Degree: B.A.

Coordinator: Barbara Munson Goff (goff@aesop.rutgers.edu)

Offered by Cook College in cooperation with the Department of Journalism and Media Studies (School of Communication, Information and Library Studies), the curriculum offers a dynamic program of skills and conceptual courses devoted to the practice and social impact of journalism. Course offerings enhance understanding of the historical, legal, political, and critical dimensions of journalism as practiced in a free and democratic society. The program, as offered through Cook College, provides an opportunity for students to develop expertise that will contribute to the public understanding and discussion of issues in the life sciences and environment.

While all majors in journalism and media studies are considered news-editorial students, they may focus their course work in print, broadcast, or the media studies area. Students also may elect to pursue a research thesis and/or internship.

Journalism is a 30-credit major. Students are encouraged to pursue further study of the arts and sciences and more specialized areas of expertise. Cook College students are further required to complete a minor or certificate program offered by the Cook College faculty. Communication and Information Studies courses (04:189) are not included in the 30-credit limit on journalism courses (04:567).

Entry Requirements

To declare a major in journalism and media studies, students must apply for admission to the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies after they have completed 04:189:101 and 04: 189:102. Students also must have successfully completed a term of expository writing (01:355) prior to applying. A personal statement and transcript are necessary to complete the application.

Degree Requirements for the Major

 In order to graduate with a degree in journalism and media studies, students must achieve a grade of C or better in all journalism and media studies courses taken for the major. See the Journalism and Media Studies listing in the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies chapter of this catalog for additional depart- ment policies.

Cook College students also must complete a minor or certificate program offered by the Cook College faculty.

Please see the Programs of Study Summary on page 272 for information regarding changes in degree requirements.

I. Interdisciplinary/Ethical Analysis (5 credits)

  11:015:101  Perspectives on Agriculture and the Environment (2)

  11:015:400  Junior/Senior Colloquium (3)

II. Introductory Life and Physical Sciences (7 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter. Selection of courses may be determined by the student`s choice of minor or certificate program.

III. The Arts (6 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter.

IV. Human Diversity (6 credits)

  04:567:334  Women, Minorities, and the Mass Media (3)

an additional course from those suggested in the Degree Requirements chapter

V. Economic and Political Systems (6 credits)

See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter. Selection of courses may be determined by the student`s choice of minor or certificate program.

VI. Oral and Written Communication

Specific courses that fulfill the oral and written communication requirement are listed under VIII A, required courses for competence in journalism and media studies.

VII. Experience-Based Education (0-3 credits)

The journalism internship or journalism thesis option fulfills this requirement. Other students may fulfill the requirement with an appropriate, adviser-approved placement in cooperative education or independent research project.

VIII. Competence in Journalism and Media Studies (51-60 credits)

A. REQUIRED COURSES (45)

Quantitative Methods (3)

  01:960:___  one term of statistics

Computer Competence

Students receive computer instruction in the journalism skills courses.

Professional Ethics (3)

  04:567:480  Media Ethics and Law (3)

Other Required Courses (39)

  04:189:101  Introduction to Communication and Information Systems and Processes (3)

  04:189:102  Introduction to Media Systems and Processes (3)

  01:355:101  Expository Writing I (3) or equivalent

  04:567:324  News Reporting and Writing (3)

  04:567:325  Writing and Editing for Print Media (3) or 04: 571:310 Broadcast Newswriting (3)

Two of the following conceptual courses, at least one of which must be at the 300 or 400 level (6):

  04:567:278  News Media and Government in America (3)

  04:567:334  Women, Minorities, and the Mass Media (3)

  04:567:335  Mass Communication and the American Image (3)

  04:567:350  Development of Mass Media (3)

  04:567:379  Media and Politics (3)

  04:567:420  Global News (3)

  04:567:423  Communication Law (3)

  04:567:458  Media, Government, and Politics (3)

  04:567:464  Mass Media Management (3)

  04:567:470  Critical Analysis of News (3)

  04:567:475  International Media (3)

A minor or certificate program offered by Cook College (18) also must be completed.

B. OPTIONS (6-15)

1. General (15)

Students may complete the program with 15 additional credits of journalism and media studies (04:567) courses.

2. Journalism Internship (6)

A professional internship is strongly recommended for students considering careers in journalism and mass media. The internship is limited to students who have completed five courses in journalism, three of which must be in skills courses, with a grade of C or better, have completed

at least 75 degree credits with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better, and have achieved a 2.75 grade-point average in all journalism and media studies courses.

Required courses (6)

  04:567:394  Internship in Journalism and Media Studies (BA)

3. Honors Program (6)

Journalism and media studies majors with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or better may apply for the department`s honors program. The honors program involves two formal terms of work: an honors seminar (04:567:489), typically in the junior year, and an honors project or thesis (04:567:490) in the senior year. The thesis entails independent original research (qualitative or quantitative).

Students may participate simultaneously in the honors program of their college (the George H. Cook Scholars Program).

IX. Unspecified Electives (35-47)

Unspecified electives may be taken in any area except journalism and media studies.