Journalism
JRN 1102 International Mass Media
This course develops the student’s knowledge and understanding of global mass communication. In analyzing international media theories and systems, it addresses the practice and study of journalism from a variety of international perspectives. It recognizes global trends in information flows and media ownership, and examines similarities and differences in journalism activities and techniques. A study of News Agencies as agents of globalization is incorporated. Finally, the course introduces the student into functioning as an international correspondent.
Credit: 3 units
JRN 1105 Introduction to Broadcast Media
Basics of media production: TV camerawork, audio, microphones, lighting, videography, and basic recording of sound. Elementary aspects of staging, make up, camera direction, and props, used on basic training and other practical projects. Tutorial and laboratory use of elementary media production equipment and techniques. Course materials cover both radio and television writing.
Credit: 3 units
JRN 1106 History and Theory of Public Relations
Focus on this course will be on an intensive examination of the practice of public relations. Topics include the organization and management of public relations agencies; planning and executing multimedia public relations campaigns,special problems, the management of public opinion; research and evaluation techniques in public relations, in addition to the function of institutional public relations for government or industry.
Credit: 3 units
JRN 2102 Introduction to News Editing
News gathering and editing theories and techniques, policies and philosophies, page layout, printing production and design. Professional orientation for journalism, public relations and advertising including in-house publications and journals, newsletters and press releases. Co-requisite: the Gazette Equipment: Computer lab
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 units
JRN 2106 Principles of Broadcasting
Writing for broadcast media, elements of radio and television program productions, radio and television news reporting, live coverage of events on location. Definitions of terms and the process of electronic media communication, and characteristics of radio. Characteristics and roles of television and radio, television and radio studio layout, radio and television program pre-production, production and post-production, animation, cartoons, puppets, new technologies, sound recording, news stories, features, audio and audio-visual documentary programs.
Prerequisite: JRN 1105
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 2109 History and Theory of Advertising
This course aims to provide students with knowledge of the principles and techniques used in the practice of advertising to sell goods, services and ideas. It considers the development of advertising, its functions and varieties, basic advertising research, basic media strategy, media markets and audience for newspapers and magazines, television and radio, in addition to other media services, preparing advertising copy layout, development of advertising campaigns and budgeting.
Prerequisite: JRN 1106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 2201 Introduction to Print Media
The concept and nature of news as a product, qualities and desirable qualifications of a news reporter, sources of news, types of news events, the Inverted and Hourglass news writing styles, gate-keeping, and interview techniques.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 2221 Theories of Mass Communication
Development of an understanding of how the print broadcast and film media genres began and grew in Kenya, Britain and the United States. Focus is on engineering, technological and technical creative dimensions of the development of the mass media. Develops students’ knowledge and comprehension of theories of human communication in general and mass media communication effects in particular. Emphasis is on the application theories and models in problem solving.
Credit: 3 units
JRN 3000 News Reporting and Writing
Emphasis will be on reporting, the gathering of information and turning that raw information into readable, informative and compelling stories for a newspaper audience. Issues covered include news theory, research, story structure and deadline writing. Story components such as the Intro/Lead, attribution, the nut graph and backgrounding are covered. The art of interviewing is taught and tested. Beats such as the police, the courts, sports, business reporting, local government, parliament, education, health, and covering Press conferences are introduced.
Equipment: Computer lab
Co-requisite: the Gazette
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3005 Fundamentals of Photography
This course develops an understanding of the scientific, technical and creative principles of still photography. The use of the 35mm camera. Basic aspects of photographic composition. Among practical topics covered will be: focusing, framing, shutter & motion, depth of field, metering, the use of flash, shooting portraits and darkroom techniques.
