Program Coordinator: Lana Whited
Phone Number: (540) 365-4334
e-mail:lwhited@ferrum.edu

Catalog description:
The journalism program is designed for students interested in pursuing professional careers and further study in such areas as reporting, editing, media design, photojournalism, broadcasting, public relations, and media law. 
18 total hours.

Brief Message from Coordinator:
The strength of Ferrum's journalism program is the amount of one-on-one instruction students receive from professors and our focus on strong writing and editing skills. Because of the program's connection with the campus newspaper, The Iron Blade, it offers students ample publication opportunities, but, because the newspaper in not published daily, students still have plenty of time for other coursework and activities. Recent graduates are working in journalism, public relations, desktop publishing and graphic design, education, business, and law enforcement.

Required courses:
ENG 131, 132, 231 Journalism Practicum, Com 131, 132 Radio Practicum
(one hour each; students choose three courses) 3 hours.
ENG 310 Media Issues. 3 hours.
ENG 311 News Writing & Editing. 3 hours.

 
Elective courses
(Choose 9 hours; at least 3 of which are at the 300-400 level)
 
ART 101 2-D Design. 3 hours.
ART 201 Computer Graphics I. 3 hours.
ART 301 Computer Graphics II. 3 hours.
ART 217 Introduction to Photography. 3 hours.
ART 317 Intermediate Photography. 3 hours.
BUS 304 Advertising. 3 hours.
CSC 330 Telecommunications and the Web. 3 hours.
DRA 203 TV Programming and Production. 3 hours.
DRA 222 Voice & Diction. 3 hours.
ENG 312 Feature Writing. 3 hours.
ENG 315 Media Management. 3 hours.
ENG 338 Rhetoric. 3 hours.
ENG 461 Professional Writing. 3 hours.
ENG 499 Internship. 3 hours.
PSC 491 Special Topics in Political Science (when offered as Media & Politics) 3 hours.

Substitutions may be approved by the program coordinator.
Com 201, Public Speaking, is a recommended cognate.

Suggested course combinations:

Note:  The following suggested combinations are for purposes of illustration only.  These are possible configurations of the minor, depending on the studentís area of interest.  With the program coordinatorís approval, other courses may be substituted for 3 hours of elective credit.  English 499, internship, is a recommended substitution.

EMPHASIS 1:  REPORTING
Eng. 131, 132, 231 - Journalism practicum. 3 hours.
Eng. 310 - Media Issues . 3 hours.
Eng. 311 - News Writing & Editing. 3 hours.
Eng. 312 - Feature Writing. 3 hours.
Eng. 315, 338, 461 (choose two). 6 hours.

EMPHASIS 2:  MEDIA DESIGN
Eng. 131, 132, 231 - Journalism practicum. 3 hours.
Eng. 310 - Media Issues. 3 hours.
Eng. 311 - News Writing & Editing. 3 hours.
Art 101 - 2-D Design OR Art 217 - Intro. to Photography. 3 hours.
Art 201 - Computer Art & Graphics I. 3 hours.
Eng. 312, Art 301, OR CSC 330. 3 hours.

EMPHASIS 3:  PHOTOJOURNALISM
Eng. 131, 132, 231 - Journalism practicum. 3 hours.
Eng. 310 - Media Issues. 3 hours.
Eng. 311 - News Writing & Editing. 3 hours.
Art 217 - Introduction to Photography. 3 hours.
Art 201, Art 317, OR CJU 375 (choose two). 6 hours.       

EMPHASIS 4:  BROADCASTING
Journalism practicum
(At least one semester hour of practicum should be radio)
Eng. 310 - Media Issues. 3 hours.
Eng. 311 -  News Writing & Editing. 3 hours.
Drama 222 - Voice & Diction. 3 hours.
Eng. 312, Drama 101, Drama 203 (choose two). 6 hours.

EMPHASIS 5:  MEDIA LAW
Journalism practicum
Eng. 310 - Media Issues. 3 hours.
Eng. 311 -  News Writing & Editing. 3 hours.
PSC 324 - U.S. Constitutional Law. 3 hours.
CJU 314 - Courts and the Judicial Process. 3 hours.
Bus. 315, CJU 220, Phil 211, Phil 316, OR PSC 491*. 3 hours.
*when taught as Media & Politics

EMPHASIS 6:  PUBLIC RELATIONS
Journalism practicum
Eng. 310 - Media Issues. 3 hours.
Eng. 311 -  News Writing & Editing. 3 hours.
Eng. 312, Eng. 461, OR Bus 318. 3 hours.
Bus 304 - Advertising. 3 hours.
Bus 311 - Marketing. 3 hours.
 
For more information, contact Dr. Lana Whited, Associate Professor of English & Journalism and advisor to The Iron Blade, at 540-365-4334 or lwhited@ferrum.edu

The Iron Blade is online at http://www.ferrum.edu/ironblade