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.
J350 Principles of Public Relations (recommended prerequisites: J201 and sophomore standing; 4 credits)
Get an overview of public relations practice in a diverse global society, including theory, careers, history, communication forms, and channels, law, and ethics.
J352 Strategic Writing & Media Relations (prerequisites: J211, J212, J213, J350; 4 credits)
In this writing-intensive lab, students produce strategic content for multiple media platforms using various journalistic styles and storytelling skills.
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.
J408 Allen Hall Public Relations (1 credit)
Allen Hall Public Relations (AHPR) is the SOJC’s student-run public relations agency. Students get hands-on experience working in public relations, marketing, advertising, digital media, and graphic design for local small-business and nonprofit clients. Students must apply for acceptance to AHPR.
J408 Portfolio for PR (2 credits)
This workshop will help you prepare for your final portfolio review in J454 Public Relations Campaigns while learning how to leverage self-presentation skills to turn your specific experience into a productive job search and interview process.
J452 Strategic Public Relations Communication (prerequisite: J352; 4 credits)
In this writing-intensive lab, students produce advanced strategic content for multiple media platforms using various journalistic styles and storytelling skills.
J453 Strategic Planning and Cases (prerequisite: J352; 4 credits)
Explore campaign planning, administration, crisis communication, and issues management that encompasses research, tactics, evaluation, budgets, and timelines.
J454 Public Relations Campaigns (prerequisites: J452, J453, J494; 4 credits)
This capstone course applies a team-based approach to researching, planning, and implementing a campaign for a client. Professional portfolios reviewed.
J480 Public Relations Topic* (prerequisites: PR major status, J350)
Any course listed under J480 number will count. Course titles offered within each topic will vary. These courses are repeatable if the topics have different titles.
J494 Strategic Communication Research Methods (prerequisites: PR major status, J201, J350; 4 credits)
Get an introduction to how and why research is conducted and used by public relations and advertising professionals to formulate strategic campaigns and evaluate their effectiveness.
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 academic advice and career-building tips. All 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 to get on track to meet your goals.