MFJS 2000 Introduction to Film Criticism (4 Credits)

Theories and methods of social, cultural and aesthetic criticism of film; emphasis on critical writing. Laboratory fee required. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

MFJS 2001 Producing Video for Social Media (4 Credits)

This course covers the basics in video production and video storytelling for all undergraduate students at the University of Denver who are interested in YouTube and other social media video content creation. Students will maximize their video storytelling abilities, producing storytelling content that can be shared across multiple social media platforms using mobile phones or equivalent basic consumer equipment. Learning takes place within justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and internationalization frameworks consistent with department, College, and University expectations. The course fulfills requirements within several MFJS majors and the MFJS minor and serves as a university elective.

MFJS 2140 Storytelling & Reporting (4 Credits)

Fundamentals of newswriting and reporting for print and broadcast journalism. Laboratory fee required.

MFJS 2150 Scriptwriting (4 Credits)

Examines the creative process for writing the motion picture screenplay. Topics include format and structure; character and dialogue; rising conflict and confrontation; visualization and imagery; and understanding the conventions of the medium and its limitations. Students will complete a short screenplay by the conclusion of the course. Prerequisite: MFJS 2000. Cross listed with MFJS 4450. 4 qtr. Hrs.

MFJS 2160 Sexualities and Screens (4 Credits)

This course offers a critical introduction to the ways that sexual identities and practices are rendered (in)visible within screen-based, digital media culture: television, film, online spaces and platforms, and video games. As a socially contested, disruptive, and liberatory element of social life, sexuality’s mediation offers a lens for us to think about cultural norms, ideologies, and politics, as well as issues related to the commodification of bodies. Throughout the quarter, you will immerse yourself in diverse perspectives, reflective writing exercises, textual analysis, small group discussions, and other active learning measures that will deepen your critical thinking around the intersection of media culture and sexuality. Issues such as sexualization, intimacy coordinators, the mediation of consent, queer digital activism, and the politics of casting will be explored through the lens of Media Studies, Cultural Studies and Intersectional Feminism. This course counts toward the Scientific Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

MFJS 2170 Globalization and Film (4 Credits)

MFJS 2170 (Globalization and Film) explores the varying ways that globalization impacts cinema on a national and transnational level. This course is broken down into three units: theories on globalization; implications of globalization behind-the-scenes; and representations of globalization onscreen. Through a selection of assigned readings and filmic texts, you will be encouraged to think critically about what “globalization” means and how it influences films, both behind-the-scenes and onscreen. In addition to several in-class screenings, you will be required to view a few films on your own. Finally, you will have the opportunity to research and write original scholarship on one of two angles to engage further and apply course material: 1) the impact of globalization on the film industry of your choice, or 2) the impact of globalization on representational issues in the film of your choice. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

MFJS 2205 International & Development Communication (4 Credits)

Virtually everywhere we look, whether we are watching a kidfluencer on YouTube, streaming music on Spotify, or scrolling through TikTok, it is evident that we are living in an increasingly interconnected and globalizing world. What does this mean for us as individuals, as Coloradans, as Americans? What does this mean for global humanity? Do we now have a transnational social order and a global culture? If so, what or who is driving this process, and who remains on the sidelines? These are some of the broader questions this class addresses, with an eye toward how media, culture, and communication fit into the larger network of globalization.

MFJS 2210 Introduction to Media and Culture (4 Credits)

Course introduces students to the organization of the U.S. media industries and their historical and contemporary role in U.S. culture. This course counts toward the Scientific Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

MFJS 2220 Popular Music and Social Justice (4 Credits)

What makes popular music a powerful medium for us to “fight the power” and motivate social change, and what hinders it from achieving its full potential? This course examines a range of 20th and 21st century popular music (blues, folk, rock, hip-hop, musicals, etc.) to better understand the complex relationships between music and social (in)justices. Sitting at the intersection of critical media studies, critical race & ethnic studies, popular music studies, and project-based learning, this course examines an array of 20th and 21st century popular music (blues, folk, rock, hip-hop, pop, indie, etc.) to understand the complex relationships between music and social (in)justices.

