This is a list of all courses offered in the program. Visit the Upcoming Courses page for a list of courses offered for the current and next semester (when available).
- JAMS 101 Introduction to Mass Media
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Overview of mass media from the printing press to the internet. Focus on media technologies, industries, content, and critical approaches.
- Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 111 Gender and the Media
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- How gender representations in popular media inform and construct our understandings of the world; gender in popular culture, including new media; critical analysis of representations.
- Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: HU
- Course Rules: No credit for students with credit in JAMS 460.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 113 Internet Culture
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Social, cultural, and historical dimensions of the Internet.
- Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: HU
- Course Rules: DAC 113 and JAMS 113 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 116 Journalism, Documentary, and Democracy
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- The role of journalism and documentary in democracy examined through a variety of media products.
- Prerequisites: none.
- Last Taught: Fall 2016, Summer 2015, Summer 2014, Fall 2012.
- JAMS 192 First-Year Seminar:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- The specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
- Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: HU
- Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
- Last Taught: Fall 2015, Fall 2014, Fall 2013, Fall 2007.
- JAMS 193 First-Year Seminar:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Specific topics announced in Schedule of Classes each time course is offered.
- Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: SS
- Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).
- JAMS 199 Independent Study
- 1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
- For further information, consult dept chair.
- Prerequisites: 2.5 GPA; consent of instructor, department chair, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
- Course Rules: May be retaken to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2011, Summer 2008, Spring 2008, Spring 2006.
- JAMS 201 Media Writing
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Techniques and strategies for writing that can communicate effectively with media audiences; emphasizes innovation and creativity within the constraints of good grammar and style.
- Prerequisites: satisfaction of OWC-A GER
- General Education Requirements: OWCB
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 204 News Writing
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Principles of journalistic writing.
- Prerequisites: a grade of C or better in JAMS 101(P) and JAMS 201(P).
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 207 Introduction to Advertising and Public Relations
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- A practical approach to developing, implementing, and evaluating advertising and public relations strategies.
- Prerequisites: C or better in JAMS 101(P) and JAMS 201(P).
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 212 Introduction to Corporate Communication
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- The profession of corporate communication; focus on the variety of mass communication strategies in the field.
- Prerequisites: none.
- Last Taught: Fall 2017, Fall 2016, Fall 2015, Fall 2014.
- JAMS 214 Advertising in American Society
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- A critical survey of advertising's development and current practices as well as its impact on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.
- Prerequisites: none.
- General Education Requirements: HU
- Last Taught: Summer 2025, Summer 2024, Fall 2022, UWinteriM 2020.
- JAMS 231 Publication Design
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Principles of print layout and design.
- Prerequisites: none.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 232 Photojournalism
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- The history of photography and the practice of photojournalism, including aesthetic, conceptual, and technical developments. Digital production and distribution.
- Prerequisites: soph st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2020, Summer 2015, Summer 2014, Summer 2013.
- JAMS 262 Principles of Media Studies
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Central issues and concerns in the field of media studies. Cultural study of media industries and production practices. Analysis of media texts and audiences.
- Prerequisites: C or better in JAMS 101(P) and JAMS 201(P).
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021.
- JAMS 280 Selected Topics in Mass Communication:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Selected topics not addressed in regularly-approved courses.
- Prerequisites: soph st; add'l prereqs, if any, announced in the Schedule of Classes.
- Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Summer 2017, Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2015.
- JAMS 289 Internship in Journalism and Media Communication, Lower Division
- 1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
- Application of basic principles of journalism and media communication in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
- Prerequisites: GPA of at least 2.5; a grade of C or better in JAMS 204(P), JAMS 207(P), or JAMS 262(P); declared JAMS major or minor; and consent of the department internship committee.
- Course Rules: Students earn one academic credit per 40 hours of internship placement. Does not count toward JAMS major or minor. Cr/no cr only. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Summer 2018, Fall 2017.
- JAMS 296 UROP Apprenticeship
- 1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.
- Prerequisites: acceptance into UROP; prior or conc reg in UROP seminar.
- Last Taught: Spring 2011, Fall 2010, Fall 2009, Spring 2009.
