School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Tom Reichert, Ph.D., Dean
Andrea Hickerson, Ph.D., Associate Dean and Director, School of Journalism and Mass Communications
Jeffrey Williams, M.F.A., Advertising Sequence Head
Michelle LaRoche, M.A., Journalism Sequence Head
Kenneth Campbell, Ph.D., Mass Communications Sequence Head
Kelly Davis, M.M.C., APR, Public Relations Sequence Head
Tara Mortensen, Ph.D., Visual Communications Sequence Head
Mary Anne Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., Director of Graduate Studies
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications bridges practice and research, preparing the next generation of mass communication practitioners and scholars to communicate clearly, concisely, creatively and with integrity - ultimately advancing the communications professions in a democratic society.
As a professional school grounded strongly in the liberal arts, the School of Journalism and Mass Communications emphasizes the value of a broad educational foundation as well as proficiency in mass communication skills. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications and offers instructional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Both the undergraduate and graduate programs provide a myriad of experiences for students, no matter which area of journalism and mass communication education interests them. The school’s curricula, at the undergraduate and graduate levels, are carefully tailored to prepare students for an increasingly multinational and multicultural multimedia work environment.
Progression Requirements
Each student within the school is expected to make orderly progress toward a baccalaureate degree. To facilitate this, the school’s undergraduate program is divided into upper and lower divisions.
- Lower-division students are those who have earned fewer than 60 semester hours toward the degree or who do not meet admission requirements to the upper division. Lower-division students may not enroll in upper-division journalism courses, which include all 500-level courses.
- Admission to the upper division is based upon a minimum 2.50 cumulative USC GPA; completion of JOUR 101 and JOUR 291 with grades of C or higher; completion of 60 or more semester hours toward the degree; completion of foreign language requirement; selection of a particular program of study within the college; and selection and approval of a minor.
- Entrance into 300+ level upper-division skills courses in broadcast journalism and journalism is competitive and is not guaranteed. Students can declare a major at any time. However, they must formally apply for admission into broadcast journalism and journalism upper-division skills courses. Typically, students are encouraged to apply the semester they are enrolled in JOUR 291. Applications are due October 1 (for spring admission) and March 1 (for fall admission).
Applications will NOT be accepted after established deadlines. Admission is based on strength of the student’s letter of interest and USC GPA. Students may also be asked to interview with a selection committee (members of which are selected by the journalism sequence chair). Students who do not meet established requirements may reapply the following semester. Students accepted into 300+ level upper-division skills courses in broadcast journalism and journalism are assigned a specific semester in which they will begin this course work. Students are expected to proceed through these courses in consecutive semesters, beginning with JOUR 361. - All students must maintain a minimum 2.50 GPA in USC courses in order to maintain good standing in the school. Grades will be reviewed at the end of each semester. Students who have less than a 2.50 GPA in USC work are not in good standing and will be placed on probation within the school. Students will be permitted to remain in the school while on probation for only one semester, after which the student will be administratively removed from the school if their cumulative USC GPA is less than a 2.50. With the exception of upper-division courses, students may continue to take course work toward their degree if seats are available.
- All majors within the school will be expected to pass all journalism and mass communications courses used toward the degree with a minimum grade of C.
- No journalism and mass communications course may be repeated more than once by any student unless formally approved by the school petition committee.
Second Degree
Students from other USC colleges who expect to obtain a second baccalaureate degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications must must meet regular admission and progression requirements of the school, must be assigned a journalism advisor, and must formally apply to and be accepted by the school not later than the next-to-the-last semester in which the student expects to receive the journalism degree.
Classes
In all journalism and mass communications classes, enrollment priority will be given to journalism and mass communications majors who are in good academic standing in the school.
Suspension
All students within the school are subject to the University suspension rules as stated in the bulletin. Students whose UofSC GPA is less than 2.50 at the time of their suspension, may petition to be readmitted on a probationary status with conditions of probation determined by the director of the school.
Graduation
All students admitted to the School of Journalism and Mass Communications as of August 19, 2004, and thereafter, must have a minimum 2.50 GPA on all UofSC and cumulative work attempted, in addition to meeting all academic degree requirements, in order to obtain a degree from the college.
Programs and Courses
The School of Journalism and Mass Communications offers six programs of study.
All programs of study are accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education for Journalism and Mass Communications. The degree offered by the school is the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications.
Courses
Principles, history, philosophies, theories of the mass media and allied professions and their societal role and impact.
Methods used by business, government, consumer groups, minorities, environmentalists, and others to influence public attitudes toward their activities.
An introduction to the advertising and strategic communications industries. Discussion of the structure and history of the business, social impacts and regulation, research, planning, creative, media planning, sales promotion, event promotion and the integrated nature of all promotional communication.
Theory and history of visual communication in the mass media emphasizing informational and persuasive messages created by graphic, photographic, and multimedia processes.
Principles and foundations of journalism to reflect both how journalism serves communities and how its techniques are developed to effectively communicate to audiences.