MFJS 2240 Multimedia Journalism (4 Credits)

With the abundance of competing voices online, seeking accurate information has become a major challenge in today’s world. Information now comes in different shades, including incorrect statements, fakes news, rumors, doctored audio, and deepfake videos. They float together in traditional media outlets as well as on social media and they can play a destructive role in creating fear, tarnishing reputations, undermining social cohesion, influencing elections, and, at times, fueling killings. To overcome those challenges, the world needs credible, balanced, and technology savvy journalists as well as critical media consumers more than ever before. MFJS 2240 is a project-based, collaborative, hands-on class that engages with the new media challenges to the field of journalism. The readings, multimedia projects, and class activities aim to empower students to grasp the basic principles, key terms, media production skills, and the organizing structures of digital journalism. Prerequisite: MFJS 2140.

MFJS 2270 Activist Media (4 Credits)

Various media have played roles in the social and political movements of the past, with social media platforms accelerating the possibilities for intervening in social and political life. Activist media harnesses new communication technologies to resist the domination and limitations of mainstream corporate media, creating new media strategies and messages to promote social change. This class examines the spaces of activist media that have enabled citizens, protesters, journalists, PR professionals, tech developers and hacktivists to harness a diverse range of media tools and platforms for change. It also explores how these platforms have created new risks and challenges, especially for activists. This course counts toward the Scientific Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

MFJS 2280 Politics and Media (4 Credits)

We examine the nature of the media and how media institutions shape the way citizens understand politics. We discuss global media institutions and the role media play in various societies. We explore the role of media in providing information for citizens in a democracy, examine how the media influence the political process, and investigate how the goals of and changes within the media industry influence the effect media coverage has on the political process. Through our study, we explore how the media either enhance or limit the potential for citizens to contribute to democracy. This course counts toward the Scientific Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

MFJS 2290 Innovations in Media, Artificial Intelligence, & Communication (4 Credits)

This course considers information and communication technologies in relation to “the new,” exploring the ways that technological, historical, legal, economic, and social contexts combine to enable the changes that we think of as innovations in media and communication. Taking a critical/cultural historical perspective, we explore questions such as where technologies come from, who controls them, who profits from them, how they are used, and with what potential implications? We also consider how today’s artificial intelligence technologies are similar to and different from the new technologies of previous ages, how bias and misinformation are (re)produced, and countermovements such as “slow” technology, with an eye toward imagining what the future might hold. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

MFJS 2400 Strategic Communication Planning (4 Credits)

This course introduces students to various career paths and foundational principles in strategic communication, including public relations and advertising. Students learn and apply the elements of a comprehensive strategic communication plan, including conducting research, setting communication goals, designing messaging strategies and tactics, and evaluating the plan's effectiveness. An emphasis on ethical communication practices is central to the course. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

MFJS 2420 #CannabisMedia: Studying the Culture of America's New Normal (4 Credits)

This course will examine the legalization of marijuana — both medical and recreational – as it is being covered in Colorado and in states across the country. Ever since the 2012 legalization of recreational marijuana, Colorado has been a leader in considering the medical, political, social and legal issues emergent with legalization. In this course, which is the first of its kind in the U.S., not only will we be investigating the scope of the marijuana legalization movement and its many political and practical intricacies, we also will be conducting a research project with original data and multimedia elements conceived and designed to push and promote enterprising storytelling. Students will visit dispensaries, interview industry professionals and produce a portfolio piece of narrative journalism using the modes and methods of their choice, with direction of the instructor.

MFJS 2421 Studying Star Wars: Lessons From a Galaxy Far, Far Away (4 Credits)

We are at a time that seems to be "peak Star Wars," some 40 years after the movie was first released to the moviegoing public. After a period of dormancy, resurgency and now primacy, the three-part trilogy of the Star Wars saga enters into its fifth decade with new films, new popularity and deeper integration into popular culture with the acquisition by Disney. In the class we'll analyze the historical foundations of the original film and it's storytelling devices, and along the way discuss marketing, mythology and the critical takes on the movie's role in the canon of filmmaking. Expect to learn about sound design, movie scoring, special effects and the many twists and turns of the universe set in a galaxy far, far away. You will pick one aspect of the Star Wars universe to dissect in WordPress.com thinkpiece, and you will be required to participate in daily class discussions, in person and on Twitter.

