MJFC Course Descriptions

Students learn writing rules and styles unique to journalism with a focus on Associated Press Stylebook, grammar, punctuation and mathematics for journalists. Students must pass this course to continue in the journalism program.

Explores the world of mass communication in its entirety and all critical efforts that affect this area.

This course for journalism majors is designed to introduce and test the student on video camera operation, basic lighting, basic audio, video editing and script format. A class internship at glasshouseradio.com is required. A three-minute video project and a two-minute audio project are included in the final class projects. Prereqs: SCOM 120 Digital Media Literacy.

This course is designed to introduce and test the student on video camera operation, basic lighting, basic audio, video editing and script format. A class internship at glasshouseradio.com is required. A three-minute video project and a two-minute audio project are included in the final class projects. Prereqs: SCOM 120 Digital Media Literacy.

This course emphasizes basic reporting, writing and editing skills—the foundations of storytelling across media platforms. Students explore the techniques used to research and report complex social, political and economic issues with a focus on education, zoning and development, crime, courts and government operations. Students cover news beats and produce publishable content on departmental news sites. Prereqs: MJFC 100 Fundamentals of Journalism, MJFC 101 Intro to Mass Comm, MJFC 200 Intro to Media Production.

Students gather information in pictures, video and audio for presentation in multimedia journalism projects. Students use a variety of open source and proprietary software to edit images and sound to create and publish on department news sites. Prereqs: MJFC 102 Intro to Digital Journalism or MJFC 200 Intro to Media Production.

Students gather information in pictures and video and audio for presentation in multimedia journalism projects. Students use a variety of open source and proprietary software to edit images and sound to create and upload packages to the Web. Prereqs: MJFC 102 Intro to Digital Journalism or MJFC 200 Intro to Media Production.

This lecture-laboratory course provides students with an understanding of the techniques and skills required to produce effective audio programs for broadcast.  Students write and perform audio scripts for news, features, commercials and entertainment programming to air on terrestrial and Internet platforms. Students learn how to use microphones and digital audio workstations to produce compelling audio interviews and fiction/non-fiction productions. The course also explores the history of radio broadcasting and production voiceover opportunities.  Productions with exceptional broadcast quality may be published through the Howard University Radio Network.   

Pre-requisite:  MJFC 200 Intro to Media Production.

Theory and practice of the basic principles governing the disciplines of video and film. The primary concern of the course will be to understand photo-optics, the photochemical process and the television studio through exposing students to a variety of problem-solving exercises. Prereqs: SCOM 120 Digital Media Literacy, MJFC 101 Introduction to Mass Communications, MJFC 200 Introduction to Media Production.

Race, gender and class are socially and culturally constructed and represented in media.  As an introduction, this course examines the mass media as economic and cultural institutions that shape our social identities and are shaped by them. This is accomplished through analyses of popular mass media including film and television. Some attention will be paid to media producers and the media audience. Using the techniques of reviewing personal experience, reconstructing knowledge and conducting media assessments, this course is designed to stimulate critical thinking and thoughtful discussion. Prereqs: sophomore standing.

This course offers a general survey of the history of American documentaries and teaches students to critically examine the modes, styles, elements, processes and techniques of documentary storytelling. It explores what is documentary as well as ethical and legal considerations for the genre. It examines varieties of approaches adopted by non-fiction filmmakers engaged in producing social documentaries focused on diverse political, economic, cultural, racial, social, personal, and historical attributes and topics. Prereqs: sophomore standing.

In this required course for all departmental majors, students network with industry professionals and gain exposure to Howard University media outlets. These outlets include WHUT-TV; the Howard University Radio Network, which includes WHUR-Radio 96.3 HD1, WHUR-World 96.3 HD2, WHBC 96.3 HD3, glasshouseradio.com, H.U.R. VOICES Sirius XM Channel 141 and HBCU Sirius XM Channel 142; Howard University News Service (www.hunewsservice.com); 101 Magazine (www.101Magazine.net); and Truthbetoldnews. Prereqs: none.

Students gain supervised, hands-on experience at one of the following Howard University media outlets: Howard University News Service (www.hunewsservice.com), 101 Magazine (www.101Magazine.net), Truthbetold.news or industry partners, such as the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service. Prereqs: MJFC 201 Multimedia Storytelling.

