Program: Journalism, B.A.
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.
Students in the Journalism, B.A. may not declare a double major/option within the Department of Journalism.
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)
b. Upper Division (14 units)
JOUR 325 Multiplatform Storytelling (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.
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 (43 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 43 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement.
If taken, JOUR 365 satisfies 3 units of upper division Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences and fulfills the Information Competence requirement. JOUR 371 or JOUR 372 satisfies 3 units of upper division CSUN Section F Comparative Cultural Studies and fulfills the Information Competence requirement.
5. Campus Requirements (6 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 6 units of Campus Requirements as described in this Catalog. JOUR 100 meets the Lifelong Learning requirement.
Total Units in the Major/Option: 48
General Education Units: 43
Campus Requirement Units: 3
Additional Units: 26
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120
Contact
Department of Journalism
Chair: Stephanie Bluestein
Manzanita Hall (MZ) 210A
(818) 677-3135
Program Learning Outcomes
Students receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism will be able to:
- Report and write for diverse publics, using proper grammar and punctuation, word usage and spelling, and sentence and storytelling structures across multiple journalistic formats.
- Gather and analyze information, including basic numerical concepts, using reporting techniques, such as interviewing, observation, and researching primary and secondary sources
- 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 publics.
- Understand and apply the historical, theoretical, legal and societal contexts for producing and consuming news media for consumers, ranging from local to global publics.