Equipment: 35 mm camera and flush unit; film; darkroom and chemicals
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3007 Media Law and Ethics
This course explores the social role of journalism and the journalist from legal, historical, ethical, and economic perspectives. Select case studies are from legal, ethical and professional points of view. On legality, the course will equip the student journalist with a working knowledge of media law relevant to their distinctive callings. Libel laws, trespass/privacy and government-related laws as they pertain to Kenya, will be examined. On ethics and professionalism, the course covers such perennial controversies as truth, journalism’s first obligation; who journalists work for; objectivity; independence; proportionality; monitor of power; engagement versus relevance; and the dynamics between Press freedom and the protection of individual and community rights.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3009 Community Media
A critique of approaches to alternative media, based on critical theory and theories of popular culture. The application of the critique to alternative media, to have some impact on issues such as access, cultural development, trading and production, in rural and/ or community settings, feasibility studies of rural newspapers, radio stations, rural video production, and other projects.
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3010 Television and Video production I
A course on audio-visual media, and evaluation of programs. Students’ work as individuals and in groups on a variety of programs and in different talent and production roles. Tutorial and lab exercises require students to have basic media production skills. Knowledge of production equipments and camera techniques such as camera shots, movements, angles and picture composition. Knowledge of script writing, lighting equipment, television studio and control room, electronic editing, post-production work and practical assignments.
Equipment: TV studio, editing suites
Prerequisite: JRN 2106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3011 Online Journalism
This course serves as an introduction to the practice of journalism on the Web. It provides an overview of the technologies involved in building a web application, including skills learning. Students will learn about journalistic issues relating to credibility, ethics and standards on the Web. History and context of new media publishing, finding and evaluating information online, hypertext and writing for new media, site architecture and design, digital images, digital cameras, scanning, a case study on the future of Web-based journalism.
Equipment: Computer lab
Prerequisite JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3012 Public Communication
The study and analysis of communication between individuals and interaction groups. Public communication deals with human relations and managerial communication within organizations. Attention is given to theories of motivation and leadership, consideration of channels and networks of communication skills practice in problem solving and management interaction with the work force.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3014 Corporate Media Management
Attention is focused on managerial communication practices and skills, organization and financing of media house services, criticisms and evaluation of media services. Also covered are communication channels, networks and organizational communication techniques. This course also explores media house management structures, procedures, policies, and goals of news operations within print and broadcast media. It delves into the mechanics of news making as an industry; business models, technology, relationships with program consumers, and the impact of the increasing complexity and competition. Such changes put a premium on management planning and standards; all of which are essential in creating a unique and differentiated presence in the program marketplace.
Prerequisite: JRN 1106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3018 PR & Organizational Communication
This subject introduces students to contemporary Kenyan and international public relations and organizational communication practice. Students develop an understanding of contemporary public relations in the context of international and external organizational communication and in the relationship between practice and theory.
Prerequisite: JRN 1106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3020 Development Journalism
Are the journalists doing enough toward the development of a society that is undergoing serious reconstruction? Can journalism be used to actually benefit and inspire its audience? This course envisions the needs of a developing country. It focuses on communities doing things for themselves. A part from its traditional beats, journalism is also about highlighting what people are doing to help transform their lives, be it alongside government or on their own. The idea in this course is to avoid feeding media consumers with stories about crime, calamity and scandal on a daily basis. But the basic professional skills of reporting are respected, taking into account the marketplace and the special target audience.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3021 Media Audiences and Public Opinion
This course aims to teach students the theory and practice of audience research methods and public opinion polls. The subject examines the techniques used in media research; how researchers define topics, structure their research, control and measure variables and how they utilize these variables to develop conclusions concerning media audiences. The subject examines issues in planning, research, reviewing literature, developing research instruments and obtaining data, analyzing data and completing research projects with written reports, observations and findings.
Prerequisite: JRN 3018
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3022 Business Writing
This course introduces the tools and terms of business journalism so that students can report business stories in a readable and understandable language. Students will be exposed to different business beats. They will be taught to develop sources and analyze data: charts, graphs, financial reports, economic indicators and on-line resources. A major emphasis is on writing well-crafted, lively stories that explain business concepts without relying upon the twin crutches of jargon and cliché.