This co-curricular course is designed to introduce students to the broadcast and online media outlets available at Howard University and throughout the professional media landscape, and the way in which audio production supports media presentations.  Expect class visits from media professionals including the HU Radio Network.  Students will produce short audio projects and write critiques as assigned.  Pre-requisite: MJFC 200 Intro to Media Production.

Students gain exposure to Howard University media outlets, such as WHUT-TV and the Howard University Radio Network, which includes WHUR-Radio 96.3 HD1, WHUR-World 96.3 HD2, WHBC 96.3 HD3, glasshouseradio.com, H.U.R. VOICES Sirius XM Channel 141 and HBCU Sirius XM Channel 142. Prereqs: none.

The political, social and economic history of media in the United States. Emphasis placed on technological, institutional and programmatic development, and their mutual influence on world culture. Prereqs: MJFC 101 Intro to Mass Communications.

Students master the essentials of editing across media platforms as well as critical thinking, research, conceptual skills along with search engine optimization. Course includes traditional copy editing as well as text editing for broadcast. Prereqs: MJFC 201 Multimedia Storytelling.

This course introduces students to the principles of layout, design and production of newspapers, magazines, websites and other digital media. Students develop a discerning eye for good design and a competency in graphic communication through use of appropriate professional design software to create a portfolio of their best work. Prereqs: MJFC 311 Interactive Editing.

Students explore how the federal, state and local governments work and their impact on communities. Students cover beats and report on public affairs issues, taking advantage of Howard University’s setting in Washington, D.C. Public Affairs Reporting is a prerequisite for Senior Capstone courses in Journalism. Prereqs: MJFC 201 Multimedia Storytelling.

Specialized reporting course. Offerings change from semester to semester and include Sports Reporting, International Reporting, Critical Writing, Advanced Photojournalism, Business Reporting, and Science, Technical, Engineering and Math Reporting. Prereqs: MJFC 201 Multimedia Storytelling.

Students learn to be a producer—the decision maker behind newscasts.  The producer coordinates all of the elements (story meetings, video, scripts) to get his/her product on the air and meet deadline. This includes managing other students while working with constructive criticism from instructors. Students are evaluated on news judgment, creativity, quality of product, management abilities and professionalism. Prereqs: MJFC 313 Public Affairs Reporting.

Survey of radio and television programs and on-the-air presentations, using advanced techniques in psychological and sociological principles of programming. Prereqs: MJFC 310 Multicultural Media History.

Broadcast Journalism is designed to introduce the skills needed to be an effective  broadcast journalist to work in multimedia platforms.  It emphasizes writing for  broadcast news with concise, accurate, thoughtful copy and producing quality packages  for broadcast and digital distribution.  Students are expected to produce audio stories  for the Howard University communication outlets.  Students will learn and master  reporting various techniques including researching stories, news and information  gathering, natural sound collection, and interviews resulting in final enterprise broadcast pieces. Prerequisite: MJFC 201 Multimedia Storytelling.

This course brings together and builds upon the fundamental skills and  principles learned in the prerequisite journalism courses for this class.  While the  emphasis is on reporting and writing for television news, students will also learn to  shoot and edit packages.  Through field and classroom assignments along with  fieldwork, students will sharpen their research, reporting and interviewing skills, polish  their writing and gain practical experience in digital newsgathering and editing. Prerequisite: MJFC 319 Broadcast Journalism.

In this course students develop audio/radio storytelling production techniques appropriate for broadcast and the Internet. Students work on projects designed to increase skills in writing for audio, recording, editing and mixing techniques using digital audio software. Students will write critical analyses and commentaries on professional audio productions as assigned. The course also focuses on the science of sound and the history and business of radio and audio production. Exceptional productions of high quality will be published through the Howard University Radio Network. Best work from this class should be included in students’ e-portfolio.

Pre-requisites: MJFC 200 Intro to Media Production, MJFC 211 Podcasting (Announcing & Interviewing) for Audio students. MJFC 200 Intro to Media Production, MJFC 201 Multimedia Storytelling for Journalism students.

This production course explores the effective use of sound to help tell a visual story.   The course focuses on the techniques of recording sound for visual media and the post-production processes necessary to create soundtracks.  Students use microphones, digital recording technology and digital audio software to capture sound on location and in the studio.  Working in teams and individually, students cooperate to produce creative projects that continue to build upon enhance their audio production skills.  In pre-production, production and post-production, students develop an understanding of audio responsibilities for visual media and students become familiar with the legal and ethical issues facing the industry. 

