Journalism, B.A.
The BA in Journalism is a 40-credit program that prepares students for entry into journalism and related fields where information-gathering, writing, editing, and awareness of public affairs are important. Students choose one of two tracks, print or broadcast, but all students receive training in multimedia reporting. All students must declare a minor. Resources such as the Robert Vance Endowed Chair in Journalism and Mass Communication allow the program to bring in visiting professionals on a regular basis to supplement the curriculum. A PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED.
Requirements: (40 credits)
1. Common Core
Students must take
and three credits from the following:
Important Notes:
JRN 200: prereq. ENG 110
JRN 235: To be taken concurrently with JRN 255
JRN 255: To be taken concurrently with JRN 235
JRN 237: preferably taken concurrently with JRN 235 or JRN 336
2. Two Sequences: Print/Online and Broadcast
Print/Online sequence: 15 credits
a. Required: Two courses from the following:
Students may take JRN 418 twice provided the courses are on different topics.
Students may take JRN 450 more than once for electives.
Students may take JRN 495 Internship twice if venue is different.
b. Nine credits of directed electives chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor.
These electives may include courses in Journalism not used to fulfill other requirements, including JRN 350 Professional Seminar, JRN 450 Journalism Studies Abroad, JRN 491 Campus Newspaper Critique and JRN 495 Internship, or courses in other departments and schools at CCSU. It is highly recommended that students take JRN 385 Mobile and Social Media Journalism as an elective if it is not taken to fulfill another requirement. Students are encouraged to choose courses that will allow them to build an area of expertise that will help their future work in journalism and related media fields.
Broadcast sequence: 15 credits
a. Required:
| JRN 340 | Introduction to Broadcast News | 3 |
| JRN 385 | Mobile and Social Media Journalism | 3 |
| JRN 440 | TV News Practicum | 4 |
b. Five credits of directed electives chosen in consultant with a faculty advisor.
These electives may include courses in Journalism not being used to fulfill other requirements, including JRN 350 Professional Seminar, JRN 450 Journalism Studies Abroad, JRN 491 Campus Newspaper Critique, JRN 495 Internship, JRN 440 TV News Practicum for a second time, or courses in other departments and schools at CCSU. Students are encouraged to choose courses that will allow them to build an area of expertise that will help their future work in journalism and related media fields.
| COMM 231 | Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 420 | Principles of Digital Photography for Convergent Media | 4 |
| COMM 428 | Digital Film Production II | 4 |
| COMM 495 | Special Topics in Strategic Communication | 3 to 4 |
| JRN 495 | Internship in Journalism | 3 |
| JRN 350 | Professional Seminar | 1 |
| JRN 385 | Mobile and Social Media Journalism | 3 |
| JRN 498 | Capstone Preparation | 1 |
| JRN 499 | Capstone | 3 |
Journalism Major- General Education Requirements
All majors:
1. One of the following courses:
| HIST 161 | American History to 1877 | 3 |
| or | |
| HIST 162 | American History from 1877 to present | 3 |
2. One of the following courses:
3. One of the following courses:
| PS 110 | American Government & Politics | 3 |
| or | |
| PS 230 | American State and Local Government | 3 |
All Majors1:
4. Diversity requirement. Students can meet this requirement in one of a few ways.
a. Select one of the following:
b. Choose a more advanced course in consultation with an adviser
c. Take JRN 371: Reporting Cultural Diversity.
5. COMM 230 is a recommended Gen Ed elective for all JRN majors (also counts towards broadcast sequence)
Broadcast Sequence
Courses that count toward the major:
Journalism (JRN) courses:
Communication (COMM):
| COMM 230 | Introduction to Mass Media | 3 |
| COMM 231 | Communication Technologies | 3 |
| COMM 255 | Visual Communication | 3 |
COMM 330
| | |
COMM 335
| | |
| COMM 420 | Principles of Digital Photography for Convergent Media | 4 |
| COMM 427 | Studio Production | 4 |
| COMM 428 | Digital Film Production II | 4 |
COMM 480
| | |
| COMM 495 | Special Topics in Strategic Communication | 3 to 4 |
English (ENG):
Total Credit Hours: 40