JMC Overview by Michelle Gascoigne

JMC 2033 (Writing for Mass Media) is an introductory course in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications. It is a mandatory class for students who wish to enter the journalism school, and is often taken after the completion of JMC 1013, Intro to Mass Communications.

Grading in JMC 2033 is split evenly between a lab and a lecture portion of the class. The course is demanding and requires good attendance and scholastic discipline for success in both lab and lecture. Both the lecture and lab are taught by talented instructors who have professional experience in various fields of writing.

In the lecture portion of the class, students will be taught writing conventions and strategies for all areas and genres of writing. They will be taught, quizzed, and tested on style guidelines for different types of writing as well. Students are expected to complete the assigned reading outside of class, as it will often be part of class discussion.

In lab, students will be able to practice the skills and tools they have discussed and studied in lecture with exercises and assignments. Most lab assignments are completed during lab time, where the instructor is there to coach and help each student with their writing.

At the end of this semester course, students will have explored writing for various purposes and professions. They will have hopefully gained a better idea of how they want to pursue writing on a professional level. They will have sharpened and improved upon their writing skills and will leave the course a lot more knowledgeable of writing style and strategy.