Journalism and Digital Media

First Year: Semester One

First Year: Semester Two

First Year: Summer Session

Second Year: Semester One

Second Year: Semester Two

Second Year: Summer Session

Third Year: Semester One

Third Year: Semester Two

To graduate with a BA degree in Journalism and Digital Media, a student must complete, in addition to the general and core requirements mentioned earlier, 33 credits distributed as follows:

Journalism and Digital Media Major Requirements: (27 credits)

 Technical Electives Requirements: (choose 6 credits)                                        

JDM 220: Reporting Practices (3 credits)

In this course, students will acquire essential skills in reporting and writing news stories. They will master the language and conventions of the news genre effectively, understand its contexts and functions, and develop a strong foundation for future specialization. By the end of this course, students will be able to write clear, accurate, and engaging news stories, utilizing appropriate style, content, and registers. They will also comprehend the positioning and reception of news content and handle news forms and structures responsibly. Additionally, students will gain a preliminary understanding of how news is gathered, composed, and directed at specific audiences.

Prerequisite: ENG 201, ARB 201, COM200

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JDM 230: Newspaper Journalism (3 credits)

This course prepares students with a thorough grounding in the best practices of professional journalism. Students will acquire a combination of skills relevant to print journalism, including training in reporting, interviewing, writing, editing, research, and newspaper production, with a focus on critical and ethical reflection. Students will aim to produce news pieces and feature articles suitable for publication. Enroll now to master the essential skills for a successful career in newspaper journalism.

Prerequisite: ENG 202

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JDM 250: Editorial and Feature Writing (3 credits)

This course equips students with a comprehensive grounding in the best practices of professional journalism, focusing on the skills essential for print journalism. Students will learn and apply techniques in reporting, interviewing, writing, editing, research, and newspaper production. Emphasis is placed on critical and ethical reflection. By the end of the course, students will be able to produce news pieces and feature articles suitable for publication.

Prerequisite: ENG 201- JDM 220

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JDM 260: Multimedia Journalism (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the dynamic world of multimedia journalism, providing essential perspectives and cutting-edge tools for thriving in a multimedia environment. Students will discover the power of combining offline and online communication channels to create compelling multimedia content. By integrating diverse journalistic practices across newspapers, radio, TV, web, and mobile production, students will master the latest convergent platforms driven by new digital technologies.

Prerequisite: COM 212 - COM214 - COM300 

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JDM 290: Newspaper Editing (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the concepts and skills of editing news in print journalism. Students will apply editing and copy-editing principles and techniques, including sub-editing, headline writing, photo selection, thematic typography, layout distribution, and form and content synchronization within an executive editing cycle. They will also learn about the management side of the editing process and participate in workshops to perform tasks to deadline in a simulated sub-desk environment.

Prerequisite: JDM 220

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JDM 300: Digital Journalism: The Convergent Storytelling

This course acquaints students with the latest methods of online reporting, from podcasts and blogs to Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. It develops cross-media journalistic thinking for a fast-paced, mobile audience. Students will organize, report, and produce short-form news and long-form features, and evaluate visuals for enhancing interactivity. Topics include comparative analysis of paper vs. online news writing, online publishing techniques, collaboration, and netiquette. Students will analyze real case studies and complete two main projects: maintaining a personal blog and creating a team-built journalistic website.

Prerequisite: JDM 260 - JDM 345

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JDM 310: Satellite Journalism and Globalization (3 credits)

This course addresses the significant development of satellite technologies in transmitting audio-visual messages to diverse audiences worldwide. The purpose of the course is to prepare journalists ready to work in TV studios that navigate different timelines, unique broadcasting distributions, spatial destinations, and exclusive discursive engagements with the “Other.” Students will conduct institutional and discursive analyses of national, regional, or international satellite TV stations and present their assessments of the station’s journalism practices. Enroll now to master the skills needed for satellite journalism in a globalized world.