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3025 Human Rights Reporting
Develops knowledge on how the media often impinges on individual human rights. The course also focuses on the challenges of reporting human rights abuses in Kenya and overseas. Class will discuss the history of the concept of human rights and innovations in the enforcement of human rights law. Particular stress will be laid on the practical and ethical challenges facing reporters and investigators who cover human rights, in the course of duty. These include subjects such as refugee status, police tactics, tribal profiling, court procedures, and the moral responsibility of multinational business for human rights.
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3026 Gender Reporting
This course provides a theoretical and historical framework for understanding the complexities of cultural heritage, tensions among social classes, gender and sexual prejudices. The objective is to cover these subjects with greater sophistication and originality, and to prepare students for work in an increasingly global society. Among issues covered are: cultural feminist media studies, stereotyping, pornographic media content, role of gender in positioning the spectacular in relation to images – film, television, photo coverage of males versus females, and the place of women in society
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3027 New Media Production
The course integrates traditional journalism with new media storytelling skills and techniques and hands-on professional experience. Students add Web publishing to their print or broadcast skills. Web publishing software, digital photography, audio; audio-visual, and video production and interactive tools. Technology training is balanced with an extensive study of the issues that separate Web-based journalism from other forms of media.
Equipment: Lab, digital cameras, Web space
Prerequisite: JRN 3011
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3301 Feature Writing
Develops techniques of feature article writing skills, knowledge of types of feature articles, documentary-film review, book review, movie reviews, studies the operations of cinema theatre industry, personal column, editorial comment, sports features and writing of obituaries.
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3321 Radio Production I
Theory of oral-aural communication, tools of production, control room, types of microphones, sound recording equipment, acoustics, tape recorders/cassettes, sound effects, editing, voicing, program formats –interviews, talk shows, magazines, features, documentaries, script writing, presenting, and practice in the studio.
Equipment: Radio studio
Prerequisite: JRN 2106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3901 Principles of Advertising
History and theory of advertising, marketing function of advertising, types of advertising - radio, television, newspapers, magazines, informal advertising, and advertising as communication. The advertising agency, advertising design, research in advertising, public relations advertising, measuring effectiveness of advertising, gender and other issues in advertising, portrayal of women, ethics.
Prerequisite: JRN 2109
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3911 Principles of Public Relations
Public relations principles and practices including writings and using media releases and public service announcement, media liaison, crisis communication management, handling media conferences and creating the public relations campaigns.
Prerequisite: JRN 3018
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3922 Photojournalism
Equipment: computer lab, digital cameras, scanner, photographic paper, color printer
Reporting the news and telling stories with the camera. Stresses recognition, development and creation of news photographs and the skills of the photo editor. Provides experience in shooting and digital editing. Incorporates skills such as photo-story and photo-essay production; transmitting electronic images and judging photographs for publication. Students are also exposed to research, law and ethics as it applies to the photojournalist.
Prerequisite: JRN 3005
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4011 Mass Media Criticism
Radio, television, music, the recording industry, the theatre, books, articles and other forms of modern entertainment and information, viewed through the theory of modern and classical criticism lectures and critical practical yielding papers. Students work on critical formats in print and non-print and the requirements for publication and broadcast.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4012 Writing for Visual Media
Script-writing for audio-visual screen, a television documentary, features, magazines, news bulletins, writing editorial commentaries, the screen language, developing the story-line – plot, characterization, setting, sound recording, scenes, music. The storyboard techniques, piecing it together, production and post-production.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4022 Educational Communication
The analysis of theory and techniques of modern educational media communication and the way in which they are used in different environments. A study of the various factors, which influence the choice and effectiveness of media and programming, based on case studies.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4025 Creative Writing
Develops knowledge and skills of the building blocks of creative writing. Fictionalized writing based on creative interpretation of perceived events in society and creatively developing plots/themes with a view to understanding the elements of fiction writing. Analysis of plots, themes, characterization; setting, timing and environment. Perceiving and developing incidents, episodes, suspense, dialogue, flashbacks, story beginnings, story endings and humor.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4027 Broadcast Documentary
This is an advanced level course in documentary video-film, which involves shooting on location, script writing and editing for broadcast media. Each student will undertake the writing of a major project for film or broadcast media. The course will cover writing proposal and production treatment; elements, characteristics, plot and narrativity; as well as the development of a story idea through a shooting script.
