BA in Multimedia Journalism
The BA in Multimedia Journalism requires 122 credits (including 30 freshman credits), distributed accordingly:
JSC 220 News Writing & Reporting
3 credits
This class covers the basic techniques in news writing and reporting, emphasizing news values, accuracy and concise presentation as well as proper sentence structure and story organization. It explores the structural and conceptual characteristics of journalism across the full spectrum of information platforms. The majority of course work is based on practical, hands-on writing assignments that help students to develop professional research, interviewing and reporting skills and teaches them how write/produce to deadline and story briefs.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 101 Academic English I or concurrently
JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
3 credits
This course introduces students to the basic principles of multimedia reporting and provides hands-on training in interactive media production tools. Students learn how to combine sound, images, text and video into digital story formats and to create basic interactive information designs.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 101 Academic English I
JSC 228 Arabic News Writing and Reporting
3 credits
This class covers the principles and practices of news gathering and writing for the Arabic-language media. It introduces students to different styles of writing for news agencies, newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and the web.
JSC 236 Advanced News Writing and Reporting
3 credits
This class covers advanced techniques in news writing and reporting, expanding into feature and narrative journalism and specialized news genres. The majority of course work is based on practical work and assignments that help students to develop professional research, interviewing and reporting skills and teaches them how deliver on deadline.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing and Reporting and ENG 202 Advanced Academic English
JSC 328 Advanced Arabic News Writing and Reporting
3 credits
This course focuses on the art and craft of writing and reporting for multimedia platforms. It is a convergence newsroom where students learn the techniques of news reporting and production, and conducting interviews, through frequent reporting exercises.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 312 Media & Society
3 credits
This course studies forms of digital media and communication as elements and products of cultural, political, and economic processes. The approach is interdisciplinary, drawing on a variety of theories and methods of media studies and analysis.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 102 Academic English II or concurrently
JSC 314 Data and Society
3 credits
This course explores the social, cultural and political dimension of information in the digital cultural environment. It provides practical and conceptual skills in open data management for government and non-government institutions, including museums, archives and cultural heritage sites. Drawing on a series of case studies and class projects students will learn how to engage with sensitive data and archival records containing precious details of individual and collective lives. The course is open to students of journalism, filmmaking, communication / PR, social sciences, humanities, business and the performing arts.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 102 Academic English II
JSC 330 Arab and International Media
3 credits
This course covers the past, present, and emerging developments of Arab and world news systems, highlighting important historic news junctures, technological shifts, business models, and future trends. Special emphasis is put on how media systems interact with the political, social, and cultural particularities of the Arab world.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 451 Media Research Methods
3 credits
This course teaches students how to critically read, design, and implement scientific research and use quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, as well as data analysis tools to address research questions and hypotheses in the field of media and communication studies. Students participate in practical research projects and apply various techniques of research design, data collection, statistical and qualitative data analysis, and interpretation.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 202 Advanced Aademic English and Media & Society
JSC 419 Media Law and Ethics
3 credits
This course introduces students to principles and debates in media ethics and law by reviewing case studies from print, broadcasting, film, and digital online media. Students will consider ethical challenges and legal decisions, and reflect on how to put these into practice in their professional lives. The course provides some cross-cultural perspective, and puts Lebanese examples in context with international standards.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 498 Internship
1 credits
The Internship course provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience in an off-campus setting. Students are required to complete at least two months of full-time work at a recognized institution.
Prerequisite(s):
Junior Standing
JSC 499 Capstone Project
3 credits
This capstone project focuses on creating an in-depth journalism project that is developed for and disseminated in one or more of a variety of media formats and genres depending on the career interests and skills of the student, including long-form journalism, multimedia, broadcast feature, data-driven and investigative reporting, and other forms. Students are expected to engage in extensive research and critical analysis and use advanced tools and methods for creating professional-grade journalistic content. Students pitch, research, report, write, produce and revise their work with the guidance of a journalism instructor and carry out a project from start to finish, implementing skills of self-editing, marketing, and entrepreneurship and addressing budgetary, copyright, legal and ethical implications of their final work.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 312 Media & Society , ( JSC 236 Advanced Reporting Skills or JSC 328 Advanced Arabic News Writing and Reporting ), and senior standing
TVF 316 Script Writing
3 credits
This course covers the principles and techniques of idea creation and writing for television and film. Students read, analyze and write scripts in different formats. They learn the building blocks of creative storytelling and develop a solid foundation in screenwriting terminology and format: character conception and development, the difference between plot and story, and idea pitching and treatments.
