Program Details : University Catalogs : University of Minnesota

JOUR 5501 - Communication, Public Opinion, and Social Media

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Sharpen your understanding of public opinion and its role in political and civic life: What does it mean? Where does it come from? How is it measured? What impact does it have? How are the public's preferences shaped by the larger communications environment and the strategic messages of politicians, interest groups, and other actors in society? What are polls really measuring, and why do they seem so unreliable sometimes? How are social media technologies giving voice to new segments and dimensions of public opinion? But how are they vulnerable to manipulation from bots and other efforts designed to alter perceptions of collective opinions? Examine the theories of communication, psychology, political science, and sociology that underlie these dynamic questions. We?ll consider cutting edge approaches used by market researchers, political analysts, and data scientists to harness new forms of data about what the public thinks. We investigate theories that explain how people form their opinions, deliberate with others, change their minds, and reveal their preferences, and we apply these frameworks to understand contemporary public opinion issues and campaigns.

JOUR 5541 - Mass Communication and Public Health

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:	Jour 5541/PubH 6074
Typically offered:	Every Fall

This course provides an overview of theory and research that lies at the intersection of mass communication and public health. We examine the potential for media exposure to influence public health outcomes, both as a product of people's everyday interactions with media and the strategic use of media messages to accomplish public health goals. To this end, we will explore large-scale public health campaigns in the context of tobacco, obesity, and cancer screening. We also will explore news media coverage of controversial health issues, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and health information in entertainment media, such as smoking in movies. This course seeks to understand whether media messages have had intended and/or unintended effects on public attitudes and behavior. Although our focus is on mass media, interpersonal, medical, and digital media sources will be considered as well. prereq: JOUR 3005 or JOUR 3757 or Mass Communication grad

JOUR 5552 - Law of Internet Communication

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Digital communication technologies continue to raise a variety of legal issues, including whether and how (and which) traditional media and regulatory laws will apply, and how policy should be applied through regulatory law to enhance and regulate that communication. This course is conducted as a seminar, with an open discussion of legal precedent and the influence of policy on internet and digital communications. This course covers the First Amendment as it applies in a digital era as well as regulatory topics like net neutrality, broadband access, privacy, and copyright.

JOUR 5601W - History of Journalism (WI)

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered:	Every Spring

What is (real/fake) news? Who's a journalist? What is journalism? How did we get to where we are today regarding journalism both as a profession and as an essential tool of democracy? Learn the fundamental chronology of the development of journalism in the United States from the Revolution to today, and then delve into the big quandaries: How free has journalism been? What have been its professional standards? How has journalism affected a diverse audience? What are the challenges of international journalism? And how have new communication technologies interacted with journalism?

JOUR 5725 - Management of Media Organizations

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered:	Every Fall

The modern media industry is marked by complexity as new entrants compete for consumers, industry mainstays struggle to survive, and disruptions continue. Consumers are increasingly more educated and proactive about their media consumption, and organizations face a complex array of marketing and advertising decisions. This course introduces students to the organizational structure of media organizations, and of organizations at large. The course focuses on the business aspects of media and prepares students to navigate the complexities of working in modern organizations. The course is designed to expose journalism and strategic communication majors and other interested students to core concepts and principles of managerial and organizational theory as they apply to these organizations. Students will learn about the key management challenges facing media organizations today in the modern technological landscape. A variety of theories or perspectives relevant or related to management, communication, and technology will be considered to help make sense of the modern media organization's structure and competitive landscape.