Pre-requisite: JRN 3321 & JRN 3010
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4028 Professional Writing
This course focuses on the types of writing students may encounter in future careers —professional writing for a specific audience and a practical purpose. It will introduce the rhetorical principles and compositional practices necessary for writing effective and professional communications, such as proposals, reports, instructions, and documentation, for various professions. Topics include: using computer technology to develop technical documents, developing ethical and responsible writing strategies, planning and managing short- and long-term writing projects, designing and implementing appropriate research strategies, following and adjusting technical writing conventions, developing effective scientific and technical style and tone, designing documents (e.g., layout, formatting, incorporating graphics/visuals into documents)
Requirements: Computer Lab
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4029 Radio Production II
This course provides an intensive practical experience, which emphasizes professional independence and creativity of the student. Students will create and produce radio magazine programs, radio dramas and radio documentaries. In addition, students will undertake the production of sound effects and multitask recordings.
Prerequisite: JRN 3321
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4030 Television and Video Production II
This is an intermediate level course designed to give students with knowledge of video and television production skills and techniques. The course covers television production and direction, elements of visual style, picture composition, television graphics and set design as well as the use of television production facilities and equipment. Special attention is paid to the writing, production and presentation of broadcast news and public affairs programming.
Equipment: TV studio, editing suites
Prerequisite: JRN 3010
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4031 Print Media Production
This is a hands-on opportunity to experience print journalism. It is the practical convergence zone of all those journalistic principles already learnt in earlier principal courses. Students plan, report, write and produce a quarterly newspaper/magazine that focuses primarily on campus life and in-depth stories emanating from the broader Nairobi cosmopolitan. Under the supervision of faculty and guest practicing journalists, student editors make the assignments and handle layout and copy editing, while others work as general assignment reporters. This course will sharpen your for reporting, writing and editing skills. It will prepare you for newspaper jobs and help you stretch and produce quality journalism.
Co-requirement: the Gazette production
Equipment: Computer lab
Prerequisites: JRN 3000 ,JRN 3005 & JRN 3301
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4032 Public Relations Ethics
Event promoters and access to news assemblers, relationship between politicians or officials and the media, election campaigns and pseudo-events, efficient supply of suitable material, power and influence of source, good public relations, dependency of media on limited sources, and mutual self-interest in news coverage.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4033 Advertising and Media Audiences
The study of advertising within media economics, studies of audience effects, popular culture, and media economic policy.
Prerequisite: JRN 2109
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4034 Broadcast Script Writing
The student will analyze and practice the craft of scriptwriting for film, stage television, video and radio. This will include study and exercises in story construction, premise, theme, characterization, dialogue and action. The student will be required to develop a minor and major script as well as weekly projects relating to the lecturers.
Prerequisite: JRN 2106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4040 Television and Video Production III
An over view of TV as a media genre, basic definitions, characteristics, concepts, roles of TV, TV studios, TV program production, animation, cartoons, puppets, new technologies – cable TV, satellite communication. Videotapes, camera.
Prerequisite: JRN 4030
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4401 Editorial Writing
The course develops the students’ editorial appreciation and editorial writing. The subjects include the nature and functions of various types of editorial and other opinion pieces, local and international editorial policies of newspapers, writing editorial and other opinion pieces for newspapers and magazines, selecting and managing Letters to the Editor column.
Equipment: Computer lab
Prerequisite JRN 3301
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4900 Journalism Project
Extended individual research or project under the direction of a faculty member and approved by the department chair or dean. Projects may include library or empirical research, analysis and written or oral presentation of a report on a topic in the student’s major field.
Prerequisite: Students must be seniors
Credit: 3 units
JRN 4910 Journalism Internship
Internship in business, school, nonprofit organization, volunteer organization or in another group or organization approved by the faculty department chair or dean. Must be in the student’s major area of study. A minimum of 120 hours required. (Grading is credit/no credit)
Prerequisite: Students must be seniors
Credit 3 units
This course develops the student’s knowledge and understanding of global mass communication. In analyzing international media theories and systems, it addresses the practice and study of journalism from a variety of international perspectives. It recognizes global trends in information flows and media ownership, and examines similarities and differences in journalism activities and techniques. A study of News Agencies as agents of globalization is incorporated. Finally, the course introduces the student into functioning as an international correspondent.