Prerequisite: JDM 300

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JDM 320: Reporting Conflict (3 credits)

This course provides an opportunity for students to specialize in conflict reporting. Students will examine different socio-economic and politico-cultural cases of conflict as content for reporting, news coverage, and broadcasting. Through this examination, students will acquaint themselves with the forms, styles, structures, and functions of news reporting associated with conflicts. As part of the course, students will undertake a reporting case study analysis and assessment. Enroll now to gain the expertise needed for effective conflict reporting.

Prerequisite: JDM 300

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JDM 330: Investigative Journalism (3 credits)

This course focuses on the methods and skills necessary for specializing in one of the essential news and features genres. Students will learn the strategies and tactics for conducting tactful, dialogical, and steering inquiries that reveal new angles and perspectives of news stories. Additionally, students will master the most effective discourse articulation in reporting, aiming to create impact and change on the original problems. Enroll now to develop the skills required for impactful investigative journalism.

Prerequisite: JDM 300

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JDM 345: Web Design for Journalists

This course delivers the fundamentals of web design for intermediate levels, covering the basics of designing layouts and interfaces using both coding and design principles to integrate designers' and developers' perspectives. By the end of this course, students will be able to design and publish an actual website.

Prerequisite: COM300 - JDM 220 - MIT 200

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JDM 370: Essentials of News Photography (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of news photography. Students will learn to use still cameras to capture news events and create feature photos for print media. Topics also include modern photographic methods and analysis of various photojournalism techniques. Enroll now to master the essentials of news photography.

Prerequisite: JDM 230, JDM 260

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JDM 380: Seminar in Journalism and Digital Media (3 credits)

This course offers a variable content classroom experience in Journalism and Digital Media, where students will explore topics of current interest not covered in the regular curriculum. A specific course description will be published in the course offering schedule. Enroll now to delve into contemporary issues in journalism and digital media.

Prerequisite: Consent of Advisor

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JDM 400: Introduction to the Sports Report (3 credits)

This course develops core skills of sports journalism for third-year students. Students will learn to produce and deliver sports news stories, broadcast sports reports, and match reports on radio and television newscasts. Local, regional, and international sport reports will be critically analyzed. The course emphasizes sports writing (reporting and editing) for broadcast and studio work. Enroll now to excel in sports journalism.

Prerequisite: COM 240 and Junior Standing

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JDM 440: Journalism and Society: The Lebanese Case (3 credits)

This course provides a framework for analyzing and assessing the impact of journalism on society. Students will explore theories on the influence of journalism as an institution and examine the Lebanese context of journalism development, focusing on historical impacts. The course will also explore the role of journalism in creating Lebanese culture and its relationship to world culture. Enroll now to understand the societal impact of journalism in Lebanon.

Prerequisite: Senior Standing

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JDM 460: Newsroom Management (3 credits)

This course equips students with the skills and techniques necessary to manage a newsroom across print, broadcast, and online platforms. Students will analyze case studies and learn strategies for addressing team-building and leadership issues in an ethical context. Enroll now to develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills for newsroom management.

Prerequisite: Senior Standing

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JOR 490: Independent Study in Journalism and Digital Media (3 credits)

This course trains students to be independent in researching contemporary subjects in Journalism and Digital Media. Under faculty supervision, students will conduct a research project on a chosen topic, culminating in a formal report and oral presentation. Enroll now to enhance your research skills in journalism and digital media.

Prerequisite: Senior Standing

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JDM 497: Professional Placement (3 credits)

This course requires junior students to work part-time or full-time to apply classroom learning in a practical setting. Students will present a formal report and public presentation on their work experience. Enroll now to gain real-world experience in journalism and digital media.

Prerequisite: Junior Standing and Consent of Advisor

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JDM 499: Journalism and Digital Media Capstone Project (3 credits)

This course prepares students to conduct systematic research, identifying research opportunities and developing a formal research project as their capstone requirement for graduation. Topics include design philosophies, problem conceptualization, project planning, and resource utilization. A formal oral presentation is required. Enroll now to complete your capstone project with guidance from faculty.

Prerequisite: Senior Standing

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Digital Media

General University Requirements(21)

Free Liberal Arts Electives(9)

MCFA Core Requirements:( 36)

Major Requirements: Journalism and Digital Media (27)

Technical Electives Requirements (choose 6 credits)