JOUR 5777 - Contemporary Problems in Freedom of Speech and Press

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:	Jour 5777/Law 6030
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Most of us use devices like Smartphones, GPS, streaming services, or hands-free speakers like Amazon's Echo that connect to online voice services like Alexa without thinking about them very much. But, what kind of information are they collecting? Are merchants allowed to gather your shopping history and use it to send you targeted advertising, or to sell it to other companies for profit? Should other people be able to post your personal information or photos online without your consent? Can the government read your emails, track your online browsing, or intercept your text messages? This course considers how growing concerns about privacy and national security affect the First Amendment and the rights of journalists to gather and report the news. We will read significant court decisions and take a look at current statutory and regulatory initiatives both in the United States and abroad. You can expect lively debates and discussion, and the opportunity to explore a privacy or national security issue in depth in a substantial research paper. prereq: Jour major, Strat Comm major, Media and Information major or Media and Information minor or approved BIS/IDIM/ICP program or graduate or law student status. Course is open to students have previously taken a relevant law course - contact instructor for permission.

JOUR 8001 - Studies and Theories of Mass Communication

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Introduction to key concepts, theories, methods in study of mass communication from social sciences perspective. Survey of research literature using individualistic/structural approaches.

JOUR 8002 - Studies in Mass Communication II

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Literature on history of the field, cultural and humanistic approaches to its study, and legal and ethical issues. prereq: 8001

JOUR 8003 - Digital Media Issues and Theories

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Nonprofessional skills course. Prepares entering graduate students to work in changing media environment. Political, social, economic, legal, ethical, technological implications nationally/globally. Produce scholarly research about changing media. prereq: Journalism grad student

JOUR 8500 - Seminar: Advanced Methods Special Topics

Credits:	3.0 [max 9.0]
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Advanced topics in mass communication research methods; addresses the theoretical, conceptual, and analytical perspectives associated with advanced methodological approaches to mass communication scholarship, which may include qualitative, quantitative, ethnographic, humanistic, historical, legal, and/or social network approaches; emphasis on application of course materials to developing, analyzing, and describing data as appropriate for mass communication scholarship.

JOUR 8501 - Research Methods in Mass Communication

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Epistemological issues and overview of qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches in mass communication research, basic principles and logic of scientific research, relationship between theory and research, concept explication, measurement, instrumentation, and design issues.

JOUR 8502 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Advanced quantitative research principles/techniques applied to mass communication research, including experimental methods, survey methods, among others. prereq: 8501, [EPsy 5260 or equiv or concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in EPsy 5260]

JOUR 8503 - Advanced Qualitative Methods in Mass Communication Research

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Advanced qualitative research principles/techniques applied to mass communication research, including ethnography, interviews, focus groups, case study, qualitative content analysis, historical research.�� prereq: Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or instr consent

JOUR 8504 - Seminar: Analyzing Media Content

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Prerequisites:	Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or #
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Methods of analyzing media content/application of methods to theoretically-driven studies of media content. Conceptual/methodological issues surrounding analyzing media content in today's contemporary digital media environment, including collecting social media data, computer-aided analyses. prereq: Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or instr consent

JOUR 8513 - Seminar: Ethnographic Methods in Mass Communication Research

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:	Anth 8810/Jour 8513
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Theoretical foundations in anthropology/sociology. Field projects. prereq: [8001, 8002] or instr consent; same as Anth 8810

JOUR 8514 - Seminar: Advanced Mass Communication Theories

Credits:	3.0 [max 9.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Research paradigms, concepts, findings for developing general theory of mass communication. prereq: 8001

JOUR 8601 - Seminar: Methods in Mass Communication History Research

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall & Spring

Critical analysis of research in journalism/communication history. Research designs/methods. Development of a research project. prereq: 8001, 8002

JOUR 8602 - Seminar: History of Mass Communication

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Spring

Research in history/development of U.S. mass media.