Credit: 3 units
JRN 1105 Introduction to Broadcast Media
Basics of media production: TV camerawork, audio, microphones, lighting, videography, and basic recording of sound. Elementary aspects of staging, make up, camera direction, and props, used on basic training and other practical projects. Tutorial and laboratory use of elementary media production equipment and techniques. Course materials cover both radio and television writing.
Credit: 3 units
JRN 1106 History and Theory of Public Relations
Focus on this course will be on an intensive examination of the practice of public relations. Topics include the organization and management of public relations agencies; planning and executing multimedia public relations campaigns,special problems, the management of public opinion; research and evaluation techniques in public relations, in addition to the function of institutional public relations for government or industry.
Credit: 3 units
JRN 2102 Introduction to News Editing
News gathering and editing theories and techniques, policies and philosophies, page layout, printing production and design. Professional orientation for journalism, public relations and advertising including in-house publications and journals, newsletters and press releases. Co-requisite: the Gazette Equipment: Computer lab
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 units
JRN 2106 Principles of Broadcasting
Writing for broadcast media, elements of radio and television program productions, radio and television news reporting, live coverage of events on location. Definitions of terms and the process of electronic media communication, and characteristics of radio. Characteristics and roles of television and radio, television and radio studio layout, radio and television program pre-production, production and post-production, animation, cartoons, puppets, new technologies, sound recording, news stories, features, audio and audio-visual documentary programs.
Prerequisite: JRN 1105
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 2109 History and Theory of Advertising
This course aims to provide students with knowledge of the principles and techniques used in the practice of advertising to sell goods, services and ideas. It considers the development of advertising, its functions and varieties, basic advertising research, basic media strategy, media markets and audience for newspapers and magazines, television and radio, in addition to other media services, preparing advertising copy layout, development of advertising campaigns and budgeting.
Prerequisite: JRN 1106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 2201 Introduction to Print Media
The concept and nature of news as a product, qualities and desirable qualifications of a news reporter, sources of news, types of news events, the Inverted and Hourglass news writing styles, gate-keeping, and interview techniques.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 2221 Theories of Mass Communication
Development of an understanding of how the print broadcast and film media genres began and grew in Kenya, Britain and the United States. Focus is on engineering, technological and technical creative dimensions of the development of the mass media. Develops students’ knowledge and comprehension of theories of human communication in general and mass media communication effects in particular. Emphasis is on the application theories and models in problem solving.
Credit: 3 units
JRN 3000 News Reporting and Writing
Emphasis will be on reporting, the gathering of information and turning that raw information into readable, informative and compelling stories for a newspaper audience. Issues covered include news theory, research, story structure and deadline writing. Story components such as the Intro/Lead, attribution, the nut graph and backgrounding are covered. The art of interviewing is taught and tested. Beats such as the police, the courts, sports, business reporting, local government, parliament, education, health, and covering Press conferences are introduced.
Equipment: Computer lab
Co-requisite: the Gazette
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3005 Fundamentals of Photography
This course develops an understanding of the scientific, technical and creative principles of still photography. The use of the 35mm camera. Basic aspects of photographic composition. Among practical topics covered will be: focusing, framing, shutter & motion, depth of field, metering, the use of flash, shooting portraits and darkroom techniques.
