Online Courses, Summer 2013

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
Journalism 201
May 20, 2013 - June 28, 2013

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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
Journalism 391T
May 20, 2013 - June 28, 2013

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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
Journalism 392P
May 20, 2013 - June 28, 2013

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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

Journalism Ethics
Journalism 460
May 20, 2013 - June 28, 2013

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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
Journalism 300
July 8, 2013 - August 16, 2013

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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
Journalism 333
July 8, 2013 - August 16, 2013

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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
Journalism 391J
July 8, 2013 - August 16, 2013

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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
Journalism 397DJ
July 8, 2013 - August 16, 2013

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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.

Journalism Program
108 Bartlett Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003

Phone: 413.545.1376
Fax: 413.545.3880