Journalism
Bachelor of Arts, Minor
About this program
The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism teaches you how to research, report, and craft stories for multiple media. You take a 12‑unit Equity Core that covers cultural diversity, ethics, media law, and the impact of journalism. You then practice journalism through campus and community media. You also earn a complementary minor for a well-rounded perspective.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism prepares students for careers in journalism. This is accomplished by providing instruction that requires students to demonstrate a working knowledge of the skills, laws, ethics, power and responsibilities of the news media. A strong liberal arts education also is required.
The main goals of the program's skills courses are to help students become accurate and thorough researchers; incisive thinkers who can gauge the quality of information; precise, clear and graceful writers; technically, aesthetically fine photojournalists; and competent digital technologists. Many students choose the major because these skills provide excellent preparation for numerous occupations, not only for journalism.
Students pursuing the Journalism B.A. are required to take introductory courses in research, reporting, writing, digital skills and editing. All students are required to take courses in multimedia journalism. Specialized courses reflect different areas of expertise: feature writing, magazine writing, environmental journalism, investigative reporting, data journalism, news design, and visual journalism for writers and editors. Students are strongly urged to develop speaking, writing, and listening competency in a second language.
Program Learning Outcomes
Apply principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context.
Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts.
Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies.
Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
Minor in Journalism
The Minor in Journalism helps you pursue journalism in a structured way, even if it’s not part of your major. You explore core journalism through courses on newswriting, multimedia, reporting, media law, and journalism’s social impact. This minor boosts your ability to report, write, and think critically across media.
Learn more about the Minor in Journalism