Introduction to mass communication, its history, role in society, and especially its unique role in agriculture; importance of mass communication and the communication methods used in modern society; foundation for an understanding of agricultural news and information; credit cannot be given for both AGCJ 105 and JOUR 102.

News gathering, writing, editing and ethics for current and emerging mediums used in agricultural communication; includes news identification, basic news writing methods, introduction to public relations, broadcast and Internet writing; interviewing skills, proper use of direct quotes and other news style; credit cannot be given for both AGCJ 203 and JOUR 203.

The role of the news media in covering government, the court systems, corporations, taxation, and insurance; a practical perspective on how journalists interact with public and private institutions from a legal, ethical and social standpoint.

Directed study of selected issue in field of agricultural communications with emphasis on collection, synthesis and interpretation of information.

Special topics in an identified area of agricultural development. May be repeated for credit.

Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in agricultural journalism. May be repeated 2 times for credit.

nterpretative agricultural news gathering and writing for all media types; basic media law and ethics, interviewing skills with assigned practice writing about agriculture, and science and technology, including meeting and event coverage both on and off campus; print, broadcast, Interactive and other media; credit cannot be given for both AGCJ 303 and JOUR 303.

Principles and practices of editing for agricultural and technical audiences including improving and tightening copy; writing headlines, titles, and subheads; photo editing and captions, graphics and layout; print, broadcast, Interactive and other media; credit cannot be given for both AGCJ 304 and JOUR 304.

Audience identification, publication content, management and design; analyze existing agricultural publications, identify audiences, advertising base and content; credit cannot be given for both AGCJ 305 and JOUR 321.

Public relations between agricultural producers and their suppliers as a critical part of agricultural communication; public relations objectives, strategies, tactics, evaluation and execution theory and practice examined; credit cannot be given for both AGCJ 306 and JOUR 324.

Study of the principles, concepts, and practices of agricultural industry uses of electronic media production (radio, television and computer) for advertising, informational videos, computer-mediated instruction and distance education.

Develop knowledge of photography, editing software, and composition techniques used in the agricultural communications field; develop photography and photo editing skills to a satisfactory level as demonstrated by performance on assignments and exams.

The study, understanding and solution of human-agricultural problems based on theory learned in the classroom, library, laboratory and fieldwork completed by individuals and teams.

Use of agricultural education principles and techniques to communicate scientific information related to agriculture, agribusiness, natural resources and life sciences to the general public; communication processes include audience identification, writing, editing and production of agricultural science-based manuscripts for popular and refereed publications.

Study and practice of the principles and concepts of designing, writing, editing, producing and distributing the AgriLeader magazine and Web site; includes practical applications of writing feature articles, magazine and Web site design, advertising sales, layout and graphics. May be repeated one time for credit.

Agricultural public relations campaign analysis; public relations case studies and methods including writing public relations plans for agricultural entities, producing public relations components and evaluating public relations objectives, strategies and tactics.

Study and practice of basic Web site design theories, principles and writing for the Web; use of Web authoring software (not a programming class) to create online publications tailored for agricultural audiences; emphasizes informative content and functional design.

Seminar for students within 2 semesters or graduation; overview of agricultural communications, communication methods and careers in the profession; includes an introduction to professionals in agricultural communications and interview strategies.

Directed individual study of selected problems in agricultural communications, communication methods and the communication profession with emphasis on collection, analysis and presentation of information.

Special topics in an identified area of agricultural journalism. May be repeated for credit.

Research conducted under the direction of faculty member in agricultural journalism. May be repeated 3 times for credit.

Supervised internship and independent study related to the student’s professional interest.