Prerequisite(s):
Introduction to Audio Visual Media , Art of Film , and Academic English II,
JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
3 credits
This course introduces students to the basic principles of multimedia reporting and provides hands-on training in interactive media production tools. Students learn how to combine sound, images, text and video into digital story formats and to create basic interactive information designs.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG101 Academic English I
COM 226 Principles of Advertising
3 credits
The course introduces students to the concepts, theories and methods of advertising in the digital age. It examines the impact of advertising on society and teaches students how to critically assess advertisements and how to plan, research, develop, and create successful advertising campaigns.
Prerequisite(s):
COM 213 Public Relations
3 credits
This course details the principles of public relations, PR ethics, corporate social responsibility, public affairs, promotional campaigns, and media relations.
Prerequisite(s):
COM 202 Interpersonal Communication
3 credits
This course helps to increase students’ understanding, and implementation, of effective interpersonal communication behaviors. The course examines the basic verbal, and nonverbal, elements affecting communication among individuals, within the family, peer group, and work contexts. Topics include strategy development, relationship and conversation management, defensive communication, and cultural and gender issues in communication style.
Prerequisite(s):
COM 313 Nonverbal Communication
3 credits
The influence of nonverbal behavior on human interaction in a variety of contexts and settings, i.e. personal, workplace, and social. Students will work with various nonverbal cues including appearance, posture, facial expressions, and vocal cues.
Prerequisite(s):
COM 301 Human Communication Theory
3 credits
Students learn how to apply communication theory and evaluate communication situations. The basic theories of human communication, mass communication, and new media and technology are explored. Topics include interpersonal communication, public communication, mass media, and contemporary issues associated with mediated communication.
Prerequisite(s):
TVF 316 Script Writing
3 credits
This course covers the principles and techniques of idea creation and writing for television and film. Students read, analyze and write scripts in different formats. They learn the building blocks of creative storytelling and develop a solid foundation in screenwriting terminology and format: character conception and development, the difference between plot and story, and idea pitching and treatments.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 102 Academic English II, TVF 222 Introduction to Audio Visual Media , and TVF 221 Art of Film
TVF 221 Art of Film
3 credits
This course emphasizes formal aspects of film art such as sound, lighting, movement, editing, and Mise-en-Scene. It introduces students to the basic vocabulary and concepts necessary to critically analyze, understand, and appreciate films and covers the viewing, analysis, and written critique of important films that marked the development of this art. Students learn to watch, listen, critically analyze, and express their ideas about films in their writing and conversations.
Prerequisite(s):
PFA 318 Writing Music for Visual Media
3 credits
This course covers sound design, sound effects, and music composition for film and visual media. It offers a comprehensive overview defining and encapsulating concepts, issues and applications regarding the use of sound effects and the process of composing music for cinematic arts, theater, dance and new media. Course work includes basic exercises in electroacoustic orchestration, electronic compositions, notation software sequencing and film scoring software and final project.
Prerequisite(s):
COM 305 Crisis Communication & Conflict Management
3 credits
The course teaches students communication skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration processes and exposes them to a variety of public relations crises across corporate, nonprofit, and governmental settings, creating awareness of how to protect an organization’s reputation and ensure the trust of key stakeholders. Students learn both how to prepare strategic communication crisis plans proactively and how to develop and implement reactive crisis communication techniques.
