The Media School
Specialization in Sports Journalism (Bachelor of Arts in Journalism)
Students on Summer 2021, Fall 2021, or Spring 2022 requirements JORS33
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Foundations. Two (2) courses:
- MSCH-B 330 Sports Media Literacy
- MSCH-B 332 Sports Writing and Reporting
- MSCH-B 333 Sportscasting
- MSCH-B 334 Social Media in Sports
- MSCH-B 340 Sports Video Storytelling
- MSCH-B 430 Sports Media Laboratory
- MSCH-B 432 Advanced Sports Writing
- MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
MSCH-B 330 Sports Media Literacy
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduces key concepts, historical elements, and future considerations within the areas of sports and media, emphasizing how these two fields interact. Geared toward preparation for careers in sports journalism and sports media.
MSCH-B 332 Sports Writing and Reporting
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MSCH-C 225, MSCH-H 225, or MSCH-C 251
- Description
- Develops the research, writing, and reporting skills necessary to effectively cover teams, leagues, athletes, and other parts of the sports industry. Provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience writing and researching sports stories.
MSCH-B 333 Sportscasting
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MSCH-C 225, MSCH-C 226, MSCH-C 250, MSCH-H 225, or MSCH-J 343
- Description
- Introduces the art and technique of sportscasting. Develops skills in proper breathing, script writing and delivery, extemporaneous on-camera discussion, reporting, anchoring, producing, and filming packages.
MSCH-B 334 Social Media in Sports
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MSCH-C 101 or MSCH-B 330
- Description
- Introduces the theory and practice of social media usage within sports media. Builds skills in content creation and management on the major social networks and explores the implications of audience demographics and communication theory for social media engagement.
MSCH-B 340 Sports Video Storytelling
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MSCH-C 225, MSCH-C 226, MSCH-C 250, MSCH-H 225, or MSCH-J 343
- Description
- Introduces the skills needed to produce video packages used in sports journalism, including how to find, set up, film, write, and edit a story. Explores techniques used to tell a story with a visual narrative.
MSCH-B 430 Sports Media Laboratory
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in: (MSCH-C 227 or MSCH-B 330) and (MSCH-B 332, MSCH-B 333, MSCH-B 334, MSCH-B 340, or MSCH-B 350); or consent of instructor
- Description
- Simulates a working sports media newsroom. Focuses on the production of professional-caliber sports media content and building skills in senior-level editing, management, and decision-making that are needed in the process of creating, promoting, and disseminating such content.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
MSCH-B 432 Advanced Sports Writing
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MSCH-B 332, MSCH-J 301, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Explores advanced techniques in sports writing, including research skills, longform approaches to writing, character profiles, and multi-part stories. Requires the production of multiple major stories and submission for publication to sports media outlets.
MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- Application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Topical course integrating classroom and field experience. Includes 10-day field experience during or after term offered. Field experience will change based on topic.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit with different topics in JOUR-J 418, MSCH-J 418, and MSCH-X 478.
- Elective. One (1) course:
- Additional course from the Foundations list
- MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-J 464 Infographics
- MSCH-P 436 Advanced Production Workshop (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
- MSCH-X 472 Media Internship (must be taken for at least 3 credit hours)
MSCH-J 360 Journalism Specialties
- Credits
- 1–4 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topical course dealing with changing subjects and material from term to term.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit with different topics in JOUR-J 360 and MSCH-J 360.
MSCH-J 460 Topics Colloquium
- Credits
- 1–4 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Topical seminar in journalism dealing with changing subjects and materials from term to term.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit up to 4 times.
MSCH-J 464 Infographics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH-J 365, or consent of instructor
- Description
- Analysis of quantitative data and creation of visual informational graphics for media audiences. Introduction to interactive data visualization through scripting and online tools. Creation of chart packages, data maps and explanatory diagrams for publication to mass and targeted audiences.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of JOUR-J 464 or MSCH-J 464.
MSCH-P 436 Advanced Production Workshop
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- C- or higher in MSCH P-344 or MSCH-P 360 or MSCH-P 361; or consent of instructor
- Description
- A capstone course for the Film, Television, and Digital Production concentration focused on planning, directing, and producing programs or program segments that may air on WTIU, Indiana University\'s public television station.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for up to nine credit hours.
MSCH-X 472 Media Internship
- Credits
- 1–3 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- At least junior standing; at least 12 credit hours completed in the school; and application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Faculty-supervised work in a media field related to student's academic interests. Credits based on at least 45 work hours per credit hour with a maximum of 6 credit hours applied toward the B.A. in Media or the B.S. in Game Design. Student must write a critical analysis paper and be evaluated by a workplace supervisor.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in CMCL-C 382, MSCH-I 382, MSCH-I 497, MSCH-X 472, or TEL-T 497.
- Grading
- S/F grading.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the specialization.
- Minor GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the specialization—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
Specialization Area Courses
-
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
Exceptions to and substitutions for specialization requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.