Development of the mass media in the United States from colonial times to the present. The effects of American social, cultural, political, and economic theory on the media.
Readings, critical review, discussion and analysis addressing significant issues in mass communications. Topics may change from term to term. May be repeated for credit with different course topics.
Topics addressing issues in the world of the sports media. Topics may change from term to term. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
This course is designed to introduce students to all aspects of live television production of various venue sporting events. Through readings, lectures and hands-on experience, students will learn how major broadcast networks produce live sports events.
Study and analysis of current and emerging issues in journalism philosophy and practice and how audiences perceive it. Emphases may change as practices evolve and issues emerge.
Examination of First Amendment free speech and press guarantees and limitations, including commercial speech regulation, libel, privacy, copyright, trademark and open records and meetings, and related ethical principles for mass communications professionals.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
Examination of the origins and history of First Amendment and related law and ethics, with an emphasis on how they apply to the Internet and social media.
Survey of predominate theories in mass communications including mass media uses, functions, and effects.
An introduction to media uses and effects research, considering cognitive, affective, and social development as a framework for analyzing media effects on youth.
The study of the relationship among persons of color, women, and the mass media in the United States.
Cross-listed course: WGST 311
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Diversity and Social Advocacy, GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
Topics in advertising and strategic communications. Individual topics and
Advertising and brand communications industry experts share insights about industry trends, innovative campaigns and careers.
Fundamentals of mass communications research methods and applications. Survey, observational and experimental research; primary research data-gathering techniques; secondary research sources; data analysis; message, market, competitive and audience research measures.
Theory and practice of developing public relations strategies and messaging for nonprofit organizations with a focus on audience research, donor relations, membership recruitment and fund raising.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Community Service
Special topics course addressing current issues, problems, and/or trends in public relations. Topics may change from term to term. May be repeated for credit with different course topics.
Effective social media use in the world of the sports media. Topics relating to advertising, journalism, public relations, visual communications, and mass communications will be discussed. Provides contextual background on various social media and uses exercises to develop best practices.
How the sports media culture helps create and maintain, as well as challenge, inequalities based on gender and sexual identity. Students will learn how gender and sexuality are constructed through sports media and how they intersect with race, class, able-bodiedness and nationality.
The personal computer and software related to the design and production of graphic and photographic images for print and onscreen media.
Introductory photography that includes digital SLR camera use, multiple lenses, lighting, editing and distribution for web and display. Emphasis is on storytelling images for publication in editorial and persuasive media.
This course introduces the fundamental principles of creative behavior. Theoretical and practical methods of problem-solving as well as discovery, evaluation, and implementation of new ideas.
Basics of news reporting: Story generation, critical thinking, story development, writing, shooting and editing broadcast stories, writing Web stories, using visual components of still pictures, graphics and video.
Skills and techniques required in preparing stories for publication. Laboratory work includes editing various kinds of copy and writing headlines.
This course provides an introduction on how to use online social platforms and mobile tools following journalistic editorial guidelines. Students will get an overview of the digital-first mindset that informs and enriches their professional preparation.
Students will gain a fundamental understanding of business and how write about it. Students will learn how various aspects of business, finance and the economy relate to individuals, communities, companies, governments and world events and how to communicate that impact.
These classes focus on specific areas of business communications to either deepen students’ understanding of the subject or improve their ability with a particular skill (reporting, writing, editing, videography, social media, etc.). These topics may change from term to term.
History of sports media and an analysis of current relationships between the sports industry, athletes, media, social media and the audience.
This course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of audio storytelling, from conception and field gathering skills to writing for the ear and basic non-linear audio production. You will learn to distinguish the ways audio stories differ from those in print, and produce different types of media projects.
This class is introduces you to what is rapidly becoming the "fifth screen" digital signage, its place in modern communications, some of the issues surrounding it and how to create and evaluate content for it. Students will evaluate the SJMC digital sign system and may create content for it.
Topics addressing the intersection of race, gender, sexual orientation, or other forms of diversity or marginality and mass media. Topics may change from term to term. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Topics in journalism and mass communications. Individual topics and Some topics may have prerequisites; check with student services or the syllabus for the section you are interested in.
Understanding digital media concepts including AI, blockchain, net neutrality, big data, privacy, and network analysis.
Topics addressing contemporary issues in advertising and brand communications. Topics may change from term to term. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Research and development of a media plan using integrated communications approach and simulation models.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research
An exploration of how Super Bowl commercials reflect and influence our society. Topics include the way different groups are portrayed, the strategy behind the commercials, and how creative tactics have evolved.
Planning and writing skills to effectively execute media relations, including how to research reporters and outlets, build a media relations plan, create messaging platforms, identify and prepare spokespeople, manage crisis communications and employ social media.
Leadership and communication inside an organization as a component of public relations management; strategy, change management, ethics, employees from executive to labor, and organizational theory applied to engage internal stakeholders.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
This course is designed to introduce students to various aspects of live sports broadcasting. Students will learn skills and techniques that will prepare them to perform live on-air duties including game play-by-play and color analyst.
Developing professional, portfolio-quality photographic images for use in the mass media.