Prerequisite(s):
COM 213 Public Relations or COM 226 Principles of Advertising
JSC 220 News Writing & Reporting
3 credits
This class covers the basic techniques in news writing and reporting, emphasizing news values, accuracy and concise presentation as well as proper sentence structure and story organization. It explores the structural and conceptual characteristics of journalism across the full spectrum of information platforms. The majority of course work is based on practical, hands-on writing assignments that help students to develop professional research, interviewing and reporting skills and teaches them how write/produce to deadline and story briefs.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 101 Academic English I or concurrently
JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
3 credits
This course introduces students to the basic principles of multimedia reporting and provides hands-on training in interactive media production tools. Students learn how to combine sound, images, text and video into digital story formats and to create basic interactive information designs.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 101 Academic English I
JSC 232 Photojournalism
3 credits
The course explores the history, practice, aesthetics, and ethics of photojournalism and examines the work of influential photojournalists and their impact on politics and society. It covers advanced photography and photo-editing skills for journalists, including various forms of photojournalism storytelling. Students produce several photojournalism projects for multimedia platforms.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 332 Broadcast Journalism
3 credits
This course teaches students how to construct and produce audio and video stories for television and other digital platforms using professional production equipment and editing tools. Emphasis is on editorial decision making for television and video content.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing and Reporting and JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
JSC 432 Multimedia Feature
3 credits
This course teaches students how to combine video, animated graphics and real-time data into innovative new story forms for the web, social media and other digital platforms. Genres covered in this class include audio slideshows, interactive maps, location-sensitive multimedia narrative and other.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing and Reporting , JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics , and ENG 101 Academic English I
JSC 436 Journalism Workshop
3 credits
This class is an intensive production course in multimedia journalism. It involves the production of an online, interactive student publication in a specialized field such as environmental or human rights journalism, data driven reporting, or participatory storytelling, in collaboration with local communities. Students receive hands-on, intensive training in specific techniques of online user-driven story production, including newsroom management, reporting, writing, and editing multimedia content, and producing interactive graphics and maps.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing & Reporting and JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
PFA 318 Writing Music for Visual Media
3 credits
This course covers sound design, sound effects, and music composition for film and visual media. It offers a comprehensive overview defining and encapsulating concepts, issues and applications regarding the use of sound effects and the process of composing music for cinematic arts, theater, dance and new media. Course work includes basic exercises in electroacoustics orchestration, electronic compositions, notation software sequencing and film scoring software and final project.
Prerequisite(s):
PFA 210 Western Music Appreciation or PFA 214 Oriental Music Appreciation
JSC 222 Digital Media Design
3 credits
This course introduces students to the basic principles of design and practice in the field of digital media. Emphasis is put on combining text, graphics, and images into layouts for print, web and other digital publications, in addition to providing students with hands-on experience in each step of the production cycle.
JSC 232 Photojournalism
3 credits
The course explores the history, practice, aesthetics, and ethics of photojournalism and examines the work of influential photojournalists and their impact on politics and society. It covers advanced photography and photo-editing skills for journalists, including various forms of photojournalism storytelling. Students produce several photojournalism projects for multimedia platforms.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 236 Advanced News Writing and Reporting
3 credits
This class covers advanced techniques in news writing and reporting, expanding into feature and narrative journalism and specialized news genres. The majority of course work is based on practical work and assignments that help students to develop professional research, interviewing and reporting skills and teaches them how deliver on deadline.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing and Reporting and ENG 202 Advanced Academic English
JSC 328 Advanced Arabic News Writing and Reporting
3 credits
This course focuses on the art and craft of writing and reporting for multimedia platforms. It is a convergence newsroom where students learn the techniques of news reporting and production, and conducting interviews, through frequent reporting exercises.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 332 Broadcast Journalism
3 credits
This course teaches students how to construct and produce audio and video stories for television and other digital platforms using professional production equipment and editing tools. Emphasis is on editorial decision making for television and video content.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 431 Investigative Journalism
3 credits
This course is an overview of the principles, skills and tools of investigative reporting for audiovisual, print and online media. Students learn the history of investigative reporting and its role in society, culture and politics, study various investigative techniques, become familiar with key online and offline sources and ultimately produce a multi-platform investigative story. They review and critique major investigative pieces.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing & Reporting and JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics and ENG 101 Academic English I
JSC 432 Multimedia Feature
3 credits
This course teaches students how to combine video, animated graphics and real-time data into innovative new story forms for the web, social media and other digital platforms. Genres covered in this class include audio slideshows, interactive maps, location-sensitive multimedia narrative and other.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing & Reporting and JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics and ENG 101 Academic English I
JSC 434 Data Journalism
3 credits
This course focuses on how to find stories in data and shape them in compelling ways. It introduces students to the basic principles of data mining, information design, data retrieval using search engines and analytical software to map emerging issues and measure the impact of topics across multiple domains.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing & Reporting and JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
JSC 436 Journalism Workshop
3 credits
This class is an intensive production course in multimedia journalism. It involves the production of an online, interactive student publication in a specialized field such as environmental or human rights journalism, data driven reporting, or participatory storytelling, in collaboration with local communities. Students receive hands-on, intensive training in specific techniques of online user-driven story production, including newsroom management, reporting, writing, and editing multimedia content, and producing interactive graphics and maps.
