Journalism: Concentration in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography
Bachelor of Arts
About this program
The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism: Concentration in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography teaches you to tell stories through powerful imagery. You learn newswriting, reporting, editing, multimedia, and ethical issues in media. You then focus on photography — staff photojournalism, editorial practices, and documentary‑style work, including a real Capstone project. You also contribute to student publications like Golden Gate Xpress. You complete a required minor to broaden your learning.
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.
Photojournalism and Documentary Photography concentration students are required to take introductory courses in writing, digital skills and reporting as well as courses in basic photography and news photography. All students are required to take courses in multimedia journalism. Photojournalism students gain expertise in lighting and telling stories through photographs. To understand the role of journalism in society, students also are required to take courses in mass media, journalism ethics and law, and cultural diversity. 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.