Team-based multimedia storytelling with an emphasis on studio and location lighting to produce professional-level photography projects and short videos for use in a variety of applications, including editorial assignments and persuasive communications.
Introduction to the skills and processes involved in the design and display of online content such as interactive graphics, animation, and video. Considerations for designing and delivering content on a variety of platforms from personal computers to mobile devices.
Still photography lighting techniques for mass media applications. Emphasis on studio and on-location lighting of portraits, fashion, illustrations, food and product photography.
The theory and practice of entrepreneurship as they apply to creative professionals interested in starting their own freelance business.
Immersive course in long-form photojournalism storytelling. Students will spend the semester documenting a topic, with emphasis on gathering images with high technical level and compelling content. Class will edit content and create a presentation for the public compelling content.
Introduction to issues surrounding the history, theory, skills and techniques of developing and niche visual communications technologies, topics, skills and concepts. Topics may change from term to term. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
This course introduces students to the core principles, values, and best practices that guide the work of professional sports journalists. Students will develop skills that are necessary to function as sports journalists in today’s media environment.
Students produce in-depth journalism projects using a range of storytelling tools and technologies, such as: websites, interactive graphics/maps, HD- and 360-video, drones, AR/VR technology, and podcasting. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research
This course provides an introduction to and overview of issues and practices in media management. You will steep yourself in and become conversant about economic, industrial and societal forces that influence modern media content curation, production and distribution.
This course is designed to build on your basic knowledge of various aspects of business and give you the tools and skills you need to synthesize sometimes complex information and communicate it clearly and accurately to an audience.
This course is designed to build on your basic knowledge of various aspects of the economy and give you the tools and skills you need to synthesize sometimes complex information and communicate it clearly and accurately to an audience.
Topics in journalism and mass communications. Individual topics will vary by title.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Research
Historical development of freedom, responsibility, and ethics in the mass media, including communication theories, pressures, ownership.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Diversity and Social Advocacy, GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
A comparative study of world mass communications media, with particular attention to press systems, the sources and flow of international news, and the problems and implications of world communications.
Development of critical thinking skills for analyzing mass media.
Explores the role of journalism in shaping perceptions of scientific issues and task. Emphasis on methods of effectively communicating about science, health, and the environment.
Faith and values influence the media. An examination of the influence, why it happens, and of religious diversity and the increased public presence of religions, including Hinduism and Islam.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Diversity and Social Advocacy
Development of writing styles for print and broadcast advertising.
The dynamics of leadership and management in the creative industries.
Theories of leadership as applied to creative industries. Students will engage and interact with community-based organizations to assess needs, plan communications strategies, lead student teams in developing those ideas, and present to clients. Junior standing or permission of instructor.
Publication writing and design as well as internal or constituent communications, specifically focused on an internal audience. Production of InterCom, the College of Mass Communications and Information Studies’ alumni magazine.
Introduction to crisis communications and management from a strategic, theory-based approach using research from historical and current case studies.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
Participation in a functioning communications agency working for actual clients in a student-directed environment. Opportunity to both lead and be a part of a team servicing the communication needs of various clients.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Community Service, GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
Review of the analytical process of resolving complex ethical issues and cases in public relations; study of the philosophical approaches to communication ethics.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Professional and Civic Engagement Leadership Experiences
Theory and practice of persuasive communication and the role of persuasion in shaping public opinion.
Writing techniques used in the preparation and marketing of major nonfiction articles for national, regional, and local publications.
To gain an understanding of theory and practice of public/civic journalism, seen by its advocates as socially responsible journalism that attempts to build civic participation and empower communities.
Graduation with Leadership Distinction: GLD: Community Service
Content and style; writing of editorials, analyses, and commentaries.
Acquiring, analyzing and presenting data using spreadsheets and other tools to uncover stories and provide depth and context to journalism.
Production of public affairs programs.
Concentrated analyses of reporting in special fields, particularly in the South, including coverage of government, business, labor, the arts and sciences.
Theory and practice of professional broadcast announcing. Lecture-demonstration-laboratory course in principles underlying professional performance before microphones and cameras and the various broadcast performance functions.
Professional practice in meeting daily newscast deadlines through work on the Carolina News television newscast. Focus on polished reporting, performance and production techniques and demonstration of advanced television reporting skills under deadline pressure.
Exposure to the evolving variety of journalism techniques, software programs and equipment to effectively tell compelling stories and convey information in multiple visual and interactive forms. Emphasis on extending professional skills while reinforcing current best practices.
Domestic study away course will focus on topics in journalism and mass communications and will be taught away from the University of South Carolina Columbia campus. Individual topics will vary by title.
Study abroad course will focus on topics in journalism and mass communications and will be taught as a study abroad experience. Individual topics will vary by title.
Supervised professional experience. Maximum of three hours credit. Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department head is required.
Experiential Learning: Experiential Learning Opportunity
Individual mass media projects. Contract approved by instructor, advisor, and department head is required for undergraduate students.
Advanced topics in journalism and mass communications. Individual topics and