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 department policies.
Cook College students also must complete a minor or certificate program offered by the Cook College faculty.
I. College Mission: Interdisciplinary Critical Analysis (5-6 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. Humanities and the Arts (6 credits)
See suggested courses in the Degree Requirements chapter.
IV. Multicultural and International Studies (6 credits)
04:567:334 Women, Minorities, and the Mass Media (3)
and/or a course/courses suggested in the Degree Requirements
chapter
V. Human Behavior, Economic Systems, and Political Processes (9 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. Proficiency in Journalism and Media Studies (45-60 credits)
A. REQUIRED COURSES (45)
Quantitative Skills (3)
01:960:___ One term of statistics or equivalent social science research methods course
Computer and Information Technology Competence
Students receive computer instruction in the journalism skills courses.
Professional Ethics (3)
04:567:480 Media Ethics and Law (3)
Additional Requirements (39)
04:189:101 Introduction to Communication and Information Systems
and Processes (3) or 04:189:103 Information Technology and
Informatics (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: 567:310 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 Analyses 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 (0-15)
1. General (15)
Students may complete the program with 15 additional credits of journalism and media studies (04:567) courses.
2. Journalism Internship (0-6)
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.
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 (32-50)
Unspecified electives may be taken in any area except journalism and media studies.
