The journalism program at Saddleback College doesn’t just prepare students for careers at a newspaper. While that option remains, the department sees the tools of journalism – researching, writing, social media, photography, video editing, page design – as necessary pieces to any job in the media industry. Our classes don’t teach Associated Press writing style for fun; we do so because any job in journalism, public relations, and media writing in general requires at least a working knowledge in it. We seek to prepare students for degrees in communication studies, media studies, public relations, and many other related fields.
PRODUCTION CLASSES > Get your hands dirty and your feet wet
JRN 112: News Media Production (Lariat)
The Lariat is published in print bi-weekly and its website and social media updated daily and as news breaks. Click to visit us at lariatnews.com.
In the fall semester, we will be offering JRN 112 News Media Production, Blogging & Social Media. This course is entirely hands on (no lectures). The students decide on content for the print issues published bi-weekly and the website updated daily and as news breaks. Positions are available for editor-in-chief, sports editor, life editor, news, editor, multimedia editor, copy editor, photo editor, designers, and reporters. Students use the journalism lab, working with programs like Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Final Cut Pro X, and multiple web-based services. And as a convergent newsroom experience, the Lariat is not just a newspaper, but something that allows students to do more than just write if they wish. If you want to focus on photography, create illustrations, edit video, design newspaper pages, or write, this class offers options for all.
Anyone can join the student-run newspaper the Lariat by registering for one of our four News Media Production courses: JRN 109 News Media Production & Data Reporting, JRN 111 News Media Production & Editing, JRN 112 News Media Production, Blogging & Social Media, and JRN 117 News Media Production & Investigative Reporting.
JRN 106: Video Journalism
Are you wondering how to survive and thrive in this new visual world? Our smartphones, editing software, and evolving camera technology have made virtual video journalists out of all of us.
Discover news way of creating powerful and engaging videos. Learn how to shoot and edit compelling news and feature stories—satire included—and become part of the OC News Team for broadcast on Cox Channel 39 and the web, ocnewsteam.com, Saddleback College’s only broadcast journalism class that teaches how to create news spots for broadcast and digital release.
No prerequisites are necessary, so come learn the tricks of the trade in our 16-computer lab in LRC 116, complete with the Adobe Creative Suite and the latest Final Cut Pro X software.
This course also plays host to another opportunity. Last year, we received a Perkins grant for $30,000 to acquire equipment for a live broadcast show. Things are already off and running, with the first installment airing on Channel 39 last semester. Lastly, students’ work is also submitted in the Journalism Association of Community Colleges’ semesterly competitions, which we took second in last semester, along with honorable mention for an on-sight competition.
Online video has revolutionized traditional print organizations and changed the way social media approaches storytelling, Gain career skills you will use! Join Video Journalism students and Professor Karyn Bower Tuesday afternoons this Fall, 1:30 p.m., in LRC 116. Sign up now for JRN/CTVR 106 Video Journalism.
Orange Appeal is taught in the spring semester. It is a student-run news magazine, published in print and on the Web at orangeappeal.org. Click the image to visit the website.
Orange Appeal, the student-run news magazine
After a several-year hiatus, Orange Appeal, the student-run magazine is back, with two issues from the spring semester. The content is entirely student created, from the writing and design to the photography. The magazine prints in the spring in JRN 125 Magazine Journalism, and it is also attached to JRN 105 Feature Writing in the fall. In Feature Writing, students learn how to write profiles, opinion pieces, films and music reviews, and personal narratives. If you’re intrigued by the concept of magazine-style content, students in this class can also substitute any writing assignment for a video, photography, or radio/podcasting package based on the same topic. The goal is to learn how to create content, and the content type – writing, photography, etc. – is entirely up to you.
Podcasting
Right now, JRN 108/CTVR 108 Intro to Podcasting & Audio Storytelling is only offered every other spring, but if enough requests are made, this class can be offered on a much more regular basis. It’s taught by radio professionals and students have the opportunity for their work to air on 88.5FM KSBR. In the journalism lab, students have access to Adobe Audition, the same software used by National Public Radio and other industry professionals.
LECTURE CLASSES > Learn the ropes
JRN 1: Mass Media and Society
We all use mass communication every day, whether it is reading a book, watching a television show or a film, or checking your Facebook or Instagram feeds. This General Education course is a survey of mass communication, designed to increase student awareness of mass media impact in shaping society. Topics include media functions, responsibilities, practices, and influences, as well as a study of media law, ethics, history, development, and potential for the future. The course is also listed as CTVR 1 (credit given in either area).
JRN 2: News Writing
This course introduces students to the fundamental skills needed to find, research, interview, and write compelling and contextual hard news and soft news. What defines news? In this class, students learn basic journalistic principles such as accuracy, integrity and fairness as well as discussion on how news is prioritized and news judgment established.
JRN 105: Feature Writing
An in-depth study of commercial magazines and company publications including purposes, formats, requirements, feature requirements, market studies, and manuscript submission policies.
To this end, JRN 1/CTVR 1 Mass Media & Society and JRN 2 News Writing are both transferable sources to Cal State and University of California campuses. USC also accepts JRN 1 for transfer as well. Our other classes are transferable to Cal States for elective credit as well. Students involved in the journalism program have gone on to Boston College, San Francisco State University, UC Berkeley, and Cal State Fullerton – and those options are just from the last year and a half.
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