Journalism

Department Website(s):

The Journalism Program seeks to build on students’ interests and techniques in gathering information through research, interviewing, and writing for a variety of media platforms. The program emphasizes the role and responsibilities of journalism in promoting civic and political participation. It also supports the commitment to social justice in Gonzaga’s mission statement and seeks to develop among its students an awareness of injustice.

Courses in media literacy, law and history form the philosophical foundation for the major and minor. Journalism students focus on issues of civic and cultural importance with a foundational news stance in their work, including addressing modern threats of mis- and disinformation in the public square. However, there are ample opportunities for experimenting with styles of journalism that are appropriate for magazines, literary publications, and emerging digital platforms. Students also improve their visual storytelling skills in photojournalism and multimedia design courses. Most Gonzaga journalism students work for the student newspaper, The Gonzaga Bulletin (gonzagabulletin.com). Journalism students are also encouraged and supported in applying for a Dow Jones Fund Internship, which places interns in paid
newsroom positions at major newspapers for the summer.

Many Journalism students garner experience in the professional environment through internships.

Journalism (BA) Major

Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Lower Division
INMD 101	Media Literacy	3
JOUR 110	Journalistic Writing	3
JOUR 210	Civic Journalism	3
JOUR 220	Student Media Writing Lab	1
JOUR 230	Student Media Editing Lab	1
JOUR 270	Photojournalism	3
JOUR 280	Design and Editing	3
Upper Division
INMD 360	Media Law	3
JOUR 310	Public Affairs Reporting	3
JOUR 350	History of Journalism	3
JOUR 370	Emerging Media	3
JOUR 440	Seminar: Media and Democracy	3
JOUR 300-400 level electives		6
JOUR 499	Capstone Project	1
Total Hours		39

Journalism Minor

Program Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Lower Division
INMD 101	Media Literacy	3
JOUR 110	Journalistic Writing	3
JOUR 220	Student Media Writing Lab	1
JOUR 270	Photojournalism	3
Upper Division
JOUR 440	Seminar: Media and Democracy	3
JOUR 300-400 level electives		6
Total Hours		19

Courses

JOUR 110. Journalistic Writing. (3 Credits)

An introduction to journalistic-style writing across media platforms, including broadcast journalism and public relations writing.

Equivalent: SOSJ 160

JOUR 190. Directed Study. (1-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Topic to be determined by faculty.

JOUR 210. Civic Journalism. (3 Credits)

Emphasis on the style of journalism that fosters community engagement. Research, reporting and interviewing techniques that focus on news coverage of public organizations and groups that participate in framing public policy. A variety of writing styles will be utilized.

Prerequisites: JOUR 110 with a minimum grade of D

Equivalent: SOSJ 262

JOUR 220. Student Media Writing Lab. (1 Credit)

May be repeated for credit.

With direction from student newspaper advisers/instructors and editors, students write stories and news reports for The Gonzaga Bulletin and gonzagabulletin.com.

Prerequisites: JOUR 210 with a minimum grade of D

JOUR 230. Student Media Editing Lab. (1 Credit)

May be repeated for credit.

With direction from advisers/instructors, students edit news stories for The Gonzaga Bulletin and gonzagabulletin.com.

Prerequisites: JOUR 110 with a minimum grade of D

JOUR 270. Photojournalism. (3 Credits)

An introduction to the technical, ethical, and creative principles of journalism-based photography and video. Topics include basic camera functions, digital image-editing tools, and the intersection of photojournalism, digital-video, and short documentary filmmaking. Special attention will be given to the professional and ethical considerations of the practice and the unique differences that separate photojournalism from other forms of image capturing. Lab fee. Fall and Spring.

Prerequisites: INMD 101 with a minimum grade of D

Equivalent: SOSJ 261

Course Fee: 100

JOUR 280. Design and Editing. (3 Credits)

Emphasis on design principles and editing skills for print and online journalistic platforms. Attention also to news values and philosophies.

Prerequisites: JOUR 110 with a minimum grade of D

JOUR 290. Directed Study. (1-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Topic to be determined by faculty.

JOUR 310. Public Affairs Reporting. (3 Credits)

Reporting municipal, county, state, and federal affairs. Open meeting, shield and disclosure laws, law enforcement and the judicial process.

Prerequisites: JOUR 210 with a minimum grade of D or PRLS 310 with a minimum grade of D

JOUR 350. History of Journalism. (3 Credits)

The historical development of the press and journalistic practices in America. The focus is the development of journalistic values such as objectivity, accuracy, balance and legal and ethical issues such as free speech and access to public records.