MFJS 3040 Media Law (4 Credits)

Introduction to freedom of expression and media law. Students learn how the American legal system works and gain an understanding and appreciation of the philosophical foundations of free expression. In addition, students confront many of the issues facing professional communicators today. Topics include incitement, hate speech, student speech, copyright, defamation, and other issues crucial to mass media professionals. The course examines also explores challenges to free expression brought by new(er) communication technologies. The purpose of this class is to give students the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to be successful in today’s rapidly changing communication environment. Cross-listed with MFJS 4300.

MFJS 3110 Audience and Communication Research (4 Credits)

This class offers an introduction to social science methods applied to communication and audience research. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with: the role and functions of communication and audience research in contemporary society; the processes and practices involved in developing and executing a research project; the basic different forms of research, both qualitative, such as interviews and focus groups and quantitative, such as surveys and experiments; how to use research skills for different career paths. Cross-listed with MFJS 3110/4560.

MFJS 3120 Media Ethics, Race & Technology (4 Credits)

What are your ethical obligations as a professional communicator? In this course, you will become acquainted with the ethical codes of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Public Relations Society of America, the Radio, TV, and Digital News Association, and more. As you meet with and hear from media professionals from a range of industries, you will discuss different case studies of ethical dilemmas that take place at the individual, organizational, corporate, and technological levels. You will consider issues of privacy and harm, diversity and inclusion, deception, mis- and disinformation, photograph and image construction and editing, accountability, and more. Senior standing or instructor's permission required.

MFJS 3170 Infographic Storytelling (4 Credits)

We swim in a world of data - from election results, budgets and census reports, to Facebook updates and image uploads. Journalists need to know how to find stories in data and shape them in compelling ways. This hands-on course teaches reporters and editors to gather, analyze, and visualize interactive data-driven stories. This emerging discipline touches on information and interactivity design, mapping, graphing, animation tools, and data analysis. You are expected to think like a journalist by evaluating data critically and applying what you learn to news stories, information graphics or web applications. Familiarity with HTML/CSS is helpful, but not required. This is not a course in coding, but programmers of all skill levels are welcome.

MFJS 3180 Media Studies Research (4 Credits)

This capstone course in the Media Studies major is open to all students interested in engaging in the work of media research, which includes identifying a research question, collecting and analyzing data, and writing research reports. The course covers interviewing, textual analysis, ethnography, historical research, and is rooted in project-based learning. Junior standing required.

MFJS 3201 Publication & Graphic Design (4 Credits)

This course explores publication design and techniques for creating effective layouts. We employ the scope of the Adobe Creative Suite, primarily InDesign, to incorporate and manipulate text, photographs and illustrations. The course serves as a visual elective for all MFJS students. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisites: MFJS 2140 or MFJS 2400 or instructor approval.

MFJS 3202 Horror Films (4 Credits)

Horror films serve as tales of morality and, as such, their themes tend to fluctuate in accordance with cultural zeitgeists. They offer commentary on socio-cultural,-political aspects, and they also have an ongoing market. Since they are inexpensive to make but have the potential to bring in profit, horror films are popular among producers. Due to their construction of fear aspect, they tend to create a lot of intrigue and dedicated fan bases. From their production to their ideological messaging to their reception, horror films offer spaces rich for cultural understanding and critical dialogue. In fact, it is these aspects that make horror films a wonderful jumping off point for discussion—students tend to love them and they are usually very accessible. With this in mind, this course will use the platform of horror films to discuss cultural differences, including anxieties and fears, the impact of globalization on horror films, the implication of franchises on horror cinema, and the representation of intersecting identity markers (both on and off-screen). Prerequisite: MFJS 2000.

