Overview

The multimedia area of study aspires to be a leading proponent of scholarly

research, teaching and service activities related to the impact of new and emerging
electronic media on individuals, organizations, industries and society as a whole,
particularly as it relates to the practice of journalism.

The multimedia area of study encourages faculty and student participation in

research projects that examine the uses and the impact of new and emerging
media.

The area of study encourages students, faculty, citizens and members of allied
professions to generate and participate in discussions intended to raise awareness
and understanding of the existing and potential impact of online journalism. This is
accomplished through regular undergraduate and graduate courses, independent
studies, lectures, and presentations by internal and external new media experts and
professionals.

The convergence of new media and journalism impacts both the lives of individuals
and the careers of allied professionals. Where possible, this area of study strives to
identify and promote internal and external sources of funding, or otherwise support
new media inquiries for pro-social, innovative applications of new media,
particularly in relation to the practice of journalism.

This program does not anticipate that our faculty or students will design, engineer
or develop new hardware or software intended for new media applications. Rather,
we focus on utilizing existing hardware and software to create or further develop
innovative new media applications.

Facilities
The Macintosh lab is primarily geared for the School of Journalism's digital pre-press
classes. These computers have publishing and layout software such as Quark,
Adobe InDesign and Pagemaker; and photo and design programs such as Adobe
Photoshop and Illustrator. Word processing and database work is done through
Microsoft Office 2001.
Multimedia software is available through Macromedia's suite of tools, which includes
Dreamweaver, Flash, iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Fireworks. Students' Internet needs
(Web browsing, FTP, news and e-mail) are also met. Laser printing can be provided
in both color and black and white. Files can be saved via a zip disk or CD.These lab
computers are open only to registered students of the School of Journalism during
class and TA hours.
Major Multimedia Courses

J331. Web PublishingAdvanced skills in Web design and in publishing multimedia

content. Emphasis on collaborative work in creating an ongoing Web information
product. Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester.
Journalism 331 and 352 (Topic 11: Multimedia Publishing) may not both be counted.
Prerequisite: Journalism 310, 315 and 320D with a grade of at least C in each; a
score of at least 45 on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and
Punctuation Test; a score of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word Processing
Test; and consent of instructor. J334. Multimedia JournalismReview of online
reporting techniques, advanced multimedia skills and current issues in new media.
Three lecture hours and three laboratory hours a week for one semester. Journalism
334 and 352 (Topic 10: Online Journalism) may not both be counted. Prerequisite:
Journalism 310, 315 and 320D with a grade of at least C in each; a score of at least
45 on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test; a
score of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word Processing Test; and consent
of instructor.J336. Visual DesignThe history, design and production of media
materials. Topics include design principle, visual perception, typography,
manipulation of images and photographs, printing processes and color reproduction,
and page design for print. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for
one semester. Journalism 324K and 336 may not both be counted. Prerequisite:
Journalism 310 and 315 with a grade of at least C in each; a score of at least 45 on
the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test; and a score
of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word Processing Test.

Other Recommended Courses

J331K. Projects in Professional Experience (Internships)Internships to be

arranged by student and approved by instructor. Offered on the pass/fail basis only.
May be taken only once. Journalism 321K and 331K may not both be counted.
Prerequisite: Journalism 310, 315 and 320D with a grade of at least C in each; a
score of at least 45 on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and
Punctuation Test; a score of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word Processing
Test; and consent of instructor. Each student must also have earned a grade of at
least C in the following course or courses appropriate to his or her area of
concentration: broadcast news - Journalism 322D; print journalism - Journalism
320D; photojournalism - Journalism 325; or, for students with approval to complete
a multimedia internship - Journalism 320D.

J330. News EditingAdvanced editing for news media. Emphasis on news

judgment, language use and print editing as well as skills necessary for the
collaborative production of multimedia news. Three lecture hours and four
laboratory hours a week for one semester. Journalism 314 and 330 may not both be
counted. Prerequisite: Journalism 310, 315 and 320D with a grade of at least C in
each; a score of at least 45 on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling
and Punctuation Test; and a score of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word
Processing Test.

J338. Computer-Assisted ReportingStudy of computer-assisted journalism,

including electronic document retrieval and manipulation, spreadsheet and
database management, and Internet skills. Collaborative work on major
investigative projects. Three lecture hours a week for one semester. Journalism 338
and 352 (Topic 5: Computer-Assisted Reporting) may not both be counted.
Prerequisite: Journalism 310, 315 and 320D with a grade of at least C in each; a
score of at least 45 on the College of Communication Grammar, Spelling and
Punctuation Test; a score of at least 29 on the School of Journalism Word Processing
Test; and consent of instructor.

J347S. Magazine ManagementStudy of the business of launching and

maintaining successful publications. Journalism 347S and 352 (Topic 3: Magazine
Management) may not both be counted. Three lecture hours hours and two
laboratory hours a week for one semester. Prerequisite: Upper-division standing; a
major in journalism; a score of at least 45 on the College of Communication
Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation Test; a score of at least 29 on the School of
Journalism Word Processing Test; and Journalism 327 and/or 336 also strongly
recommended as prerequisites.

J377D. Print DesignAdvanced print design and layout. Graphics techniques and
production processes; planning content and format of newspapers and magazines.
Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours a week for one semester. Only one of
the following may be counted: Journalism 324, 349T (Topic 6: Print Design), 375,
376D, 377D. Prerequisite: Journalism 330 and 336 with a grade of at least a C in
each.

Internships and Jobs

Students will garner the skills to seek entry-level employment in a wide variety of
new media endeavors and/or related operations. Such positions may include, but
are not limited to, Web page/site designer, Webmaster, Web page/site editor,
information architect, interface designer, graphic designer, art director, multimedia
editor, online news producer or visual journalist. Students develop a set of basic,
hands-on skills useful for working with existing and emerging media technologies,
along with critical thinking, writing and reporting skills necessary to effectively
address the wide variety of challenges they can expect to encounter in the
professional world.

Contact information

George Sylvie, area head, CMA A5.150G, 512-471-1783, g.sylvie@mail.utexas.edu.