Journalism
Major
Journalism majors may apply no more than 12 transfer credit hours, nor more than 40 total credit hours in journalism courses, toward the 120-hour graduation requirement. At least 65 of the remaining 80 credit hours must be taken in liberal arts and sciences. An overall minimum GPA of 2.0 for all Journalism classes taken at EIU is required.
The Journalism major consists of 69-70 hours in three required areas and a fourth voluntary area of co-curricular activities. To meet the requirements for a degree in journalism, students must earn a minimum grade of "C" in JOU 2101, 2901, and 3000.
I. Journalism Course Work - Total Hours: 39-40
Journalism writing competency must be demonstrated prior to enrollment in Journalism 2101, 2901, or 3000 by either (1) a grade of B in English 1001G, or (2) grades of least “C” in both English 1001G and 1002G.
* This requirement may be waived by the department chair with evidence of equivalent experience.
** If designated by the department chair as a Media and Society topic.
Core: 24 or 25 hours
(See above *)
Plus one Media and Society Course from:
(See above **)
(See above **)
Electives - Total Hours: 15
Students may choose a maximum of 15 hours of elective courses in Journalism to complete the 39- or 40-hour requirement or they may use their elective hours to pursue a concentration (listed later in this section) in a specific area of Journalism. With the assistance of their academic advisors, students should choose their Block A and Block B courses to complement their concentrations.
II. Liberal Arts Area (Block A) - Total Hours: 18
With consultation of the academic advisor, include a course from three of these four areas: Political Science, History, Sociology, and Economics. With permission of advisor and chair, student may substitute other courses at same level (e.g., 2000, 3000) or higher for listed courses within the same field of study.
- Foreign Language 2201G
- any upper division course in Geography
- any upper division course in International History
- any upper division course in Philosophy
- any upper division course in International Political Science
- any upper division course in Psychology
- any upper-division course in Sociology.
III. Non-Journalism Specialty (Block B) - Total Hours: 12
Selection of these upper-division courses [numbered 3000 and 4000], ordinarily in a block from a single department or related courses offered by more than one academic department, requires consultation with student's advisor. Upon recommendation of advisor, chair may approve one lower division course if it is a prerequisite for upper division courses. Courses must be integrated into student's program in Journalism. Block A courses cannot be counted toward Block B. A second major or a non-journalism minor meets the Block B requirement.
IV. Co-Curricular Volunteer Activities
Students who have worked on student media have found co-curricular learning activities and experiences to be invaluable. Opportunities available on student media: news, business and advertising staffs of The Daily Eastern News; the Verge entertainment supplement; Minority Today; the Warbler yearbook; Pounce Online; WEIU-TV-FM; the Agency.
Concentration in Writing and Reporting
This concentration is designed to provide students with the knowledge and values necessary to understand the roles and functions of writers and reporters in journalistic media and to provide them with the skills and practice necessary to excel in such roles.
Choose Six Hours from the Following:
(if writing and reporting topic)
(if writing and reporting topic)
Concentration in Editing
This concentration is designed to provide students with the knowledge and values necessary to understand the roles and functions of editors in journalistic media and to provide them with the skills and practice necessary to excel in such roles.
or
Choose Six Hours from the Following:
(if editing topic)
(if editing topic)
Concentration in Design
This concentration is designed to provide students with the knowledge and values necessary to understand the roles and functions of visual communicators in journalistic media and to provide them with the skills and practice necessary to excel in such roles.
or
Choose Six Hours from the Following:
(if design topic)
(if design topic)
Concentration in Photojournalism
This concentration is designed to provide students with the knowledge and values necessary to understand the roles and functions of photojournalists and videographers in journalistic media and to provide them with the skills and practice necessary to excel in such roles.
or
Choose Six Hours from the Following:
(if photography topic)
(if photography topic)
Concentration in Public Relations
This concentration is designed to provide students with the knowledge and values necessary to understand the roles and functions of public relations professionals and to provide them with the skills and practice necessary to excel in such roles.
Choose Three Hours from the Following:
(if PR topic)
(if PR topic)
Concentration in New and Emerging Media
This concentration is designed to provide students with the knowledge and values necessary to understand the roles and functions of new media journalists and to provide them with the skills and practice necessary to excel in such roles.
or
Choose Three Hours from the Following:
(if new and emerging media topic)
(if new and emerging media topic)
Concentration in Broadcast News
This concentration is designed to provide students with the knowledge and values necessary to understand the roles and functions of journalists in broadcasting/electronic media and to provide them with the skills and practice necessary to excel in such roles.
Choose Nine Hours from the Following:
(if broadcast new topic)
(if broadcast new topic)
Information sourced from the 2005-2006 EIU Undergraduate Catalog.