MFJS 3207 Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion in Health Communication (4 Credits)

The course will begin with an overview of Health Communication in the United States and the ways in which health and illness are defined through communication, including media. We will discuss existing health disparities and social determinants of health as we examine health communication in multicultural settings in the U.S. We will further examine multicultural audiences and perspectives about health and illness, including diverse meaning systems and their influences on health attitudes and behaviors. Students will learn about cross-cultural conceptions of health and disease and how those conceptions are represented in communication about health and illness. As students learn about what it means to develop culturally grounded health communication campaigns, they will examine culture centric messaging in health promotion. We will also discuss the ways in which health care systems are promoting patient-centered health care that takes intersectionality and identity into consideration.

MFJS 3208 Narrative and Longform Journalism (4 Credits)

Students spend time learning the nature and functions of in-depth news reporting for online and print, with a focus on magazine-style feature article writing and editing. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: MFJS 2140.

MFJS 3212 History of Cinema 1930-1960 (4 Credits)

This course surveys international film history starting with the "talkies” through innovations in widescreen formats and post-war filmmaking. We will study cinema between the 1930s-1960s from a variety of perspectives: as a technological apparatus, an economic institution, an aesthetic form, and a social force. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: MFJS 2000 Introduction to Film Criticism.

MFJS 3213 Producing the Music Video (4 Credits)

This course is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of the music video production process. We will work with partners in the Lamont School of Music and Theater to deliver 3 high quality music videos to local DU bands by the end of the quarter. These videos will be conceived, shot, and edited in class. Guest speakers from the industry will offer guidance and critique. Your knowledge of cinematography, editing, and set design will expand in this class. The 3 bands will be our clients; we will deliver them videos of the highest quality.

MFJS 3214 Representational Issues in U.S. Film (4 Credits)

This course explores the varying ways that race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, physical and mental (dis)ability, and age are represented in and by film—both historically and culturally. In addition to class discussions regarding mainstream and independent film production, students will employ close readings of filmic texts to better understand how off-screen factors greatly impact what is seen onscreen. This course will encourage students to think critically about the filmic images that they are consuming on a regular basis, as means to interrogate what is at stake when it comes to representational issues such as dominant ideologies, visual style, and assigned character roles. Finally, students will engage the texts critically as a way to understand how these onscreen identities impact the way that individuals treat others but also how they are treated themselves. Prerequisite: MFJS 2000.

MFJS 3215 Introduction to Filmmaking (4 Credits)

This course is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of television and film production with a focus on the complete production process: pre-production (planning), production (lighting, shooting and sound gathering) and post-production (editing). At the completion of this course, students will have a basic understanding of the process involved in producing a field-based production, the skills necessary to complete it and, most importantly, the critical understanding behind all decisions. Because people are the most important part of any production, emphasis will be placed on students’ ability to work effectively with production team members. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: MFJS 2000. Restricted to FILM and MDST majors.

MFJS 3217 Indie Film vs Hollywood: A History of American Independent Cinema (4 Credits)

American Independent Film", provides an introduction to the American independent film movement. The course focuses on the rise of independent cinema in the 1950s and 1960s, examines the height of the independent film movement (1984-1994), and provides a survey of the current state of “indie film.” Directors studied include: John Cassavetes, Roger Corman, Melvin Van Peebles, Barbara Loden, John Sayles, Robert Rodriguez, Lizzie Borden, Steven Soderbergh, Spike Lee, Jim Jarmusch, Richard Linklater, and Wes Anderson. A significant amount of time is devoted to a comparison of the Hollywood Studio System and independent production techniques.

MFJS 3218 Narrative Film Production I (4 Credits)

This is the first of a two-quarter capstone class that fulfills a two-quarter capstone requirement for Film Studies and Production majors and can be taken by others who have completed the pre-requisites and are juniors or seniors. Majors can take both two-sequence Narrative and Documentary capstones, counting one set for the major and one as electives if they so choose. The narrative course is both process and product oriented with a goal for students to work collaboratively to develop a 7-10 minute original narrative film script or web series (2-3 episodes that run approximately 10 minutes total) and complete all of the pre-production tasks necessary to take it into production spring quarter. Depending on class size we will make 3-5 films. We will examine the scriptwriting revision and pre-production processes, and students will finish the quarter with a completed pre-production notebook that will include, among other things, a shooting script, overheads, a script breakdown, production schedules, casting decisions, location scouting reports, a look book, a pitch deck and a shooting schedule. Likewise, through readings, discussions and screenings, the course is designed to expose students to the larger world of narrative filmmaking. During the second quarter students will film, edit and present finished work. Prerequisites: MFJS 2000 and MFJS 3215 and Junior/Senior standing.

