2021-2022 Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog

Journalism, B.A.

A minor is required with this major.

The BA in Journalism is a 40-credit program that prepares students for entry into journalism and related fields where information-gathering, writing, editing, and awareness of public affairs are important. Students choose one of three tracks, print/digital, broadcast, or sports journalism, but all students receive training in multimedia reporting. Resources such as the Robert Vance Endowed Chair in Journalism and Mass Communication allow the program to bring in visiting professionals on a regular basis to supplement the curriculum. A PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED.

Requirements: (40 credits)

1. Common Core

Total Credit Hours:25

Students must take

JRN 200Introduction to Journalism

3

JRN 235News Writing and Reporting I

3

JRN 237Introduction to the Profession

1

JRN 255Multimedia Journalism

3

JRN 336News Writing and Reporting II

3

JRN 383Responsibilities of Journalism

3

JRN 384Journalism History

3

JRN 412Editing

3

and three credits from the following:

JRN 370Global News in Context

3

JRN 400Journalism Theory

3

Important Notes:

JRN 200: prereq. WRT 110

JRN 235: To be taken concurrently with JRN 255

JRN 255: To be taken concurrently with JRN 235

2. Three Sequences: Print/Digital, Broadcast, Sports Journalism

Total Credit Hours:15

Print /Digital sequence: 15 credits

a. Required: Two courses from the following:

JRN 371Reporting Cultural Diversity

3

JRN 380Feature Writing

3

JRN 381Opinion Writing

3

WRT 382Travel Writing

3

JRN 385Social Media and Mobile Journalism

3

JRN 416Magazine Writing

3

JRN 418Studies in Journalism

3

Students may take JRN 418 twice provided the courses are on different topics.

Students may take JRN 450 more than once for electives.

Students may take JRN 495 Internship twice if venue is different.

b. Nine credits of directed electives chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Any JRN course numbered 200-499 may be taken as an elective in any of the sequences.  Up to 6 credits of courses other than JRN may be taken as electives with an advisor's approval.

Broadcast sequence: 15 credits

a. Required:

JRN 340Introduction to Broadcast News

3

JRN 385Social Media and Mobile Journalism

3

JRN 440TV News Practicum

4

b. Five credits of directed electives chosen in consultant with a faculty advisor.

Any JRN course numbered 200-499 may be taken as an elective in any of the sequences.  Up to 6 credits of courses other than JRN may be taken as electives with an advisor's approval.
JRN 495Internship in Journalism

3

JRN 350Professional Seminar

1

JRN 385Social Media and Mobile Journalism

3

JRN 498Capstone Preparation

1

JRN 499Capstone

3

Sports Journalism: 15 credits

a. Required:

JRN 360Multimedia Sports Journalism

3

JRN 361Data Analysis for Sports Journalism

3

JRN 462Issues in Sports Journalism

3

b. Six credits of directed electives in consultation with advisor.

Any JRN course numbered 200-499 may be taken as an elective in any of the sequences.  Up to 6 credits of courses other than JRN may be taken as electives with an advisor's approval.

Journalism Major- General Education Requirements

In Study Area 2:

HIST 161American History to 1877

3

or

HIST 162American History from 1877 to Present

3

In Study Area 3:

PS 110American Government & Politics

3

or

PS 230American State and Local Government

3

In Skill Area 2:

STAT 104Elementary Statistics

3

or

STAT 215Statistics for Behavioral Sciences I

3

To meet the EJI requirement

JRN 371Reporting Cultural Diversity

3

JRN 371 or EJI designated course in another discipline.

Total Credit Hours: 40

Any JRN course numbered 200-499 may count toward the JRN Major.