The journalism specialization offers students a sequence of courses that emphasize theoretical and practical approaches to the study of journalism. You will learn about the creation and production of news, writing and reporting skills, how to understand your audience, and how to critically evaluate the news. This gives you a great background for a career as a journalist, reporter, anchor, sportswriter, columnist, editor, producer, or news executive.

Curriculum Overview

After completing your introductory courses in the major, you will choose from a series of theory courses that begin to build the foundation for your courses in journalism. At the advanced level, you will take Introduction to Journalism, which offers a broad survey of the field. This is the prerequisite for specialized topical and skills courses such as Broadcast Journalism, Sports Journalism, Journalism Practices, and Feature Writing. These advanced courses offer more focused coverage and allow you to customize your curriculum to your personal interests. You are also required to take at least one Media Production course and another from a different area. Just like with the other specializations, you will take an advanced research course and a capstone senior project course. Students specializing in journalism are also required to complete an internship. Please see the detailed curriculum below.

Introductory Courses (1000 level)

Students must complete the 3 required introductory courses:

• COM 1000 - Surv of Communication Studies
• COM 1100 - Public Speaking
• COM 1200 - Intro to COM Research

Theory Courses (2000 level)

Students must complete two (2) theory classes from the following:

• COM 2340 - Theories of Visual Com & Culture
• COM 2300 - Theories of Mass Communication
• COM 2200 - Theories of Rhetoric
• COM 2240 - Theories of Perform Studies
• COM 2280 - Theories of Persuasion

Advanced Topics Courses (3000 level)

Students must complete three (3) Journalism classes from the following:

• COM 3360 - Introduction to Journalism
• COM 3361 - Journalism Practices
• COM 3362 - Feature Writing
• COM 3363 - Broadcast Journalism
• COM 3390 - Sports Journalism

Students must choose one (1) 3000 level Media Production course. Aspiring journalists are encouraged to take more than one of these (or to double specialize in Media Production) in order to fill out their resume; however, they are required to take one of the following:

• COM 3307 - Multimedia Production
• COM 3308 - Digital Image Production
• COM 3301 - Intro to Film & Video Production

Students must choose one (1) additional 3000 level course from a third specialization area. Aspiring journalists are recommended (but not required) to choose one of the following courses:

• COM 3201 - Rhetoric & Social Justice
• COM 3202 - Rhetoric, Identity & Conflict
• COM 3203 - Communication Law & Policy
• COM 3244 - Folklore & Oral Traditions
• COM 3351 - Media & Society
• COM 3353 - Media & Politics
• COM 3460 - Public Relations
• COM 3245 - Voice & Diction
• COM 3352 - Media & Technology
• COM 3355 - Media Effects
• COM 3444 - Interviewing
• COM 3461 - Advertising

Advanced Research Course (4000 level)

Students must take either:

• COM 4001 - Qualitative Research in COM
• COM 4002 - Quantitative Research in COM

Capstone Course (5000 level)

Students must complete the Capstone Course:

• COM 5050 - Senior Project

Internship Requirement

Students must also complete a Journalism Internship for this specialization. The Internship must be approved by the Associated Faculty.