All Journalism, Broadcasting and Public Relations Courses

Undergraduate Courses

JRB 200 Introduction to Audio and Video (B)

Introduces students to the fundamental terminology, concepts and techniques of digital videography and digital audio. Introduces students to various technical aspects of video and audio production. Examines the basic techniques of production, including camera operation, tripods, lenses, framing and composition, lighting and editing. Presents the basics of the audio production process, including sound recording, basic mixing concepts and digital audio recording. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 219 Advertising and Consumer Culture (A,H,Y)

Explores the role and influence of advertising and mass persuasion in today's society, theories of persuasion and persuasive techniques commonly employed in advertising and mass persuasion, techniques of persuasive manipulation and its neutralization, and ethics in persuasion. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 222 Media, Self and the World (A)

Examines the many ways media systems and messages shape our understanding of ourselves and our world. How various media (e.g., TV, internet, film) interact and deliver content (e.g., entertainment, news, and advertising) that influence the "real world" will be studied. Special attention will be given to media literacy as it relates to such topics as violence, sexuality, tolerance, and privacy. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 224 Newswriting (A)

Provides instruction in the elements of writing news for print, broadcast and online; types, style and structure of news stories; and the lead. Covers fundamentals of news gathering, newswriting and news judgment. Studies news sources, field work, research and interviewing techniques. Strongly encourages participation in student campus-community news media. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 225 Public Relations Principles and Practices (A)

Covers the principles, practices, media and methods of public relations and information. Emphasizes public relations functions, communication and publicity techniques. Analyzes relations with publics such as the press, employees, stockholders, and consumers. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 227 Mobile Journalism (A)

$50 Course fee required: Prerequisite: CMC 224 or JRB 224. Students learn the principles of news writing and reporting with hands-on use of mobile technology. Melds reporting and writing skills and adapts them to mobile and social media. Students work in a newsroom environment to develop story ideas and report on news and issues using tablets and social media, applying audio and video editing techniques. Students produce professional social media portfolios and build online communities. (course Fees). 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 242 Introduction to Media (A,Y)

Provides an introduction to media. Studies basic principles and historical, economic, technological and ethical aspects of media. Requires readings in fundamental theory and current practices. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 243 Media Writing (A)

A beginning course in writing for media, concentrated on radio, TV and Internet news, commercials and public service announcements. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 304 Teaching Assistant I (B)

Teaching assistants help faculty members with a designated course. Responsibilities will be determined by the faculty member but may include assisting in grading, being available outside of class to assist students, directing of student productions and/or lab supervision. Students should have passed the class for which they will be the teaching assistant prior to taking JRB 304. Offered as a directed study. By permission of instructor. 3 Cr. By Arrangement.

JRB 321 Advanced Reporting and Writing (A)

An advanced journalism course covering and providing extended practice in essential skills of reporting and writing for print, broadcast and online news media. Emphasizes use of online sources and databases in gathering and reporting information. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 322 Editorial Methods and Practices (B)

Studies editorial processes and practices in print and online publishing with emphasis on assignment editing, copy editing and editorial judgment. Requires preparation editing material for print and online publication; copy correction and improvement; evaluation of news and news values; news and copy display and make-up. Strongly encourages participation on student campus/community newspaper. 3 Cr. Even Fall.

JRB 324 Web Writing (A)

Students pitch, research, write, and produce stories for the online media outlet CanalsideChronicles.com, which covers the communities of Brockport, Clarkson and Sweden. Revisions allow students to learn from instructor's detailed feedback. Provides instruction on best ways to promote stories on social media. Assumes basic proficiency in writing for at least one medium. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 325 Feature Writing (A)

Continues and extends instruction and practice in writing for all media forms and in a variety of formats. Provides guided practice in writing features, public affairs, opinion and other media content types and practice in gathering, interpreting and synthesizing information from a wide variety of sources, including print and electronic databases. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 326 Equipment Management (B)

