Journalism Minor

Fundamental journalistic skills—identifying questions, obtaining answers, then communicating them effectively—are huge advantages in virtually every profession. With the Journalism minor, students of all majors can begin to learn how to find engaging topics, locate and interview key sources, analyze and visualize important data, and present impactful material in written, audio/visual, and interactive forms across media platforms.

The Journalism minor also allows students to explore journalism’s role in democracy; to assess how well journalism is meeting its responsibility to engage, enlighten, and empower citizens; and to participate in an ever-changing world of media delivery and consumption.

Students explore introductory principles in four courses in writing, history, ethics, and law, which also may fulfill General Education requirements, then choose at least two elective courses, which again may meet Gen Ed requirements, from a list that includes research and practical courses. At least 18 hours, six or more of them at the 300 or 400 level, are required:

Required:

  • JOUR 200 Introduction to Journalism
  • JOUR 205 History of American Journalism 
  • JOUR 250 Journalism Ethics and Diversity 
  • JOUR 311 Media Law

Plus any two of these:

  • JOUR 210 Newsgathering Across Platforms
  • JOUR 220 News Editing
  • JOUR 360 Working with the Press (formerly The Media & You)
  • JOUR 361 Classics of Sports Journalism 
  • JOUR 450 Media and Public Opinion 
  • JOUR 451 Research Methods in Journalism
  • JOUR 452 Great Books in Journalism
  • JOUR 453 Crisis Communications 
  • JOUR 454 Propaganda & the News Media
  • JOUR 460 Special Topics*
  • JOUR 470 International Reporting
  • JOUR 471 Science Journalism
  • JOUR 482 Immersion Journalism
  • JOUR 483 Investigative Journalism

*Section must be 3 or 4 credits to count for the minor.

For additional information about requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Declare the Journalism minor.