Pre-requisites: MJFC 220 Media Production II for Film/TV students, MJFC 330 for Audio Production students.

This post-production course focuses on music mixing techniques and workflow. In this class, students apply varied music mixing strategies for several media platforms and productions including television and film, gaming systems, podcasts, and radio. Students develop an understanding of the evolution of audio formats and mixing techniques. This course also introduces students to entrepreneurial practices of successful mix engineers. Instruction is provided using the Pro Tools DAW. DAW proficiency and completion of prerequisite course (MJFC 330) are required. Students should include their best work from this class in their e-portfolios. 

Pre-requisites: MJFC 330 Multimedia Audio Production for Audio and Journalism Students, MJFC 331 Audio for TV & Film for Film/TV students. 

This course serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of film, radio and television scriptwriting. The course will focus on character development, story outlines, treatments and narrative script formats for the web, film, television and radio as well as commercials for radio and television. Students will finish the course with a short film script, webisode or 30 pages of a television pilot. Prereqs: MJFC 200 Introduction to Media Production.

Editing theory and history; advanced proficiency in Final Cut Pro; post-production, from assembly to final mix. Prereqs: MJFC 220 Media Production II.

n intermediate course in video, studio and field production, operations and techniques, editing and mixing. Prereqs: MJFC 220 Media Production II.

Study of the basic principles governing the discipline of cinematography and the development of technical skills. Prereqs: MJFC 220 Media Production II.

An intermediate course in video, studio and field production, operations and techniques, editing and mixing. Prereqs: MJFC 342 Videography.

Students produce short narrative or documentary film projects to strengthen knowledge of the production process and practices in the chosen genre. Each student is responsible for breaking down the physical elements into playable steps with actors or producible steps for documentary film work. Class projects must demonstrate application of theoretical and artistic principles, unified into an organized system of visual and aural expressions. Prereqs: MJFC 343 Cinematography.

This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental elements of video and filmmaking, and to analyze how those elements are used together to create meaning. Prereqs: sophomore standing. Number changed conflicts with black in film 040221

This course provides the student with an opportunity to develop their ability to work as a creative producer in the independent film and television production sector, while furnishing the student with some key skills for obtaining employment in the film and television industry in a production capacity. Prereqs: sophomore standing.

Students learn the theory and practice of writing long-form journalism, short gazette items and interactive narratives for digital and print magazines. Coursework includes regular critiques of published examples by student and professional journalists. Students also serve as reporter/producers for 101 Magazine (www.101magazine.net). Prereqs: MJFC 313 Public Affairs Reporting or permission of the instructor.

An examination of the functions performed in various departments of news media companies—broadcast, digital, print and combinations of the three—and how these functions affect the operation of a business enterprise. The course introduces students to the economic and structural factors that influence media operations and practices. It also covers management problems. Prereq: MJFC 313 Public Affairs Reporting.

The interdisciplinary course exposes students to the practice and theory in publishing a magazine across platforms. Students learn about the interactions between newsroom and business departments by studying established companies as well as serving in various roles for 101 Magazine, including business development, strategic planning, editorial and interactive content, design, advertising, circulation, production and public relations. Prereqs: MJFC 313 Public Affairs Reporting or permission of the instructor.

Students explore the theoretical fundamentals of acoustics, electronics, synthesis, sound design in and for music production and digital audio recordings. Audio Engineering involves software-based recording systems with an emphasis on editing and mixing. Students are expected to acquire a strong foundation in the use of a digital audio workstation in a music production setting, developing and applying practical skills relating to studio design, microphones, microphone placement, mixing consoles, recording and signal processing gear. Pre-requisites: Junior or Senior standing and MJFC 330 Multimedia Audio Production.

This course is designed to engage the student in the actual conceptualization, planning and development, and execution of a short social documentary.  Class will be conducted as a workshop, seminar and mentoring sessions on concept development, research, production and post-production for documentary as students pursue topics of interest to them.  Because it will deal with the interpretation and translation of actualities of the real world into the medium of documentary television, this course is intended to carry the student through the rigors of production for documentary based on sound research. Prereqs: MJFC 342 Videography,  MJFC 343 Cinematography,  MJFC 330 Advanced Audio or MJFC 313 Public Affairs Reporting.

