Program: B.A., Journalism
Program Description
Journalism prioritizes practical knowledge, experiential learning and media literacy. In this area of interest, students apply the skills they attain in their courses to their positions as journalists in digital and bilingual news operations at The Sundial and El Nuevo Sol, respectively, as well as the Pop-Up Newsroom, SCENE Magazine, and other mediums.
Program Requirements
1. Required Core Courses (30 units)
a. Lower Division (16 units)
JOUR 100 Mass Communication (3)
JOUR 104 Introduction to Journalism (1)*
JOUR 110/L News Reporting I and Lab (2/1)
JOUR 210/L News Reporting II and Lab (2/1)
JOUR 225 Multimedia Storytelling (3)
JOUR 250 Visual Communication (3)
or JOUR 255 Introduction to Public Relations (3)**
b. Upper Division (14 units)
JOUR 325 Multiplatform Storytelling (3)
or JOUR 341 Writing for Public Relations (3)**
JOUR 400 Media Law and Ethics (3)
JOUR 480 History of the American News Media (3)
or JOUR 478 International News Media (3)
Journalism Practicum (4 units)
Select one set of courses from the following:
JOUR 395B Broadcast News Practicum (2)
and JOUR 395C Broadcast News (2)
JOUR 397B News Practicum (2)
and JOUR 397C News—The Sundial (2)
JOUR 398B Public Relations Practicum (2)
and JOUR 398C Public Relations—Agency 398 (2)
*Credit/No Credit only.
**Required for Public Relations option.
2. Journalism Option Courses (18 units)
a. Required (6 units)
Select two courses from the following:
b. Electives (12 units)
Select four courses from the following:
JOUR 371 Gender and Media (3)***
or JOUR 372 Diversity and the Media (3)***
JOUR 374SLJ Spanish-Language News Environment (3)
JOUR 375 Engaging Diverse Communities (3)
JOUR 455 Documentary Photojournalism (3)
JOUR 460 Magazine Journalism (3)
JOUR 465 Mass Communication and Popular Culture (3)
JOUR 491 Media Leadership (3)†
***May not take both JOUR 371 and JOUR 372.
†Repeatable one time.
3. Courses Outside of Journalism (72 units)
Majors are required to take at least 72 units of the 120 required for graduation outside of Journalism and Mass Communication to meet national accreditation standards.
Students are strongly recommended to select an interdisciplinary field that complements the Journalism major. The interdisciplinary field must contain at least five upper division courses, totaling a minimum of 15 units in a selected area of study. See an advisor for recommendations.
4. General Education (48 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.
3 units are satisfied by the following course in the major: JOUR 100 satisfies E Lifelong Learning.
If taken, JOUR 365 satisfies 3 units of upper division D1 Social Sciences and fulfills the Information Competence requirement. JOUR 371 or JOUR 372 satisfies 3 units of upper division F Comparative Cultural Studies and fulfills the Information Competence requirement.
Total Units in the Major/Option: 48
General Education Units: 45
Additional Units: 27
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120
Contact
Department of Journalism
Chair: Stephanie Bluestein
Manzanita Hall (MZ) 210A
(818) 677-3135
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Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Be able to write for a diverse audience, using proper grammar and punctuation, word usage and spelling, sentence and storytelling structures across multiple journalistic formats.
- Be able to gather and analyze information, including basic numerical concepts, using journalistic storytelling techniques, such as interviewing, observation, and researching primary and secondary sources.
- Be able to think critically, creatively and independently.
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
- Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the news media professions in which they work to communicate for and with diverse audiences.
- Be able to understand and apply the historical, theoretical, legal and societal contexts for producing news media for consumers, ranging from local to global publics.
ADT/STAR Act Degree Road Maps
Students who have graduated with a verified Associate Degree for Transfer and have been admitted to a CSUN program that has been deemed similar will be able to complete the baccalaureate degree within 60 semester units. For additional information, see ADT/STAR Act Degree Road Maps.