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The Minor in Journalism

The purpose of the Minor in Journalism is to offer students the opportunity to build a knowledge and skills base in the professional fields of news and public relations. Students selecting this minor can enhance their employment desirability by learning an array of media writing and conceptual skills. Students also can expect to achieve a detailed understanding of the role of journalism in society, thus enhancing a general liberal arts education.

Course Requirements for the Minor: 21 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this minor.

Select one of the following patterns.

Public Relations Pattern: 21 units

Pattern Core: 12 units

4 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
JOUR 255 Digital Literacy and Media Technology   3.0 FS  GE
Tightly focused on the evolution of digital information technologies, particularly with regard to legacy and digital media, and the rapid-fire communication technology changes that have impacted virtually every aspect of American life. Information technology is explored from historical, cultural and critical perspectives, with particular emphasis on how technology has changed what it means to be part of a community and to engage in civil discourse as a democracy. The course also delves into the domestic and global digital divides and their significance for division and opportunities for connection. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (020555)

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
JOUR 255W Digital Literacy and Media Technology (W)   3.0 FS  GE  W
Tightly focused on the evolution of digital information technologies, particularly with regard to legacy and digital media, and the rapid-fire communication technology changes that have impacted virtually every aspect of American life. Information technology is explored from historical, cultural and critical perspectives, with particular emphasis on how technology has changed what it means to be part of a community and to engage in civil discourse as a democracy. The course also delves into the domestic and global digital divides and their significance for division and opportunities for connection. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. This is an approved General Education course. (021263)
JOUR 260W Writing for Mass Media (W)   3.0 FS  W
Prerequisite: ENGL 130W or JOUR 130W.
Techniques of information gathering and writing for various audiences in the mass media. Required course for the Options in News-Editorial and Public Relations. Students must earn a grade of C or higher to advance to subsequent writing courses in the Department of Journalism. Students who do not receive at least a C may repeat the course. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. (004838)
JOUR 265 Survey of PR and Media Relations   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; JOUR 260W (may be taken concurrently) for Journalism majors.
A survey of public relations: problems and issues, organization and operations, skills and techniques, careers and opportunities. 3 hours lecture. (001995)
JOUR 341W Writing for Public Relations (W)   3.0 FS  GW  W
Prerequisites: GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, JOUR 260W, JOUR 265.
Principles and practices of writing styles for public relations. Emphasis will be on writing tailored to an organization's communication needs. Required for majors. Journalism majors in the public relations option who earn below a C- in JOUR 341 are required to repeat the course and are expected to earn a C- or higher to receive writing proficiency credit. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (004844)

Electives: 9 units

3 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
JOUR 210 Pop Culture and Media Innovation   3.0 FS  GE  USD
Prerequisite: ENGL 130W or JOUR 130W.
This course considers the influence popular culture has on our lives by examining representational messages spread through widely available traditional and digital media, including film, music, television, streaming services, print and social media. The course takes historical and critical approaches to media trends and innovation, with discussions about economics, demographics and other factors that shape mediated messages, especially in relation to gender and ethnicity. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (021224)
JOUR 211 Gender & Sexuality in Media   3.0 FS  GE  USD
This course is also offered as WMST 211.
The purpose of this course is to help students examine portrayals of gender and sexuality in the range of media they consume. This course treats gender and sexuality as something we co-create through communication, rather than as something that we inherently are. Course topics are approached from historical, critical and cultural perspectives and encourage individual reflection and opportunities for digital activism. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (021252)
JOUR 313 International Communication   3.0 FS  
How the press operates in other societies, both free and authoritarian: the role of journalism in shaping foreign policy in America and abroad; the role of the press in developing countries; the part journalism plays in international and world organizations; the history of significant foreign press systems; the American press in an international context. Open to non-majors. 3 hours lecture. (002034)
JOUR 322 History of American Journalism   3.0 FA  
Prerequisite: JOUR 260W.
Study of the American media, from the Colonial period to the present time. Emphasis is placed upon changing trends and the outstanding people who shaped the development of modern media, noting the influence of the past upon the present. 3 hours lecture. (004851)

