Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Return to: School of Liberal Arts and Education

Mission Statement:

The Journalism and Mass Communication program provides both curricular and co-curricular experiences designed to prepare its majors to become competent radio, television and print journalists and public relations practitioners. The department offers three areas of study: Broadcasting, Print Journalism, and Public Relations. Each area emphasizes critical skills that will enhance students’ preparation for chosen careers in mass communication. Students can gain laboratory experience at the College’s commercial radio and television stations, WAUG AM 750 and TV-68, and the student newspaper. The department provides experiential laboratory through an extra-curricular initiative called Falcon Communication (FALCOM). FALCOM provides students with an opportunity to experience learning through hands-on projects that will be used by businesses and non-profit organizations in the Triangle community. Internships are required for all majors. All graduates with a major in Journalism or Public Relations will have developed the theoretical and technical skills necessary to prepare them for careers in mass communications.

Objectives

• Students completing the Journalism and Mass Communication program will demonstrate the skills of standard written and spoken English;
• Students completing the Journalism and Mass Communication program will demonstrate the skills necessary to pursue graduate study and/or enter a related job field;
• Students completing the Journalism and Mass Communication program will have workplace experience through internships;
• Students completing the Broadcasting sequence will demonstrate competency in writing and production techniques;
• Students completing the Print Journalism sequence will demonstrate competency in reporting, research, writing, layout and design; and
• Students completing the Public Relations sequence will demonstrate competency in using various communications media.

Departmental Standards for Admission to the Majors

Communication Major

A student who intends to major in Communication must earn at least two B’s and a C in the three required communications courses – ENGL 131 , ENGL 132 , and Communication Skills (COMM 201 ) - by the end of the sophomore year. The minimum overall grade point average for students to be admitted into the Journalism and Mass Communication major is 2.0.

Concentrations

Broadcasting

Students in this course of study learn about the operation and management of radio and television stations. This sequence provides students with a mastery of basic skills, including writing for radio and television, the fundamentals of audio and video production, broadcast editing, and broadcast management. The coursework prepares students to enter the field of broadcasting to pursue careers in news, production, programming, management and sales. In addition to a strong theoretical foundation, students also obtain practical experience at the campus radio and television stations and through internships with commercial and noncommercial broadcast companies in the community.

Editorial News (Print Journalism)

The program is designed to prepare students to become skillful reporters, researchers, and writers for print media, including newspapers and magazines. The course of study provides both theoretical studies and hands-on experience with computer-based editing equipment. Additionally, students will have opportunities to gain work-related experience in the mass media.

Public Relations

Students are introduced to the ways organizations communicate with their constituencies, such as clients, employees, and the media. This sequence prepares students to use sound technical and managerial skills to meet communication needs within organizations. Students who complete this course of study will have the skills to function in organizations as public relations practitioners, public information officers, and communications managers in fields as diverse as sports, entertainment, government, and business.

Return to: School of Liberal Arts and Education