Allows students to develop an understanding of the equipment management process through a practicum experience. Counts as an elective in the Media Production concentration Taking it three times will equal any of the courses under "Choose at least TWO courses from the specified list." Repeatable to maximum of 3 credits. 1 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 327 Web Publication and Design (A)

Introduces the basic elements of both print and Web publication design and production: headlines, text, photos and illustrations, type manipulation and use, charts and graphs, Web site links, hypertext, sound, video and other emerging publication technologies. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 328 Public Relations Writing (A)

Instruction and practice in all aspects of public relations, publicity and institutional advertising writing for print and broadcast media. Covers writing news releases, backgrounders, brochures and flyers, speeches, radio and television materials and reports. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 334 Public Relations Methods and Cases (A,Y)

Provides an introduction to, demonstration of, and application of public relations techniques, tools and procedures to both hypothetical and actual public relations cases. Emphasizes action and communication techniques and practices used in public relations planning, production of informational and persuasive messages, and evaluation of action and communication activities. 3 Cr. Fall.

JRB 343 Media Performance (B,Y)

Explores styles of speech, analysis and interpretation of copy, voice development, on-camera behavior and techniques in both radio and television and more broadly in various types of performance. The general objective is to make the student a more effective communicator. 3 Cr.

JRB 346 Audio Production (B)

$25 Course fee required: Prerequisite: JRB 200, Corequisites: JRB 224 or JRB 243. Covers the principles and practices of audio production while providing practical experience. Includes assigned projects on production of commercials/PSAs/Promos, news and public affairs programming. Students are taught skills such as digital recording/editing and remote recording along with discussion of audience measurement and program strategies. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 348 Video Production (B)

$95 Course fee required: Prerequisite: JRB 200. This class is designed as a foundation Field Production class learning to create short videos for news and documentaries. It will focus on practical side of gathering images with the camera, editing those images into a sequence, and placing those edited images into a final product. Students will also learn the foundation of television graphics. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 349 Broadcast Management and Regulation (B)

Introduces electronic media management decision-making in operations, content, promotion, ratings, finance and governmental regulations. Explores how policies are formulated and implemented in broadcast, cable and emerging mass media. The impact of personnel, policies, and procedures on programming content, awareness of ratings systems and implications of management decision-making for broadcasters’ audiences and communities. 3 Cr. Odd Fall.

JRB 353 Media Sales and Marketing (B)

Explores techniques and problems of media sales and marketing. Projects are designed as real-world proposal writing and presenting using the latest methods for various media. Includes discussion of product marketing, planning, audience analysis and programming. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 356 Audio Storytelling (A)

Students will develop knowledge of the history of the radio documentary, and various public radio documentary styles, while producing their own documentaries over the course of the semester. In the process students will develop advanced production, interviewing, narration, reporting, writing, and editing skills. In addition, regular story conferences will help students sharpen their "story sense" as the documentary projects move from planning to the streets of Rochester, and, later, the production studio. All along the emphasis will be on in-depth storytelling, as students will be trained to produce the thoughtful, sound-rich, in-depth radio associated with the best tradition of public radio. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 358 Advanced Shooting and Editing (B)

$120 Course fee required: Prerequisite: JRB 200. Focuses on advanced editing techniques in non-linear editing systems. Includes advanced field shooting to provide source material for editing. Students may learn synchronous sound and video, multi-camera music video shooting and editing, color correcting, time re-mapping, audio filters. 3 Cr. Odd Fall.

JRB 361 Sports Journalism (A)

Examines the style and approach to covering sports and writing stories such as previews, features, profiles and gamers. Provides students with interviewing and note-taking techniques necessary in covering sports. Also covers sports terminology, podcast recording and actual game coverage/interviewing at live sports events on and off campus with deadline writing. 3 Cr. Even Fall.

