These are special-topics courses. Students may enroll in them more than once, provided the topics are different. These are all 3-credit courses and may satisfy different requirements within the school.
The following courses are offered in Fall 2023:
MEJO 390-002: International Reporting (3 hrs.)
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30—4:45 p.m.
Taught by Adjunct Instructor David Zucchino
Students must manually register for 3 hours.
This course is designed to help students refine skills for timely and dynamic international reporting in the digital age. Students will conceive and implement story proposals, react swiftly to breaking news events, locate and interview sources, and write vivid and compelling stories. Students will “cover” foreign affairs by becoming virtual correspondents. They will select a country or region – or a subject area such as migration or authoritarian regimes – and will be virtually posted overseas. Students will interview sources via phone, email, Zoom or social media. They will research and report on major developments in their chosen countries, regions or subject areas, while also developing source experts for insights and assessments.
Satisfies one of the following: Choice, JRN Level 2
MEJO 490-003: Workroom FashionMash Editorial (3 hrs.)
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30—10:45 a.m.
Taught by Professor of the Practice Dana McMahan Permission of the instructor: dmcmahan@email.unc.edu
Students will be registered for 3 hours.
What does it mean to develop an editorial look for fashion? Visual editorial is a genre of photography and video focused on telling a story without words. Master photographers and filmmakers gather a wide spectrum of creative specialists to design otherworldly environments where styling forms the nucleus of a concept. The concepts are often outlandish and use clothing to focus on the narrative rather than wearability. Fashion curation, casting, makeup/hair, artmaking, set building and unusual film techniques all work in concert in these powerful visual collaborations. In this class, you will explore what it takes to bring these conceptual moments to life. Industry experts will join you to inspire and offer tips on how their teams produce breath-taking work for fashion brands. The results of this semester’s work will provide you with extensive material for your fashion creative portfolio.
Satisfies one of the following: Conceptual, Choice, AD/PR Level 2 or 3
MEJO 490-004: Advertising, Media & Society (3 hrs.)
Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:30—10:45 a.m.
Taught by Assistant Professor Lee McGuigan
Students must manually register for 3 hours.
An exploration of advertising in American society, from the emergence of mass media to the role of influencers and adtech in the internet economy. We will learn how the advertising, technology, and media industries relate to each other; how advertisements and brands communicate meaning within popular culture; and how digital advertising uses data about people’s lifestyles and identities, sometimes raising concerns about privacy and discrimination. The central proposition is that understanding media and society today requires a close look at the past, present, and future of advertising.
Satisfies one of the following: Conceptual, Choice, AD/PR Level 2 or 3
MEJO 490-005: Advanced Creative Portfolio (3 hrs.)
Tuesdays, 4:00—6:45 p.m.
Taught by Adjunct Instructor Mitch Bennett
Students must manually register for 3 hours.
A highly-focused, hands-on class dedicated to concepting and creating spec creative ad campaigns that showcase the student’s thought process and potential through an online portfolio. Prerequisites are MEJO 371 and an insatiable passion for getting a foot in the door of a creative department.
Satisfies one of the following: Conceptual, Choice, AD/PR Level 2 or 3
MEJO 490-006: Entertainment/Celebrity Public Relations (3 hrs.)
Mondays & Wednesdays, 12:30—1:45 p.m.
Taught by Professor of the Practice Julie Dixon Green
Students must manually register for 3 hours.
Have you ever wondered what it is like to work with Celebrity and Sports A-List STARS!?? In this creative, fun MASTER CLASS of “Star- Making,” Hall of Fame Publicist and Professor Jules Dixon-Green will share her Publicist world of the past 30 years! Professor Dixon-Green
will teach you the PR skills needed to break-in and SUCCEED in Entertainment/Celebrity PR! This PR Course will include a deep dive in specific media relations strategy, content management, A-list brand building and celebrity crisis relations.
MEJO 137 is the absolute Pre-req. Open only to AD/PR majors. It is highly recommended that interested students have taken MEJO 332/PR Writing.
Satisfies one of the following: Conceptual, Choice, AD/PR Level 2 or 3
MEJO 490-007
Mondays & Wednesdays, 2—3:15 p.m.
Taught by Visiting Professor of the Practice Leyla Santiago
This course will dive into the nuances of the Latino/a/x community in the U.S. and the best practices to responsibly engage and cover the rapidly growing population. Students will explore the various facets of the community to understand why it should not be considered a monolith when analyzing issues like health, politics, religion, immigration, business and the economy. The course will give future journalists and communication professionals a better understanding of how to successfully reach the Latino/a/x community for newsgathering or targeting in strategic communication campaigns.
The above courses may not fall in the correct requirement area on your Tracker. Please submit a Tar Heel Tracker Adjustment form to have this updated after the last day to add a class. Forms are on the Academic Forms and Resources page.