Journalism

Chair, LLC Division;

begordon@mckendree.edu; (618) 537-6889, Carnegie Hall 114

 

The journalism minor prepares academically sound, technically proficient, and professionally responsible graduates for a variety of mass communication careers. Courses included in the minor cover human communication theory and legal rights and ethical responsibility in mass media as well as newspaper writing and editing and design and layout.
 

Experience in the classroom is broadened by voluntary participation on the staff of the school newspaper, The McKendree Review, and an internship program for “hands-on-training” in journalism.

The journalism minor, combined with majors in political science, history, natural science, business, and others, builds strengths in observing, interviewing, critical thinking, and writing that will enhance career opportunities.
 

Students will develop the ability to write articles that conform to standard journalistic standards, to interview persons using appropriate journalistic methodology, to design print media, to know and understand the basic theory of human and mass communication, and to know and understand the ethical implications of journalism.

 

Planning Sheets:

Journalism minor                                                                                              24 crs.

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JRN 237 JRN 251 JRN 272 JRN 470 ART 245 PHI 390 PSI 102 SPC 401

INTRODUCTION TO MASS COMMUNICATIONS   NEWSPAPER WRITING       NEWSPAPER DESIGN AND LAYOUT  INTERNSHIP IN JOURNALISM    PHOTOGRAPHY I       ETHICS AND PUBLIC POLICY    STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT   FREEDOM OF SPEECH

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Background of print and non-print media. Includes analysis of the philosophy and direction of first generation and electronic media. Introduction to human communication theory and to mass communication and its effect on society. Lecture, media experiences, guest speakers. Annually, Fall.

 

Introduction to news, features, and editorial writing. Introduction to news values and sources, news story structure, interviewing skills. Prerequisite: ENG 111 and ENG 112. Annually, Spring.

 

Preparation of news copy, pictures, and other graphic material for publication; evaluation of news; page layouts; newspaper make-up; analysis of existing newspapers. Annually, Fall.

 

To include such topics as magazine writing, magazine editing, magazine layout and design, industrial or corporate editing, interpretive reporting, government and the news media, press and society, critical writing and reviewing. Prerequisite: JRN 237 and consent of instructor. As needed.

 

Writing specialized news stories, copy editing, headline writing. Introduction to investigative reporting and continued development of editorial and feature writing. Prerequisites: ENG 111 and 112, and JRN 251. As needed.

 

To include such topics as magazine writing, magazine editing, magazine layout and design, industrial or corporate editing, interpretive reporting, government and the news media, press and society, critical writing and reviewing. Prerequisite: JRN 237 and consent of instructor. As needed.

 

Each student minoring in journalism will serve as an intern with one of the newspapers, radio stations, or other appropriate organizations in the area. Such training will increase the student’s potential for employment after graduation and provide practical experience in writing, editing and producing communications material for print or broadcasting media. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Each semester.

 

Individual research in specialized topic areas. Offered only to advanced students on a contractual basis, with consent of journalism faculty.