School of Communication
JOURNALISM
GRADUATE PROGRAM
Advising Handbook
MA in Journalism & Public Affairs
Revised: April 2015
TO: Journalism Graduate Students AY 2015-16
FROM: John C. Watson, J.D., Ph.D., Journalism Division Director
Welcome
Congratulations on earning admission to the journalism master’s Degree
program.
Many of your classes will be held in the newly renovated McKinley Building, the
official home of American University’s School of Communication.
Below is important information about the challenging adventure that lies ahead.
Boot Camp August 3 – August 21, 2015
You begin the program on August 3 with an intensive three-week summer
course, Boot Camp for Journalists, which introduces you to the M.A. program, to
Washington, D.C., and to the essential basic digital skill sets used in 21st century
storytelling. The best advice is to arrive well rested and ready for what is usually
a hot summer in the nation’s capital.
New Journalism Curriculum / Three Specialty Areas
You may select from three journalism specialty areas: Investigative Journalism,
Broadcast Journalism or International Journalism. You combine some of
these specialties, depending on your specific areas of interest. This new
curriculum allows students to explore their personal interests while being part of
a converged experience that stresses multimedia skills on multiple platforms. Our
12-month program gives you a solid foundation in writing, communication theory,
and professional ethics, as well as the use of modern technology of news
delivery. This further emphasizes our professional program, acclaimed faculty,
and use of Washington, D.C., as a learning laboratory.
What can you do with the Investigative Journalism Specialty?
Students who specialize in the investigative journalism specialty will learn the
skills necessary to become top investigative reporters and editors across all
media platforms. These skills include learning to undertake solid accurate
reporting, to write clearly and concisely, and to create and organize long
narrative and investigative stories, whether in print or video. Students also gain a
strong foundation in journalism law and ethics.
The skills learned in the investigative reporting specialty are applicable to anyone
who wants a professional career communicating detailed and verified information
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to the public. Careers can include writing and editing for magazines, newspapers,
trade publications, web sites, and private and non-profit organizations.
Those students in the investigative journalism specialty will learn from PulitzerPrize winning professors, including faculty who work at SOC’s Investigative
Reporting Workshop, founded and directed by former 60 Minutes producer
Charles Lewis. Some students may be selected as graduate fellows with The
Washington Post, the Center for Public Integrity and Bloomberg/BNA.
What can you do with the Broadcast Journalism Specialty?
Students who specialize in broadcast journalism are looking for careers in radio
and television or in converged news operations with writing, audio and video
storytelling needs. Other outlets include production companies, web sites, and
private, non-profit or commercial organizations in need of media communication
skills. Such jobs include writers, newscast and segment producers, editors,
reporters, videographers, anchors, graphics producers, assignment editors, and
news directors. Students hone both on-air and producing news skills for
television, radio, online and mobile.
American University offers two separate fully digital HD production facilities,
comprising the most advanced university-based video production facility in the
nation’s capital. In addition to video and audio editing suites with MacPro
computer systems and Final Cut, Adobe, and Avid editing software, we offer:
 The Media Production Center, a stand-alone studio configurable for film or
television production, and featuring a news set, HD cameras, a Sony
video switcher, and Internet streaming capability; and
 The Media Innovation Lab, a studio that is the heart of the new McKinley
Building. Configured for television and multi-media production, in addition
to full HD capability throughout its cameras and production chain, it offers
its own separate control room, an audio booth, an insert stage, a ninescreen video wall, all surrounded by glass so that production activities
may be seen by passers-by. News production is enhanced by the
Associated Press’ ENPS newswire, and all production may, of course, be
streamed live over the Internet.
What can you do with the International Journalism Specialty?
Students who take this specialty see their journalism in the international sphere.
They want to report from international locations, from U.S. locations about
international topics, or, for internationally based media organizations such as Al
Jazeera, the BBC and others. With a base in Washington, D.C. where almost
every country in the world has an embassy, our program is ideally situated to
help students integrate international aspects into their journalism.
