This is an archive of the 2018-2019 University Catalog.
To access the most recent version, Please visit catalog.csun.edu.

Program: B.A., Journalism

Broadcast

Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students who seek careers in a wide variety of contemporary options—particularly in broadcast, public relations, and participatory and ethnic media. With a focus on digital, community/participatory and global media studies, the program teaches a balance of practical and theoretical elements of journalism and media studies. Students take core courses in media law and ethics and history/theory in tandem with a variety of multimedia skills courses, emphasizing the diverse elements of today’s emerging landscape.

The Journalism major offers three options: General, Broadcast and Public Relations.

The Broadcast option (radio/television) provides students with training comparable to an entry-level professional position in news by teaching them to write, edit, report, produce and anchor for campus-based news operations covering the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles, including television newscasts: Matador News; On Point, a multimedia public affairs program; Valley View News; and radio news and features programming at KCSN News.

Program Requirements

1. Required Core Courses (30 units)

a. Lower Division (16 units)

b. Upper Division (14 units)

Journalism Practicum (4 units)
Select one set of courses from the following:

*Also counts as General Education.
**Credit/No Credit only.
***Required for Public Relations option.

2. Broadcast Option Courses (18 units)

a. Required (6 units)

b. Electives (12 units)

Select four courses from the following:

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.
For Journalism majors, JOUR 100 counts for 3 units of GE in the Lifelong Learning section. In addition, courses in the Collateral Field/minor may also count in GE.

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: Linda Bowen
Manzanita Hall (MZ) 210A
(818) 677-3135
Facebook
Twitter
The Monday Memo

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Be able to think critically, creatively and independently.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles, and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
  5. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the news media professions in which they work to communicate for and with diverse audiences.
  6. 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.