Department of Journalism
Tim Mirabito, Associate Professor and Chair
The Department of Journalism offers a bachelor of arts in journalism and a journalism minor. Choose Majors and Minors tab above or links below to review program requirements.
B.A. Journalism - Tim Mirabito, Associate Professor and Chair
The bachelor of arts in Journalism offers an integrated curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in journalism, media relations, law, and other professions. Multimedia and critical, analytical thinking are key components of the curriculum. The concept of media convergence is a key component to the curriculum. Journalism students are taught practical multimedia (online, video and print) journalism, as well as First Amendment law, ethics and history in the liberal arts tradition.
Minor in Journalism - Tim Mirabito, Associate Professor and Minor Coordinator
The minor in Journalism offers students the opportunity to expand and enhance their college experience. It is designed to give students from a variety of disciplines a broad-based yet rigorous knowledge of journalistic theory and practice. Students work on news and public affairs coverage of issues relevant to their own major areas through a variety of lecture, seminar, and laboratory courses.
Majors, including first-year students, are required to maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.00. All majors must complete a minimum of 60 credits outside of communications, which includes a minor of their choice, and a minimum of 75 percent of their credits (normally 90 credits) in courses designated as liberal arts (LA). Transfer students applying to the B.A. in journalism program must have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher to have their application considered; however, this minimum does not guarantee acceptance to the degree program. This policy applies to all applicants to the degree program, including students transferring from another major in the Park School or at Ithaca College and those applying from other academic institutions.
The minor is not open to journalism majors. Information concerning application deadlines, admission criteria, and program requirements is available in the journalism department office. Enrollment in the minor is limited. Students must have a cumulative GPA above 3.25 in order to apply to the journalism minor, but this minimum does not guarantee acceptance.
JOUR 11100 Introduction to Journalism (LA)
Introduces reporting, interviewing and writing on deadline using Associate Press style; introduces inverted-pyramid and broadcast writing; and introduces such issues as current events, objectivity, ethics, libel and investigative reporting. (F,S)
Attributes: CCCS
4 Credits
JOUR 11200 Investigative Journalism (LA)
This class provides students with both theoretical and practical skills to locate story ideas, identify reliable and diverse sources, conduct research online and through interviews, and analyze and visualize data. Students use investigative techniques to research, write, and produce stories in multiple beats, including but not limited to: government, education, sports, and social issues. Students work individually and in teams to produce multimedia content focused on a specific beat and/or issues of journalistic importance within the local and wider communities. Prerequisites: JOUR 11100. (F,S)
4 Credits
JOUR 21100 Visual Journalism (LA)
Explores the fundamental visual techniques and concepts of multimedia journalism and how verbal and visual messages work together in news reporting. Students will learn how to research, shoot, write, edit and produce content for broadcast, web, and social media platforms. Examples are critiqued to lead students toward an ethical and analytical approach to issues of journalistic visual rhetoric. Prerequisites: JOUR 11200; WRTG 10600 or ICSM 10800 or ICSM 11800. (F,S)
Attributes: CCCS, WI
4 Credits
JOUR 21300 Journalism Ethics (LA)
An introduction to ethics in journalism, designed to develop responsible, professional attitudes and practices by applying a range of analyses to issues. Examines classic and contemporary journalism cases involving a variety of ethical questions. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. Restricted to journalism majors and minors, and documentary studies majors. (F-S)
3 Credits
JOUR 25000 Journalism History (LA)
Examines the development of the mass media in the United States, beginning with Western European antecedents and proceeding to the present era of complex new technologies. Focuses on the factors influencing the evolution of U.S. media history, emphasizing the development of the U.S. press philosophy, the interaction of industrialization and media, and the rise of mass culture. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. (F-S)
Attributes: 3B
3 Credits
JOUR 31300 Journalism Law (LA)
This course encompasses the study of the underlying theories and philosophical principles that are used to formulate laws and policies related to freedom of speech and press in the United States. An examination of the framework of the American legal and policy making systems will enable students to understand how laws, particularly the First Amendment, address a range of issues involving freedom of speech and press, including: defamation, libel, prior restraint, and copyright. Prerequisites: Journalism majors; JOUR 21100; junior standing. (F,S)
3 Credits