Equipment: 35 mm camera and flush unit; film; darkroom and chemicals
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3007 Media Law and Ethics
This course explores the social role of journalism and the journalist from legal, historical, ethical, and economic perspectives. Select case studies are from legal, ethical and professional points of view. On legality, the course will equip the student journalist with a working knowledge of media law relevant to their distinctive callings. Libel laws, trespass/privacy and government-related laws as they pertain to Kenya, will be examined. On ethics and professionalism, the course covers such perennial controversies as truth, journalism’s first obligation; who journalists work for; objectivity; independence; proportionality; monitor of power; engagement versus relevance; and the dynamics between Press freedom and the protection of individual and community rights.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3009 Community Media
A critique of approaches to alternative media, based on critical theory and theories of popular culture. The application of the critique to alternative media, to have some impact on issues such as access, cultural development, trading and production, in rural and/ or community settings, feasibility studies of rural newspapers, radio stations, rural video production, and other projects.
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3010 Television and Video production I
A course on audio-visual media, and evaluation of programs. Students’ work as individuals and in groups on a variety of programs and in different talent and production roles. Tutorial and lab exercises require students to have basic media production skills. Knowledge of production equipments and camera techniques such as camera shots, movements, angles and picture composition. Knowledge of script writing, lighting equipment, television studio and control room, electronic editing, post-production work and practical assignments.
Equipment: TV studio, editing suites
Prerequisite: JRN 2106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3011 Online Journalism
This course serves as an introduction to the practice of journalism on the Web. It provides an overview of the technologies involved in building a web application, including skills learning. Students will learn about journalistic issues relating to credibility, ethics and standards on the Web. History and context of new media publishing, finding and evaluating information online, hypertext and writing for new media, site architecture and design, digital images, digital cameras, scanning, a case study on the future of Web-based journalism.
Equipment: Computer lab
Prerequisite JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3012 Public Communication
The study and analysis of communication between individuals and interaction groups. Public communication deals with human relations and managerial communication within organizations. Attention is given to theories of motivation and leadership, consideration of channels and networks of communication skills practice in problem solving and management interaction with the work force.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3014 Corporate Media Management
Attention is focused on managerial communication practices and skills, organization and financing of media house services, criticisms and evaluation of media services. Also covered are communication channels, networks and organizational communication techniques. This course also explores media house management structures, procedures, policies, and goals of news operations within print and broadcast media. It delves into the mechanics of news making as an industry; business models, technology, relationships with program consumers, and the impact of the increasing complexity and competition. Such changes put a premium on management planning and standards; all of which are essential in creating a unique and differentiated presence in the program marketplace.
Prerequisite: JRN 1106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3018 PR & Organizational Communication
This subject introduces students to contemporary Kenyan and international public relations and organizational communication practice. Students develop an understanding of contemporary public relations in the context of international and external organizational communication and in the relationship between practice and theory.
Prerequisite: JRN 1106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3020 Development Journalism
Are the journalists doing enough toward the development of a society that is undergoing serious reconstruction? Can journalism be used to actually benefit and inspire its audience? This course envisions the needs of a developing country. It focuses on communities doing things for themselves. A part from its traditional beats, journalism is also about highlighting what people are doing to help transform their lives, be it alongside government or on their own. The idea in this course is to avoid feeding media consumers with stories about crime, calamity and scandal on a daily basis. But the basic professional skills of reporting are respected, taking into account the marketplace and the special target audience.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3021 Media Audiences and Public Opinion
This course aims to teach students the theory and practice of audience research methods and public opinion polls. The subject examines the techniques used in media research; how researchers define topics, structure their research, control and measure variables and how they utilize these variables to develop conclusions concerning media audiences. The subject examines issues in planning, research, reviewing literature, developing research instruments and obtaining data, analyzing data and completing research projects with written reports, observations and findings.
Prerequisite: JRN 3018
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3022 Business Writing
This course introduces the tools and terms of business journalism so that students can report business stories in a readable and understandable language. Students will be exposed to different business beats. They will be taught to develop sources and analyze data: charts, graphs, financial reports, economic indicators and on-line resources. A major emphasis is on writing well-crafted, lively stories that explain business concepts without relying upon the twin crutches of jargon and cliché.
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3025 Human Rights Reporting
Develops knowledge on how the media often impinges on individual human rights. The course also focuses on the challenges of reporting human rights abuses in Kenya and overseas. Class will discuss the history of the concept of human rights and innovations in the enforcement of human rights law. Particular stress will be laid on the practical and ethical challenges facing reporters and investigators who cover human rights, in the course of duty. These include subjects such as refugee status, police tactics, tribal profiling, court procedures, and the moral responsibility of multinational business for human rights.
