Journalism and Media Studies
16 courses · Las Positas College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
JAMS 19A Journal of Arts and Literature A
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Creation of a journal. Practical training in the managing, editing, formatting, and printing of a journal. Enrollment constitutes the staff of the journal. Students may receive credit for ENG 19A or JAMS 19A, but not both.
JAMS 19B Journal of Arts and Literature B
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- ENG 19A or JAMS 19A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Creation of a literary arts journal. Practical intermediate-level training in the managing, editing, formatting, and printing of a literary journal with a focus on the production process, including copy editing, design, layout, proofreading, working with the printer, and digital and print distribution. Enrollment constitutes the staff of the journal. Students may receive credit for ENG 19B or JAMS 19B, but not both.
JAMS 29 Independent Study, Journalism and Media Studies
- Units
- 0.5-2
- Hours
- 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised study in the area of Mass Communications. Any student interested in registering for an Independent Studies course should contact a full/part-time instructor or dean in the appropriate area.
JAMS 1 Introduction to Mass Communications
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- JOUR 100
Survey of mass communication and the interrelationships of media with society, including history, structure, and trends in a digital age. Discussion of theories and effects, economics, technology, law and ethics, global media, media literacy, and social issues, including gender and cultural diversity.
JAMS 2 Introduction to Media
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A survey of radio, television, film, and multimedia and their impact on culture and society; includes economics, technological development, programming, ratings, legal aspects, and social control of broadcasting in America, and cross-cultural, international comparisons.
JAMS 3 Introduction to Public Relations
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- JOUR 150
Introduction to the principles, history, development, and professional practice of modern public relations. Includes concepts of planning and executing effective communication strategies, including message design and distribution, for any organization.
JAMS 11 Introduction to Reporting and Newswriting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- JOUR 110
An introduction to gathering, synthesizing/ organizing, and writing news in journalistic style across multiple platforms. Includes role of the journalist, analysis of exemplary journalistic models, and related legal and ethical issues. Students will report and write based on their original interviews and research to produce news content. Experiences may include covering speeches, meetings, and other events, writing under deadline and use of AP Style.
JAMS 12 Introduction to Photojournalism
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 27 hours lecture,, 81 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- JOUR 160
This course deals with the photographer as a journalist, focusing on theory and practice in press and publications photography, with emphasis on using the camera as a reporting and communications tool. Covered are news and feature photography and photographic essays, including composition, impact, and creativity, for newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and other mass communications media. Understanding and applying photojournalistic and basic technical and visual skills in the making of successful reportage photographs. Consideration of the work of major 20th and 21st century photojournalists. Students may receive credit for JAMS 12 or PHTO 72, but not both.
JAMS 21A Express College Newspaper A
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- JOUR 130
An applied course in which students practice and refine beginning journalism skills, including recognizing, acquiring, producing, and distributing content for the print and online editions of the student newspaper, the Express. The focus of study is on basic news, feature, and opinion stories. Students are introduced to concepts related to photojournalism, business management, graphic arts, design, social media, and leadership and editing skills. The course includes ethical, practical, and legal issues in journalism.
JAMS 21B Express College Newspaper B
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- JAMS 21A
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- JOUR 131
An applied course in which students practice and refine intermediate journalism skills, including recognizing, acquiring, producing, and distributing content for the print and online editions of the student newspaper, the Express. Focus is on in-depth news, feature and opinion stories. Students develop intermediate abilities in photojournalism, business management, graphic arts, design, social media, and leadership and editing skills. The course includes ethical, practical, and legal issues in journalism.
JAMS 21C Express College Newspaper C
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- JAMS 21B
- Transfers to
- CSU
An applied course in which students practice and refine advanced journalism skills, including recognizing, acquiring, producing, and distributing content for the print and online editions of the student newspaper, the Express. Focus is on leadership, editing the work of others, improving writing and multimedia skills, and improving the Express. Enhanced leadership role includes outreach to the community and representation as journalist and leader at events. Students develop advanced abilities in writing, photojournalism, business management, graphic arts, design, social media, and leadership and editing skills. Students will produce newscasts, an infographics, and reader surveys. The course includes ethical, practical, and legal issues in journalism. Students should serve in a leadership role.
JAMS 21D Express College Newspaper D
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- JAMS 21C
An applied capstone course in which students practice and refine advanced journalism skills, including recognizing, acquiring, producing, and distributing content for the print and online editions of the student newspaper, the Express. Focus is on completing a portfolio project, exploring career opportunities in the field, leading others, editing the work of others, improving writing and multimedia skills, and improving the Express. Students work to develop advanced abilities in writing, photojournalism, business management, graphic arts, design, social media, leadership, and editing skills. The course includes ethical, practical, and legal issues in journalism. Student assumes a leadership role and create workshops to benefit other staff members.
JAMS 22 Express Editorial Board
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
The roles and responsibilities of leaders on the college newspaper, The Express. Practical experience participating in editorial board meetings, setting policy for the newspaper, and leading in the decision-making process for planning, budgeting, and the development of the newspaper. Enrollment is limited to student leaders on the Express.
JAMS 23 Digital Storytelling
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- JOUR 120
This course will provide an introduction to multimedia storytelling with a journalism emphasis. Techniques that will be explored include use of video, photos, audio, animation, and text to convey interactive news and feature stories through the Internet and other electronic media. It also will include techniques in digital research, critical thinking, and synthesis. It will introduce the legal and ethical issues in the recording of sources. Emphasis is placed upon the methods and techniques of multimedia reporting, including scripting, storyboarding, camera use, lighting, sound, and editing with video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro.
JAMS 24A Naked Magazine: College Magazine A
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Creation of a journalistic-style student magazine. Emphasis is placed on developing content, writing in-depth magazine articles, producing photographs and other visual elements, correlating copy and visuals, laying out pages in the production process, copy editing, promoting advertising, managing the business-side of the magazine, and exploring ethical issues.
JAMS 24B Naked Magazine: College Magazine B
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- JAMS 24A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Leadership in the creation and promotion of a journalistic-style student magazine, including development of skills in areas of social media and multimedia. Emphasis is placed on practicing and refining intermediate-level journalism skills while developing content, writing in-depth magazine articles, producing photographs and other visual elements, correlating copy and visuals, laying out pages in the production process, copy editing, promoting advertising, managing the business-side of the magazine, and exploring ethical issues.