JOUR 8603 - Seminar: Theories and Models in Mass Communication History Research

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Literature on theory in historical research. Uses of theoretical models in historical explanations. Role of theory in historical research, debate about uses. Specific works in journalism/communication history in context of theoretical models. Development of major paper examining models/theories relevant to student's project. prereq: 5601, instr consent

JOUR 8611 - Journalism Studies Theory and Research

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

This graduate seminar provides an overview of journalism studies scholarship. As a survey of journalism research, students will be introduced to both classic and cutting-edge journalism research. The course explores multiple epistemic, methodological, and geographic perspectives that approach journalism as a practice, a cultural form, and an institution embedded in political and civic life. Readings will cover core debates surrounding professionalism and organizational structures, normative commitments involving objectivity and its alternatives, news audiences, race, colonialism, inclusivity, and questions arising from recent technological and economic developments. The course will also interrogate how journalism studies scholars consider their conceptual assumptions, research practices, and power. The learning objectives for this course include: introducing the fundamentals of journalism research field, and how the field has changed over the years; understanding how varying approaches to studying journalism shape and constrain how journalism is thought about; examining recent research on the impact of emerging media technologies on long-standing theoretical and conceptual underpinnings; and providing students an opportunity to conduct their own research on a journalism-related topic. The overview of journalism research that this course provides is central for students with a journalism studies focus, but it also provides a helpful background for students with journalism-adjacent focuses in strategic communication, health communication, and mass communication, political communication, and other social science foci.

JOUR 8620 - Seminar: Advertising Theory and Research

Credits:	3.0 [max 12.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Advertising as persuasive communication. Current research/theory related to advertising decision-making process. prereq: Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or instr consent

JOUR 8621 - Seminar: Public Relations Theory and Research

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Study of theoretical body of knowledge in public relations field. Diverse roles played by public relations in organization. Current state of public relations research in regard to theory building. How theory informs professional practice of public relations. prereq: Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or instr consent

JOUR 8650 - Seminar: Psychology of Media Effects

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

In-depth study of psychological concepts/theories concerning individual cognitive processing of content of both traditional/new electronic media. Critically evaluate latest empirical research concerning how individuals respond to the content of both traditional mass media/newest electronic digital media. prereq: Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or instr consent

JOUR 8651 - Seminar: Mass Communication, Audiences, and Society

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Interplay between social theories/media studies. Pragmatism, structural-functionalism, Marxism, political economy, cultural studies, globalization. prereq: 8001 or 8002 or equiv

JOUR 8661 - Seminar: Mediated Political Communication in the Digital Age

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall

Mediated political communication in the digital age. How news, advertising, and entertainment media shape political perceptions, motivate voters, and influence policy decisions. Agenda-setting, priming, and framing, networked communications, micro-targeting, and mobile technology.

JOUR 8673 - Seminar: Media Management

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Management issues in media organizations. Relation to dynamics of organization structure, employees, markets, economics/finances. prereq: 5725 recommended

JOUR 8675 - Seminar: Issues in Information Access and Communication

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Prerequisites:	Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or #
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall

Societal, industry, technological, and policy aspects/developments that affect information access, particularly through mass media. prereq: Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or instr consent

JOUR 8678 - Seminar: Constitutional Law--Theories of Freedom of Expression

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies:	Jour 8678/Law 6059
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Spring

Problems of constitutional/tort law affecting the press. Underlying theories. prereq: 5777 or instr consent or law student

JOUR 8679 - Seminar: Research Methods in Media Ethics and Law

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Research at intersection of first amendment and media ethics.

JOUR 8681 - Seminar: International Media Perspectives

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Main problems/currents. Concepts, research, policy relevant to global development. Issues of freedom/constraint, media technology, role of journalism in world affairs.

JOUR 8720 - Health Communication Theory and Research

Credits:	3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F only
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Theories, methods, research that characterize field of health communication. Mass media influence on health, including use of mass media to promote health behaviors. Theoretical frameworks that inform health communication scholarship, as well as methodological approaches to studying health communication issues. prereq: Grad students enrolled in Mass Communication MA or PhD program or instr consent

JOUR 8990 - Special Problems in Mass Communications

Credits:	3.0 [max 12.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Periodic Fall & Spring

Topics specified in Class Schedule. prereq: Mass comm grad student or instr consent

JOUR 8993 - Directed Study

Credits:	1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis:	A-F or Aud
Typically offered:	Every Fall, Spring & Summer

Directed study. prereq: Grad mass comm major or minor, instr consent, dept consent

University Catalogs

Mass Communication Minor