The J-School offers many wonderful course electives to strengthen your journalism education. For a full listing of all of the journalism courses available, go here.

Following are just three of the many interesting course opportunities for you to consider taking next semester.

J500 MEDIA AND THE ENVIRONMENT

One of the reasons the environmental beat is perpetually interesting is that it's the grandest train wreck of ideological, scientific, and financial interests imaginable.
-Peter Dykstra, Society of Environmental Journalists

This is an exciting time in the world of environmentalism and journalism. Storytelling has expanded from discussions of land conservation to explorations of ways the natural world encompasses and affects every aspect of our lives: from national security to economy prosperity, conservation to civil rights, public health to personal well-being. Together, we will explore methods to expand the lens of environmental reporting—explaining science in ways that are relevant and accessible, and promoting issues that serve the public
interest and support the sustenance of our planet.

This cross-disciplinary course focuses on environmental reporting in mainstream media and the challenges scientists and journalists face when communicating environmental issues to the public. We will learn from each other through in-class and online discussions. Scientists will help journalists to better understand scientific data, ask appropriate questions, and offer more comprehensive coverage of issues. Journalists will educate scientists on how to present data clearly and concisely and provide context for information to elicit more thoughtful interviews and reportage.

We will chart the evolution of environmental journalism and critique environmental stories in popular media—from Pulitzer Prize winners to environmental blogs. We will go into the field to find local stories and create environmental reports that are as relevant,
accessible, and accurate as possible. We will also address ways to balance information and advocacy, analyze the potential risks of media consolidation, and "green" our media operations from the inside out by developing an environmental action plan for the KU newsroom.

Students will have an opportunity to meet professionals involved in various environmental media efforts and build their portfolios of professional work by developing blogs, videos, and audio podcasts that may be featured on the environmental websites Grist, Green Options, and Sundance Channel's microsite The Green or on local websites Lawrence.com and the Lawrence Sustainability Network. The class will meet Thursday from 2:30-5 in 303 Stauffer-Flint.

J512 PRINCIPLES OF BROADCASTING

This course covers more of the media world than just broadcasting. The course is very current events driven with a particular emphasis on the business side of media including ownership, revenue streams and the influence of the Internet. Government regulation (or the lack of it) and content/program development are also significant topics.

The course will be a survey of the field from traditional, over-the-air radio, television and telephone, to satellite and land-basedemerging new technologies. The course is strongly based on current events but also covers the historical perspective. The course primarily covers the business side of media, the role and responsibility of the government in regulating media, and an examination of the social implications of the changing media
environment.

Course work includes short papers, an essay exam and a group project. The class will meet MW 12:30-1:45 in 2096 Dole. Prerequisite: 8 hours of Journalism.

J572 SALES STRATEGY

The course studies the application of creative problem solving in addressing the needs of various media constituencies. Rooted in persuasion and motivation theory, the course includes an examination of non-manipulative sales tactics and personal presentation skills. Students develop an understanding of how media organizations integrate advertising, marketing and sales intelligence in solving client problems.

This class is not just designed to develop professional sales people. The class is designed to help students strategize how to be more persuasive with their communications, whether they are applying for their first job or making a presentation for their agency to secure a major account. There is a systematic approach that instructor Diane O'Byrne helps students with to identify what will help them throughout their career--no matter what side of the business they choose. The skill set the class helps develop is applicable to any industry.

The class meets TR from 1-2:15 in 2094 Dole. Prerequisite: 8 hours of Journalism.