AGJR 481
Agricultural Journalism Senior Seminar
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Course Description
One credit. This seminar is designed as a capstone course for Agricultural Journalism students to help them analyze agricultural communications as a career field, make necessary preparations for career entry, plan for professional development, and contribute to the profession. Students will identify important challenges and opportunities facing professional agricultural communicators. Prerequisites: Within three semesters of graduation and instructor approval.

Instructor:

Course Outcomes:
  1. Understand the role of communicator for the agricultural industry.
  2. Prepare job application materials including application letters and résumés.
  3. Examine the effects of mass media on agricultural issues and the communications’ industry.
  4. Identify industry-wide issues and concerns through analysis, discussion, and reporting.
Course Text:
 Current agricultural publications, Web sites, and industry-related materials (no text).
Course Requirements:
  • Attendance and Participation (10%, 50 points). Attendance and participation in class discussions is an important part of the learning process in any seminar class. Two unexcused absences are permitted before an automatic one-letter grade reduction occurs in the final grade (see University rules regarding excused absences).
  • Job Search Materials (30%, 150 points). Students will a) Locate a current job announcement in agricultural communications (25 points), b) Prepare a cover letter for that specific position (50 points), and c) Prepare a résumé for that specific position (75 points).
  • Issues Paper (60%, 300 points). Based on class discussions and guest speakers, students will identify and outline (100 points) an agricultural communications issue, and prepare a brief research paper (200 points) for that issue, including possible strategies for addressing it in a future situation.
Course Policies:
  • Professional - There is no excuse for sloppy work. You can have fantastic ideas and thoughts but if your work is sloppy, colleagues will think your ideas are sloppy too. Always let the quality of your work be an accurate reflection of your professionalism!
  • Academic Integrity: Texas A&M University faculty and students have a responsibility to maintain academic integrity. Information on academic integrity is found at http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/fyp/integrty.html. Check these links for more information on the Student Conduct Code.

If any of the above information is incorrect, or needs to be updated, contact Dr. Deb Dunsford.

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