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3026 Gender Reporting
This course provides a theoretical and historical framework for understanding the complexities of cultural heritage, tensions among social classes, gender and sexual prejudices. The objective is to cover these subjects with greater sophistication and originality, and to prepare students for work in an increasingly global society. Among issues covered are: cultural feminist media studies, stereotyping, pornographic media content, role of gender in positioning the spectacular in relation to images – film, television, photo coverage of males versus females, and the place of women in society
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3027 New Media Production
The course integrates traditional journalism with new media storytelling skills and techniques and hands-on professional experience. Students add Web publishing to their print or broadcast skills. Web publishing software, digital photography, audio; audio-visual, and video production and interactive tools. Technology training is balanced with an extensive study of the issues that separate Web-based journalism from other forms of media.
Equipment: Lab, digital cameras, Web space
Prerequisite: JRN 3011
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3301 Feature Writing
Develops techniques of feature article writing skills, knowledge of types of feature articles, documentary-film review, book review, movie reviews, studies the operations of cinema theatre industry, personal column, editorial comment, sports features and writing of obituaries.
Prerequisite: JRN 3000
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3321 Radio Production I
Theory of oral-aural communication, tools of production, control room, types of microphones, sound recording equipment, acoustics, tape recorders/cassettes, sound effects, editing, voicing, program formats –interviews, talk shows, magazines, features, documentaries, script writing, presenting, and practice in the studio.
Equipment: Radio studio
Prerequisite: JRN 2106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3901 Principles of Advertising
History and theory of advertising, marketing function of advertising, types of advertising - radio, television, newspapers, magazines, informal advertising, and advertising as communication. The advertising agency, advertising design, research in advertising, public relations advertising, measuring effectiveness of advertising, gender and other issues in advertising, portrayal of women, ethics.
Prerequisite: JRN 2109
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3911 Principles of Public Relations
Public relations principles and practices including writings and using media releases and public service announcement, media liaison, crisis communication management, handling media conferences and creating the public relations campaigns.
Prerequisite: JRN 3018
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 3922 Photojournalism
Equipment: computer lab, digital cameras, scanner, photographic paper, color printer
Reporting the news and telling stories with the camera. Stresses recognition, development and creation of news photographs and the skills of the photo editor. Provides experience in shooting and digital editing. Incorporates skills such as photo-story and photo-essay production; transmitting electronic images and judging photographs for publication. Students are also exposed to research, law and ethics as it applies to the photojournalist.
Prerequisite: JRN 3005
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4011 Mass Media Criticism
Radio, television, music, the recording industry, the theatre, books, articles and other forms of modern entertainment and information, viewed through the theory of modern and classical criticism lectures and critical practical yielding papers. Students work on critical formats in print and non-print and the requirements for publication and broadcast.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4012 Writing for Visual Media
Script-writing for audio-visual screen, a television documentary, features, magazines, news bulletins, writing editorial commentaries, the screen language, developing the story-line – plot, characterization, setting, sound recording, scenes, music. The storyboard techniques, piecing it together, production and post-production.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4022 Educational Communication
The analysis of theory and techniques of modern educational media communication and the way in which they are used in different environments. A study of the various factors, which influence the choice and effectiveness of media and programming, based on case studies.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4025 Creative Writing
Develops knowledge and skills of the building blocks of creative writing. Fictionalized writing based on creative interpretation of perceived events in society and creatively developing plots/themes with a view to understanding the elements of fiction writing. Analysis of plots, themes, characterization; setting, timing and environment. Perceiving and developing incidents, episodes, suspense, dialogue, flashbacks, story beginnings, story endings and humor.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4027 Broadcast Documentary
This is an advanced level course in documentary video-film, which involves shooting on location, script writing and editing for broadcast media. Each student will undertake the writing of a major project for film or broadcast media. The course will cover writing proposal and production treatment; elements, characteristics, plot and narrativity; as well as the development of a story idea through a shooting script.