JRB 366 Television Reporting (B,Y)

$75 Course fee required: Prerequisite: JRB 224. Designed to teach students the fundamentals of television news reporting. Students will learn how to find, write, shoot, and edit news packages for broadcast on television and the internet. Students will learn how to weave words, pictures and sound together in a factual, compelling, and interesting manner. 3 Cr. Fall.

JRB 372 Film as Social Commentary (A)

Explores the film as persuasive communication, explicit and hidden messages of films, the inherent messages of specific film genres, and rhetorical analysis as a means to discover film messages. 3 Cr. Fall.

JRB 380 Digital History: Digital Methods for Historical Projects (A)

Students learn how to use new digital technology to study and share knowledge about the past. No prior digital skills required for this course, just an eagerness to experiment and learn. Through a hands-on collective project focused on SUNY Brockport's own history, we investigate the ethical use of digital tools, database development, content management, digital publishing, multimedia storytelling, project management, digital sustainability, digital mapping, timelines, annotation, and basic audio and video production. In the fall of 2021, our project will focus on creating a prototype of a mobile application walking tour of art and history on the SUNY Brockport campus. Students will conduct research, complete oral history interviews, create and assemble digital assets, write text, and work individually and collectively on the research and development of our project. Requires a minimum grade of C for general education/major/minor/certification. Cross-listed with HST380. 3 Cr.

JRB 399 Independent Study - Journalism & Broadcasting (A)

To be decided prior to registration in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and in accordance with the procedures of the Office of Academic Advisement. 1-6 Cr. By Arrangement.

JRB 404 Teaching Assistant II (B)

Teaching assistants help faculty members with a designated course. Responsibilities will be determined by the faculty member but may include assisting in grading, being available outside of class to assist students, directing of student productions and/or lab supervision. Students should have passed the class for which they will be the teaching assistant prior to taking JRB 404. Offered as a directed study. 3 Cr. By Arrangement.

JRB 432 Public Relations Campaigns (A)

Focuses on the treatment of an organization's public relations and information, including situation analysis and research, program and campaign planning, development of communications materials and activities, and program management. Provides experience in planning and executing public relations campaigns and programs. 3 Cr.

JRB 445 Advanced Audio Production (A)

$25 Course fee required: Prerequisite: JRB 346. Covers advanced principles and practices of audio productions while providing practical experience. Includes assigned projects, studio work and digital production. May also include audio for video and the Internet. 3 Cr. Odd Spring.

JRB 446 Advanced Video Production (B)

$95 Course fee required: Prerequisite: JRB 348. Course fee. Requires students to write, produce and direct advanced programs for television. Allows students to work individually and in small production units. Focuses on the development and execution of professional video production. Allows students to gain practical skills and finish the course with work that could be used in their video resume tape or portfolio. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 448 Live TV Prod (A)

$25 Course fee required: Prerequisite: JRB/CMC 200 and JRB/CMC 243. Covers the practical and theoretical applications of television production. Students learn to identify and describe major production tools and processes and to employ the tools in the production of messages for television. Course is taught using the apprenticeship technique. Apprentice – someone who works under a skilled professional in order to learn an art, craft or trade and become qualified in it. 3 Cr. Fall.

JRB 452 Writers Forum Production (B)

Provides students with opportunity to produce, shoot, edit, caption, and archive conversations with nationally-known authors. In addition to the course instructor, students will work with the English Department's Writers Forum, a project that began in 1967 in which nationally-recognized authors discuss their work with an English professor and the video is archived and made available to the public. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 455 Motion Graphics 1 (A)

Covers the structure of motion graphics to illustrate the how and why of effects in video. Course works with industry standard tools. Emphasis is on the process of creating effective, efficient and dynamic communication through motion graphics/animations for broadcast, filmmaking and the web. We explore each stage of the development and production process with emphasis on individual working style and problem solving. 3 Cr. Even Fall.

