The B.A. in Journalism prepares students for positions in media production, reporting, editing and design. There are three tracks for students majoring in journalism, Journalism Studies (JS), broadcast and digital media (BDM), and sports information and media (SIM). The curriculum offers a blend of courses to support this goal. The coursework begins with basic photo, video, writing, reporting and visual literacy skills. These are then followed by courses that focus on design, and advanced reporting and writing projects. Students in the broadcast and digital media track will take several courses in broadcast news and telecommunication. Those in journalism will take a series of electives and interdisciplinary courses, to build skills in interviewing, writing, social media and specialized journalism. Students in Sports Information and Media will take courses in sports journalism and communication.
On-campus outlets for student writing and productions include the Penguin Review, the *yo magazine, The Jenny, Rookery Radio, and thejambar.com. Internships and other writing opportunities are available at local media outlets including local TV, radio and newspapers. The Business Journal, The Vindicator, and the Tribune Chronicle. Additionally, Journalism Studies and Broadcast and Digital Media majors are encouraged to declare minors that support their specific career objectives, such as public relations, political science, telecommunications, or art/design. Sports Information and Media students do not need a minor.
LO 1: Students will be able to produce media to support the messaging of sports teams and athletes.
LO 2: Students will be able to write in a variety of media genres.
LO 3. Students will analyze trends in new media as they relate to the dissemination of messages through mediated channels.
LO 4: Students will interpret, analyze and apply laws and ethics as they relate to media.
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Core Competencies | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| Mathematics Requirement (e.g., MATH 2623, STAT 2625) | 3 | |
| Knowledge Domains | ||
| Arts and Humanities | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences (2 courses, 1 with lab) | 6-7 | |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Turning Points in United States History 1 | ||
or HIST 2606 | Turning Points in United States History 2 | |
| Social Science Elective | ||
| Social and Personal Awareness | 6 | |
| First Year Experience Course (preferred course for this program is BUS 1500) OR Gen Ed Elective if needed | 3 | |
| Foreign Language 1550 | 4 | |
| Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| FNLG 2600 | Intermediate Foreign Language | 4 |
| Journalism Requirements | ||
| JOUR 2624 | Imaging and Design of Media | 3 |
| JOUR 3725 | News Reporting 1 | 3 |
| JOUR 3726 | American Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 3759 | Sports Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 3761 | New Media Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 3769 | Principles and Practices of Sports Information | 3 |
| JOUR 4824 | Press Law and Ethics | 3 |
| JOUR 4893 | Journalism Senior Project | 3 |
| JOUR 4899 | Sports Information Internship | 3 |
| Communication Studies Requirements | ||
| CMST 2600 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| CMST 2630 | Social Media Literacy | 3 |
| CMST 3717 | Intro to Media Relations Campaigns | 3 |
| CMST 3740 | Social Media Communication | 3 |
| CMST 4879 | Sports Communication Message Design | 3 |
| CMST 5889 | Theory of Sports and Communication | 3 |
| Telecommunication Studies Requirement | ||
| TCOM 1510 | Sports Field Production 1 | 1 |
| TCOM 1570 | Introduction to Electronic Sports Media | 3 |
| KSS and HIST Requirement | ||
| KSS 2699 | Sport in American Culture | 3 |
| HIST 3723 | History of American Sports | 3 |
| Mixed Requirements | ||
| Pick one 3 s.h. course from each of the following pairs | 6 | |
| Journalism Workshop | ||
| OR | ||
| Social Media Campaigns | ||
| Marketing Communications | ||
| OR | ||
| Media Relations Writing | ||
| Additional Courses to 120 Hours | 11 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 119-121 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| CMST 1545 | Communication Foundations | 3 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 |
Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support |
3-4 |
| JOUR 2624 | Imaging and Design of Media | 3 |
| TCOM 1570 | Introduction to Electronic Sports Media | 3 |
| FYE (preferred BUS 1500) | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| CMST 2600 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| JOUR 3725 | News Reporting 1 | 3 |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| HIST 2605 or HIST 2606 |
Turning Points in United States History 1 or Turning Points in United States History 2 |
3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| TCOM 1510 | Sports Field Production 1 | 1 |
| CMST 2630 | Social Media Literacy | 3 |
| KSS 2699 | Sport in American Culture | 3 |
| MATH 2623 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| FNLG 1550 | Elementary Foreign Language | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| JOUR 3726 | American Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 3759 | Sports Journalism | 3 |
| CMST 3740 | Social Media Communication | 3 |
| Science Elective | 3 | |
| FNLG 2600 | Intermediate Foreign Language | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CMST 3717 | Intro to Media Relations Campaigns | 3 |
| HIST 3723 | History of American Sports | 3 |
| JOUR 3769 | Principles and Practices of Sports Information | 3 |
| SPA Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| JOUR 4824 | Press Law and Ethics | 3 |
| ADV 3711 or CMST 3757 |
Marketing Communications or Media Relations Writing |
3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Science Elective + Lab | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 2 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| JOUR 3761 | New Media Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 3721L | Journalism Workshop | 3 |
| CMST 4850 | Social Media Campaigns | 3 |
| JOUR 4899 | Sports Information Internship | 1-3 |
| SPA Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| JOUR 4893 | Journalism Senior Project | 3 |
| CMST 4879 | Sports Communication Message Design | 3 |
| CMST 5889 | Theory of Sports and Communication | 3 |
| Art and Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 121-124 | |