Within the context of a broad liberal arts degree program, journalism majors will concentrate on core courses in journalism and mass communication principles, media production and editing, information gathering, writing, reporting practicums and mass communication law.
Electives may be taken in a variety of subject areas such as history of documentary, history of mass communication, public opinion, international communication, mass media and society, media ethics, visual communication, and specialized media writing and production.
Recommended areas of study for a minor or double major include environmental science, political science, philosophy, sociology, psychology, English, art, economics, film studies, geography, history, international studies, agriculture or business. Journalism majors may not double major or minor in the mass communication emphasis offered in the Communication Studies and Theatre Arts department.
A student who desires to teach journalism at the secondary school level would minor in journalism and pursue a degree through the College of Education and Professional Studies.
Journalism Major 35 cr. hrs.
Core Requirements: 23 cr. hrs.
JOUR 101 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 cr.
JOUR 110 Principles of Journalism 3 cr.
JOUR 201 Information Gathering 3 cr.
JOUR 202 Print News Writing or 203 Broadcast News Writing 3 cr.
JOUR 304 News Practicum (2 semesters) 4 cr.
JOUR 465 Mass Communication Law 3 cr.
Two of the following production courses: 4 cr.
JOUR 121 Radio News Production 2 cr.
JOUR 122 TV News Photography 2 cr.
JOUR 123 Editing for Print Media 2 cr.
JOUR 124 Editing for Online Media 2 cr.
Theory Courses : Select two from the following: 6 cr.
JOUR 301 History of Film
JOUR 302 History of Documentary
JOUR 305 News in the Movies
JOUR 315 Race, Class and News
JOUR 316 Media Ethics
JOUR 319 The Media and American Politics
JOUR 320 Journalism and Public Opinion
JOUR 345 History of Mass Communication
JOUR 455 Mass Media and Society
JOUR 460 International Communication
Journalism Electives: 6 cr.
Any JOUR course.
Required Supporting Courses:
POLS 253 State and Local Government or POLS 211 Government and Politics in Minnesota and Wisconsin
HIST 100Defining Events in US History
MATH 216 Elementary Statistical Concepts or PSYC 201 Behavioral Statistics
Plus three of the following (each from different departments):
GEOG 120 Human Geography or 220 Economic Geography
HIST any international course
INTS any course
ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics or 202 Principles of Macroeconomics
ESM 105 Introduction to Environmental Studies or 307 Cultural Perspectives on the Environment
ETHN 200 Introduction to Ethnic Studies
PHIL 245 Eastern Religions and Islam
POLS 212 The Politics of Equality and Inequality in The United States
POLS Any international course
PSYC 285 Psychology of Prejudice and Racism