See what you can learn in SOJC required courses, and explore a few options for electives. See the UO Class Schedule to find out which courses are offered in the coming terms.
J100 Media Professions (2 credits)
Get an introduction to the SOJC majors and a range of dynamic media and communication professions, opportunities, and issues. The course has its own hashtag: #MPATUO. Check out what current students are saying.
J101 Grammar for Communicators (2 credits)
Get an intensive review of grammar, word use, spelling, and principles of clear, concise writing. Introduction to media style. Pre-major status required.
J201 Media and Society (4 credits)
Get an introduction to the critical examination of the roles of media in society.
J211 Gateway to Media (8 credits)
Integrate critical thinking, creative thinking, and basic skills for nonfiction storytelling through words, photos, audio, and video. This is a sequence of three required courses.
J212 Writing for Communicators (4 credits)
Develop the ability to write for a variety of professional platforms and while achieving strategic purposes.
J213 Fact or Fiction (4 credits)
How to grapple with information in the digital age to evaluate credibility, social media algorithms, and data and numerical literacy.
J320 Gender, Media, and Diversity (prerequisite: J201; 4 credits)
Take a critical study of the media’s representation of gender, race, ethnicity, and other social divisions. The course explores ramifications and possible mechanisms of change.
J331 Digital Video Production (4 credits)
Get an introduction to techniques for single-camera field video production.
J361 Reporting I (4 credits)
Practice extensive news gathering and writing, both in and outside class, in a variety of formats, including news, features, interviews, and multimedia scripts.
J365 Photojournalism (4 credits)
Explore visual reporting techniques, with an emphasis on the practice, law, and ethics of photojournalism and photographic communication.
J371 Feature Article Writing I (4 credits)
Get an introduction to feature writing for print and online media, including marketing ideas and stories.
J385 Communication Law (prerequisite: J201; 4 credits)
Explore legal aspects of the media, including constitutional freedom of expression, news gathering, access to public records, libel, privacy, copyright, and advertising.
J387 Media History (prerequisite: J201; 4 credits)
Explore the changing structure and character of the media in the United States.
J396 International Communication (prerequisite: J201; 4 credits)
Address national and cultural differences in media, global news and information flow, implications of technological change, and communication and information policies.
J397 Media Ethics (prerequisite: J201; 4 credits)
Address ethical problems in the media, including privacy, violence, pornography, truth-telling, objectivity, media codes, public interest, and media accountability.
J404 Internship
Some internship sponsors require that you receive credit (be sure to ask if this is the case!), or you might be interested in earning credit for your own reasons. Read our internship credit FAQ and talk to your academic advisor about how internship credit will impact your degree requirements.
J408 Confidence (2 credits)
This workshop will tease you out of your comfort zone and give you a competitive advantage professionally—and in life. We use many experiences that allow you the chance to stare fear in the eye and conquer it.
J408 Lighting for Video (1 credit)
Learn the tools and techniques you’ll need to create professional looking videos.
J409 Practicum
J410 Reporting the Science (4 credits)
This year-long course takes a deep dive into researching and reporting stories that help us understand the Willamette River Valley’s cultural and ecological past while looking toward the future.
J420 Documentary Pre-Production (4 credits)
Learn how to research, plan, budget for, and develop a documentary film idea. Gain experience shooting a sizzle reel and pitching projects to producers while exploring several documentary form, including portraits, ethnographies, interviews, personal stories, processes and events, and re-enactments.
J421 Documentary Production
This workshop covers preparation, shooting, and postproduction of the short documentary.
J422 Documentary Post-Production (prerequisites: J208, J420, J421; 4 credits)
Learn how to edit and do post-production work on your documentary film projects.
J429 Media Technologies and Society: Topic (prerequisite: J201; 4 credits)
Examine how emerging communication technologies and contemporary media shape and produce new modes of social organization, behavior, and cultural production. Repeatable when topic changes.
J430 Culture and Power in the Media: Topic (prerequisite: J201; 4 credits)
Using a critical lens, examine the ways in which global media produce and reproduce social, political, and economic disparities, as well the potential for media to provide alternative perspectives, viewpoints, and forms of representation. Repeatable when topic changes.
J431 Media Structures and Regulation: Topic (prerequisite: J201; 4 credits)
Explore how the infrastructures and regulatory environments of national and global media institutions influence discourse, democracy, and public life. Repeatable when topic changes.
J432 Reporting for Electronic Media
Receive training in gathering, producing, and presenting news for electronic media.
J434 Advanced TV News
Learn about news gathering and production for television while producing live programming for local cable systems.
J436 Media Design: Topic (4 credits)
Explore issues and techniques related to editing, typography, and work-picture composition for long-form visual storytelling across legacy and emerging media platforms. Topics change each term.
J461 Newspaper Editing (4 credits)
Learn the basics of copyediting, headline writing, and page design for print and online newspapers. Emphasis is on grammar and style.
J462 Reporting II (4 credits)
Do in-depth reporting on public affairs and community news.
J463 Specialized Reporting: Topic (1–4 credits)
Report on special topics, including the environment, business and economics, politics, medicine, science, and the arts. Includes digital and multiplatform journalism. Topics change each term.
J466 Advanced Photojournalism: Topic (4 credits)
Practice intensive visual reporting techniques, with emphasis on digital production, color, lighting, in-depth storytelling, documentary, and portfolio. Topics change each term.
J468 Advanced Newspaper Editing (4 credits)
Get advanced training in news editing in newsroom conditions. Discuss issues related to editing, headline writing, and news judgment.
J469 Mobile Media Production
J472 Feature Article Writing II (4 credits)
Do in-depth story research and advanced feature writing for print and online markets.
J475 FLUX Production
Participate in the planning and production of Flux magazine, the SOJC’s student-produced annual publication. Students write and edit stories, take photos, shoot video, sell ads, and design the magazine.
J483 Journalistic Interview (4 credits)
Explore the literature and research findings on techniques for listening, nonverbal communication, and psychological dynamics of the interview relationship in journalistic situations.
Academic Support and Career Advising
Need some guidance? Our academic advisors are here for you. The SOJC Student Services Center is your one-stop shop for undergrad academic advice and career-building tips. All undergraduate SOJC students are welcome—even if you haven’t enrolled yet. Drop in to Student Services on the ground floor of Allen Hall or make an appointment and get on track to meet your goals.