- JAMS 297 Study Abroad:
- 1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
- Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
- Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Program.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Spring 2022.
- JAMS 299 Ad Hoc:
- 1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
- Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
- Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
- Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2013, Fall 2012, Spring 2008, Fall 2007.
- JAMS 302 Introduction To Video Storytelling
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Introduction to video producing, recording, and editing of visual stories.
- Prerequisites: grade of C or better in JAMS 201(P).
- Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of JAMS 380 with the same topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 304 News Literacy
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Assessing the quality and trustworthiness of news sources and analyzing coverage of current events using investigative tools, fact checking and critical thinking skills.
- Prerequisites: none.
- Course Rules: Not open for credit to students with credit in JAMS 356.
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Summer 2023, Spring 2023.
- JAMS 306 Feature and Magazine Article Writing:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Using interviews, analysis and/or observation to produce feature and profile stories.
- Prerequisites: jr st; declared JAMS major/minor or English major.
- Course Rules: May not be retaken for cr.
- Last Taught: Spring 2021, Fall 2020, Spring 2020, Fall 2019.
- JAMS 307 Persuasive Media Writing and Production:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Writing, design, and production of persuasive media elements through individual and group work and skills-based activities.
- Prerequisites: declared JAMS major/minor; grade of C or better in JAMS 207(P).
- Course Rules: May not be retaken for cr.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 317 Design for Advertising
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Basic principles of design and typesetting will be utilized to create and design a variety of individual ad types and ad campaigns.
- Prerequisites: declared JAMS major or minor, and a grade of C or better in JAMS 204, JAMS 207, or JAMS 262.
- Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of JAMS 380 with similar topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024.
- JAMS 320 News Reporting
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Reporting in a newsroom setting using digital distribution tools to reach audiences.
- Prerequisites: JAMS major or minor and a grade of C or better in JAMS 204(P).
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 325 Audio Storytelling
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Analysis of audio storytelling techniques and impact; audio storytelling production.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Course Rules: Counts as repeat of JAMS 380 w/similar topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 332 Introduction to Digital Documentary
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Analyzing, filming and editing a quality documentary for client use, broadcast television, or film festival entry.
- Prerequisites: junior standing and a grade of C or better in JAMS 302(P).
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022.
- JAMS 336 Media Graphics
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Production and analysis of mass media graphics, photographs, and illustrations.
- Prerequisites: junior standing; JAMS major/minor or Digital Arts and Culture (DAC) status; grade of C or better in ART 118(P) or JAMS 113(P).
- Course Rules: DAC 336 and JAMS 336 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 342 Television News Reporting
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Reporting, writing, and editing television news, including field camera operation and video editing.
- Prerequisites: declared JAMS major or minor; grade of C or better in JAMS 302(P).
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022.
- JAMS 370 Introduction to Social Media and Search Engine Optimization
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Principles of professional social media management and content creation; search engine optimization for online media.
- Prerequisites: junior standing.
- Course Rules: Counts as repeat of JAMS 380 with similar topic, including 'Professional Social Media & Online Audience Growth'.
- Last Taught: Summer 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Summer 2024.
- JAMS 380 Special Topics in Journalism, Advertising, and Media Studies:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Special topics not addressed in regularly-approved courses.
- Prerequisites: junior standing; additional prerequisites announced in the Schedule of Classes.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 399 On-Campus Internship
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Professional internship in journalism, public relations, advertising, or other media.
- Prerequisites: GPA of 2.5 or higher; a grade of C or better in JAMS 204(P), JAMS 207(P), or JAMS 262(P); declared JAMS major or minor; and consent of department internship committee.
- Course Rules: Students earn one academic credit per 40 hours of internship placement. May be retaken to 6 cr max in combination with JAMS 600.
- Last Taught: Summer 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Summer 2024.
- JAMS 407 Media Planning
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Exploration and analysis of advertising media buying and planning.
- Prerequisites: junior standing; a grade of C or better in JAMS 207(P); or consent of instructor.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022.
- JAMS 417 Branding and Campaign Analysis
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Discuss how good brand management helps create effective campaigns in advertising and public relations.
