Journalism Courses
JOUR 120: Introduction to Journalism
Introduction to Journalism presents students with the skills and information that are essential for reliable, accurate, and independent news reporting. This course addresses the fundamental skills associated with journalistic writing, and presents students with the essential issues facing journalism today. In addition to writing, this course addresses the laws, ethics, and fundamentals of news literacy, with a keen focus on the critical thinking skills required for news judgment. (Under the old GEC, this course meets the Humanities requirement.)
JOUR 200: Journalism Practicum: The Stentor
This practicum gives students an opportunity to earn Lake Forest College credit by working for the campus newspaper: The Stentor. Students who enroll in this course will work for the Stentor as editors, reporters, or columnists (or other jobs suggested by the Stentor advisor). The course will be graded on a P/F basis only. Students will qualify for credit in this course if they complete 40 hours of work per semester. JOUR 200 counts for .25 credits per semester of enrollment. The course is overseen by the faculty advisor for The Stentor, who will arrange for grade/credit assignments in consultation with the chair of the Communication Department. Only one full credit (four semesters of JOUR 200) may be counted toward Lake Forest College graduation. No prerequisites.
JOUR 320: Advanced Journalism
Though we have recently seen dramatic changes in how news consumers receive their news, what has not changed is the need for solid reporting and writing skills. This course gives students the opportunity to learn the intricacies of specific types of journalistic writing, including news, feature, sport, investigative/in-depth, opinion and review writing. Advanced Journalism also introduces students to techniques relating to journalistic style and editing. Using the fundamentals taught in Introduction to Journalism (Communication 120), students in Advanced Journalism write stories and opinion pieces to be used in the editorial production of student media at Lake Forest College. Prerequisite: JOUR 120 or COMM 120. (Under the old GEC, this course meets the Humanities requirement.)