JRB 456 Social Media (A)

Focuses on thinking critically about the role of social media platforms in our society and in our relationships. After this class, students should be able to use social media as a lens with which to view the ongoing changes to our public and private lives. 1 Cr.

JRB 463 Media and Society (A)

Covers significant phases, issues and controversies in U.S. and global media from a Cultural Studies perspective. Emphasizes contemporary media relationships with, and impact on, intellectual, socio-political, economic, and technological aspects of culture and society. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 465 Media Research (A)

Examines and critiques quantitative and qualitative research methods used to study media and other forms of mass communication. Provides students with an understanding of how to use the methods in academic research as well as their practical application to the media industry. One of the goals of the course is to make students knowledgeable consumers of research studies. 3 Cr. Odd Spring.

JRB 466 Television News Producing (B,Y)

$75 Course fee required: Prerequisite: JRB 224. JRB 466 introduces students to the skills required to write and produce news, weather, and sports content for television newscasts. Instruction will include lessons on using various sources for news content, determining news content, stacking shows, using graphics, writing headlines and teases, writing news and sports scripts, legal and ethical issues in television news, managing stress and dealing with difficult personalities in the newsroom. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 467 Theories of Mass Communication (A)

Examines and critiques the theoretical and research literature describing and explaining mass communication purposes, processes, messages, media, audiences, settings and effects at the individual, group and societal levels. Gives attention to the cognitive, attitudinal and behavioral outcomes of mass communication in social, political, economic and other societal domains. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 468 Media Law and Ethics (A)

Studies the legal considerations and issues affecting media communication in all its forms, including computer database, Internet and "new media" issues. Emphasizes defamation and libel, privacy privilege, copyright and trademark law, contempt, obscenity, fairness and responsibility in media practice. Examines both governmental regulation and controls and self-regulatory media codes. 3 Cr. Fall.

JRB 475 JRB Internship (B)

Provides a supervised practicum in professional organization appropriate to the student's academic program. Applications are accepted the preceding semester for internship experience. For minimum GPA requirements and other information consult www.brockport.edu/cmc/internships.html. 1-6 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 482 Race, Gender and Media (A)

Explores how America media influence representations of race and gender. Promotes critical thinking about the social construction of race, gender and class and the role media have in perpetuating and challenging those constructs. Examines how entertainment, advertising and news media have historically influenced and continue to influence how we think about others and ourselves in terms of race and gender. Culminates in a research paper on the representation of an identified group. 3 Cr.

JRB 489 Corporate Video (B)

Provides hands-on opportunities that will refine skills in production planning, videography, interview techniques, non-linear editing, lighting, sound design, producing, and directing. Student teams under the instructor's supervision will produce real-world client video projects. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 490 JRB Special Topics (A)

An umbrella course enabling the instructor to define the course focus and subject matter to address a topic or topics not covered in other JRB courses. May be repeated for credit under different topics course title. Additional information can be obtained from Communication department office. 1-3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 491 Special Topics Media Studies (A)

This course is designed to address topics of significant concerns in the interdisciplinary field of media studies. Possible topics include: issues of public health; electronic waste; transnational media labor exploitation; the media and rape culture; the media and systemic racism; the media and the military; the media and urban infrastructure. 3 Cr. Spring.

JRB 494 Senior Seminar for Multimedia Journalism Students (B)

Culminating course for students in the Multimedia Journalism Concentration in which students produce in-depth journalistic projects on current societal issues and prepare for their futures as journalists after Commencement through portfolio development. 3 Cr. Fall.

JRB 496 Contemporary Media Issues and Problems (B)

Provides an in-depth study of one or more instructor-selected contemporary issues or problems in journalism, public relations and/or mass communication. Issues and problems selected will vary with each offering and may be either conceptual or applied. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

JRB 499 Independent Study 2 (A)

To be decided prior to registration in consultation with the instructor-sponsor and in accordance with the procedures of the Office of Academic Advisement. 1-6 Cr.

Graduate Courses