- Prerequisites: JAMS major or minor and a grade of C or better in JAMS 204(P), JAM 207(P), or JAMS 262(P).
- Course Rules: May not be retaken for credit; counts as a repeat of JAMS 380 with similar topic.
- JAMS 450 Race and Ethnicity in the Media
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- How popular media representations of race inform understandings of past and contemporary society; race in popular culture, especially new media; critical analysis of media content and forms.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Course Rules: Counts as repeat of JMC 660 w/similar topic.
- Last Taught: UWinteriM 2018, UWinteriM 2017, UWinteriM 2016, UWinteriM 2015.
- JAMS 460 History of Mass Media
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Evolution of mass media in the United States; how technological, cultural, political and economic changes have affected the media.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2020, Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2017.
- JAMS 461 Media Ethics
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Practical application of ethical principles to controversies in print and broadcast journalism, advertising, public relations, and new technologies of mass communication.
- Prerequisites: junior standing.
- General Education Requirements: HU
- Course Rules: Previously JAMS 361.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 481 Topics in Social Media:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Topics examining social media's use, influence and/or development.
- Prerequisites: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 6 cr max. Prereq. jr st. Not open for cr to students w/ cr in JAMS 380 w/ similar topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2018.
- JAMS 489 Internship in Journalism and Media Communication, Upper Division
- 1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
- Application of basic principles of journalism and media communication in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
- Prerequisites: GPA of 2.5 or higher; a grade of C or better in JAMS 307(P), JAMS 320(P), or JAMS 562(P); declared JAMS major or minor; and consent of department internship committee.
- Course Rules: Students earn one academic credit per 40 hours of internship placement. A three-credit internship, therefore, requires the student to complete at least 120 hours. Does not count toward JAMS major or minor. Cr/no cr only. May be retaken to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Summer 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Summer 2024.
- JAMS 497 Study Abroad:
- 1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
- Prerequisites: junior standing and acceptance for Study Abroad Program.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024.
- JAMS 497G Study Abroad:
- 1-12 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
- Prerequisites: junior standing and acceptance for Study Abroad Program.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024.
- JAMS 499 Ad Hoc:
- 1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
- Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
- Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.
- Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic.
- Last Taught: Summer 1999, Fall 1998, Spring 1998, Spring 1995.
- JAMS 500 Advanced Integrated Reporting
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Advanced reporting and writing in an integrated newsroom setting.
- Prerequisites: junior standing; declared JAMS major or minor; a grade of C or better in JAMS 320(P).
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Spring 2022.
- JAMS 502 Specialized Reporting:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Overview of the problems and challenges of specialized reporting in an area such as social science, science, the humanities and the arts.
- Prerequisites: jr st; declared JAMS major or minor; grade of C or better in JAMS 320(P).
- Course Rules: May be retaken w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Not open for cr to student w/cr in JAMS 602 w/similar topic.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Fall 2022.
- JAMS 504 Critical and Opinion Writing
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Opinion, column and review writing for multiple platforms.
- Prerequisites: junior standing.
- Last Taught: Summer 2022, Summer 2021, Fall 2019, Spring 2019.
- JAMS 505 Research for Advertising and Public Relations
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Development of market and audience research strategies through hands-on projects.
- Prerequisites: junior standing; a grade of C or better in JAMS 207(P); or consent of instructor.
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Spring 2024.
- JAMS 505G Research for Advertising and Public Relations
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Development of market and audience research strategies through hands-on projects.
- Prerequisites: junior standing; a grade of C or better in JAMS 207(P); or consent of instructor.
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Spring 2024.
- JAMS 524 Advertising and Public Relations Campaigns
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Advanced course in advertising and public relations; emphasis on applying integrated practices and principles.
- Prerequisites: jr st; grade of C or better in JAMS 222(P), 224(P), or 307(P); declared JAMS major or minor.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 559 Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- First Amendment, copyright, privacy, libel, and other legal issues in contemporary news, media, persuasive communication, and social communication.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024.
- JAMS 559G Freedom of Expression in the Digital Age
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- First Amendment, copyright, privacy, libel, and other legal issues in contemporary news, media, persuasive communication, and social communication.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024.
