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School of Communication -
Undergraduate
Introduction
The program in Journalism prepares students to be writers,
editors and/or designers for a variety of media from mainstream
and alternative newspapers and magazines to web-based and
online media, emphasizing effective storytelling be it in
written, audio or video format.. The program stresses both
reporting skills and writing in the context of news, commentary
and features. The program enables students to gather information,
evaluate and organize that information, and then communicate
it through appropriate media.
Journalism majors learn through hands-on practice to gather
information, verify facts, exercise news judgment, write against
deadlines, edit, practice ethical decision-making, and adhere
to press laws and regulations.
The program begins with courses that survey the roles of
and issues affecting the mass media in general and journalism
in particular. In subsequent courses, students mix skills
and theory to explore the history of journalism, its values
and ethics, and legal and regulatory constraints.
Small laboratory classes allow students to practice writing
skills in an introductory news writing course, an advanced
reporting course and upper-level courses in advanced reporting.
Electives include courses in newspaper, magazine, newsletter
and online writing and graphics; still photography; audio,
video and web production; newspaper, magazine and web editing
and design; computer-assisted reporting and the Internet;
and global journalism and media. Journalism seniors participate
in a news ethics and professional problems seminar to prepare
them for on-the-job decision-making.
Students are encouraged to work for The Miami Hurricane,
UM's award-winning, student-run newspaper published twice
weekly in print and online; Distraction magazine;
the Ibis, UM's yearbook; Communiqué,
the School of Communication's online newspaper; and hyper-local
news sites such as Grand Avenue News and Gables Home Page
Students choose from a range of newspapers, magazines, newsletters
and websites published in the Greater Miami-Fort Lauderdale
area for internships and part-time employment. Students have
been awarded competitive internships from The Washington
Post, the Los Angeles Times, Tribune Newspapers,
McClatchy Newspapers and the Poynter Institute, among others.
Educational Objectives
The educational objectives of the Journalism Program require
that:
• Students can locate and gather information, using
interpersonal interviewing skills, knowledge about domestic
and global information sources and social and institutional
information processes, sophisticated reporting techniques,
computer skills, and general knowledge and common sense.
• Using knowledge from broad-based liberal arts and
science courses and courses in journalism practice, history,
law and ethics, students can critically analyze complex
information and organize it based on sound reasoning, cultural
awareness, and journalistic principles.
• Students can write, visualize and otherwise accurately
communicate, with knowledge of grammar, style, and journalistic
principles, complex information to diverse mass audiences.
• Students can convey information in traditional
and multimedia formats in the context of a dynamic and converging
news media environment.
Degree Programs
The Bachelor of Science in Communication degree is offered
in the Journalism Program.
Major
A major is offered in Journalism.
Each candidate for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Communication
will complete School of Communication requirements including
courses in the Required Areas of Study, the second major,
and electives sufficient for a total of 66 credits in the
liberal arts and sciences.
A Bachelor of Science student in Journalism will be permitted
a maximum of 37 credits in Mass Communication courses (excluding
COM 250) toward the 120-credit University degree.
Admission to the Journalism major
Before admission as a Journalism (CNJ) major, a student must:
A) Achieve sophomore standing;
B) Complete the four Core courses listed below, in residence
at the University, all with grades of C or higher (C- is
not acceptable).
Students who have obtained the written approval of the Director
of the Journalism major to use transfer credit to satisfy
one or more requirements of that major may be required to
complete additional courses in residence at the University
before being admitted to that major.
Upon completion of a student’s first 45 University
credits while enrolled in the School of
Communication, all University credits earned toward the major
will be used in computing a student’s major cumulative
quality point average; only those students with a cumulative
average of 2.5 or higher will be admitted to a major.
A student who has completed 45 credits while enrolled in
the School of Communication but who has not been admitted
to one of the Communication majors may be dismissed from the
School. A student who has completed 60 University credits
while enrolled in the School but who has not been admitted
to one of the Communication majors will be dismissed from
the School. See PROBATION AND DISMISSAL.
The Journalism Major
CNJ 111 Introduction to News Media Writing
CVJ 106 Multimedia Design
COM 250 Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics
CNJ 319 History of Journalism
CNJ 216 News Reporting and Writing
CNJ 303 Mass Media Law
CNJ 461 Seminar in News Ethics and Problems
Beyond the required courses, journalism majors must take
at least 18 additional elective credits in journalism (for
a total of 39 credits required to graduate with this major.)
