Journalism/Photography

Program Level: Pre-Majors/Transfer

Department: Arts

Institute: Creative & Communication Arts

College: SAC

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What is the Journalism program?

The college has a 95-year tradition of award-winning student publications and cultivating talent in journalism and photojournalism, collectively known as mass communications. But this is not your grandfather’s journalism! Students in the program are multi-media specialists, with training in writing, interviewing, photography, videography, audio recording, editing, and effective use of social media.

What will I learn?

Journalism and photojournalism are part of a mass communications landscape that has been transformed by technology, such that both its creation and consumption have been democratized in ways that were unimaginable just a few years ago. In addition to learning about how to gather, evaluate and organize information into news articles, photographs, slide shows, and videos; students learn about the opportunities and risks in this new era of integrated journalism, and how they can better serve to ethically inform their community with stories that present meaningful information.

What can I do with this course of study?

This program prepares students for transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree with hands on work in reporting, documenting, and commenting on issues of importance to the community. Using experiential opportunities, students learn to research, interview, and write, and appreciate diversity, civic engagement, and social responsibility. Students focus on learning the skills of multimedia journalists by preparing content for traditional and new media platforms and forge a pathway to journalism and photojournalism careers in with experience in print, digital media, photojournalism, public relations, and advertising.

What is special about the program?

San Antonio College is a longtime leader in journalism education in South Texas. Students in the program learn by doing. They get published and build a portfolio, which makes them marketable, and they walk out with tangible career skills. Students also learn self-confidence, pride in the community, and the ability to recognize and report stories that make an impact. They also learn to operate multiple channels, including an online newspaper, a radio news program, a television station, and social media campaigns. The program prepares students to go to work in a brief time and/or to enter a four-year university to complete advanced degrees.

Using experiential opportunities, students learn to research, interview, and write, and appreciate diversity, civic engagement, and social responsibility.

Transfer Degrees

Multi-Media Journalism Classes
Photography Emphasis Classes
Broadcast Journalism Emphasis Classes
Journalism Emphasis Classes

Students learn to report, write, edit and photograph for electronic and digital media.

Take this class your first semester. COMM 1307 Introduction to Mass Communication CORE (80). The study of the media by which entertainment and information messages are delivered.

Second Semester. COMM 2311 Media Writing. Writing and published for SAC Student Media Online. Fundamentals of writing for mass media. Includes techniques for gathering, processing and delivering content.

COMM 1316 News Photo 1. Work published on SAC Student Media Online Photography and information-gathering for publications with emphasis on shooting, editing and using on-camera flash.

COMM 1336 Video Production Work published on SAC Student Media Online. • No prerequisites. Practical experience in the operation of television studio and control room equipment, including both pre- and post-production needs.

CHOOSE ONE OF THESE CLASSES:

COMM 1318 Photography 1. No prerequisites. Camera provided. Learn about composition and lighting. Variety of assignments: Scenic, action, portraiture, fine art and more.

COMM 2303 Audio Production. Intro to non-linear editing. Practical experience in the control room equipment, including both pre- and post-production needs.

COMM 2331 Radio/Television Announcing. Delevery of pronunciation. Practical experience.
Students learn skills in digital photography for professional applications and hobbies. Take these classes

TAKE THIS CLASS YOUR FIRST SEMESTER! COMM 1307 Introduction to Mass Communication CORE (80) The study of the media by which entertainment and information messages are delivered.

COMM 1316 News Photo 1 Work published on SAC Student Media Online. Photography and information-gathering for publications with emphasis on shooting, editing and using on-camera flash.

COMM 1318 Photography 1 No prerequisites. Camera provided. Learn about composition and lighting. Variety of assignments: Scenic, action, portraiture, fine art and more.

COMM 1336 Video Production 1 Work published on SAC Student Media Online. • No prerequisites. Practical experience in the operation of television studio and control room equipment, including both pre- and post-production needs.

COMM 2324 Practicum in Electronic Media This course focuses on development of Photoshop skills and ethics to be used in photography, photo restoration and publications.
Students learn to report, write and photograph for electronic and digital media.

TAKE THIS CLASS YOUR FIRST SEMESTER! COMM 1307 Introduction to Mass Communication CORE (80) The study of the media by which entertainment and information messages are delivered.

COMM 1336 Video Production 1. Work published on SAC Student Media Online. • No prerequisites. Practical experience in the operation of television studio and control room equipment, including both pre- and post-production needs.

CHOOSE TWO OF THESE CLASSES:

COMM 2331 Radio/Television Announcing. Principles of announcing: study of voice, diction, pronunciation, and delivery. Experience in various types of announcing. Study of phonetics is recommended.

COMM 2332 Radio/Television News. Work published on SAC Student Media Online Preparation and analysis of news styles for the electronic media. Production of audio and video news stories.

COMM 2339 Writing for Radio, TV, Film. Introduction to formats and techniques for writing commercials, public service announcements, promotions and news.

CHOOSE ONE OF THESE CLASSES:

COMM 1335 Introduction to Electronic Media. An overview of the development, regulation, economics, social impact and industry practices in electronic media.

COMM 2300 Media Literacy. Criticism and analysis of role and responsibility of mass media in modern society from the consumer perspective. Includes ethical problems facing each media format.
Students learn how to report, write, edit and photograph for all types of media.

TAKE THIS CLASS YOUR FIRST SEMESTER. COMM 1307 Introduction to Mass Communication CORE (80). The study of the media by which entertainment and information messages are delivered.

TAKE THIS CLASS YOUR SECOND SEMESTER! COMM 2311 Media Writing. Writing and published for SAC Student Media Online. Fundamentals of writing for mass media. Includes techniques for gathering, processing and delivering content.

CHOOSE THREE OF THESE CLASSES:

COMM 1316 News Photo 1. You will be photographing SAC Student Media Online Photography and information gathering for publications with emphasis on shooting, editing and using on-camera flash.

COMM 2305 Editing and Layout. You will be writing and editing for SAC Student Media Online. Copy editing and layout processes with emphasis on accuracy and fairness. Includes the principles of design.

COMM 2300 Media Literacy. Criticism and analysis of role and responsibility of mass media in modern society from the consumer perspective. Includes ethical problems facing each media format.

COMM 2339 Writing for Radio, TV, Film. Introduction to formats and techniques for writing commercials, public service announcements, promotions and news.

Contact Us

Kevin Conlon
Chair
MLC 639
(210) 486-0494
kconlon3@alamo.edu

James Borrego
Program Coordinator for Media Arts
LRTF 114
(210) 486-1358
jborrego12@alamo.edu

Connie Cobbs
Academic Unit Assistant
LRTF 110
(210) 486-1361
ccobbs@alamo.edu