Capstones
The School of Journalism and Mass Communication requires that all JMC majors complete one capstone course prior to graduation. Our capstone courses are hands-on, experiential learning classes that provide an opportunity for students to strengthen their research, writing, storytelling, and media production skills as they produce professional-quality content for clients or publication. Students will develop their professional portfolio and will leave their capstone with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for entry-level jobs or internships in media-related fields.
Learning goals
- Media in the real world. Situated production, work for clients, or products for publication where students pitch or publish with an outside publication or client.
- Professional skills. Demonstrate key professional skills at the entry level for the field.
- Research and planning. Practice in-depth research and planning for media production.
- Revision and feedback. Understand and implement constructive feedback for iterative improvement.
- Portfolio. Update a personal website or digital portfolio to showcase professional-quality work.
Course options
| Course | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| JMC:4105 | Iowa Community News | Public affairs reporting focused on utilizing community-engaged storytelling techniques and covering underrepresented groups. |
| JMC:4125 | Advanced Strategic Storytelling | Advanced tools for creating great content; tactics for reaching the right audiences with the right message at the right time. |
| JMC:4300 | Photo Storytelling | Builds on photography skills learned in previous coursework, including documentary photography and advanced photography techniques. |
| JMC:4315 | Strategic Communication Campaigns | Development and presentation of public relations campaigns for client organizations through objective-based strategic planning. |
| JMC:4335 | Multimedia Production for Publication | Structured in a workshop-like manner where students create professional quality, commercially viable content to inform, persuade or entertain. |
| JMC:4350 | Advanced Graphic Design | Advanced design, layout, and production with practical and aesthetic considerations; digital techniques and creative projects. |
| JMC:4360 | Visual Branding & Design | Use a variety of design research and visual communication methods to produce public-facing, visual marketing materials for clients. |
Student work
Iowa Community News
Students in this capstone cover communities in Eastern Iowa and produce stories for the Solon Economist and Mt. Vernon-Lisbon Sun as part of a partnership between SJMC and the weekly papers.
Advanced Strategic Storytelling
Our focus was on making JPEC more visible, engaging, and relevant to undergraduates by highlighting entrepreneurship as a viable career path, and increasing student participation in JPEC programs.
Strategic Communication Campaigns
Undergraduate students in SJMC partnered with Main Street West Branch to support downtown businesses with strategic communication strategies and campaigns.
Photo Storytelling
Students from The Daily Iowan and SJMC collaborated to highlight the people, places, and events that contribute to the vibrant culture of the Iowa City community.