Journalism & Media Studies, Minor

Our unique program emphasizes the necessity for professional communicators to critically engage and understand the contexts and challenges of modern cultural envirionments and to utilize digial media tools to listen to and engage with geographic and interest-based comunities in ways that foster dialogue and civic participation. Courses in the Journalism and Media Studies Minor will prepare you for careers in multiplatform journalism, the media industry, community advocacy, social media strategy, public relations, academia and more, while building and broadening your skills in engaging multiple publics and telling your story in ethical and inclusive ways.

Required Courses

Please note: Twelve of the units taken to complete a minor (6 of which are upper division) may not be used in fulfillment of other minors, concentrations, or major requirements.

Complete one of the following Media Law and Ethics courses:
HCOM 316 - Media Ethics Units: 4
HCOM 410 - Public Relations Ethics and Practices Units: 4
HCOM 411 - Media Law and Policy Units: 4
Complete two of the following Introductory Storytelling/Theory courses:
HCOM 170 - Introduction to Mass Communication Units: 3
HCOM 280 - Introduction to Reporting Units: 3
HCOM 371 - Community Journalism Studies Units: 4
Complete one of the following Intermediate Storytelling/Theory courses:
HCOM 315 - Media for Social Change Units: 4
HCOM 319 - Global Communication and Culture Units: 4
HCOM 334 - Fiction/Creative NonFiction Writing Units: 4
HCOM 349 - Environmental Philosophy and Communication Units: 4
HCOM 361 - Crime and Communities Units: 4
HCOM 370 - Media and the Military Units: 4
HCOM 372 - Social Media Theory and Practice Units: 4
HCOM 373 - Introduction to Public Relations Units: 3
HCOM 383 - Genres of Social Justice Writing Units: 4.00
HCOM 387 - Media Technology Units: 2
HCOM 390 - Magazine Writing Units: 4
CART 303 - Media, Power, and Society Units: 3
CART 330 - Elements of Cinema Units: 4
VPA 305 - Media Culture Units: 4
Complete one of the following Advanced Storytelling/Theory courses:
HCOM 409 - Communication Theory Units: 4
HCOM 424 - Latin American Media and Pop Culture Units: 4
HCOM 434 - Creative Publishing and Critical Storytelling Units: 4
HCOM 435 - Community Media Project Units: 4
HCOM 488 - Investigative Reporting Units: 4

Learning Outcomes

Basic Competency in Journalistic Writing

Students demonstrate basic skill in the craft of journalistic storytelling.

Basic Competency in Journalistic Research

Students demonstrate basic skills in interviewing, information gathering, and analyzing sources of information.

Application of Skills to the Production and Presentation of Journalistic Projects

Students produce a portfolio of journalistic work that may include news stories, Web or print magazine pieces, documentary films, podcasts, or other journalistic works.

Understanding of Basic Concepts in Media Theory and Media Literacy

Students demonstrate basic skills in media analysis, including being able to critique a mass media product such as a newspaper, newscast, news website, or social media platform. Students develop an understanding of journalism and mass communication theories.