Questions about enrollment, eligibility requirements or class content? Contact the instructor listed in the course description, or SJMC Undergraduate Advisor Robert Schwoch at schwoch@wisc.edu.
J150: Introduction to Sports Communication
Instructor: TBD
Online only: June 20 – Aug. 14
Prerequisite: Open to all undergraduate students
Satisfies the “Survey Course” requirement for the Certificate in Sports Communication
This class explores the central activities and concepts related to various communication professions involved in the realm of sports. These activities include sports journalism, sports broadcasting, sports marketing communications and sports public relations. We also consider major social issues that impinge upon these professions including how sports and media intersect with concerns associated with race and gender. We conclude with an exploration of strategies that students can put into place now and in the future to build careers in sports communications and beyond.
J162: Mass Media in Multicultural America
Instructor: Hemant Shah
Online only: June 20 – Aug. 14
Prerequisite: Open to all undergraduate students
Satisfies ethnic studies requirement, social science breadth requirement and “Social Impacts” course for Certificate in Sports Communication.
This class will consider the cultural history of racial and ethnic minorities and explore the way these groups are portrayed in media. In this course, you will learn about:
- The terms “race” and “ethnicity”
- The roles and functions of mass media in multicultural societies
- The ways media create and perpetuate racial and ethnic stereotypes
- How stereotypes circulate in culture and affect individuals and societies
These issues will be explored through a number of learning activities such as writing assignments, online group discussion and self-reflection.
J175: Media Fluency in a Digital Age
Instructor: Deb Pierce
Online only: May 23 – June 19
Prerequisite: Open to all undergraduate students
Satisfies the “Core” requirement for the Digital Studies Certificate
Digital media is very much a part of our day-to-day lives. Being “digitally fluent” is considered a key 21st century skill. So, what does it mean to be fluent in digital media? It goes way beyond tweeting, posting and sharing. It’s a matter of knowing your audiences and the digital media they use. Students will critically examine how digital media are consumed by various audiences across social, political and economic environments—and even create some of their own!
J350: Sports Marketing Communications
Instructor: Douglas McLeod
Online only: May 31 – June 19
Prerequisite: J150 or J202
Satisfies the “Skills Course” requirement for the Certificate in Sports Communication
This class explores various activities related to the promotion domain of sports marketing including marketing research, sports branding, image management, advertising promotion, event promotion, sports sponsorships, community relations, advertising promotion and social media marketing. As we examine each of these activities, we will focus on the marketing communications associated with each.
J475: Corporate Communication
Instructor: Ben Deutsch
In Person: May 23 – June 19
M,T,W,R – 9am-1pm, Room 2116 Vilas Hall
Prerequisite: J335 or 345
This is an upper-level course for students interested in learning what is involved in senior management-level corporate communications for a Fortune 500 publicly traded company. The course will demonstrate the critical role strategic communications plays in supporting a company’s business strategy. The students will learn how to develop integrated communications plans that involve all aspects of the communications mix: media relations, brand PR, internal communications, crisis communications, social & digital communications, government relations, investor relations and executive communications. Just like the real world, the students will tackle current opportunities and issues in real-time, challenged by the pressure of a continuous news cycle. Current communications professionals will visit as guest lecturers in person and/or remotely to share their learnings and experiences. The course will be taught by visiting lecturer Ben Deutsch – former VP of Corporate Communications at The Coca-Cola Company, and a UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication alum.
J475: Advanced Journalism Workshop
Instructor: Owen Ullmann
In Person: May 23 – June 19
M,T,W,R – 9am-1pm, Room 2111 Vilas Hall
Prerequisite: J335 or J345
This is an advanced reporting and writing class that builds on the foundations established in other courses. The course will focus on how to find compelling story ideas, report them out, organize material, add valuable context and structure different types of stories. They will range from short news accounts to narrative features to opinion pieces. This course will be run much like a newsroom, with the instructor serving as managing editor to the student’s roles as reporters and writers. The course is design to help ground students in journalism fundamentals, help students develop viable story ideas and offer advice on reporting and writing. Active and retired journalists will visit as guest lecturers in person and/or remotely to spark discussions and help students master key techniques to good reporting and writing. The course will be taught by visiting lecturer Owen Ullmann – Managing Editor for Special Projects at USA Today and UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication alum.
J651: Sports Controversies and Communication Professions
Instructor: TBD
Online only: June 20 – Aug. 14
Prerequisite: J150, J162, J201 or junior standing
Satisfies the “Social Impacts” requirement for the Certificate in Sports Communication
This course explores of a number of prominent controversies that pervade the realm of sports and engage the activities of sports communication professionals (such as sports journalists, broadcasters, marketers and public relations specialists). As we discuss the issues involved in these controversies, we will pay special attention to the way they leave a mark upon professional practices.