Journalism Minor

The goal of the Communication Department is the training of students for careers in mass media fields that demand strong writing and speaking skills, supported by ethical decision making abilities. The following objectives of the journalism minor will help focus students toward the development of very specific skills required of those working in print and broadcast journalism. At the same time, they will support the department’s overall teaching objectives.

Students will receive a minor in journalism by completing an 18 credit course load of six required Jn/Cu courses.

Cu205 – News Writing and Reporting: An introduction to journalism, including a survey of print media and practice in interviewing, reporting, and writing hard news and news feature stories.

Jn310 – Advanced News Writing and Editing Workshop: Students build on the expertise acquired in Cu 205, developing their skills further in newsgathering, interviewing, editing, proofreading and layout. Students will generate stories on their own as well as complete assignments on deadline. Beat and specialized reporting, headline and feature writing, print vs. broadcast and various practical, legal and ethical issues in journalism will also be covered. [In the catalogue as Cu310.]

Jn210 – Editing, Copyediting and Grammar: A review of the basic rules of grammar intended for students who have completed composition requirements and wish to become better communicators. Also intended to assist students who may enter areas of media requiring strong verbal skills and editing abilities. [In the catalogue as Cu210.]

Jn301 – Principles of Media Law and Ethics: This course is an overview of the laws governing writing and reporting, from First Amendment and privacy issues to matters of libel, the roles of journalists in the courts and criminal cases and the relationship between the media and the government. The course will also examine the areas where the law stops and where the social and ethical obligations of reporters and media professionals begins.

Jn410 – Investigative Journalism and Advanced Feature Writing: This course is a practical application of investigative and public affairs reporting skills. The students will be required to complete an investigative news piece. They will gather information from various public records and interview sources for a feature story.

Jn211 – Media Principles and Practices: The class is an examination of landmark historical issues and controversies and the way the great writers in journalism history approached reporting on these issues. This class should serve as a historical guideline to addressing the major social controversies of today by a new generation of reporters from diverse backgrounds. This course can serve as a useful supplement to the law, grammar, news writing and investigative journalism courses comprising the minor.

As an alternative, students pursuing the journalism minor are permitted to substitute the Hs 365 elective from the History Department. This course will be cross listed with Jn when it is offered.

Hs/Jn 365 – History of the Press: The course is a study of the press in Great Britain and the United States from the seventeenth century to the present, focusing on common themes and practices. Students will learn about the major developments in the Anglo-American press and learn how the press has served as both forum for and shaper of opinion.

Cu/Jn electives: Other Cn/Ju courses that may be taken as electives by Communication majors or students interested in a class in this area include –

Cu419 Writing for Publication: This course is intended to teach students how to sell and publish their work, from freelance articles to book proposals. Students will be asked to survey markets for their writing, compose queries and proposals, and send them out to the appropriate publications.

Cu221 Introduction to Publishing: This is a foundation course in the Writing and Publishing specialty, exploring the business and creative divisions of print oriented media like blogs, magazines, newspapers and books.

Cu/Jn 355 Video Journalism: A new form of journalism practiced today is on the web and called Video Journalism. Students will investigate the format, producers and the future of this type of reporting. They will also take a close, critical look at its credibility.

Cu340 Sportswriting: A study of the growth of this area of specialized journalism, including interviewing, reporting, and assignment for a variety of sports.

Cu321 Book Editing and Publishing Workshop: (new course to be put into the system) Students will learn the process of book editing and production by creating a book using current electronic technology. Students will study the process of taking manuscripts and creating a final product. Then, they will work with agents and writers’ organizations to acquire work and make editorial and production decisions.

Cu495 Media Internship I: This course integrates study in a specialty area of media communications with a job experience in the field. Students will compare academic preparation to work place demands and will think critically about choosing learning resources for the world of work.

Cu496 Media Internship II: This course integrates advanced study in a specialty area in a of media communications with a job experience in the field. Students are encouraged to think critically about media ethics and practice.

Note on Communication majors: Since Cu205 is already a required course for students majoring in Communication, those who wish to do the Communication major and the Journalism minor will be required to take one extra writing and publishing elective class.