JOUR 38400 Television News Producing and Editing (NLA)
This course builds on the television news skills developed in previous courses by focusing on the role of content managers in newsrooms, from writing to editing. Students will hold editorial board meetings to understand the concept of writing, editing, and crafting meaningful news segments. Students will script a newscast. Students will be tested on how to think independently in situations where important news stories are breaking. Under tight class time constraints, students will make decisions that will impact the newscast they are scripting. Students will learn one of the most important jobs of a successful news producer and editor: how to deal with people and ethical dilemmas as they happen in a newsroom setting. Prerequisites: JOUR 21100 (Y)
4 Credits
JOUR 39000-39030 Selected Topics in Journalism (LA)
The topics of this practicum will vary to allow students the opportunity to learn about a specialty area of journalism, such as sports journalism, international relations journalism, economics and business journalism, and medical journalism. Students will be required to read relevant specialty newspapers, magazines, and academic journals appropriate to the selected topic, report and write articles on the selected topic in online and print format, and write for broadcast. Prerequisites: JOUR 21100 or permission of instructor. (F-S)
3 Credits
JOUR 48000 Mobile and Social Media Journalism (NLA)
This course critically examines how journalists and news organizations are using emerging forms of social media and mobile platforms. Students gain hands-on experience by experimenting with social media and mobile devices for newsgathering, distribution, and audience engagement. Students produce a portfolio of multimedia stories and build their own professional journalistic brand. An emphasis is placed on critically assessing the credibility and authenticity of user-generated content. Students will also learn how to use analytics tools to monitor and analyze the effectiveness of their mobile and social media activity. Prerequisites: JOUR 21100; senior standing. (F,S)
4 Credits
JOUR 48200 Narrative Journalism Workshop (NLA)
Students demonstrate their ability in narrative journalism by researching and writing a major journalistic project. Projects will take the form of a long-form narrative feature report, with the goal of getting them published professionally. Critique and analysis of journalists' projects and reflections on their craft are emphasized. Prerequisites: JOUR 21100; junior standing. (F-S)
4 Credits
JOUR 48400 Mass Media Research (LA)
This course strengthens the student's skills in conducting journalism and mass communication research on real-world local, national, and international issues. Emphasis on the formulation of research topics and proposals; literature search and review; various methodologies that are applicable to the journalism profession; data collection, analysis, and interpretation; and research report writing. Prerequisite: JOUR 21100; junior standing. (IRR)
Attributes: CCRM, QL
3 Credits
JOUR 48600 Documentary Journalism Workshop (NLA)
Students produce an in-depth final project of journalistic significance in a multimedia platform appropriate to their subject matter. Students research, write, edit, and produce long-form news stories in a documentary format for multimedia. Participants also critique and analyze examples of professionally produced documentary and long-form television and web-based journalism. Prerequisites: JOUR 21100; junior standing. (F-S)
Attributes: SL
4 Credits
JOUR 48800 Issues and the News (LA)
A capstone course for seniors majoring or minoring in journalism, designed to give the students an opportunity for in-depth news examination and analysis from numerous sources. Ongoing critique of major news issues of the day. Students examine the variety of information sources available and incorporate various points of view from around the world. They present key summaries of issues they are monitoring, producing news stories and analytic pieces. Prerequisites: JOUR 21100; senior standing. (F-S)
Attributes: UND
3 Credits
JOUR 49000 Internship (NLA)
Jointly supervised work experience with a cooperating institution or corporation in the field of journalism or communications, intended to motivate the student toward professional growth through observation and participation, to provide opportunities to meet active professionals, and to stimulate career planning. Skills and academic knowledge are put into practice. May be repeated. Prerequisites: Junior standing; journalism major or minor; completion of Park School internship procedures. The total number of internship credits a journalism major or minor is permitted to earn may not exceed (including London and Los Angeles internships). For example, if a student takes an 8-credit internship, a second internship would count for up to only, for a total of Pass/fail only. (F-S)
1-8 Credits
JOUR 49900-49901 Independent Study in Journalism (LA)
Intensive research related to journalism under the supervision of a faculty adviser and with approval of the department chair. A major research paper is required. May be repeated; total credits earned may not exceed eight credits for the two independent study courses combined. Prerequisites: Journalism major or minor; senior standing; permission of department chair. (F-S)
1-4 Credits