Seeds of Terror
(Tips on how to survive the Core)
- Do not take Graphics & Design simultaneously with Reporting II
- If taking Reporting II with Professor Leon Dash, be aware that if the bell rings and you are not in lab, your article is late which is an automatic F—no matter what.
- Professor Steven Helle calls upon students in class randomly, so if you want to spare embarrassment, always do the readings before lectures.
- Professor Louis Liebovich takes roll every class and looks down upon too many absences.
- Rule of thumb: if attendance diminishes noticeably in classes, you may be given a news quiz.
- Keep your books from Law and Communications—it could save you a lawsuit in the future.
- Always bring your AP Stylebooks to JOUR 420: News Editing.
- If taking JOUR 435, procrastination will hurt you when (not if) technical problems arise. You will learn how to fix these problems, but initially you need to allow yourself more time to fix glitches (which do not serve as excuses for poor packages).
- The Law and Communications exams are known to overlap with other major projects/tests in classes like News Editing and Graphics & Design.
J. 200: Introduction to Journalism
Whether your
journalistic dreams lie in print or broadcast, this is first course you
take here at U of I on your path to a degree in journalism. This class
is a prerequisite for all journalism majors.
J. 400: Reporting I
So, you want to be
a journalist, huh? Reporting I is the first core class that prepares
students for what life might be like as a reporter. Students discover
how many hours are invested in front of a computer monitor in lab as
they learn about the inverted pyramid, news writing skills and how to
write concise leads.
J. 405: History of Journalism
History buffs, this
is your class. From the muckrakers to Watergate, JOUR 405 explores all
things related to the birth and evolution of journalism in this country.
Taught by Professor Louis Liebovich, JOUR 405 is a more traditional
course in that every class is similar: the professor lectures while the
students take notes.
J. 411: Law and Communication
Law is one class in
which you must stay awake. Professor Steven Helle is known for his
Socratic method of teaching-that is, if you are not prepared, watch out.
You might be caught answering questions on last week's court-case
readings!
J. 415: Reporting II
Have an ulcer? Is
your hair graying yet? If not, then you probably haven't taken JOUR 415
yet. This class has many students tossing and turning before they even
enroll in it. But don't worry, the experience you gain makes all your
worries worthwhile.
J. 420: News Editing
What is a gerund?
Can you spot dangling modifiers? Passive voice? Although much of what
you'll learn in JOUR 420 sounds like a repeat of what you should have
learned the first time around in grammar school, the techniques you
learn will help you become both a better writer and a better editor.
J. 425: Graphics and Design
Feel like you
haven't spent enough quality time in Gregory Hall's Beschloss Lab? JOUR
425 will take care of that problem. By the end of the semester, you'll
agree with the rest of the JOUR 425 veterans: The white walls are enough
to drive you nuts, but at least the chairs are comfortable.
J. 435: Radio Journalism
According to
broadcast graduate student Jasmine Scott, JOUR 435 is not hard, it's
just a lot of work. Specifically, it's a lot of work done in five-hour
blocks with small classes, so take advantage of the class time and get
hands-on experience with your teacher.
J. 440: Television Journalism I
Do you want to be a
news anchor for a major news network? Or would you rather stay behind
the scenes and work the camera? Or maybe you'd like to direct the whole
show? Whatever aspect of television you're interested in, you'll learn
it in JOUR 440.
J. 445: Television Journalism II
Turn to channel 7
on Urbana cable at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and you just might catch JOURN
445 students broadcasting a live half-hour newscast. Students are in
charge of every aspect of the newscast, which they put together on the
same day it airs.