Prerequisites: INMD 101 with a minimum grade of D

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

JOUR 370. Emerging Media. (3 Credits)

Students integrate reporting and research with audio, video, photos and text to produce and design multimedia packages in a journalistic context. Students may utilize blogging, podcasting, social media and emerging media techniques. Some focus on analysis of the optimal platforms for presenting journalistic content.

Prerequisites: JOUR 110 with a minimum grade of D

Equivalent: SOSJ 367

Course Fee: 50

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

JOUR 374. Documentary History & Analysis. (3 Credits)

The course explores documentary film as both a popular art form and as an instrument for constructing social knowledge. From early cinematic experiments to contemporary award winners, students will critically review the evolution of non-fiction filmmaking while analyzing the techniques that documentary filmmakers use to craft their documentaries. The larger ethical and societal impacts of documentary film will also be explored. Spring.

Prerequisites: INMD 101 with a minimum grade of D

Equivalent: FILM 451

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits), Second Year (26-59.99 credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

JOUR 390. Directed Study. (1-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Topic to be determined by faculty.

JOUR 410. Special Topics. (3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Course content focuses on emerging issues and topics that relate to journalistic practice and philosophy.

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

JOUR 420. Literary Journalism. (3 Credits)

The course focuses on writing longer forms of journalism. Content includes a look at the traditions of literary journalism in America, memoir-style nonfiction and using fiction techniques in nonfiction stories. Writing topics are individualized.

Prerequisites: JOUR 110 with a minimum grade of D or ENGL 301 with a minimum grade of D or ENGL 302 with a minimum grade of D or ENGL 303 with a minimum grade of D or ENGL 306 with a minimum grade of D or SOSJ 160 with a minimum grade of D

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

JOUR 432. CIS:. (3 Credits)

The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) engages the Year Four Question: “Imagining the possible: What is our role in the world?” by offering students a culminating seminar experience in which students integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the Core, and their disciplinary expertise. Each section of the course will focus on a problem or issue raised by the contemporary world that encourages integration, collaboration, and problem solving. The topic for each section of the course will be proposed and developed by each faculty member in a way that clearly connects to the Jesuit Mission, to multiple disciplinary perspectives, and to our students’ future role in the world.

Prerequisites: Prerequisites exist. Refer to Zagweb.

JOUR 440. Seminar: Media and Democracy. (3 Credits)

Examines the organizational, cultural, technological, and ideological nature of news. Attention is given to theories of the press, the construction of news, news as a form of knowledge, and the broader social implications of news organizations and practices.

Prerequisites: INMD 360 with a minimum grade of D

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

JOUR 470. Documentary Filmmaking. (3 Credits)

Documentary filmmaking provides an environment in which students experiment with the combination of digital film aesthetics and documentary storytelling to produce an original short non-fiction work. The course includes examination of ethical issues in documentaries, the use of animation and interactivity in film and the role of documentary work in different cultures. Lab fee. Spring.

Prerequisites: VART 272 with a minimum grade of D or BRCO 303 with a minimum grade of D or DGMP 305 with a minimum grade of D

Equivalent: FILM 460

Course Fee: 100

JOUR 485. Media Ethics. (3 Credits)

Journalistic ethical issues ranging from fairness, balance and conflicts of interest to sensationalism will be discussed in depth. Overview of theories of leading historical and contemporary philosophers through the lens of relevance to contemporary media. Emphasis on use of ethical decision-making models.

Prerequisites: INMD 101 with a minimum grade of D

JOUR 490. Directed Study: Special Project. (1-4 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Tutorial or a project proposed to faculty. Fall and Spring.

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Journalism or Journalism.

JOUR 494. Independent Study. (1-3 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

In-depth pursuit of a topic proposed to faculty. Fall and Spring.

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Journalism or Journalism.

JOUR 497. Internships. (0-6 Credits)

May be repeated for credit.

Professional work experience in journalism. Possibilities include print and online journalistic organizations and magazines. Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Prerequisites: JOUR 210 with a minimum grade of D or SOSJ 262 with a minimum grade of D

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits) or Third Year (60-95.99 credits).

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Journalism or Journalism.

JOUR 499. Capstone Project. (1 Credit)

Students demonstrate command of journalistic practices and philosophies in a comprehensive project and essay exam. Spring.

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Fourth Year (96+ credits).

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Journalism.