Journalism and Mass Communication Major
The Journalism and Mass Communication Major
The journalism and mass communication major prepares students for careers that involve all aspects of news and information. Emphasis is placed on generating ideas, organizing, writing, editing and presenting information for various media platforms and audiences. Students work with advisers to develop a program of study that prepares them for work in communication-specific areas including broadcast media, magazines and/or newspapers, public relations/public information, science communication or visual communication and online/multimedia.
A suggested track for Visual Journalism majors: JL MC 101 (req); JL MC 110 (req), JL MC 201 (req); JL MC 202; JL MC 308; JL MC 310; JL MC 315; JL MC 342; JL MC 342L; JL MC 460 (req); JL MC 462; JL MC 499 (req).
A suggested track for Broadcasting majors: JL MC 101(req); JL MC 110 (req); JL MC 201 (req); JL MC 206; JL MC 306; JL MC 308; JL MC 354, JL MC 460 (req); JL MC 499 (req).
To be a journalism and mass communication major, a student must successfully complete:
| JL MC 101 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| JL MC 110 | Orientation to Journalism and Communication | 1 |
| JL MC 201 | Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media (with a C+ or better) | 3 |
Until these courses are successfully completed, journalism and mass communication students are designated as pre-majors. To receive a bachelor of science degree in journalism and mass communication, a student must earn at least 120 credits. A minimum of 80 credits must come from courses other than ADVRT or JL MC. At least 65 of these credits must come from the liberal arts and sciences. Overall, at least 45 credits must be from 300-level or above. Journalism and mass communication majors are required to take:
| STAT 101 | Principles of Statistics (or another approved statistics course) | 4 |
The degree requirements allow for a minimum of 33 and a maximum of 40 credits to be taken in ADVRT and JL MC. These include:
| JL MC 101 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| JL MC 110 | Orientation to Journalism and Communication | 1 |
| JL MC 201 | Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media | 3 |
| JL MC 202 | Intermediate Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media (C+ or better in JL MC 202, JL MC 206, or JL MC 321) | 3 |
| or JL MC 206 | Reporting and Writing for the Electronic Media | |
| or JL MC 321 | Public Relations Writing | |
| JL MC 460 | Law of Mass Communication | 3 |
| JL MC 499 | Professional Media Internship | 3 |
| Additional recommended courses and requirements for the journalism and mass communication major are available from the Greenlee School. | 6 | |
| ADVRT 230 | Advertising Principles | |
| ADVRT 301 | Research and Strategic Planning for Advertising and Public Relations | |
| ADVRT 335 | Advertising Media Planning | |
| JL MC 220 | Principles of Public Relations | |
| JL MC 301 | Research and Strategic Planning for Advertising and Public Relations | |
| JL MC 305 | Publicity Methods | |
| JL MC 341 | Contemporary Magazine Publishing | |
| JL MC 342 | Visual Principles for Mass Communicators | |
| JL MC 401 | Mass Communication Theory | |
| JL MC 406 | Media Management | |
| JL MC 453 | Electronic Media Technology and Public Policy | |
| JL MC 454 | Critical Analysis and History of the Moving Image | |
| JL MC 461 | History of American Journalism | |
| JL MC 462 | Media Ethics, Freedom, Responsibility | |
| JL MC 464 | Journalism and Literature | |
| JL MC 474 | Communication Technology and Social Change | |
| JL MC 476 | World Communication Systems | |
| JL MC 477 | Ethnicity, Gender, Class and the Media | |
| ADVRT 497 | Special Topics in Communication | |
| JL MC 497 | Special Topics in Communication | |
Students are required to fulfill a secondary area of expertise. This requirement can be met by declaring a minor of at least 15 credits outside of JL MC/ADVRT; a second major outside of JL MC/ADVRT, or an adviser-approved designated area of concentration with at least 21 credits, 12 of which must be 300+ level.
The following are requirements are necessary for a degree in the college of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- LAS General Education Requirements (Arts and Humanities, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences)
- International Perspectives Requirement
- U.S. Diversity Requirement
- Diversity Guidelines
- Minor Requirements
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