Communication and Media, Journalism Specialization, BA

journalism

This specialization prepares the student for the news professions in a variety of media channels, including newspapers, magazines, books, radio, television, and the Internet. Job roles include news writer, columnist, editorialist, reporter, copy editor, section editor, managing editor, editor-in-chief, broadcast reporter, television news anchor, news director, and webmaster and blogger.

Requirements for the Major (13 courses/39 credit hours)

A. Introductory Courses:
All Communication and Media majors, Journalism specialization majors are required to take the following four courses, normally completed by the end of sophomore year:

- - CM 201- Media Writing
  - CM 202- Digital Tools
  - CM 203- Introduction to Communication
  - CM 308- Multimedia Storytelling

Note: If a student adds another specialization, especially advertising/public relations, they will need to take CM307: Fundamentals of Advertising & Public Relations as 5th introductory course.

B. Intermediate Courses:
Majors must take a combination of eight 300- and 400-level communication courses, one of which must be a diversity-Justice (DJ) designated communication and media course, and at least three courses in Journalism specialization. Majors may choose a second specialization.

B.1: Specialization Courses (3 courses/9 credit hours): Students specializing in Journalism can select 3 courses from the following options:

- - CM 301 - News Reporting and Writing
  - CM 304 - Business Journalism
  - CM 311 - Radio Storytelling
  - CM 316 - Travel Reporting
  - CM 319- Global Media & Journalism
  - CM 340 - Advanced TV Reporting and News Producing
  - CM 361 - Copy Editing
  - CM 362 - Arts and Entertainment Media
  - CM 367 - Sports Writing
  - CM 374 - Documentary Production
  - CM 376 - Media Training
  - CM 382 - Introduction to Book Publishing
  - CM 387 - Book Publishing: Manuscript Evaluation and Development
  - CM 389 - Media Presence and Performance
  - CM 390 - Creative Media Producing
  - CM 391 - Greyhound News

B.2: CM Elective Courses (5 courses/15 credit hours):

Communication and Media majors with one specialization need to take 5 300-level CM courses from any area of specialization (including more courses from their area of specialization). Also, a 3-credit internship course (CM420) can be counted as an elective (students are allowed to use a maximum 6 credit hours for internship).

Students pursuing a double specialization in communication and media may need to take 1 – 2 CM elective course. Students with digital media and Ad/PR will need to complete 2 CM elective courses. Students with Journalism and digital media or Ad/PR will need to complete only 1 CM elective course.

C. Senior Capstone Course: Students must take one senior capstone course in the Journalism specialization for which all prerequisites are met.

- - CM 400 - Senior Capstone in Multimedia Journalism

Note: CM majors with a double specialization may have more capstone options, especially CM403: Senior Capstone in Advertising and CM404: Senior Capstone in Public Relations.