A survey of the history of the image of African Americans in film. Students will analyze the impact that these stereotypes have on society and on Blacks’ self-concept.  The course will also examine the ways in which the images of Black people have changed (or been perpetuated) when rendered by African American filmmakers. Spring only. Prereqs: sophomore standing.

 This course deals with critical perspective; the aesthetic as well as the ideological worldview of the films made by non-European filmmakers whose work has been categorized by cultural historians as “Third cinema.”  Prereqs: sophomore standing.

his course is designed for the advanced undergraduate student who has completed the required undergraduate Scriptwriting  course. The student must present in class the first act of a feature-length screenplay or 30 pages of a pilot for a television series. An intense concentrated effort will focus on completing a first draft of the student’s three-act screenplay or teleplay. Prereqs: MJFC 340 Scriptwriting.

Independent research or study, designed to help students pursue interests not served in formal courses. Prereqs: junior or senior standing and faculty/department permission.

This course is offered when possible. It allows research or study designed to help students pursue audio production interests beyond the scope of work pursued in required audio courses. Pre-requisite: Junior or Senior standing. 

Independent research or study, designed to help students pursue interests not served in formal courses. Prereq: junior or senior standing and faculty/department permission.

Continued ongoing work within the student’s chosen area of journalism involving placement in a professional setting in a supervised internship. Prereqs: MJFC 330 Multimedia Audio Production, senior standing.

This course requires each student to select an internship in an area of audio production. This internship must take place in a professional, supervised setting and must be approved by the course faculty. Classroom discussion focuses on preparation for professional careers and includes resume development, workplace interactions and protocols. Pre-requisites: MJFC 330 Multimedia Audio Production and Junior or Senior standing.

Continued ongoing work within the student’s chosen area of television involving placement in a professional setting in a supervised internship. Prereqs: MJFC 344 TV Directing, senior standing.

Continued ongoing work within the student’s chosen film area involving placement in a professional setting in a supervised internship. Prereqs: MJFC 345 Film Directing, senior standing.

An intensive Capstone course required of all journalism majors that incorporates enterprise reporting in diverse communities for broadcast, print and/or online platforms. Those interested in television will also work for NewsVision on WHUT-TV. Students interested in print/online will take NewsLab. Prereqs: MJFC 313 Public Affairs Reporting.

Students will demonstrate and apply skills and creative ideas to pre-production, production and post-production techniques while creating a final capstone, professional quality audio project. Expected skills include effects processing, dynamics processing, analog routing and mixing, and mastering. During various critical listening assignments, students will be required to write analysis and commentary. Students will include the best audio productions from this class as well as the best projects completed during matriculation through the program in their e-portfolio. Offered Spring semester only. Pre-requisites: Senior standing, MJFC 331 Audio for TV & Film, MJFC 340 Scriptwriting.

Independent study of advanced production techniques and principles, during which the student produces a major video product or studio production.  The course will also broaden skills to include single camera production to facilitate the development of narrative television programs for broadcast and online distribution.  Emphasis will be on taking creative program concepts from mind to screen with the technical mastery of equipment and facilities.  Prereq. MJFC 344 TV Directing.

A more intensive Capstone course that substitutes for MJFC 465 and one, three-credit MJFC elective. Prereqs: MJFC 344 TV Directing.

The focus of this course is to engage students with the technical as well as creative process of directing for film.  On a very advanced level, students will learn how to interpret a classic literary drama by further translating such manuscripts into the medium of motion pictures.  Prereqs: MJFC 345 Film Directing.

The focus of this course is to engage students with the technical as well as creative process of directing for film.  On a very advanced level, students will learn how to interpret a classic literary drama by further translating such manuscripts into the medium of motion pictures.  Prereqs: special permission and MJFC 345 Film Directing.

intensive Capstone course required of journalism majors interested in print/online platforms, incorporating enterprise reporting in diverse communities. Before graduation, students must also complete a project related to their minors —and ideally another project in their foreign languages — in this or earlier courses. Prereqs: MJFC 313 Public Affairs Reporting.

An intensive Capstone course required of journalism majors interested in broadcast news, incorporating enterprise reporting in diverse communities. Students will also work for NewsVision on WHUT-TV and other newscasts. Before graduation, students must also complete a project related to their minors —and ideally another project in their foreign languages — in this or earlier courses. Prereqs: MJFC 313 Public Affairs Reporting.