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Students in this specialty take courses that show how the media interact with
foreign policy, how they can conduct investigative reporting on global topics, and
how international viewpoints can be included in their reporting even if they are
based in the United States. International organizations such as the Organization
of American States and the World Health Organization have key bases of
operation in Washington, D.C., as do other international organizations.
Students from our program have also gone on to conduct journalistic projects in
Europe and other international locations.
Unique Partnerships
We have added new classes, additional professional partnerships, and new
faculty members such as Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Sullivan, in a
partnership with The Washington Post and SOC’s Investigative Reporting
Workshop. Graduate students will be chosen to work with the investigative team
at The Washington Post, making SOC the only school in the nation offering
students this level of professional investigative experience and mentoring at a
national newspaper. The IRW partnerships have included national broadcasts on
PBS’ FRONTLINE. Hunting the Nightmare Bacteria, for example looked at
whether the age of antibiotics is coming to an end and another production looking
at climate change.
The heart of our program is storytelling for the digital age in the media capital of
the world. For more than 30 years the School of Communication has offered
public affairs journalism in a rapidly changing communication world.
The M.A. in journalism prepares you for a career as a news and information
professional able to tell a story across multiple platforms – online, radio,
television, or print.
Our students learn cutting-edge skills and can graduate with an impressive
professional portfolio. You will study the impact of media on society, with an
emphasis on accountability, understanding communication law, and exploring the
global media environment. We take great pride in constantly updating our
graduate curriculum with an eye to innovation and the future of the profession.
Digital Tools
If you already own digital devices such as cameras or audio devices be sure to
bring them. If you want to buy equipment, we’ll talk about your options in Boot
Camp. However, SOC has a good supply of state-of-the-art equipment available
for checkout. Flash drives and external hard drives are necessary tools for
today’s digital environment. The majority of our program uses Mac computers. As
an enrolled student, you will have access to the Online Training Library,
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Lynda.com, with video tutorials on digital arts from leading software publishers
including Macromedia, Adobe, Corel, Microsoft, and Apple.
Timely Advice
This intensive program will test your time management skills. You are expected
to make your education your top priority. I strongly urge you not to shoulder
the twin commitments of a full course load (four courses per semester) and an
outside full-time or part-time job. The weight of these two responsibilities can be
overwhelming. All of you must make decisions based on your individual needs
and career aspirations. However, please be aware of this “education-first”
philosophy so that any outside work does not conflict with your course schedule.
Commitments to fellowship or assistantship responsibilities can be fitted around
academic requirements.
Registration
If you have paid your $250 deposit, Graduate Advising Director Jean McGee will
provide you with registration information for the summer and fall.
What Courses Do I Take?
For fall, all students will take four classes; two are required for everyone
(Reporting of Public Affairs and Online News Production). The third course is in
your specialty area. For your fourth course you select from approved electives.
This fall they include:
COMM 588 Race, Ethnic and Community Reporting (Friday 2:35 -5:15 pm)
This course prepares students to report, write and produce multimedia stories
about increasingly diverse populations involving race and ethnicity at the local
level. Students study race in the media, including cultural bias, and approaches
to non-mainstream communities, and then apply those concepts by creating
multimedia profiles of Washington, D.C. area neighborhoods.
OR
COMM-521-002 Opinion Writing (Tues. 5:30-8:00pm) Students will examine
and learn to write fact-based informed opinion in a variety of formats that may
include blogs, vlogs, columns, traditional editorials, social commentary, critical
reviews, letters to the editor, and other forms of informed expression designed to
contribute to and lead public discussion of important issues.
You may also select from another specialty area, on a course available basis. In
the spring you may enroll in courses outside SOC with approval of the Division
Director.
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All students enroll in one fall approved elective course, with the possible
exception of students who also may be enrolled in the Journalism Practicum.
This practicum requires following an application process and approval by the
journalism division director. The Practicum involves students working in groups
on long-form investigative projects with The Washington Post and other
organizations and institutions.
Required Summer Course:
COMM-624 Boot Camp for Journalists
(Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., beginning August 3, 2015)
Boot Camp introduces students to the program, to Washington, D.C., and to
basic digital skill sets. The intense schedule focuses on information gathering,
writing, reporting, and producing for a variety of media platforms. Emphasis is on
fundamentals of critical thinking, news judgment, interviewing, ethics, and
information verification -- all against a backdrop of a changing media industry.
