Individualized Course of Study
You will design your own path through the major, choosing one course from each of five areas instead of following a set track. Individualized course of study is for students whose goals sit between our other concentrations, or outside all of them.
Some careers do not map neatly onto news, public relations or media innovation. You might want to combine sports communication with broadcast production, or media law with advertising, or pair a journalism skill set with a minor in a completely different field. This concentration gives you that room while still guaranteeing the range employers look for, because the five categories make sure you leave with writing, research, technical, practicum and capstone experience regardless of which specific courses you pick.
The freedom comes with a condition: your plan needs approval, and it needs to be a plan rather than a list of courses that fit your schedule. Work it out with your advisor early, ideally in your second year, and be able to say what the combination is for. Students who do that well graduate with a genuinely distinctive profile. Students who treat it as the path of least resistance graduate with a scattered one.
Where You Could Work
- Any of the industries our other concentrations feed, depending on how you build it
- Cross-disciplinary roles combining communications with another field
- Sports organizations and sports media
- Advertising and integrated marketing
- Law, policy and government communications
- Education and nonprofit communications
- Entrepreneurial and freelance work
- Graduate study in journalism, law, policy or business
Job Titles
- Multimedia journalist
- Communications coordinator or manager
- Social media or content manager
- Sports information or media relations specialist
- Marketing and communications specialist
- Freelance writer, producer or consultant
- Program or project coordinator
- Graduate student in a related field
Concentration Courses
Individualized course of study is 15 units. Choose one course from each of the five categories below.
Writing Intensive: Choose 3 Units
JOUR 3307 Feature Writing (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: JOUR 203 or JOUR 2203.
Practice in researching, interviewing and writing both long and short-form nonfiction articles for various media outlets. Analysis of similar work in current distribution. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 407.
JOUR 3333 Broadcast News (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 1B with a grade of C- or better (GE Area A3 for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Beginning broadcast news writing and reporting for radio and television. Emphasis on developing news judgment and producing radio newscasts. Introduction to television studio equipment and procedures. Lab experience includes writing and reporting live on-air for KCPR. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 333.
JOUR 3342 Public Relations Writing and Editing (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 312 or JOUR 3300.
Theory, strategic planning and practice in writing persuasive public relations copy for diverse internal and external audiences. Emphasis on gathering information, preparing news releases, newsletters and other communications vehicles. Analysis of various media case studies. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 342.
Research: Choose 3 Units
JOUR 3304 Public Affairs Reporting (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: JOUR 203 or JOUR 2203.
Experience leading to advanced skills in reporting and writing stories about contemporary issues, government and courts. Field and laboratory assignments in beat reporting, public meeting coverage, writing style, investigative techniques, and online journalism research. Field trip required. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 304.
JOUR 3347 Public Relations Research (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 312 or JOUR 3300.
Introduction to the role of research in the field of public relations. Overview of measurement tools and methodologies for gathering and analyzing data. Practical applications. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 347.
JOUR 3385 Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Recommended: One of the following: BUS 310, BUS 3310, JOUR 228, or JOUR 2228.
Innovation and entrepreneurship in journalism. Human-centered design. Business plan development. Designing content to reach and engage an audience. Identifying opportunities to create sustainable journalistic enterprises for real-world application in Cal Poly's student-run media organizations. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 385.
Media Technology: Choose 3 Units
JOUR 3306 Copyright, Trademark, Patent, and Commercial Speech in Digital Media (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs). Recommended: JOUR 302 or JOUR 3302.
Examination of intellectual property rights covered by copyright, trademark and, to a limited degree, patent law as well as commercial speech rights in a digital media age. Emphasis on intellectual property rights as they affect content creators and other publishers in a digital world. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 418.
JOUR 3310 Advanced Digital Journalism (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285.
Apply the theories and applications of digital journalism to the development and publication of innovative digital content. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 410.
JOUR 3314 Public Relations and Crisis Management (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: Junior standing.
Apply contemporary public relations theory to turn crisis into opportunity. Analyze Homeland Security and FEMA best practices using public relations framework and strategy. Practical exercises in planning, implementing, and evaluating public relations messages in variety of media platforms. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 412.
JOUR 3315 Public Relations and Advertising Production (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: One of the following: JOUR 303, JOUR 3303, JOUR 346, or JOUR 3346.
Development of fundamentals pertaining to the technical and aesthetic proficiencies used in video communication for public service, public relations, marketing, and advertising. All aspects of pitching, planning, production, editing and post-production in addition to historical and regulatory aspects of communication policy and mandates. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 403.