- JAMS 562 Media Studies and Culture
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Mass media and the production of culture; media industries, content, and audiences; focus on contemporary issues.
- Prerequisites: jr st; grade of C or better in JAMS 262(P).
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024.
- JAMS 562G Media Studies and Culture
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Mass media and the production of culture; media industries, content, and audiences; focus on contemporary issues.
- Prerequisites: jr st; grade of C or better in JAMS 262(P).
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024.
- JAMS 600 Off-Campus Internship
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Professional internship in journalism, public relations, advertising, or other media.
- Prerequisites: GPA of 2.5 or greater; a grade of C or better in JAMS 307(P), JAMS 320(P), or JAMS 562(P); declared JAMS major or minor; and consent of department internship committee.
- Course Rules: Students earn one academic credit per 40 hours of internship placement. May be retaken to 6 cr max in combination with JAMS 399.
- Last Taught: Summer 2025, Spring 2025.
- JAMS 600G Off-Campus Internship
- 3 cr. Undergraduate.
- Professional internship in journalism, public relations, advertising, or other media.
- Prerequisites: GPA of 2.5 or greater; a grade of C or better in JAMS 307(P), JAMS 320(P), or JAMS 562(P); declared JAMS major or minor; and consent of department internship committee.
- Course Rules: Students earn one academic credit per 40 hours of internship placement. May be retaken to 6 cr max in combination with JAMS 399.
- Last Taught: Summer 2025, Spring 2025.
- JAMS 614 Seminar in Media and Public Opinion
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Preparation to be critical consumer of polls and media coverage of them; theories and findings regarding propaganda and media influence on public opinion.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 614G Seminar in Media and Public Opinion
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Preparation to be critical consumer of polls and media coverage of them; theories and findings regarding propaganda and media influence on public opinion.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023.
- JAMS 615 Seminar in Media and Politics
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- How news media cover politics; role of traditional and new media in political campaigns; political content and effects of entertainment media and documentaries.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2022.
- JAMS 615G Seminar in Media and Politics
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- How news media cover politics; role of traditional and new media in political campaigns; political content and effects of entertainment media and documentaries.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2022.
- JAMS 616 Seminar in Sports, Media, and Society
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Lens of sports to explore the ways we know what we know about how media operate in a society and asks students to produce research adding to that knowledge.
- Prerequisites: junior standing and JAMS major or minor; or graduate standing.
- Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of JAMS 660 with similar topic.
- Last Taught: Fall 2023.
- JAMS 616G Seminar in Sports, Media, and Society
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Lens of sports to explore the ways we know what we know about how media operate in a society and asks students to produce research adding to that knowledge.
- Prerequisites: junior standing and JAMS major or minor; or graduate standing.
- Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of JAMS 660 with similar topic.
- Last Taught: Fall 2023.
- JAMS 620 Seminar in Global Media
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Economic, regulatory, and cultural characteristics of national and global mass media.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024.
- JAMS 620G Seminar in Global Media
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Economic, regulatory, and cultural characteristics of national and global mass media.
- Prerequisites: jr st.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024.
- JAMS 660 Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Media Studies:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Research-oriented approaches to theoretical and social issues in mass communication.
- Prerequisites: junior standing.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024.
- JAMS 660G Seminar in Contemporary Issues in Media Studies:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Research-oriented approaches to theoretical and social issues in mass communication.
- Prerequisites: junior standing.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2025, Fall 2024.
- JAMS 661 Seminar in Media Communication and Society:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Topics related to the mass media; the research process; development of a seminar paper based on original research.
- Prerequisites: junior standing; additional prerequisites, if any, announced in the Schedule of Classes.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2023.
- JAMS 661G Seminar in Media Communication and Society:
- 3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
- Topics related to the mass media; the research process; development of a seminar paper based on original research.
- Prerequisites: junior standing; additional prerequisites, if any, announced in the Schedule of Classes.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2024, Spring 2023.
- JAMS 699 Advanced Independent Study
- 1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
- For further information, consult dept chair.
- Prerequisites: jr st, 2.0 GPA, consent of instructor, department chair, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
- Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.
- Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2018.