Each student is required to earn a grade of B or better in boot camp or will not be
allowed to continue in the journalism master’s degree program.
Required Fall Courses:
COMM-724 Reporting of Public Affairs
(Wednesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Professional training in news gathering, writing, interviewing, producing and
editing on-deadline news stories -- with a focus on -- and- -in Washington, D.C.,
and an emphasis on coverage of domestic and international issues. Students
develop research and ethical reporting skills for in-depth assignments across
media platforms, learning the mission of journalism in democracy.
COMM-621 Online News Production
(Tuesday, 11:45 a.m. - 2:25 p.m.)
Writing and editing of online news. Students learn basic storytelling, copyediting
skills and AP style, headline writing, good news judgment, story and visual
selection, and producing multimedia stories. Includes discussion of legal and
ethical issues and trends in news coverage and audiences.
REQUIRED FALL SPECIALITY COURSES:
INVESTIGATIVE: COMM-607 International Investigative Journalism
(Monday, 5:30– 8p.m.)
Selected students will work in groups on long-form investigative projects with The
Washington Post and other organizations and institutions that work as partners
with the School. Students will demonstrate high-level research and journalistic
skills while completing in-depth projects.
OR
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BROADCAST: COMM-721 Digital Audio Production
(Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:25 p.m.)
Writing, reporting, interviewing, and digital editing of audio stories. The class
emphasizes radio news production, including commercial and public radio style,
and narrative and non-narrative storytelling. Students work under deadline,
creating radio newscasts and/or podcasts, and build an online portfolio of audio,
Web stories, and audio-photo slideshows.
OR
INTERNATIONAL: COMM-648 Topics in International Media: Media,
Persuasion, and Democracy (Tuesday, 2:35 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Study key theories and case studies of the advantages and obstacles that
modern media and persuasion industries create for democracies and
international relations. Course includes hands-on projects and use of multiple
media.
The specialty courses may also be electives, on a space-available basis.
COMM-607 Global Investigative Journalism (Monday, 5:30 p.m. – 8p.m.)
COMM-721 Digital Audio Production (Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 2:25 p.m.)
COMM-648 Topics in International Media:
Democracy (Tuesday, 2:35 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.)
Media,
Persuasion
and
Who will be my adviser?
You are encouraged to contact Jean McGee, Director of Graduate Advising
(jmcgee@american.edu, 202-885-2078) in McKinley 104G for general advising
and administrative matters. An advising sheet is attached. A guide to course
registration, with instructions on the registration process, will be sent to you.
Degree Requirements
The graduate program requires completion of 33 credit hours (11 classes) and is
designed to be completed on a full-time basis. Students generally enroll in 12
credit hours during each fall and spring semester and take two classes during the
second summer – a capstone class and either an internship for credit or another
academic course. We strongly recommend that you choose to do an internship in
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the spring or summer as such an experience will be your best audition for a job at
the end of the program.
It is the policy of the School of Communication to allow one 3-credit
internship for academic credit.
You will need an overall ‘B’ average (3.0) to graduate. Courses with grades
below “C” (2.0) do not receive credit at the graduate level, but are used in
calculating the cumulative grade point average. If your average slips below 3.0,
you will be placed on academic probation or dismissed.
You are required to earn a grade of ‘B’ or better (3.0) in two classes:
COMM-601 Communication Law and one of two capstone courses, COMM-720
Capstone Seminar in Journalism; or COMM-725 In-Depth Broadcast Production
Capstone.
Final Thoughts
I encourage you to get to know the faculty – experienced journalists, mentors,
and career advisers. We are among your best resource for discovering internship
and employment opportunities.
As the director of the program, I want this year be an enriching experience for
you. I have an open-door policy and want to hear directly from you about how
things are going during the year. It’s natural to have some trepidation as you
embark on this new adventure.