Prerequisite(s):
JSC 220 News Writing & Reporting and JSC 226 Multimedia Journalism Basics
JSC 224 Social Media
3 credits
The course focuses on how social media has changed the relationship between media professionals and their audiences. It explores how the new technologies shape journalism, politics, business/marketing, and civic engagement and teaches students how to research and verify user-generated content, conduct audience analysis, and promote their work.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 101 Academic English I
JSC 480 Global Media Literacy
3 credits
This course explores how distinctive global media shape views of politics, culture and society within nations, across regions and internationally. It analyzes information, values and underlying messages conveyed via various forms of media and prepares students for the afternoon course.(JSC 481/JSC781) Note: this course is part of a study abroad program. Students need to apply through the Office of International Services to enroll.
Prerequisite(s):
Co-requisite: Global Change, Cooperation & News (JSC 781)
JSC 481 Global Change, Cooperation & News
3 credits
This course explores global problems of contemporary importance and their news framing. The class will be broken into cooperative teams that will apply analytic frameworks, research tools and concepts derived from the morning course (JSC 480/JSC 780) to examine a global event, issue or problem as it is represented regionally. Note: this course is part of a study abroad program. Students need to apply through the Office of International Services to enroll.
Prerequisite(s):
Co-requisite: Global Media Literacy (JSC 780)
JSC 488 Topics in Media Studies
3 credits
This course presents diverse theoretical, and methodological, perspectives on selected topics in the field of media studies. The course may offer an in-depth analysis of the relevant topics related to one medium, or explore one relevant issue across several media. This class may be repeated if topics differ.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG202 Advanced Academic English (3 cr.) and Junior Standing
COM 213 Public Relations
3 credits
This course details the principles of public relations, PR ethics, corporate social responsibility, public affairs, promotional campaigns, and media relations.
COM 223 Persuasive Communication
3 credits
Students are introduced to the theories and concepts of persuasive communication, attitude change, audience analysis, and strategies of persuasion.
COM 305 Crisis Communication & Conflict Management
3 credits
The course teaches students communication skills in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration processes and exposes them to a variety of public relations crises across corporate, nonprofit, and governmental settings, creating awareness of how to protect an organization’s reputation and ensure the trust of key stakeholders. Students learn both how to prepare strategic communication crisis plans proactively and how to develop and implement reactive crisis communication techniques.
Prerequisite(s):
COM 213 Public Relations or COM 226 Principles of Advertising
COM 312 Media and Gender
3 credits
This course introduces students to the study of gender differences and gender role stereotypes as they affect communication in various contexts, (interpersonal relationships among friends, family, and romantic partners, within organizations, and media/advertising), and the implications and consequences of each.
COM 316 Political Communication
3 credits
The course examines the persuasive strategies used by mainstream politicians, social and NGO activists, and propagandists. It explores electoral campaigns and the interrelationship of politicians, voting public, and mass media.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG 101 Academic English I
COM 488 Topics in Communication
3 credits
This course presents diverse theoretical, and methodological, perspectives on selected topics in the field of communication. The course may offer an in-depth analysis of the relevant topics related to one area of communication, or explore issues across several areas. This class may be repeated if topics differ. The course may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s):
Junior standing
TVF 421 Documentary Film
3 credits
This course focuses on the world of documentary filmmaking by exploring the five stages of development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution. With the use of hands-on exercises, film screenings and lectures, students will learn to examine critically different documentary styles, modes, and techniques and are expected to produce a short documentary film.
Prerequisite(s):
TVF 488 Topics in Television and Film
3 credits
This course covers conceptual, theoretical, and critical aspects of television and film that are not covered by other major or elective courses. The course may be repeated if the topics differ.
Prerequisite(s):
ENG202 Advanced Academic English and Junior Standing.
Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) courses:
LAC (30 credits): see details
Free electives (7 credits)
Three-Year Study Plan
Each semester, you should check your CAPP degree evaluation and meet with your advisor to ensure timely graduation.