MFJS 3219 Documentary Film Production I (4 Credits)

This course is the first half of a two-course capstone sequence. It presents an integrated (theory and practice) approach to film and video documentary. The theoretical component presents a historical overview of the various styles and modes of documentary with a discussion of the way each has developed in response to perceived limitations of the mode then dominant and the ethical decisions that filmmakers continue to face. The production component focuses on selecting and researching a topic for documentary production during the second quarter of the capstone. Prerequisites: MFJS 2000 and MFJS 3215 and Junior/Senior standing.

MFJS 3220 Narrative Film Production II (4 Credits)

What are your ethical obligations as a professional communicator, a communication creator and consumer, and as a citizen? This course examines ethical dilemmas that take place at the individual, organizational, corporate, and technological levels, with attention to Critical Race Theory and to various epistemological approaches to ethical reasoning. You will consider issues of privacy, mis- and disinformation, copying and distribution, games, trolls, bots, and more. Junior standing required.

MFJS 3221 Documentary Film Production II (4 Credits)

This is the second of a two-quarter capstone class that fulfills a two-quarter capstone requirement for Film Studies and Production majors and can be taken by students who have completed the pre-requisites and have junior or senior standing. Students must have taken MFJS 3219 in the previous quarter to register for this class. Majors can take both Documentary and Narrative capstones, counting one for the major and one as electives if they so choose. Students will collaborate with their teams in the production and post-production phases of a documentary project. This includes filming, editing, sound design, scoring, color correction and mastering. In-class critique sessions and guest speakers bolster this experiential quarter. Prerequisites: MFJS 2000, MFJS 3215 and MFJS 3219 and Junior/Senior Standing.

MFJS 3222 Experimental Film/Video Theory & Production (4 Credits)

This class includes a historical and critical overview of experimental film and video movements as well as technical and aesthetic training in experimental production. Students integrate theory and criticism into the production of several experimental projects. Laboratory fee required. Cross listed with MFJS 4222. Prerequisite: MFJS 3215.

MFJS 3223 Advanced Editing (4 Credits)

Building on the basic non-linear editing skills gained in Introduction to FIlmmaking, this course focuses on advanced techniques of image and color manipulation, movement and graphic effects, advanced sound sweetening and manipulation and advanced text/credit effects. Prerequisite: MFJS 2000: Introduction to Film Criticism and MFJS 3215: Introduction to Filmmaking.

MFJS 3224 Cinematography (4 Credits)

This course focuses on the visual aspects of telling a cinematic story. Students develop an understanding of advanced lighting concepts, lenses, grip equipment, and color science. The class emphasizes visual storytelling, using lighting, art design and camera movement to develop character and theme. Lab fee required. Prerequisite: MFJS 2000 and MFJS 3215.

MFJS 3226 Directing for Film and Television (4 Credits)

This course will focus on the art and craft of film/television directing, emphasizing the relationship the director cultivates with actors, developing an understanding of movement and creating a vision for a scene. Students will apply theory to actual scene work with actors. Prerequisites: MFJS 2000 and MFJS 3215.

MFJS 3227 Producing the Environmental Documentary (4 Credits)

This course is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of cinematography: cameras, lenses, grip equipment, lighting, and composition. When you complete this course, the goal is for you to have an intermediate understanding of cinematography and that which motivates lighting and composition choices. Because people are the most important part of any production, emphasis will be placed on your ability to work effectively with class members. Learning to collaborate is crucial to your success in this class.

MFJS 3229 Video Editing is for Everybody (4 Credits)

The goal for this course is for students to have a basic working knowledge of editing using various media elements (video, audio, photos, music, graphics), developing proficiencies using different editing software, and applying a mixture of editing theories and techniques. This is a summer course only.