News-Editorial Pattern: 21 units

Pattern Core: 12 units

3 courses required:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
JOUR 255 Digital Literacy and Media Technology   3.0 FS  GE
Tightly focused on the evolution of digital information technologies, particularly with regard to legacy and digital media, and the rapid-fire communication technology changes that have impacted virtually every aspect of American life. Information technology is explored from historical, cultural and critical perspectives, with particular emphasis on how technology has changed what it means to be part of a community and to engage in civil discourse as a democracy. The course also delves into the domestic and global digital divides and their significance for division and opportunities for connection. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (020555)

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above)

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
JOUR 255W Digital Literacy and Media Technology (W)   3.0 FS  GE  W
Tightly focused on the evolution of digital information technologies, particularly with regard to legacy and digital media, and the rapid-fire communication technology changes that have impacted virtually every aspect of American life. Information technology is explored from historical, cultural and critical perspectives, with particular emphasis on how technology has changed what it means to be part of a community and to engage in civil discourse as a democracy. The course also delves into the domestic and global digital divides and their significance for division and opportunities for connection. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. This is an approved General Education course. (021263)
JOUR 260W Writing for Mass Media (W)   3.0 FS  W
Prerequisite: ENGL 130W or JOUR 130W.
Techniques of information gathering and writing for various audiences in the mass media. Required course for the Options in News-Editorial and Public Relations. Students must earn a grade of C or higher to advance to subsequent writing courses in the Department of Journalism. Students who do not receive at least a C may repeat the course. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Writing Course. (004838)
JOUR 320 Mass Communication Law   3.0 SP  
Prerequisites: JOUR 260W.
The law as it applies to the press, pictures, and broadcasting. Philosophical basis and historical evolution of legal precedent governing the media. Practical limitations of libel, slander, privacy, copyright, information access, free press-fair trial, contempt and reporter's rights, advertising and media concentration as they affect freedom of the press. Required for news-editorial option; elective for public relations option. 3 hours lecture. (002032)

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
JOUR 321W Public Affairs Reporting (W)   3.0 FS  GW  W
Prerequisites: GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, HIST 130, JOUR 260W, POLS 155.
Designed for students planning reporting or editing careers. Development of greater skills in story recognition and judgment, information gathering, and finished written presentation, including specialized reporting and ethics. Stress is placed on leads, the complex story, and polished writing. Journalism majors in the news-editorial option who earn below a C- in JOUR 321 are required to repeat the course and are expected to earn a C- or higher to receive writing proficiency credit. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (002000)
JOUR 327 Media Editing, Proofreading, and Entry-level Layout   3.0 FS  
Prerequisite: JOUR 260W.
Evaluating and editing newspaper copy; perfecting copyreading skills; typography, headline writing, page makeup and layout, and newspaper design. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (002007)

Electives: 9 units

3 courses selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
JOUR 210 Pop Culture and Media Innovation   3.0 FS  GE  USD
Prerequisite: ENGL 130W or JOUR 130W.
This course considers the influence popular culture has on our lives by examining representational messages spread through widely available traditional and digital media, including film, music, television, streaming services, print and social media. The course takes historical and critical approaches to media trends and innovation, with discussions about economics, demographics and other factors that shape mediated messages, especially in relation to gender and ethnicity. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (021224)
JOUR 211 Gender & Sexuality in Media   3.0 FS  GE  USD
This course is also offered as WMST 211.
The purpose of this course is to help students examine portrayals of gender and sexuality in the range of media they consume. This course treats gender and sexuality as something we co-create through communication, rather than as something that we inherently are. Course topics are approached from historical, critical and cultural perspectives and encourage individual reflection and opportunities for digital activism. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (021252)
JOUR 313 International Communication   3.0 FS  
How the press operates in other societies, both free and authoritarian: the role of journalism in shaping foreign policy in America and abroad; the role of the press in developing countries; the part journalism plays in international and world organizations; the history of significant foreign press systems; the American press in an international context. Open to non-majors. 3 hours lecture. (002034)
JOUR 322 History of American Journalism   3.0 FA  
Prerequisite: JOUR 260W.
Study of the American media, from the Colonial period to the present time. Emphasis is placed upon changing trends and the outstanding people who shaped the development of modern media, noting the influence of the past upon the present. 3 hours lecture. (004851)

Substitutions in course electives or prerequisites for either minor pattern may be allowed with the permission of the departmental chair.

Catalog Cycle:21