Journalism Minor

Call it “the first draft of history,” the engine of the communication revolution, or the literature of fact, journalism performs a most significant role in the twenty-first century. The history of journalistic media mirrors most major issues of our times. Online and interactive platforms have changed journalism, making it more immediate, personal and democratic than ever before, yet the essential tools and techniques of nonfiction and fact-based writing remain remarkably unchanged. The goal of the minor is to produce beginning journalists who possess the critical thinking skills to write effectively, edit clearly and understand the fundamentals of reporting, researching and writing cogent pieces. Present in all coursework is a focus on critical thinking, media literacy and exposure to the best examples of nonfiction writing for print, websites, radio and television. Internships at news organizations give journalism minors a sense of what happens in the workplace.

Minor Requirements

16-18 credits

Journalism Foundation (10-12 credits)

COM-111	Foundations of Journalism: From Guttenberg to Instagram	3 credits
COM-311	Writing Feature Stories	3 credits
COM-411	Immersive Journalism	3 credits
INT-497	Internship	1-6 credits

A maximum of 3 credits of Internship may be counted toward this minor.

Revision & Editing (3 credits)

Complete one of the following.

COM-211	Advanced Techniques in Journalism	3 credits
COM-250	Criticism as Praxis	3 credits

Cultural Differences (3 credits)

Complete one of the following.

PHI-309	Feminist Philosophy	3 credits
PHI-331	Ethics	3 credits

Outcomes

After completing this minor, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate engagement with humanistic inquiry through the application of theory and methodology (appropriate to discipline) to cultures, texts, or artifacts. 
   1. Verify factual information using multiple sources as well as through conducting interviews.
   2. Utilize primary and secondary sources in the composition of nonfiction writing for broad, public audiences.
   3. Differentiate factual information from opinion. Evaluate historical and contemporary nonfiction writing. 
2. Provide evidence of their own artistic work and active engagement with the creative process.
   1. Write cogent, balanced, and neutral nonfiction coverage for broad, public consumption.
   2. Communicate effectively in a variety of nonfiction forms.
   3. Learn the essential techniques of journalistic research, reporting, interviewing and presentation.
3. Demonstrate engagement with non-dominant cultures and cultural products.
   1. Apply fundamental ethical principles to nonfiction writing. 
   2. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity to various identity groups, through constructing works with journalistic integrity.