The course includes writing of feature stories and more in-depth news stories, such as investigative reporting and editorial writing. Students are given more time to write and more feedback from the instructor in developing stories. Students learn that editing is part science, part art and part diplomacy. Art means making the writing tight and effective through word choice and economy. Diplomacy means knowing when to change copy and when to leave well enough alone.
Students learn how editors play the roles of gatekeeper and quality-control agent.
Those not interested in editing as a career will learn valuable skills to improve their writing. The emphasis will not be just on making things look good, but on communicating through visual means. The course will give the student a grounding in visual communication through theory, sharpen the critical eye in viewing visual phenomena and provide skills in producing visuals. A history and explanation of the relationship between mass communication and our popular culture, including technological, economic and legal. Magazines, newspapers, movies, radio, television and music are examined along with types of media control, advertising, public relations and changing technologies.