310 North Hall
(715)425-3169
www.uwrf.edu/journalism/
Colleen Callahan-chair, Patricia Berg, Sandra Ellis, Andris Straumanis. Adjuncts: Richard Burgsteiner, Richard McNamara.
The Department of Journalism is one of 109 programs in the United States accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. In order to maintain accreditation and to fulfill the department mission of providing journalism students with a broad liberal arts education, all majors must take a minimum of 80 credit hours outside journalism and mass communication courses, including a minimum of 65 credit hours in the liberal arts and sciences. A student majoring in journalism may not double major or minor in the Mass Communication emphasis offered in the Speech Communication and Theatre Arts department. All journalism majors must take six supporting courses outside the major, specified under the Supporting Courses category. These six courses may be counted in other areas of the student’s degree program such as General Education, Liberal Arts, a second major, a minor, or general electives.
Journalism majors must take PSYC 201 or MATH 216 to fulfill the General Education Goal 3 (mathematics requirement).
Journalism courses cannot double count in both the journalism major and general education. Students must take courses other than journalism to meet their general education goals.
Journalism and Secondary Education. Students interested in teaching journalism and/or serving as a newspaper or yearbook advisor at the secondary school level may major or minor in journalism, and must take a second teaching area major such as English or broad area studies. The student should consult with the dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies for specific teaching requirements.
Journalism and Agriculture. This program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in agricultural journalism. The student develops a major in journalism and a second major or minor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Students may take AGED 230 (Agricultural News Writing) as a journalism elective.
Marketing Communications Major. Journalism is one of seven academic departments participating in the interdisciplinary major of Marketing Communications.
International Studies Major. Journalism offers a directed elective (JOUR 460) that may count toward an International Studies major.
Film Studies Minor. Journalism is one of the departments from which courses may be taken for the Film Studies minor.
Professional Writing Minor. Journalism is one of the subject fields included in the Department of English Professional Writing minor.
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 302 History of Documentary
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 100 Defining Events in US History
MATH 216 Elementary Statistical Concepts or PSYCH 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 or any international course
PSYCH 285 Psychology of Prejudice and Racism
Journalism Minor 24 cr.
Core Requirements 19 cr.
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 (1 semester) 2 cr.
JOUR 465 Mass Communication Law 3 cr.
One of the following production courses: 2 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 one from the following: 3 cr.
JOUR 302 History of Documentary
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: 2 cr.
