We will offer 10 classes over two terms this summer. The first term runs from May 20 to June 28, and the second term from July 8 to August 16.
First Term
Introduction to Journalism |
Students will study the principles and practices of journalism as well as journalism's role in a democratic society. They will explore journalism's impact on public policy, private lives, and the increasing role of citizens within a changing media landscape. The fundamental skills of a journalist will be introduced, including research and interviewing, fact checking and attribution, style and persona. Students will read and discuss different types of journalism, such as news, business, and profile writing, cultural commentary, visual journalism, opinion writing, and more. This is a foundation course for the Certificate of Journalism. Instructor: Shaheen Pasha |
Travel Writing |
In this course, you'll have the chance to explore nearby destinations and bring your writing skills to bear with a reporter's notebook and descriptive articles. We'll discuss different types of travel writing, travel publications and audiences. If you're planning a weekend or longer trip during the session, so much the better, but it is not necessary for the raw writing material you'll need. We'll practice refining the angle of a travel article; describing places and people using the five senses; interviewing and the casual traveler's conversation; working with language, class, or cultural differences; becoming a good traveler; mixing writing into the pleasure of travel; writing and revising on your own and with peer and instructor response; querying travel magazines and newspapers; and submitting articles for publication. Prerequisite: Journalism 300 or consent of the instructor. Instructor: Russ Juskalian |
Writing for Public Relations |
Public relations writing requires a narrative arc and good storytelling in which essential information gets delivered, along with a feeling of positive connection to an organization. Students in this course will learn how to translate an institutional mission statement in to various narratives. They will learn how to gather information in a complex environment, and how to evaluate that information according to constituency needs. Writing projects will be required, ranging from basic press releases and news briefs to interviews, speeches, profiles, a roundtable report, a position paper, first-person essays, and more. Instructor: Barbara "Lee" Wicks |
Sports Journalism |
A hands-on course aimed at how to write, edit and cover sports stories. Interviewing skills will be honed in this class, and you will need a flexible schedule in order to cover games outside of classes. Students will learn to write a variety of stories ranging from straight game stories to previews to features and breaking news. Students will read and analyze successful writing styles from sportswriters in all mediums, including broadcast and the Web. Prerequisite: Journalism 300 or consent of the instructor. Instructor: Steve Fox |
Web Design for Journalists |
Not long ago a journalist could get by with little more than a notebook, a pen, and his or her wits. Today, working in the media demands that students know an assortment of web design and web building skills. Students will learn basic web design, HTML and CSS skills, and by the end of the semester they will be able to build a basic website, including how to incorporate JavaScript plugins. The course will also cover online ethics, mobile strategy, search engine optimization, and the role of social media in successfully publishing journalism work online. Students who are not journalism majors at UMass will need instructor consent to enroll. Please email the instructor for more information. All students must have access to a fast internet connection. Please contact the instructor before the class begins if you are unsure if your computer can handle the class assignments. Instructor: Brian McDermott |
Journalism Ethics |
This course will develop an understanding of the ethical questions raised by media coverage in a democratic society at a time of focus on profit over news values and on entertainment over substance. Issues discussed will include: accuracy and fairness, diversity, conflicts of interest, privacy, deception, relationships with sources and photojournalism. We will also learn to identify news values– or lack of them– both as professionals and as consumers. This is a foundation course for the Certificate of Journalism. Instructor: Karen List |
Second Term
Newswriting and Reporting |
This course covers the basic requirements of newswriting and reporting, including interviewing, covering news events, and more. This class will include in-class and outside reporting assignments, and fulfills Junior Year Writing requirement. This is a required course to complete the Certificate of Journalism. Instructor: B.J. Roche |
Introduction to Digital Photojournalism |
This is an introductory level course for students who wish to acquire a working knowledge of the field of photojournalism and the various tools used in modern image processing for both print and online media. Covered topics will include: basic camera, flash, and lens techniques; film and exposure issues; composition; digital image processing; news, feature, and sports photography; ethics, and credibility in the age of the digital image. Students are encouraged to own a digital SLR camera with manual functions. Instructor: Ben Barnhart |
Writing About Food |
Writing about Food will take as its focus professional writing about food and the food industry. Students will study food writing from newspapers, professional journals, books, blogs, and online media, to include restaurant and food reviews, memoirs about food and writing, scientific articles written for the lay audience about food production and health issues, and literary approaches to discovery and enjoyment of eating. Instructor: Carol Connare |
Infographics and Data Journalism |
This introductory course to information graphics will help students use this data to tell visual stories beyond pie charts and line graphs. Students will discuss topics such as data sourcing, making data digestible to a non-specialized audience, and principles and methods of graphic design. Students will also report and build their own infographics throughout the semester. Students must own or have access to a computer with Adobe Illustrator. Adobe Photoshop is not required but is strongly recommended. Instructor: Lam Thuy Vo |
Please visit the Continuing and Professional Education academic calendar for more information on add/drop, withdrawl and refund dates.
On the requirements page, you can find answers to questions about completing the five course curriculum for the Certificate of Journalism.
