2015-2016 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Digital Journalism Major BA, Journalistic Writing and Reporting Specialization
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In today’s environment of converging media, successful journalists need the necessary skills and concepts to tell meaningful stories for a variety of outlets. In this major, students learn how to conceive ideas and collect and present information using words, pictures, and sounds to craft news stories that are accurate, fair, clear, and compelling. Whether destined for print, online or broadcast presentation, the focus is on preparing students to research, report and communicate news and non-fiction stories that engage audiences and make a difference in people’s lives. Students will learn how to build an online platform for their journalism and how to engage with their audience. Students will also understand the ethical, legal, historical and societal environment of journalism and the fundamental role media plays in our social, political and economic systems. A specialization in journalistic reporting and writing or broadcast journalism is required. Students must complete the communication foundation courses prior to acceptance into the journalism major.
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Communication Foundation Core Requirements
Total Core Requirements Credits: 10
Digital Journalism Core
Select three from the following - Credits: (12)
Total Digital Journalism Core Credits: 41
Journalistic Writing and Reporting Specialization
The journalistic writing and reporting specialization teaches students the skills, concepts and perspectives they need to be successful in print and online media. Students will learn how to conceive story ideas, gather information, write and edit stories, incorporate digital and multimedia elements into those stories, and present those stories for print and/or online publication. Students will put those skills to use on The Observer, Central’s weekly student-run newspaper, and also have the option of putting those skills to use at Pulse, Central’s twice-quarterly student lifestyle magazine, and at Newswatch, Central’s weekly student-run newscast. They will also get on-the-job education and training in a print or online internship.
Select one of the following - Credits: (4)
Select eight credits from the following - Credits:(8)
Must take at least 4 credits of Observer.
Total Specialization Credits: 26
Communication Department Information
College of Arts and Humanities
Ellensburg
Bouillon Hall, room 232A
Mail Stop 7438
509-963-1055
Fax: 509-963-1060
www.cwu.edu/communication
See website for how the communication programs may be used for educational and career purposes.
Faculty and Staff
Chair
César García, PhD
Professors
Philip Backlund, PhD, communication studies
James L. Gaudino, PhD, communication studies
Michael R. Ogden, PhD, journalism, film and video studies
Associate Professors
César García, PhD, public relations
Cynthia Mitchell, MBA, journalism
Assistant Professors
Elizabeth Kerns, MA, public relations
Sacheen Mobley, PhD, communication studies
Maria Sanders, MA, film and video studies
Nadene Vevea, PhD, communication
Lecturers
Yong Cao, ABD, communication
Emily DuPlessis, MA, communication
Jennifer Green, MA, journalism
Helen Harrison, MA, film and video studies, advertising, communication
Terri Reddout, MA, public relations and advertising
Toby Staab, MA, journalism
Jon Ward, MA, film and video studies
Steve Woodward, MA, journalism
Staff
Kristin Gaskill, Observer business manager
Vicki Winegar, secretary senior
Department Information
The Department of Communication prepares students to become active participants in communicating with and the shaping of modern culture in a global society. The department emphasizes student-centered instruction in gathering and disseminating written, spoken, and visual information, as well as course work in the processes, effects, and theories of human communication. The department is committed to a liberal education in written, oral, visual, and convergent media communication, as well as to training in diverse professional fields.
Department Standards
Admission Requirements
Admission to the communication department majors in Public Relations, Journalism and Communication Studies is selective. Before admission to the communication department, students must demonstrate the following: a minimum overall GPA of 2.4 (for Digital Journalism) or a 2.7 (for Public Relations and Communication Studies); completion of two communication gateway courses with a B average or higher; a score of at least six (6) on the Write Placer test; and submission of a cover letter stating the reasons for their interest in the field. Should students wish to change within the department, students must re-apply to the new major.
Exit Requirements
- Students must maintain a 2.4 GPA with a minimum grade of C- in all courses counted toward fulfilling any major or minor requirements.
- No course may be counted twice in fulfilling an internal or external minor.
Financial Obligations
Production courses required for broadcast journalism and/or film and video studies have associated lab fees.
Bachelor of Arts
(NOTE: Students seeking a BA degree must complete one year college/university study or two years high school study of a single world language.)
Communication Foundation Core Requirements
COM 201 - Introduction to Mass Communication Credits: 5
COM 207 - Introduction to Human Communication Credits: 5
Total Core Credits: 10
College of Arts and Humanities Information
Administration and Organization
Dean
Stacey Robertson, PhD (Hebeler Hall, room 202)
Interim Associate Dean
Katharine Whitcomb, PhD (Hebeler Hall, room 202)
Mail Stop 7518
509-963-1858
Fax: 509-963-1851
www.cwu.edu/arts/
Overview
The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) is comprised of 12 departments and programs, which represent the disciplines of the arts and humanities. All of the departments and some of the programs of CAH offer undergraduate degrees as well as minors which supplement other degree programs. Five departments offer Master’s degrees. In addition to its role in providing degree programs, CAH is responsible for many of the course offerings of the general education programs as well as extensive service coursework for the entire university. The college also plays a major role in Central’s teacher education programs, offering bachelors and master’s degrees for students preparing to be secondary teachers and providing coursework in educational foundations and discipline-specific methods for teacher education majors. Building on a legacy of teaching excellence, college faculty are engaged in research, creative activities and service, involving students in the scholarship and practical applications of their various academic specializations, while making important contributions to the intellectual tradition and to society at large. There are no special requirements for admission to the college, but some departments have requirements that are described under the respective department and program headings in the catalog.
Mission
The College of Arts and Humanities advances knowledge, promotes intellectual inquiry, and cultivates creative endeavor among students and faculty through teaching informed by scholarship, creative activity, and public and professional involvement. We are committed to helping students develop intellectual and practical skills for responsible citizenship and the challenges of contemporary life in a global society. The college offers disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs of the highest quality, acts as a steward of the foundational disciplines upon which all inquiry is based, and serves as a cultural center for arts and humanities for the university and the region.
Vision
The College of Arts and Humanities will be recognized as a distinguished learning community known regionally for scholarly and creative excellence, innovative, and rigorous foundational liberal arts education, and undergraduate and graduate programs that are outstanding and unique in the state.
Departments and Programs
Africana and Black Studies Program: Bobby Cummings, PhD (Michaelsen Hall, room 104)
Art: Gregg Schlanger, MFA (Randall Hall, room 100)
Asia/Pacific Studies Program: Jeffrey Dippman, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 337C)
Communication: Marji Morgan, PhD (Bouillon Hall, room 232A)
English: George Drake, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 423)
Film and Video Studies Program: Liahna Armstrong, PhD and Jon Ward (Bouillon Hall, room 225)
History: Jason Knirck, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 100)
Latino and Latin American Studies Program: Stella Moreno, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 102J)
Music: Todd Shiver, DMA (Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building, room 144)
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Matthew Altman, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 337)
Theatre Arts: Scott Robinson, MFA (McConnell Hall, room 106)
World Languages: Laila Abdalla, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 102)
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