Michael McLaughlin
Lab 18
The Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication is offering a course this semester entitled “Writing for Mass Media.” Writing for Mass Media is designed to help student become better professional writers.
The course is taught by Dr. Elanie Steyn, professor of Journalism. Dr. Steyn earned her Masters Degree at City University in London. She then went on to receive her doctorate at North-West University at Potchefstroom Campus. Dr. Steyn has read papers for 30 national and international publications. She contributed chapters of national and international textbooks and has been published in various peer reviewed journals.
The course is half lecture and half lab. Dr. Steyn lectures the class Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30 to 11:20. The lecture hall has almost 100 students. The class is split into sections of 15-25 students for labs. While lectures focus on introducing writing theories, lab professors coach new media writers to apply them during lab exercises.
The workload for the class is considered writing intensive by college advisors. Students must complete 25 writing assignments during the 30 lab sessions. Lectures begin everyday with quizzes over grammar rules and reading assignments.
Students enrolling in the class need to have completed Introduction to Journalism and Mass Communication, JMC 1113, and pass the Language Skills Test. The Language Skills Test is administered in the Student Services Center Gaylord Hall room 2520.
The course material for JMC 2033 includes four books: The AP Stylebook (2010), Media Writer's Handbook (5th Edition), Writing for the Mass Media (7th Edition), and New Directions in Diversity. The course materials cost $129.78 before tax.
Sources for this article are listed below:
Information regarding course material: bkstr.com
Information regarding Dr. Elanie Steyn: ou.edu
Information regarding course description: JMC 2033 Syllabus
