BA Journalism

BA Journalism

The B.A. in Journalism provides skills and experience for for media careers in print, broadcast, digital and multimedia journalism. The curriculum keeps pace with the fast-changing communications landscape in the digital age. The Journalism major also prepares students for the fields of public relations, advertising, corporate communications and the law. Students apply their skills at the campus newspaper, radio and television stations as well as at professional internships.

The George Polk School of Communications and the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment offer a unique program in Sports Communication & Marketing. The sports industry is a multi-billion-dollar global industry with a job market that continues to expand. The concentration prepares students for positions in sports reporting, sports information, fantasy sports, public relations and marketing for professional sports franchises. Internship possibilities include the Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, Fox Sports, the Yes Network, CBS Sports, WFAN, and Sports Illustrated.


Program Curriculum

Course #

Course Name

Credits

Major Requirements (25 credits from the following)

JOU 100

Journalism History 

3

JOU 101

Communications Law 

3

JOU 119

Writing for News Media

3

JOU 120

Mass Communication in a Digital Age 

3

JOU 135

News Reporting 

3

JOU 136

Journalism Capstone

3

JOU 143

Visual Communication

3

JOU 160

Journalism Internship

1

JOU 215

Digital Media & Society

3

Journalism Electives (12 credits)  

Focus on: Arts & Culture Reporting 

JOU 109

Mass Media & Culture

3

JOU 122

Feature Writing

JOU 144

Entertainment Journalism

3

JOU 233

Arts & Culture Reporting

3

Focus on: Multimedia Journalism

JOU 129

Radio Journalism & Podcasting

3

JOU 130

Television Journalism

3

JOU 139

Multimedia Journalism

3

JOU 1561

Video Journalism

3

Focus on: Public Relations & Social Media

JOU 118

Media Management

3

JOU 126

Principles of Advertising 

3

JOU 145

Introduction to Public Relations

JOU 222

Social Media 

3

Ancillary Requirements (3 credits)

JOU 111

Photo Journalism 

3

MA 106

Video Workshop

3

MA 115

Introduction to Photography 

3

MA 118

Digital Photo

3

MA 124

Computer Graphics I 

3

MA 125

Digital Publishing I 

3

Course #

Course Name

Credits

Required Core Courses

English Composition

ENG 16/ ENG 16C

English Composition

3

English Literature
Select one (1) course from the following:

ENG 61

European Literatures I

3

ENG 62

European Literatures II

3

ENG 63

American Literatures

3

ENG 64

Global Literatures

3

History
Select one (1) course from the following:

HIS 1

Perspectives in Pre-modern World History

3

HIS 2

Perspectives in Modern World History

3

Philosophy

PHI 60

Philosophical Explorations

3

Speech

SPE 3

Oral Communication

3

Mathematics
Select one (1) course from the following, unless major requirements list specific Math courses:

MTH 15

Math Tools and Their Use

4

MTH 16

Finite Mathematics

3

Science Lab-Based Course
Select one (1) course from the following:

BIO

Biology

4

CHM

Chemistry

4

PHY

Physics

4

Foreign Language
Select one (1) course from the following:

SPA 11

Introductory Spanish I

3

SPA 12

Introductory Spanish II

3

ITL 11

Introductory Italian I

3

ITL 12

Introductory Italian II

3

FRE 11

Introductory French I

3

FRE 12

Introductory French II

3

Visual and Performing Arts
Select one (1) course from the following:

ART 61

Introduction to Visual Art

3

DNC 61

Dance Through Time

3

JOU 61

Journalism, Social Media, and You

3

MA 61

Media Arts and Technology

3

MUS 61

Music and Culture

3

THE 61

The Theatrical Vision

3

Social Sciences I
Select any introductory course from the following:

Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

3

Social Sciences II
Select any introductory course from the following:

Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

3


Credit Requirements

Total Major Requirement Credits

35

Total Core Requirement Credits

34-35

Electives

51

Total Degree Credits

120



Courses

JOU 100 Journalism History 

Provides an overview of the development of print journalism in the U.S., especially the response of newspapers and magazines to changes in social conditions and communication technologies. Examines the role of the press from the American Revolution to the present, with special attention to coverage of military conflict in the Spanish-American War, two World Wars, Vietnam, and Iraq. Scrutinizes a wide range of mainstream and dissident publications. Also explores the growing importance of news aggregators, bloggers, and social news-feeds.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 101 Communications Law 

Reviews debates over the First Amendment and the protection it affords the press and other mass-media institutions. Examines concepts and landmark cases in such areas as defamation, copyright, privacy, obscenity, protection of news sources, secrecy in government, regulation of advertising, broadcasting, and anti-trust law. Emphasizes how social and technological changes require us to reconsider First Amendment protections. Gives special attention to legal problems posed by communication technologies such as cable television, communication satellites, computers, and the Internet.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 109 Mass Media and Culture 

Examines how mass media portray and are influenced by popular and folk cultures. Surveys historical, theoretical, and empirical data concerning the relationships between media and artifacts of mass culture. Looks at cultural manifestations such as supermarket tabloids, tabloid television, and blogs that cater to sensationalism. Also considers rumor cycles to see how mass media and social media both initiate and circulate the expressions of various regional and social groups.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 111 Photojournalism 