Some of these credits may be taken in other programs in the
School of Communication after prior consultation with and
approval by the Journalism program director. Up to 3 credits
of the additional 18 credits may consist of internships or
practica. Some students may wish to take 39 credits of regular
courses and a single 1-credit internship or practicum for
a total of 40 credits in the major. Students should note that
COS 211 (Public Speaking) does not count against that 40-credit
limit.
As a guideline to assist students in pursuing their areas
of interest, students may select one of the following tracks
of specialization, though students have the option, after
consultation with the program director, of tailoring their
own particular course of study in journalism to suit their
interests:
A. The NEWS Track
CVJ 221 Introduction to Photojournalism
CNJ 444 Public Affairs Reporting
CNJ 445 In-Depth Reporting in a Convergent Media Environment
Select at least one of the following courses:
CNJ 513 Computer-Assisted Reporting or
CNJ 515 Reporting and the Internet
Select at least one of the following courses:
CNJ 381 Newspaper Editing and Layout or
CNJ 442 Online Journalism
B. The MAGAZINE/FEATURES Track
CVJ 221 Introduction to Photojournalism
CNJ 382 Publication Planning and Editing
Select at least one of the following courses:
CNJ 513 Computer-Assisted Reporting or
CNJ 515 Reporting and the Internet or
CNJ 442 Online Journalism
Select at least one of the following courses:
CNJ 544 Feature Writing or
CNJ 446 Travel Writing
Any additional elective credits from the School of Communication
should be chosen with the prior approval of the Journalism
program director.
C. The GLOBAL JOURNALISM Track
CNJ 510 Comparative Media Systems
CNJ 511 Global Media
CNJ 517 International Journalism
At least six additional credits from the School of Communication
are required at the 300-level or higher, chosen with the
prior approval of a Journalism advisor. Students are encouraged
to complete their second major in Latin American Studies,
International Studies, or Comparative Politics. Other disciplines
that include a significant international or cross-cultural
focus can be approved by a Journalism advisor.
D. The PUBLICATION DESIGN Track
CVJ 221 Introduction to Photojournalism
CVJ 341 Web Design
Select at least one of the following courses:
CNJ 381 Newspaper Editing and Layout or
CNJ 382 Publication Planning and Editing
Six additional credits from the School of Communication
are required at the 300-level or higher, chosen with the
prior approval of the Journalism program director.
E. The DIGITAL NEWS Track
CVJ 106 Multimedia Design
CNJ 442 Online Journalism
CNJ 515 Reporting and the Internet
Select at least one of the following courses:
CEM 435 Telecommunication Systems or
CNJ 513 Computer-Assisted Reporting
Select at least one of the following courses:
CVJ 209 Introduction to Multimedia Storytelling or
CVJ 221 Introduction to Photojournalism or
CVJ 341 Web Design or
CNJ 419 Interactive Storytelling or
CVJ 422 Programming for Interactivity
F. The CUSTOM Track
Many students prefer to explore a number of different areas
of specialization and build what amounts to a custom track.
These students are required to consult with the journalism
program director to design a custom track, which must consist
of at least 12 credits at or above the 300-level in addition
to the other requirements of the major.
Students majoring in Journalism must complete three credits
in History, three credits in Political Science, and COS 211.
These credits may be used to fulfill the School’s General
Education Required Areas of Study (see listing above). Any
waivers of these requirements must be approved in writing
by both the program director and Academic Services Office
of the School of Communication.
Minor
The minor in Journalism requires:
CNJ 111
CNJ 216
CNJ 303
CNJ 381 or CNJ 382
One of the following courses is also recommended: CVJ106,
CNJ 319, CNJ 442, CNJ 444, CNJ 461 or CNJ 544.
Any waiver of these requirements must be approved in writing
by both the program director and Academic Services Office
of the School of Communication.
Department Honors
School of Communication students may graduate with School
Honors in Communication noted upon their diplomas and transcripts.
Students should contact the School’s Office of Admissions,
Academic & Alumni Services (2037 Wolfson Building) for
details.
Students may receive recognition as graduates cum laude,
magna cum laude, or summa cum laude if they meet the requirements
set forth under GRADUATION HONORS in this Bulletin.
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