Remember to see Washington, D.C., as part of your classroom for this course of
study. Don’t limit yourself to campus. Explore. As journalists, you should use the
resources of this great city. There is a community of experts in this city. Tap into
it. Include them in your projects. Aim your projects toward finding subjects who
will enhance your portfolio. Remember that we are here to help you. And our first
piece of advice is: Know no bounds.
Good luck.
The M.A. graduate course descriptions are attached below.
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M.A. in Journalism & Public Affairs (Degree Requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2015– 2016) *
Subject to change as warranted *The 33 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required SOC Courses (15 Credit Hours – 5 courses with Capstone)
COMM-624: Boot Camp for Journalists
Boot Camp introduces students to the MA in Journalism program, to Washington,
D.C., and to basic digital skill sets. The intense schedule focuses on information
gathering, writing, reporting and producing for a variety of media platforms. Emphasis
is on fundamentals of critical thinking news judgment, interviewing, ethics and
verification -- all against a backdrop of a changing media industry. Prerequisite:
admission to graduate journalism program or permission of the division director.
COMM-724: Reporting of Public Affairs
Professional training in news gathering, writing, interviewing, producing and editing
on-deadline news stories -- with a focus on--and--in Washington, D.C., and emphasis
on coverage of domestic and international issues. Students develop research and
ethical reporting skills for in-depth assignments across media platforms, learning the
mission of journalism in democracy. Prerequisite: admission to graduate journalism
program or permission of the division director.
COMM-621: Online News Production
Writing and editing of online news. Students learn basic storytelling, copyediting skills
and AP style, headline writing, good news judgment, story and visual selection,
producing multimedia stories, includes discussion of legal and ethical issues and trends
in news coverage and audiences. Prerequisite: admission to graduate journalism
program or permission of the division director.
COMM-601: Communication Law (Required for all tracks, must earn “B” (3.0)
Practical introduction to the U.S. legal system and to laws, regulations, and current
cases involving media. Includes a broad understanding of libel, copyright, advertising
regulation and First Amendment protections across traditional and emerging media
platforms. Introduction to legal writing and research, reasoning and analytic skills.
Prerequisite: admission to graduate journalism program or permission of the division
director.
Required Capstone (3 Credit Hours – 1 of the following)
COMM-720: Capstone Seminar in Journalism
Examines ethical and economic issues affected the press, looking at understanding the
changes sweeping the media landscape. A critical examination of important issues in
contemporary journalism with an emphasis on confronting and challenging
assumptions about the news media and their influence. Can include communication
history, research and methodology. Prerequisite: admission to graduate journalism
program or permission of the division director.
COMM-725: In-Depth Broadcast Production Capstone
Students will create an in-depth video project as part of this course that demonstrates
an understanding of reporting and producing that highlights research, multimedia
story-telling skills, and adept use of long-form journalism techniques. Students will
demonstrate advanced writing, videography, and editing skills in this course.
Prerequisite: COMM-632 and COMM-722 or permission of the division director.
Semester
Summer 2015
Meets
Aug 3 – 21,
2015
Mon-Fri 9-5
Fall 2015
Fall 2015
Wednesday
9-5
Tuesday
11:45-2:25
Spring 2016
Semester
Meets
Summer 2016
Summer 2016
Specialties – Choose either Investigative, International, or
Broadcast
Investigative Journalism Specialty (9 Credit Hours) Choose 3
COMM-500: Investigative Journalism Practicum * Requires Application*
This course will involve students working in groups on long-form investigative
projects with The Washington Post and other organizations and institutions, which work
as partners with the school. Students will demonstrate high-level research and
journalistic skills while completing in-depth projects. Prerequisite: admission to the
journalism program and permission of the division director.
COMM-607: International Investigative Journalism
This course dives into the history and trends in international investigative reporting,
where journalists are uncovering government and corporate corruption, human rights
abuses, environmental degradation, and threats to health and safety. Students learn
investigative techniques and complete a semester-long project. Prerequisite: admission
to graduate journalism program or permission of the division director.
9
Semester
Fall 2015 or
Spring 2016
Fall 2015
Meets
Mon or
Thurs 9-5
Monday
5:30-8:30pm
COMM-501: Data Driven Journalism
This course reviews the history and trends in computer-assisted reporting. The course
provides students with basic skills in using spreadsheets, databases, programming, and
data visualization in a journalistic context. Prerequisite: admission to the journalism
program and permission of the division director.