A production-based course exploring the uses of digital photography. Topics include photo essays, photo documentaries, ethical uses of images in mass media, and the human condition in photography. Students complete weekly photographic and written narrative assignments as well as a final documentary project.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 118 Media Management 

Concentrates on the business structure and management of media organizations from large to small, with special attention to career opportunities in global and local media firms. Focuses on new management concepts and solutions to the complex problems facing media organizations today. Addresses specific issues such as administrative services, start-ups, management planning systems, marketing strategy, and collective bargaining.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 119 Writing for News Media

Explores the creation of journalistic stories for diverse audiences. Students learn to develop story ideas, gather information, write engaging leads, integrate visual elements, proofread copy, revise their work, and think like an editor. They examine model news stories to assess the effectiveness of content, organization, form, and style. Students practice applying professional standards such as Associated Press style to their writing.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 120 Mass Communication in a Digital Age 

Surveys the landscape of mass-communication industries including newspapers, magazines, books, movies, music, radio, TV and the Internet. Examines the role of mass media in American culture, the evolution of new communication technologies and their impact on daily life and society. Considers the democratic function of journalism, the economics of media. and persuasive uses of mass communication in politics, advertising, and public relations. Introduces students to mass-communication theories, critical approaches, media-effects research, and free-speech issues.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 122 Feature Writing 

Students learn to write and research feature articles for magazines, blogs, and other print/online media. They practice developing story angles, identifying sources, conducting interviews, organizing material, and revising their work. Emphasizes techniques for capturing reader interest and making subjects come alive. Students learn to analyze editorial formulas, do readership research, tailor stories to particular publications, and pitch story ideas.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 126 Principles of Advertising 

An introduction to advertising with emphasis on effective creative strategies. Students gain insight into all phases of the business including print, Web, radio, television, agency operations, and research.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 135 News Reporting 

Develops fundamental skills of news gathering, analysis, interviewing, and research. Students learn to cover a variety of news beats and write breaking news stories for print and online publication. Introduces students to investigative reporting techniques. They gain insight to professional journalism by talking with guest speakers and covering stories outside the classroom.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 136 Journalism Capstone 

Students advance their reporting skills through preparation of longer, more complex stories that provide interpretation and analysis. They explore real-world newsroom problems, investigative journalism, and reporting practices for different media platforms. The class performs field work to produce off-campus stories, in addition to on-campus assignments.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 143 Visual Communication 

Introduces key concepts and practices of graphic communication as they relate to print and online publications: magazines, newsletters, blogs, websites, and more. Students explore and apply principles such as typography, color, balance, proportion, emphasis and unity. Class projects help students develop editing and design skills using page-layout software to produce individual or group projects.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 144 Entertainment Journalism 

Provides a historical overview of the rise of entertainment journalism in the U.S.  Examines case studies of celebrity coverage in various fields, from entertainment to sports to politics. Considers the impact of paparazzi and bloggers on journalism. Students practice reviewing popular culture and preparing for celebrity interviews and reporting.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 145 Introduction to Public Relations and Strategic Communication

Explores strategic planning, persuasive techniques, audience development, and media placement for PR campaigns. Reviews a variety of PR publications targeting internal and external audiences to analyze the effectiveness of their design, content, and persuasive appeals. Through case studies, students learn how advocacy groups and corporate PR specialists employ strategic communication to shape public debate and handle crisis communications. They develop skills in planning, pitching, and executing PR campaigns.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 160 Journalism Internship 

Provides academic credit to journalism majors who engage in off-campus internships and on-the-job projects under the supervision of the Journalism department. Students submit reports about their experiences as interns and provide evaluations from their on-site supervisors. May be taken up to four times. Pass/Fail only.

Credits: 1.00 

JOU 215 Digital Media & Society 

Digital Media are popular and essential elements in busy modern lives. Young people have grown up with profound and rapidly changing media and communication technologies, yet likely take them for granted. This course takes an in-depth look at digital media, exploring the relationship between technology, journalism and social change. The concept of "technological determinism" guides our examination of online news/information, social networking, digital entertainment, and more. We consider how digital media have influenced journalism and how journalists deal with issues such as surveillance and privacy.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 222 Social Media in Theory and Practice 

Examines best practices in social networking from the perspective of writers, journalists, media professionals, and other communicators. Students learn to write, edit, and research for blogs and news-feeds, gaining familiarity with current platforms. Requires active collaboration in online discussions and digital projects, in addition to class meetings.

Credits: 3.00 

JOU 233 Arts & Culture Reporting 

In this course, students develop reporting, writing, and critical thinking skills essential to covering art, music, film, and other cultural industries. They will develop their personal voices as writers as well as their understanding of magazine and web publishing industries. The course also addresses the political implications of arts and culture, focusing on creators and audiences in New York City generally and Brooklyn specifically.

Credits: 3.00 

MA 106 Video Workshop I 

An introduction to the principles and practice of portable digital video production. Working in crews on field projects, students explore the techniques and aesthetics of single-camera videography, sound recording, location lighting, and video editing.

Credits: 3.00 


Brooklyn Campus
1 University Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-488-1011

Post Campus
720 Northern Blvd.
Brookville, NY 11548
516-299-2900