Academic Bulletin

School of Communication - Undergraduate

JOURNALISM - Dept. Code: CNJ

http://com.miami.edu/Journalism

Educational Objectives | Degree Programs | Major | Minor | Department Honors

Introduction

The program in Journalism prepares students to be writers, editors and/or designers for print media and online multimedia. The program enables students to gather information, learn how to evaluate that information and then communicate it to the interested parties.

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.

In addition to the School's core, students complete 10 journalism or related courses. The program begins with a course that surveys mass communication, including the role of print and multimedia journalism. Students mix skills and theory to explore the history of journalism, its laws and regulations.

Small laboratory classes allow students to practice writing skills in an introductory news writing course, an advanced reporting course and a senior-level course in advanced reporting. Electives include courses in newspaper, magazine and newsletter writing and graphics; still photography; newspaper or magazine editing and layout; 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.

Print majors are encouraged to work for The Miami Hurricane, UM's award-winning, student-run newspaper published twice weekly in print and on the Hurricane Online site; Distraction magazine; the Ibis, UM's yearbook; and Communique, the School of Communication's newspaper.

Students choose from the plethora 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, Knight-Ridder 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.

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Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Science in Communication degree is offered in the Journalism Program.

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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 30 credits in Mass Communication courses (excluding COM 101, COM 110, and 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 five 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.

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The Journalism Major

CORE COURSES

COM 101 Mass Media Communication in Society
CNJ 111 Introduction to News Media Writing
COM 110 Communication Theory
COM 250 Freedom of Expression and Communication Ethics
CNJ 319 History of Journalism

OTHER REQUIRED COURSES

CNJ 216 News Reporting and Writing
CNJ 303 Mass Media Law
CNJ 461 Seminar in News Ethics and Problems

Students must select one of the following 15-credit tracks of specialization:

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 one of the following courses:

CNJ 513 Computer-Assisted Reporting or
CNJ 515 Reporting and the Internet

Select one of the following courses:

CNJ 381 Newspaper Editing and Layout or
CNJ 442 Online Journalism

B. The MAGAZINE/FEATURES Track
CVJ 106 Multimedia Design
CVJ 221 Introduction to Photojournalism
CNJ 382 Publication Planning and Editing

Select one of the following courses:

CNJ 513 Computer-Assisted Reporting or
CNJ 515 Reporting and the Internet or
CNJ 442 Online Journalism

Select one of the following:

CNJ 544 Feature Writing or
CNJ 446 Travel Writing

C. The GLOBAL JOURNALISM Track
CNJ 510 Comparative Media Systems
CNJ 511 Global Media
CNJ 517 International Journalism

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 106 Multimedia Design
CVJ 221 Introduction to Photojournalism
CVJ 341 Web Design

Select one of the following courses:

CNJ 381 Newspaper Editing and Layout or
CNJ 382 Publication Planning and Editing

Three additional credits from the School of Communication are required at the 300-level or higher, chosen with the prior approval of a Journalism advisor.

E. The NEWS DIGITAL Track
CVJ 106 Multimedia Design
CNJ 442 Online Journalism
CNJ 515 Reporting and the Internet

Select one of the following courses:

CEM 435 Telecommunication Systems or
CNJ 513 Computer-Assisted Reporting

Select one of the following courses:

CVJ 209 Audio/Visual Production or
CVJ 221 Introduction to Photojournalism or
CVJ 341 Web Design or
CNJ 419 Advanced Web Production or
CVJ 422 Programming for Interactivity

F. The CUSTOM Track

Fifteen additional credits from the School of Communication are required, nine of them at the 300-level or higher, chosen with the prior approval of a Journalism advisor.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE JOURNALISM MAJOR

Students majoring in Journalism will be required to complete the following six credits that will be in addition to the credits required by the School in People and Society:

Three credits in History
Three credits in Political Science

Journalism students must complete COS 211 as a general University elective.

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Minor

The minor in Journalism requires:
COM 101
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.

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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