See what you’ll learn in SOJC required courses, and explore a few options for electives. Browse 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 four SOJC majors and provides a window into a range of dynamic media and communication professions, opportunities, and issues. The course has its own hashtag: #MPATUO. Follow it on Twitter to see 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, and 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.
J208 Introduction to Documentary Production (4 credits)
Get an introduction to the theory and practice of documentary production. Learn about aesthetics and the technology, research, and writing fundamentals of documentary making, through preproduction, production, and postproduction.
J211 Gateway to Media (8 credits)
This unique, three-course sequence of required courses integrates critical thinking, creative thinking, and basic skills for nonfiction storytelling while helping you build storytelling skills using words, photos, audio, and video.
J212 Writing for Communicators (4 credits)
Develop the ability to write for a variety of professional platforms while achieving strategic purposes.
J213 Fact or Fiction (4 credits)
Learn how to grapple with information in the digital age to evaluate credibility, social media algorithms, and data and numerical literacy.
J250 Media Studies Production (2 credits)
Add critical and cultural theory to the understanding of production skills and practice you’ll gain in Gateway to Media. Gain deeper knowledge of how production practices impact cultural and society by examining the relationship between theory and practice.
J314 Introduction to Media Studies (4 credits)
Get a historical overview of the study of media, with in-depth discussion on primary theoretical approaches and their application to current media.
J320 Gender, Media, and Diversity (4 credits)
This critical study of the media’s representation of gender, race, ethnicity, and other social divisions explores ramifications and possible mechanisms of change.
J331 Digital Video Production (4 credits)
Get an introduction to techniques for single-camera field video production.
J385 Communication Law (4 credits)
Learn about legal aspects of the media, including constitutional freedom of expression, news gathering, access to public records, libel, privacy, copyright, and advertising.
J387 Media History (4 credits)
Explore the changing structure and character of the media in the United States.
J396 International Communication (4 credits)
Learn about national and cultural differences in media, global news and information flow, implications of technological change, and communication and information policies.
J397 Media Ethics (4 credits)
Explore ethical problems in the media, including privacy, violence, pornography, truth-telling, objectivity, media codes, public interest, and media accountability.
J413 Media Studies Capstone (4 credits)
Draw on skills and knowledge you learned in communications studies and related courses to demonstrate competence in broad areas of research.
J415 Media Studies Research Methods (4 credits)
Build the core skills to critically evaluate scientific and analytic studies and conduct research in the media studies tradition. Learn basic principles of media studies research methods, including experiments, surveys, naturalistic observations, and interviews.
J416 Survey of the Documentary (4 credits)
This course provides a historical and critical survey of the documentary as a form of artistic expression and an instrument of social commentary.
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 forms, including portraits, ethnographies, interviews, personal stories, processes and events, and re-enactments.
J421 Documentary Production (prerequisites: J208, J420; 4 credits)
Get experience shooting a short documentary worthy of broadcast screening, film festival exhibition, or another venue.
J422 Documentary Post-Production (prerequisites: J208, J420, J421; 4 credits)
Learn how to edit and do post-production work on your documentary film projects.
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.