Courses

The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Journalism and Media program requires you to complete a minimum of 120 credits.

If you are a transfer student, the number of credits you will have to take will vary according to the courses you transfer into the degree program. Once you are admitted into the degree program, an assigned academic adviser will help you with remaining requirements.

Students can earn up to six (6) COMM credits through the credit-by-portfolio process. However, it is important for students to know that completing the credit-by-portfolio process does not guarantee that the credits will be awarded.

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major.

Prescribed Courses (16 credits)

1

credit

Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word usage skills required of journalists.
3

credits

The course introduces how journalists work with the tools of multimedia and how multimedia is changing journalism.
3

credits

Students will evaluate content creation and distribution methods and demonstrate proficiency across emerging digital products and services.
3

credits

Nature and theories of law; the Supreme Court and press freedom; legal problems of the mass media.
3

credits

Ethical problems in the practice of journalism; principal public criticisms of news media; case study approach.
3

credits

Provides an overview of the various media and communications methods that comprise modern integrated marketing campaigns.

Additional Courses (select 6 credits)

- 3
  
  credits
  
  This course is an introduction to writing for various kinds of mass communication media. Students will practice writing public relations news releases; public information announcements; print, television and radio advertisements; and news stories and editorials. Students will be given weekly writing assignments, some of which will be re-writes of earlier submissions. In-class exercises will include various writing exercises designed to get students more comfortable with writing for media.
  
  Prerequisite
  ENGL 15 and ENGL 202
- or:
  3
  
  credits
  
  News and news values; legal and ethical problems of reporting; writing and reporting news for the mass media.
  
  Prerequisite
  ENGL 15 or ENGL 30; COMM 160; third-semester standing and typing proficiency
- 3
  
  credits
  
  Mass communications in the United States: organization, role, content, and effects of newspapers, magazines, television, radio, books, and films.
- or:
  
  3
  
  credits
  
  The development of electronic media and telecommunications, emphasizing social, economic, political and global impact.

Supporting Courses (select 12 credits)

3

credits

The development of electronic media and telecommunications, emphasizing social, economic, political and global impact.
3

credits

An introduction to digital photography, emphasizing camera skills, aesthetics and storytelling.

Note
Basic Photography for Communications, students will need access to a digital camera, which may be rented through the University or purchased separately. Student-purchased equipment must meet specifications outlined by the department. Please email [email protected] for more details.
3

credits

Photography for communication in print and online; creating photographs for newspapers, magazines and the web; digital camera and software skills.

Prerequisite or Concurrent
COMM 260W or COMM 320
3

credits

Analysis of audience data for traditional and new media to create metrics for advertising, content marketing, and audience analysis.
3

credits

Introduction to various modalities of idea development and written expression for media production.

Prerequisite
COMM 242
3

credits

A beginning course in narrative screenwriting emphasizing analysis, creativity, and critiquing skills necessary for the development of storytelling.

Prerequisite
COMM 342W
3

credits

Introduction to basic principles of management as they apply in electronic media industries.
3

credits

Analysis of laws and regulations affecting online advertising and strategic communications.

Prerequisite
COMM 428A and permission of the program
3

credits

Techniques in reporting news and trends at the local, regional, and county levels. Emphasis on both deadline and interpretive reporting.

Prerequisite
COMM 260W
3

credits

Concepts and procedures involved in processing news for various news media, but with emphasis on print media editing.

Prerequisite
COMM 260W
3

credits

Development of an informed and critical approach to photocommunication; individual and team projects, seminars, and critiques.

Prerequisite
Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: COMM 269
3

credits

Development in the law, policy, and business of Internet-mediated communications and commerce; emphasis on impact on existing legal, regulatory, and economic models.

Prerequisite
Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: COMM 180
3

credits

Provides students with knowledge/tools to take their innovation/technology idea through the business planning, capital, and operations budgeting processes.

Prerequisite
Enforced Prerequisite at Enrollment: COMM 180 or COMM 380 or permission of the program

Electives (select 17–28 credits)

Students should choose an additional 17–28 credits to satisfy the electives requirement.

General Education Requirements

Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

Arts (GA): 6 credits
Humanities (GH): 6 credits
Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
Natural Sciences (GN): 9 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 6 credits
Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GWS courses.
Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
A student must receive a grade of C or better in GQ courses.
Integrative Studies: 6 credits
This requirement only applies to students starting in summer 2018 or later. Learn more about the Integrative Studies options and consult your academic adviser when choosing courses to fulfill these requirements. Integrative Studies credits may be completed within the thirty Knowledge Domain credits and must be completed with either Inter-domain or Linked courses, not a combination of both.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Some Bachelor of Arts requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major, General Education courses, or electives. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.

Foreign Language: 0–12 credits
Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one foreign language.
B.A. Fields: 9 credits
Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (cannot be taken in the area of the student's primary major; foreign language credits in this category must be in a second foreign language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language)
Other Cultures: 0–3 credits
Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the General Education US/IL requirement.

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

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