Welcome to the Journalism Minor! Our program prepares students for working in print and online media. Students learn
a variety of rhetorical strategies to report news accurately and quickly, conduct
interviews, gather information and cultivate sources, act ethically, think critically,
and write clearly.
Why Minor in Journalism?
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Make a difference.
There's no doubt that the traditional newspaper industry is in decline, and that jobs
calling for bona fide journalism skills have grown scarcer in recent years. But the
world still needs good journalists, maybe now more than ever. We need them to tell,
and find, the important stories that—in a world of context-free, entertainment-driven "journalism"—just
aren't being reported.
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Supplement your major.
If you want to make a difference in the world of journalism, we believe you should
declare our minor. But you should also major in a liberal arts subject such as Literature,
Writing, Economics, History, or Political Science that will give you a body of knowledge
to write about. We'll train you how to write for the media, but we also want you to learn something
about the world while you're at it.
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Think like a reporter.
The Journalism Minor will help you learn to think like a reporter: it'll train you
to be open-minded enough to hear multiple points of view and to represent those viewpoints
objectively in a news story; it'll also help you hold corporate and political powers-that-be
accountable for their actions.
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Seek the truth.
The professors who direct the Journalism Minor are committed to the idea that reporters
(even citizen journalists) should follow industry standards of truth, verification,
and the development of reliable sources, and that they should be held to the highest
standards of ethics and excellence in writing.
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Answer a higher calling.
Journalism is a higher calling. It's about doing the service of citizenship. There
may or may not be a career in it for you, and we can't guarantee that journalism will
bring you wealth or fame. But what we can offer you is the satisfaction and fulfillment
that you'll gain from learning to be a watchdog of the public interest.
Mission Statement
The mission of Journalism Minor is to maximize the intellectual, personal, and social
capabilities of our students so that they can contribute to the preservation and advancement
of our democratic society.
Learning Outcomes
Students in the Journalism Minor will learn to:
- Develop an understanding of the journalistic writing style
- Become familiar with current events and their social, historical, and political contexts
- Develop a critical media literacy and be able to evaluate sources of information in
the pursuit of truth
- Write clearly and effectively in multiple genres
- Practice technologies for writing, video, audio, and photographic production
- Work in a collaborative setting
- Produce media to a deadline
- Think critically, creatively and independently
Advising Sheet
Like most minors at WCU, the Journalism Minor requires students to take six courses,
or 18 credits, in order to complete the program. Three core courses—JRN 200, JRN 212,
and JRN 411—are required; the remaining three courses are journalism electives. Please
see below for the complete list of required and elective courses. View our updated Journalism Minor Advising Sheet .
Courses
The English Department offers at least four to five Journalism Minor courses each
semester, but students should check the online Schedule of Classes to learn about
course availability for a given term. Also, all Journalism Minor students should choose
their electives in consultation with the Minor Coordinator. Finally, please note that
students in the minor may also take COM 212 but, if they do so, they must add a second
JRN elective in order to complete the program.
Required Courses
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JRN 200: Introduction to Journalism
An introduction to the media of communications, emphasizing the development and characteristics
of print and electronic media and their impact on American society. Note: Students
may substitute COM 212 for JRN 200, but if they do so, they must take a second JRN
elective.
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JRN 212: Digital Journalism
This is a multimedia course which introduces students to various social media platforms
and offers them an opportunity to publish blogs, commentaries, reviews, profiles and
other features on the Web. Students will also create Web pages use online resources
to gather, write and edit information, use digital cameras to shoot photos/videos
and edit them using digital editing software. Typically offered in Spring.
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JRN 411: Journalism Practicum
Provides practical experience in writing news stories, columns, and features for print
and online media. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their stories to The Quad, the student weekly newspaper of West Chester University, or some other weekly, daily,
or online newspaper or publication. Publication of stories submitted to The Quad or
to professional editors will be at the discretion of those editors, depending on the
quality of the work and availability of space in the newspaper or on the website.
Elective Courses
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JRN 225: News Writing
A course designed to develop proficiency in the writing of news stories for daily
and weekly newspapers. News values, the structure and style of news, and the preparation
of copy in accordance with professional standards will be stressed. Writing Emphasis course.
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JRN 226: Public Affairs Reporting
Instruction and practice in covering public affairs events in the local community,
including borough council meetings, municipal hearings, and campus speeches. PREREQ:
JRN225 or equivalent.
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JRN 272: Feature Writing
Practical instruction in the skills for successful feature writing for print and electronic
media, with an emphasis on techniques used in personality profiles, critical reviews,
column writing, and op-ed pieces.
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JRN 312: Sports Reporting and Writing
Instruction and practice in basic sports reporting techniques, including live-event
coverage and feature writing, as well as an introduction to routine duties associated
with working on the sports desk. PREREQ: JRN 225 or equivalent.
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JRN 315: Magazine Article Writing
Practical instruction in the skills required for successful freelance magazine writing
with emphasis on research, interviewing, writing techniques, and marketing. Students
will write and submit for publication short features and a full-length magazine article.
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JRN 325: History of Journalism
A historical survey of the American press from Colonial times to the present, with
special emphasis on the continuing struggle for press freedom and the new journalistic
environment created by the emergence of mass media.
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JRN 335: Ethical Issues in Mass Media
This course investigates ethical issues in the mass media and shows how newspapers
and television, in particular, shape American perceptions of political and economic
power and help establish public standards of morality. Special emphasis will be placed
on journalistic issues such as freedom of expression, invasion of privacy, censorship,
the protection of sources, stereotyping, libel law, objective vs. subjective points
of view, and the debate over professional codes of ethics. PREREQ: JRN 225 or equivalent.
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JRN 399: Special Topics in Journalism
Each time this course is taught, the instructor will choose a relevant, timely topic
in journalism. Students will engage in journalistic writing, media production, and
news analysis related to the special topic. Special topics may include hip-hop journalism,
grassroots journalism, women in journalism, etc.
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COM 252: Writing for Broadcast and Public Relations
Students are required to analyze, evaluate, and produce scripts for a variety of mass
media formats. The course will focus on writing for radio and TV and will also emphasize
public relations writing within those media. The primary course objective is to develop
effective writing, critical analysis, and communication skills. This course is designed
to help you improve your research and writing skills for each of these media and is
geared toward students with a genuine interest in a media career.
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MDC 252: Media Writing
This course provides a survey of mass media formats and writing techniques, including
print, social media, and public relations. This course is designed to enhance the
appreciation for media professionals as well as provide an understanding of the basic
techniques media writers use to inform and/or persuade their audiences. Students will
create a professional quality media kit, a portfolio of media artifacts promoting
an event or awareness campaign.