MFJS 3242 Reel Women (4 Credits)

Reel Women explores films from the U.S., England, Senegal, India, Canada, Colombia, and Saudi Arabia that are made for, about, and/or by women with the aim of better understanding and centralizing issues pertinent to women’s daily lives across the world.

MFJS 3245 Producing Client Video (4 Credits)

This course provides students with an experiential learning opportunity in film and video production as part of the MFJS Keystone Experience series. Students work with a community or not-or-profit organization, learning how to work with clients and fulfill client video/film needs as part of a broader communication plan. Students in this course utilize research and communication strategy work that has been developed by students working with the same client in previous quarters. Learning takes place within justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and internationalization frameworks consistent with department, College, and University expectations. The course fulfills requirements within several MFJS majors and the MFJS minor. Prerequisites: MFJS 2000 AND MFJS 3215. 4 credit hours.

MFJS 3310 Advanced Storytelling & Reporting (4 Credits)

This is a writing-intensive course designed to strengthen your abilities in the gathering and analysis of public documents and big data, the conduct of interviews with a range of stakeholders, and the use of observational techniques that provide a basis for in-depth investigative reporting. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: MFJS 2140 or MFJS 3410.

MFJS 3325 Advanced Screenwriting (4 Credits)

Advanced Screenwriting takes writers through the process to create creative fiction content for film and television. This may include writing television pilots, web series and other fiction media material. The course will include live table reads, peer-to-peer feedback and industry speakers. In addition to creating original content, students will be taught how to create their writer's portfolio, market themselves to industry decision makers and land writing jobs. Prerequisites: MFJS 2000 and MFJS 2150.

MFJS 3410 Strategic Messaging (4 Credits)

This course focuses on learning and applying strategic communication principles to the creation of strategic messages for a client. Students also evaluate strategic communication techniques as they learn how to target a specific audience and learn how strategic messages fit within an overall strategic communication plan. Prerequisite: MFJS 2400.

MFJS 3420 Strategic Communication Seminar (4 Credits)

This is the capstone course in the strategic communication sequence. In this course, students examine special topics in strategic communication and apply what they have learned to group projects in which they take on a client and work together as a team on a strategic communication campaign. Cross listed with MFJS 4070. Prerequisites: MFJS 2400 and MFJS 3410.

MFJS 3440 Global & Multicultural Campaigns (4 Credits)

Globalization is having a major impact on the communications field, including strategic communication and public relations. As a growing number of organizations, businesses and governments seek to communicate and interact with organizations and individuals from diverse cultures and countries, they depend upon public relations professionals with international and cross-cultural expertise to help them achieve their goals and objectives. Likewise, more organizations and businesses are recognizing the importance and value of cultural diversity and inclusion within their organizations as well as among their clientele and need assistance from public relations professionals to communicate effectively and build healthy relationships around this diversity. This course will explore several aspects of global and cross-cultural public relations campaigns, using a combination of readings, lectures, discussions, and presentations from guest speakers with experience in this rapidly expanding field. Prerequisite: MFJS 2400 or Permission of Instructor.

MFJS 3501 Web Design & Content Development (4 Credits)

This course covers the building and management of web pages and the creation of sites using open source content management systems. You will develop the ability to plan, create and integrate social media and third-party content into web sites, and utilize analytical tools that measure audience engagement. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisite: MFJS 2140 or MFJS 2400.

MFJS 3503 Social Media Strategies (4 Credits)

In this class, students get familiar with the principles of social media strategy and learn how to design messaging strategies and tactics for social media. In addition, students work with a real client on a strategic communication campaign for social media. Prerequisite: MFJS 2400 or MFJS 2140.

MFJS 3504 Advanced Multimedia Web Storytelling & Publishing (4 Credits)

This course is one of two possible capstone classes for journalism students. In this course, students tap the reporting, writing, editing, and multimedia production and editing skills and knowledge learned and practiced in previous journalism studies classes and apply them to building from scratch, an open content management based multimedia web site. Laboratory fee required. Prerequisites: MFJS 2140 and MFJS 2240, or instructor approval.