JOUR 3331 Contemporary Advertising (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Principles of advertising, copy, layout, and production across media platforms, including online, mobile, social, print and broadcast. Economic, political, and social function of advertising in a free market society. Advertising ethics. Social responsibility of advertising in a multicultural environment. Emerging advertising technologies. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 331.
JOUR 3338 Podcasting (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: One of the following: JOUR 285, JOUR 2285, JOUR 303, or JOUR 3303.
Write, produce, edit, distribute, market and monetize a podcast. Lab experience includes writing and producing a podcast pilot and episodes. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 338.
JOUR 3345 Social Media for Strategic Communication (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2020-26 catalogs).
Exploration of emerging technologies and media that influence strategic communication, including public relations and advertising practices. Knowledge, insight and analytical skills necessary to create, evaluate, and execute social media campaigns. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 345.
JOUR 3346 Broadcast Announcing and Production (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F
Prerequisite: JOUR 203 or JOUR 2203. Recommended: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285.
Develop on-air skills in the performance of voice-overs, stand-ups, hosting and the production of televised public service announcements. Emphasis on the effective use of audio and non-linear video editing techniques as well as broadcast writing. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 346.
JOUR 3348 Video News Gathering (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: JOUR 203 or JOUR 2203; and JOUR 333 or JOUR 3333.
Instruction on video news gathering that includes advanced news writing, field reporting and editing for broadcast. Emphasis on developing research techniques, interviewing skills, responsible and effective non-linear video editing, compelling use of natural sound and professional on-air delivery. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 348.
JOUR 3350 Data Journalism (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285; and one of the following: STAT 130, STAT 217, STAT 218, STAT 251, STAT 1000, STAT 1110, STAT 1210, or STAT 1510.
Introduction to the techniques of finding stories in data sets and presenting them visually via interactive online displays. Emphasis on adapting emerging tools for digital storytelling. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 350.
JOUR 3378 Advanced Sportscasting (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 285 or JOUR 2285; and one of the following: JOUR 303, JOUR 346, JOUR 3303, or JOUR 3346.
Develop advanced skills in sports reporting and writing for broadcast, web and social media. Play-by-play. Job search in sports journalism. Field trip may be required. Course offered in hybrid format with classroom-based and online learning. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 378.
JOUR 3387 Sports Communication (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area 1 with grades of C- or better (GE Area A for the 2022-26 catalog).
Examination of the interrelationship between sports and community including participants, sports organizations, sports media, and sports fandom. How these interrelationships reinforce social values, challenge social norms, and influence social identities relevant to sports and cultural values. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 3 lectures. Crosslisted as COMS/JOUR 3387. Formerly COMS/JOUR 387.
Media Practicum: Choose 3 Units
JOUR 3313 Public Relations Campaigns (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: TBD
Prerequisite: JOUR 312 or JOUR 3300; and JOUR 342 or JOUR 3342.
Development of skills needed to plan and conduct internal and external public relations campaigns for corporate and non-profit organizations. Includes goal setting, management of resources, budgeting, creation of campaign communications, and outcomes analysis. Field trip may be required. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 3 lectures. Formerly JOUR 413.
JOUR 3352 Advanced News Reporting Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: SP
Prerequisite: JOUR 334 or JOUR 3334.
Reporting practicum for the print and digital editions of Mustang News. Repeatable up to 6 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 352.
JOUR 3353 Advanced Broadcast Journalism Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: One of the following: JOUR 303, JOUR 333, JOUR 3303, or JOUR 3333.
Experience leading to advanced skills in concepts and technologies associated with live television and radio newscast production. Field and practicum experiences in news gathering, videography, audio production, studio operation, electronic graphics, broadcast production software, and editing. Emphasis on news producing, reporting and announcing skills. Repeatable up to 6 units. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 353.
Senior Project: Choose 3 Units
JOUR 4462 Senior Project: Media Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Senior standing; and one of the following: JOUR 352, JOUR 353, JOUR 3352, or JOUR 3353.
Capstone experience that applies principles and tools of print, broadcast and digital journalism to tell engaging stories across multiple platforms. Emphasis on integrating text, video, audio, graphics, search engine optimization and social networking to produce content for digital publication. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 462.
JOUR 4464 Senior Project: Public Relations Practicum (3 units)
Term Typically Offered: F, SP
Prerequisite: Senior standing; and JOUR 413 or JOUR 3313.
Capstone experience that applies public relations principles and strategies in the context of the Mustang Media Group, Cal Poly's integrated media organization. Emphasis on proposing, creating, managing, and implementing public relations campaigns. Course may be offered in classroom-based or hybrid format. 2 lectures, 1 laboratory. Formerly JOUR 415.