Pre-requisite: JRN 3321 & JRN 3010
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4028 Professional Writing
This course focuses on the types of writing students may encounter in future careers —professional writing for a specific audience and a practical purpose. It will introduce the rhetorical principles and compositional practices necessary for writing effective and professional communications, such as proposals, reports, instructions, and documentation, for various professions. Topics include: using computer technology to develop technical documents, developing ethical and responsible writing strategies, planning and managing short- and long-term writing projects, designing and implementing appropriate research strategies, following and adjusting technical writing conventions, developing effective scientific and technical style and tone, designing documents (e.g., layout, formatting, incorporating graphics/visuals into documents)
Requirements: Computer Lab
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4029 Radio Production II
This course provides an intensive practical experience, which emphasizes professional independence and creativity of the student. Students will create and produce radio magazine programs, radio dramas and radio documentaries. In addition, students will undertake the production of sound effects and multitask recordings.
Prerequisite: JRN 3321
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4030 Television and Video Production II
This is an intermediate level course designed to give students with knowledge of video and television production skills and techniques. The course covers television production and direction, elements of visual style, picture composition, television graphics and set design as well as the use of television production facilities and equipment. Special attention is paid to the writing, production and presentation of broadcast news and public affairs programming.
Equipment: TV studio, editing suites
Prerequisite: JRN 3010
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4031 Print Media Production
This is a hands-on opportunity to experience print journalism. It is the practical convergence zone of all those journalistic principles already learnt in earlier principal courses. Students plan, report, write and produce a quarterly newspaper/magazine that focuses primarily on campus life and in-depth stories emanating from the broader Nairobi cosmopolitan. Under the supervision of faculty and guest practicing journalists, student editors make the assignments and handle layout and copy editing, while others work as general assignment reporters. This course will sharpen your for reporting, writing and editing skills. It will prepare you for newspaper jobs and help you stretch and produce quality journalism.
Co-requirement: the Gazette production
Equipment: Computer lab
Prerequisites: JRN 3000 ,JRN 3005 & JRN 3301
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4032 Public Relations Ethics
Event promoters and access to news assemblers, relationship between politicians or officials and the media, election campaigns and pseudo-events, efficient supply of suitable material, power and influence of source, good public relations, dependency of media on limited sources, and mutual self-interest in news coverage.
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4033 Advertising and Media Audiences
The study of advertising within media economics, studies of audience effects, popular culture, and media economic policy.
Prerequisite: JRN 2109
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4034 Broadcast Script Writing
The student will analyze and practice the craft of scriptwriting for film, stage television, video and radio. This will include study and exercises in story construction, premise, theme, characterization, dialogue and action. The student will be required to develop a minor and major script as well as weekly projects relating to the lecturers.
Prerequisite: JRN 2106
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4040 Television and Video Production III
An over view of TV as a media genre, basic definitions, characteristics, concepts, roles of TV, TV studios, TV program production, animation, cartoons, puppets, new technologies – cable TV, satellite communication. Videotapes, camera.
Prerequisite: JRN 4030
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4401 Editorial Writing
The course develops the students’ editorial appreciation and editorial writing. The subjects include the nature and functions of various types of editorial and other opinion pieces, local and international editorial policies of newspapers, writing editorial and other opinion pieces for newspapers and magazines, selecting and managing Letters to the Editor column.
Equipment: Computer lab
Prerequisite JRN 3301
Credit: 3 Units
JRN 4900 Journalism Project
Extended individual research or project under the direction of a faculty member and approved by the department chair or dean. Projects may include library or empirical research, analysis and written or oral presentation of a report on a topic in the student’s major field.
Prerequisite: Students must be seniors
Credit: 3 units
JRN 4910 Journalism Internship
Internship in business, school, nonprofit organization, volunteer organization or in another group or organization approved by the faculty department chair or dean. Must be in the student’s major area of study. A minimum of 120 hours required. (Grading is credit/no credit)
Prerequisite: Students must be seniors
Credit 3 units