Earn Your Degree
in Science and Environmental Journalism
A Program Unlike Any Other
Journalism in Action
Journalism students gain hands-on experience producing stories, multimedia projects and reporting while learning from accomplished journalists who visit campus through the Snedden Chairs and Lecturers series.
See stories, multimedia projects and reporting created by UAF journalism students.
The Snedden Chairs and Lecturers series brings distinguished journalists and media professionals to UAF.
Journalism Courses
Explore the courses that build your skills in reporting, writing, multimedia storytelling and science communication.
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
History and principles of mass communications and the role of information media in American society. Introduction to professional aspects of mass communications, including print and broadcast.
Attributes: UAF Degree Humanities Req, UAF GER Humanities Req
3 Credits
Offered Fall and Spring
Identifying and focusing news stories, writing the lead, developing story structure,
writing on deadline, editing copy, writing headlines and captions, writing styles
for print, broadcast and online news presentations.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Attributes: UAF Degree Humanities
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Exploration of local, national and international environmental problems and their social and political impacts. Analysis of historical and contemporary mass media coverage 鈥 including radio, film, print and online outlets 鈥 and their treatment of environmental issues. Examination of the media鈥檚 effects on public opinion and government policies.
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X.
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Audio production theory and practice for video, radio and podcasting. Survey of types of microphones and their features, including mic placement and operation. Audio recording best practices, location sound, voice overs and audio editing.
3 Credits
Offered Spring
News reporting basics with an eye toward science: covering beats including technology, medicine, climate, physics, space, the natural world and science policy. Cultivating sources, interviewing and reporting through public records. Sifting through published research and data. Working with numbers. Segments on print, video and online reporting methods and style conventions.
Prerequisites: JOUR F101X; JOUR F201.
3 Credits
Offered Fall
Lay or lie? Who or whom? Find out as this course travels from basic grammar and usage to editing for tone, structure and potential ethical conflicts. Choose the best word or phrase for any occasion, eliminate redundancy and verbosity, and learn why you should never use 鈥渞eally unique.鈥
Prerequisites: WRTG F111X.
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Digital video production technology overview and techniques of composition, audio, lighting, recording and editing as it relates to non-fiction/journalism production. Students will produce videos of varying lengths, including a final project.
Prerequisites: JOUR F201; JOUR F207.
Special Notes: Special fees apply.
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Taught by UAF's Snedden Chair in Journalism, this course uses a semester-long focus to examine a single issue or topic in science or environmental journalism.
Prerequisites: JOUR F101X; JOUR F201; JOUR F301; junior standing.
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 2 times for up to 6 credits
1-3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Practical training in a supervised, professional media environment. Participation at an approved publication, TV or radio station, or other media- or communication-related office agency, organization or business is required.
Prerequisites: Senior standing.
Cross-listed with COM F400.
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 3 times for up to 3 credits
3 Credits
Offered Spring Even-numbered Years
Study and analysis of the role of PR/PIO professionals in science, technology, medicine and the environment. Writing relevant materials, including press releases. Discussion of issues management, crisis communication theories, models and concepts are examined, with additional focus on the role, process, strategies and tactics of these strategic elements.
Stacked with JOUR F629.
3 Credits
Offered As Demand Warrants
Students write, read and analyze science articles, social media posts, blog posts and/or press releases. Coursework includes writing and reading assignments, class workshops and conferences with the instructor. Emphasis on recognizing, finding and developing science stories; structuring articles; capturing reader interest; maintaining accuracy; and getting published. Scientists are welcome.
Prerequisites: JOUR F201; WRTG F111X; WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X.
Stacked with JOUR F639.
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 2 times for up to 6 credits
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Intensive study of particular aspects of ecocritical theory and environmental literature. May also include considerations of other forms of environmental media.
Prerequisites: WRTG F211X, WRTG F212X, WRTG F213X or WRTG F214X; sophomore standing.
Cross-listed with ACNS F449; ENGL F449.
3 Credits
Offered Fall, Spring and Summer
This class provides students with the concept of producing a professional digital portfolio of their Commercial and/or Art Photography and/or Photojournalism. Students submit new images each week for editing and critique. Over the semester three smaller bodies of work will become a 20-24 image professional portfolio.
Prerequisites: ART F284.
Cross-listed with ART F476. Stacked with ART F676, JOUR F676.
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 3 times for up to 9 credits
3 Credits
Offered Spring Odd-numbered Years
Basics of hands-on documentary filmmaking techniques, including preproduction, production and post-production. Different documentary filmmaking directing styles and the process of distributing a documentary. Each student will produce a short documentary as the capstone of the course. Prerequisites: Basic experience in shooting and editing video.
Cross-listed with FLPA F480.
0 Credit
Offered Spring
With faculty guidance and collaboration, senior students assemble a portfolio website of work that demonstrates their knowledge and proficiency in print, photographic, broadcast and online journalism.
Prerequisites: JOUR F211; JOUR F301; JOUR F303; JOUR F307; JOUR F400; JOUR F429; JOUR F439.
1-6 Credits
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken 15 times for up to unlimited credits
3 Credits
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken unlimited times for up to 9 credits
Customize your degree
Build specialized knowledge in the subjects you're most passionate about covering.
Add a Journalism Minor
Whether you're studying science, business or the arts, a journalism minor helps you communicate ideas clearly and effectively. The ability to research, write and tell stories is valuable in nearly every profession.
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