MFJS 3505 Advanced Multimedia Journalism with PBS Partnership (4 Credits)

This capstone course for journalism majors provides students with opportunities in experiential learning as together they bolster the coverage and amplify the voices of underserved communities in Colorado. Rural, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and religious minority communities, among others, will be the subject of our attention and the focus of the class media projects. Students produce several mini-documentaries and written pieces that will be submitted for consideration to, and may air on, the RMPBS program, Colorado Voices, and on the PBS Video app. Prerequisite: MFJS 2140 and MFJS 2240.

MFJS 3506 Audio Documentaries (4 Credits)

In the past decade, an explosion in the production and accessibility of audio documentary work has created an unprecedented interest and expansion of the documentary form in nearly all sectors of public life. Building on this trend, this course teaches the skills of ethnographically informed audio documentary work that can record and interpret culture and lived experience. We focus on learning the techniques of non-fiction storytelling used in established public radio programs like This American Life, Radio Lab, or Snap Judgement, as well as newer podcasts like Reply All, Invisibilia, or Embedded. The course will prepare students to tell complex stories using strong character-driven narrative. Sound documentation and representation will not be done along journalistic principles, but instead through rigorous ethnography that relies on participant-observation and immersion. Through practical application and the exploration of ethnography and documentary approaches to communication, the course explores questions that surround the interpretation and representation of socio-cultural experience via a sonic medium. To understand the basic mechanics of sound and its narrative form, participants will learn to digitally record and edit audio. Storytelling will then become more complex as students learn to conduct ethnography, interviews, and develop a script for radio. Students will ultimately analyze and create audio documentaries in an effort to understand a significant form of digital storytelling. There are three central learning objectives that will guide us through the course: (1) we will practice ethnographic and documentary methodology, (2) learn to write for radio, and (3) learn the workflow of audio editing to produce an audio documentary.

MFJS 3652 Feminist Media Studies (4 Credits)

MFJS 3652 (Feminist Media Studies) explores the gendered intersections between media and society through the analytical lens of Feminist Media Studies (FMS). While aligned with the discipline Media Studies, FMS centers questions related to power and patriarchy, and aims to create space for praxis. Paying close attention to issues of intersectionality, this course surveys the historical emergence, and contributions, of feminist methodology and inquiry related to issues such as sexism within gaming, the politics of visibility in television production, the celluloid ceiling, and networked bodies. During the quarter, you will engage in multiple points of active and reflective learning that provide the space to strengthen both your understanding and application of FMS. Assignments include discussion questions, self-reflective analysis, and a final project that highlights application, creativity, and subversion.

MFJS 3655 JEDII (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Internationalization) Storytelling (4 Credits)

This course focuses on multiperspectival approaches to journalism and media, with an emphasis on representations and news coverage related to gender, race/ethnicity, class, (dis)ability, religious, and national identities. The class explores journalistic writing as a creative process and craft that emphasizes social justice. Prerequisite: MFJS 2140: Storytelling & Reporting or MFJS 3410: Strategied Messaging. Cross-listed with MFJS 4655.

MFJS 3656 Cross-cultural Travel Seminar: Immigration, Communication & Border Cultures (4 Credits)

This is a one-week intensive travel course that takes place in Tucson, Arizona and south to the US-Mexican border region. The focus of this experiential learning class is to study immigration issues, border cultures, and the role of communication and media through testimonies of immigrants, and visits to key sites such as the migrant trail, immigration detention center and courts. Also included are talks by activists and officials involved in the immigration debate. Class meets for two pre-class sessions in spring quarter. Requires junior standing. Cross-listed with MFJS 4656.

MFJS 3700 New Media Law & Regulation (4 Credits)

An examination of recent developments in internet and social media law and regulation.

MFJS 3852 Advanced Design, Layout, and Editing (4 Credits)

This course teaches students advanced layout and design for media publications using contemporary software applications for journalists and public relations professionals. Prerequisite: MFJS 3201.

MFJS 3900 Topics in Media Film & Journalism (1-4 Credits)

MFJS 3980 Internship in Media, Film, and Journalism Studies (1-4 Credits)

MFJS 3991 Independent Study (1-10 Credits)

MFJS 3995 Independent Research (1-10 Credits)