columns, movie and
music reviews, and editorials. Students will also read widely among the best practitioners of opinion writing, from H.L. Mencken
and Hunter Thompson to Maureen Dowd and Molly Ivins.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364Z & 365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
62
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364Z / 365Z
New: AJRL 468Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Literary Journalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This course invites students to read literary journalism and to write their own literary essays. Readings include works by Daniel
Defoe, Charles Dickens, Samuel Clemens, Stephen Cane, Janet Flanner, Lillian Ross, Rebecca West, John Hersey, James Agee,
Dorothy Day, Meridel LeSueur, Truman Capote, Joan Didion, Tracy Kidder, and others. While reflecting on the relationship
between journalism and literary fiction and nonfiction, students will complete bi-weekly writing assignments.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364Z & 365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
63
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 470Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Advanced Reporting on Science and Technology
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
The successor to 370Z, the introductory course on science writing and technology. Students will be expected to produce a
sustained, well-researched and argued body of work on a scientific domain or domains of their choosing. Acceptable topics
include computers and information, public health, medicine, biotechnology, nano-scale research, and environmental studies.
Weekly reading and writing assignments, the latter sometimes consisting of outlines or drafts of longer work-in-progress.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
64
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 364Z / 365Z
New: AJRL 475
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Topics in Journalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
This course may be either an intensive skills-oriented workshop or a conceptual course on a topic in journalism that bears
serious study. More than one section of the course may be offered in a semester.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course was formerly offered under the Topics rubric AJRL 364Z & 365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
65
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 480Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Public Affairs Journalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
The Capital District offers a unique laboratory for reporting on public affairs at all levels, from the local to the national. These
include governmental affairs, but also judicial matters, relations between New York State and the State’s indigenous Indian
tribes, and policy issues concerning medicine, technology, business, and education. Public affairs journalism is now part of a
larger debate about the lengths to which journalists should go in hosting community events and creating an informed citizenry.
Along with numerous writing assignments, students will engage in wide reading of journalists who have staked out positions in
this debate and operated effectively as reporters or advocates in the public arena.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
66
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
X
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 365Z
New: AJRL 490Z
Credits: 3
Course Title:
E-zine: Online Magazine Workshop
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
E-zines, defined here as magazines published on the World Wide Web, are flourishing in the rapidly expanding domain of
electronic journalism. This now includes blogs, webcasts, internet news services, and other specialized sites. The workshop is
devoted to publishing several issues of an online magazine, which will include articles, images, graphics, and other interactive
features. Students will work in teams to do the reporting, writing, editing, layout, design, coding, and publishing of these web-
based e-zines.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is currently being taught in the Journalism curriculum under the Topics rubric AJRL 365Z.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
67
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 400
New: AJRL 495
Credits: 3-6
Course Title:
Internship in Journalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
The course is limited to Journalism majors and minors. Internships in a variety of media are offered for variable credit. The
internship requires that students work on-site in a professional media organization, under the direct supervision of a qualified
supervisor. A faculty supervisor will also design an academic component for the internship, based on readings, daily journals,
and the writing of papers that analyze and reflect on the work experience. The faculty supervisor will meet regularly with
interns, both individually and as a group. The Journalism Program Director will establish the specific requirements that must be
fulfilled to receive credit for this course.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is currently being offered in the Journalism curriculum under the Topics rubric AJRL 400.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
68
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
New Course
Revision of:
X
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current: AJRL 397
New: AJRL 497
Credits: 1-3
Course Title:
Independent Study in Journalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
For variable credit (1-3), students in Journalism pursue an independent project under the supervision of a fulltime faculty
member, A student might use this course to enhance a portfolio, gain expertise in journalistic practices, research a special topic,
or complete work on a major assignment. An application to a faculty member is required. A written agreement outlining the
goals and work to be completed during the independent study is also required. The course is limited to seniors with prior
journalism experience, although they do not have to be a Journalism major or minor.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is currently being offered in the Journalism curriculum under the Topics rubric AJRL 397.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
69
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
University at Albany – State University of New York
College of Arts and Sciences
Course Action Form
Proposal No.
Please mark all that apply:
X
New Course
Revision of:
Number
X
Description
Cross-Listing
Title
Prerequisites
Shared-Resources Course
Credits
Deactivate / Activate Course
Other:
Department:
JOURNALISM PROGRAM
To be effective (semester/year): FALL 2006
Course Number
Current:
New: AJRL 499
Credits: 3
Course Title:
Senior Honors Project in Journalism
Course Description to appear in Bulletin:
Students will define, develop, research, and write or produce in electronic or visual form an individual project of serious merit.
The project is intended to demonstrate the range of skills acquired during the student’s training in Journalism. The project
should also demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the ethical and legal issues of the profession. Work on the project will be
supervised by advanced arrangement with a faculty member. The decision on whether a student’s final project merits receiving
Honors in Journalism will be made by the faculty of the Journalism Program.
Prerequisites statement to be appended to description in Bulletin:
If S/U is to be designated as the only grading system in the course, check here:
This course is (will be) cross listed with (i.e., CAS ###):
This course is (will be) a shared-resources course with (i.e., CAS ###):
Explanation of proposal:
This course is being offered as part of a new major in Journalism.
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and which have certified that this proposal does not overlap their
offering:
Chair of Proposing Department (TYPE NAME/SIGN)
Date
70
Approved by Chair(s) of Departments having cross-listed course(s)
(PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of College (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Chair of Academic Programs Committee (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
Dean of Graduate (Undergraduate) Studies (PRINT NAME/SIGN)
Date
APPENDIX D - SOURCES
For their assistance with the historical and statistical information in this Proposal, our
thanks go to the following University at Albany officials:
Joseph Bowman, Associate Professor, Department of Educational Theory and Practice
Meredith Butler, Distinguished Librarian, Dean and Director of Libraries
Richard Collier, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Robert Gibson, Registrar
William Kennedy, Executive Director, New York State Writers Institute
Wendell Lorang, Director, Institutional Research
Geoffrey Williams, University Archivist/Campus Records Officer
71