COMM-502: In-Depth Journalism
Introduces students to the history, purposes, power, and responsibilities of
investigative journalism. Also introduces students to the specialized reporting and
interviewing techniques of investigative reporting and requires students to develop
these skills while participating in a group investigative journalism project. Prerequisite:
admission to graduate journalism program or permission of the division director.
International Journalism Specialty (9 Credit hours) Choose 3
COMM-648: Topics in International Media: Media, Persuasion, Democracy
The course studies key theories and case studies of the advantages and obstacles that
modern media and persuasion industries create for democracies and international
relations. Course includes hands-on projects and use of multiple media.
COMM-607: International Investigative Journalism
This course dives into the history and trends in international investigative reporting,
where journalists are uncovering government and corporate corruption, human rights
abuses, environmental degradation, and threats to health and safety. Students learn
investigative techniques and complete a semester-long project. Prerequisite: admission
to the journalism program or permission of the division director.
COMM-548: Global Journalism
The critical issues facing journalists and the news media on a global scale. Examines
diversity of international news media and focuses on trends such as the power and
influence of global media moguls, the threats of violence and detention that confront
journalists around the world, and the role of the news media in the process of political
change.
COMM-546: Foreign Policy and the Press
The role of the American news media in the coverage of foreign policy issues.
Philosophical issues include whether freedom of the press is adequately exercised in
the foreign policy field and whether the national media sometimes serve as
propagandists for the United States government. Students should be prepared to
engage in adversarial debates over key issues.
Broadcast Journalism Specialty (9 Credit Hours) 3 courses
COMM-721: Digital Audio Production
Writing, reporting, interviewing, and digital editing of audio stories. The class
emphasizes radio news production, including commercial and public radio style, and
narrative and non-narrative storytelling. Students work under deadline, creating radio
newscasts and/or podcasts, and build an online portfolio of audio, web stories, and
audio-photo slideshows. Prerequisite: admission to the journalism program or
permission of the division director.
COMM-632: Backpack Video Journalism
Instruction in production of video news packages. Techniques of shooting and editing
in Final Cut Pro. Learning to write-to-video, vocal delivery, merging of script,
videotape, and graphics into the final product.
Prerequisite: admission to the journalism program or permission of the division
director.
COMM-722 Advanced Television and Video Production
Producing, writing, reporting, and non-linear editing of television newscasts and other
television news magazine formats. Field reporting and line producing daily newscasts
under deadline. Live production for television and post-production for Digital
platforms. News topics include local, national, and international news also including
health, sports, entertainment and weather. Prerequisite: admission to the journalism
program or permission of the division director.
Possible Electives (9 Credit hours – Choose 3 of the following)
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Spring 2016
Spring 2016
Semester
Fall 2015
Fall 2015
Meets
Tuesday
2:35-5:15pm
Monday
5:30-8:30pm
Spring 2016
Spring 2016
Semester
Meets
Friday
Fall 2015
8:30am2:25pm
Spring 2016
Spring 2016
Semester
Meets
COMM 503 Broadcast and Multi-Media Journalism Mgt
COMM-504: Journalism Ethics
Spring 2016
Fall 2015
COMM-509: Politics and the Media
Fall 2015
Wednesday
2:35– 5:15pm
Thursday
8:10-10:40pm
COMM-514: Censorship and Media
COMM-521: Opinion Writing
Fall 2015
COMM-522: Writing for Convergent Media
COMM-535: Fundamentals of News Design
Spring 2016
COMM-535: Health & Environmental Reporting
COMM-544: Foreign Correspondence
COMM-545: Business & Economic Journalism
COMM-588: Race, Ethnic & Community Reporting
Spring 2016
COMM-633: Broadcast Delivery
COMM-637: Multimedia Storytelling
COMM-691: Graduate Internship (One 3 credit internship is allowed in the MA
program)
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Spring 2016 or
Summer 2016
Tuesday
5:30-8:30pm
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