Journalism

Introduction

The journalism department offers a degree program, the Bachelor of Arts, and also maintains a commitment to the liberal arts tradition by offering courses in support of the General University Requirements (GURs) and other departments.

Journalism majors and minors pursue theoretical and practical communication studies in a liberal arts setting. Students of journalism gain practical experience on Western’s award-winning student media, and majors additionally take field internships with newspapers, magazines, broadcast stations, public relations agencies and other professional organizations.

Courses in the news-editorial sequence emphasize the gathering, writing and ethical presentation of news. Understanding news processes and learning to report with accuracy, clarity and precision prepares graduates to communicate swiftly and lucidly in a changing world.

Courses in the public relations sequence follow the news-editorial emphasis, adding communication skills important for careers in this rapidly growing field.

Courses in the visual journalism sequence prepare students in the concepts, professional practices and course work applications of visual components of news: photojournalism, information graphics, video and audio clips, mapping and typography.

A combined major, environmental studies/journalism, is currently in moratorium, and has been offered in cooperation with Huxley College of the Environment.

Students are challenged to explore a range of other disciplines and to seek depth in one or more specialized areas through concentrations, major-minor combinations or even double majors.

Graduates find careers in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, publishing, advertising, public relations, teaching, and throughout government and industry wherever communications skills, with general knowledge, are vital.

Because enrollment in the journalism department is limited, students considering a major should consult a journalism advisor before embarking on classes beyond JOUR 190 and JOUR 207.

Faculty

JENNIFER KELLER (2007) Chair and Associate Professor. BA, Kenyon College; MA, Salisbury State University; MA, Syracuse University.
JOE GOSEN (2014) Assistant Professor. BA, San Jose State University; MA, University of Nevada, Reno.
JOHN M. HARRIS (1998) Associate Professor. BA, Wittenberg University; MS, University of Oregon; PhD, University of Washington.
MARIA MCLEOD (2012) Assistant Professor. BS, Eastern Michigan University; MFA, University of Pittsburgh.
CAROLYN NIELSEN (2008) Associate Professor. BS, California Polytechnic State University; MSJ Northwestern University
SHEILA WEBB (2008) Associate Professor. BA, University of Michigan; MA’s, University of Wisconsin; PhD, University of Wisconsin
PEGGY WATT (2004) Associate Professor. BA, Western Washington University; MLA, Stanford University.

Declaration of Major

The Department of Journalism offers three sequences leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree: a news-editorial sequence, a public relations sequence and a visual journalism sequence.

Students seeking admission to the major should see a member of the journalism faculty for advising and obtain a copy of admission requirements. Admission to the department and to specific courses may be limited.

Students seeking admission to the major must meet the following conditions:

Have at least 30 college credits with a cumulative 2.50 grade point average
Pass JOUR 207 with a B- or better (transfer students must meet the same requirement for any course accepted as an equivalent of JOUR 207)
Complete with a B- or better one journalism staff course
Submit a letter of application

Majors must maintain a 2.50 grade point average both overall and in journalism courses. Students below that average for two consecutive quarters will be placed on probation; a third consecutive quarter will result in removal from the major.

For additional details on admission to the major, consult the department manager or any journalism faculty member.

Other Departmental Information

Mid-Program Checkpoint

Students seeking to complete a BA degree in journalism within a four-year time span should have completed the following courses by the start of their junior year. Major omissions from this list will make it difficult or impossible to complete this degree within two additional years.

JOUR 190
JOUR 207
ENG 101
100- and 200-level GURs

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Combined Major

Environmental Studies/Journalism, BA (In Moratorium)

Undergraduate Minor

Courses

Journalism

Courses numbered X37; X97; 300, 400 are described in the University Academic Policies section of this catalog.