Journalism and Media Studies (B.A.)

This undergraduate program is offered by the School of Professional Studies.

Faculty

Dr. Peggy Lewis, Executive Dean, School of Business and Graduate Studies and School of Professional Studies

Description

Journalism continues to undergo a comprehensive evolution prompted by technological advances and social media.  The primary focus of journalism is shifting from print and broadcast to digital and online.
This ‘interruption’ offers expanding opportunities for students with excellent communication skills. The Journalism and Media Studies program aims to provide students with the skills in demand today for journalists and communications professionals in news organizations, non-profits, government agencies and corporate entities.  Students learn the skills and concepts to engage in effective digital storytelling across media platforms and the most productive ways to use technology.  The Journalism and Media Studies program offers practical courses covering technique and application combined with the integration of theory and practice. The new innovative curriculum marries the strong traditions of history, ethics and effective reporting and storytelling with modern tools and methods.  Many media industry employers are looking for graduates who can write clearly and accurately; who think creatively and analytically; have a strong liberal arts foundation; who know how to use technology and can operate professionally in social media spaces. The Journalism and Media Studies degree prepares students to work in media-related industries and trains them to critically analyze the way the media represents, informs and influences the world. If a student sees herself as a good writer and storyteller with a passion to educate and engage an audience with words, sound and visuals, then she has a future in journalism and media studies.

We offer flexible scheduling (evening and weekends) and accelerated 8-week courses.

Students need to be mindful that every career path is different.  A very competitive field requires students to be self-motivated and industrious and to consider gaining practical experience through internships to gain additional work experience.   Students in the JAMS program should take advantage of the many internships and field-based opportunities available in Washington, D.C. Recent internships include prestigious organizations such as National Geographic, CNN, C-SPAN, CBS, the Kennedy Center, as well as other local television stations, public relations firms, lobbying groups, and political offices.

The Journalism and Media Studies undergraduate major consists of 51 credit hours. The Journalism and Media Studies degree program is offered in the School of Professional Studies (SPS). In conjunction with SPS, students in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) may declare the Journalism and Media Studies major while meeting the CAS general education curriculum requirements and course pre-requisites.

Students interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in Strategic Communication and Public Relations should consult with program faculty in the School of Business and Graduate Studies.

Major Requirements

Co-Requisite Courses (18 credits)
ALL of the following courses:

COM 290 Public Speaking
ECON 100 Principles of Economics
COM 150 Critical Reasoning and Oral Argumentation or PHIL 150 Critical Reasoning and Oral Argumentation
SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology

Choose ONE of the following:
COM 201 Interpersonal Communication
COM 225 Intercultural Communication

Choose any ONE political science course:
POLS XXX

Required Courses (21 credits)
ALL of the following courses:

COM 265 Introduction to Mass Communication
JAMS 200 Multicultural Media History
JAMS 201 Fundamentals of Journalism
JAMS 301 Media Ethics
JAMS 420 Media Law
JAMS 491 Supervised Internship
JAMS 499 Capstone Project

Elective Courses (12 credits)
FOUR of the following courses:

JAMS 210 Basic Public Relations Writing
JAMS 220 Speechwriting
JAMS 302 Multi-media Storytelling
JAMS 310 Advanced PR Writing
JAMS 311 Social Media, Marketing and Communication
JAMS 315 Advanced Public Speaking
JAMS 320 Photojournalism
JAMS 322 Sport Reporting and Writing
JAMS 323 Science and Health Journalism
JAMS 340 Broadcast News/Fundamentals of Broadcast Writing, Reporting, and Producing
JAMS 360 Media and Social Change
JAMS 370 Journalism in American Film
JAMS 400 Introduction to Podcasting
JAMS 410 Advanced Reporting and Writing in Hyper-Local Newsroom
JAMS 415 Political Campaign Coverage
JAMS 418 Gender, Race, and Class in the Media

Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the communication major.

CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the communication major.

Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major.

Pass/No Pass:

No course fulfilling major requirements in the communication program may be taken Pass/No Pass.

Senior Assessment:
Students will complete a comprehensive assessment in the Capstone Seminar. The comprehensive assessment will include the preparation of a communication research project on a topic approved by the professor. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better on this project.

Study Abroad:
Students should take advantage of the many communication-related study abroad programs.

TELL Policy:
Students may apply a maximum of 12 credits to major requirements earned through TELL.

Transfer Credits:
Transfer credit will be awarded after appropriate program review and approval.

Course Descriptions

JAMS 200 Multicultural Media History
JAMS 201 Fundamentals of Journalism
JAMS 210 Basic Public Relations Writing
JAMS 220 Speechwriting
JAMS 301 Media Ethics
JAMS 302 Multi-media Storytelling
JAMS 310 Advanced PR Writing
JAMS 311 Social Media, Marketing and Communication
JAMS 315 Advanced Public Speaking
JAMS 320 Photojournalism
JAMS 322 Sport Reporting and Writing
JAMS 323 Science and Health Journalism
JAMS 340 Broadcast News/Fundamentals of Broadcast Writing, Reporting, and Producing
JAMS 360 Media and Social Change
JAMS 370 Journalism in American Film
JAMS 400 Introduction to Podcasting
JAMS 410 Advanced Reporting and Writing in Hyper-Local Newsroom
JAMS 418 Gender, Race, and Class in the Media
JAMS 415 Political Campaign Coverage
JAMS 420 Media Law
JAMS 491 Supervised Internship
JAMS 499 Capstone Project