Academic Catalog 2017–2018

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Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Journalism

Overview

The B.A. in Multimedia Journalism builds upon the Department of Communication Arts’ history of graduating renowned journalists and media scholars.

A new kind of journalism has emerged, wherein different technologies are used to report the story of the future. Journalists report, tweet, film, take pictures, write and edit, taking in an abundance of information streaming from around the globe into computers and phones; they sift through information, do the fact-checking, conduct research and juggle with legal and ethical questions.

To equip students with the skills required by journalists today, the B.A. in Multimedia Journalism  integrates some of the basic courses already available with more specialized courses that take into consideration the recent changes in the principles and practices of journalism. The program draws on

  • a rich blend of theoretical and hands-on courses involving extensive use of technology,
  • a dedicated, community-engaged and well-published faculty, and
  • state-of-the-art facilities and software.

Mission

Through a broad-based liberal arts curriculum that balances theory, research, professional practice and critical inquiry, the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia Journalism prepares students to become innovative, professional, and ethical communicators ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving journalism field and industry. It offers a regional and global scope, focusing on Arab media and society, and instilling principles of freedom of the press, objective and responsible journalism, global citizenship, and civic engagement. The program enables students to be life-long learners, scholars and critical thinkers who possess innovative and resilient capacities to adapt, succeed, and lead in an ever-changing and diverse global environment.

Program Objectives

The B.A. in Multimedia Journalism aims to:

  1. demonstrate conceptual and practical knowledge for careers in journalism and media production across various specializations (print, broadcast, online and other emerging fields),
  2. exhibit an appreciation of the theoretical aspects of journalism and media studies, and an understanding of the cultural, economic, and political contexts that affect news media production processes in the Arab region and globally,
  3. exhibit technical and skill-based competencies with a wide range of convergent communication technologies in order to thrive in a technology-driven and rapidly evolving news media environment,
  4. demonstrate the required research, critical and analytical competencies that enable them to pursue scholarly work and graduate studies, and
  5. create professional, ethical, and civically engaged news and media content to communicate with diverse audiences in an increasingly multicultural and global environment.

Learning Outcomes

Graduate with B.A. in Multimedia Journalism should be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge of the functions and roles of various news production environments,
  2. critically apply  major theories to various genres of journalism and media studies,
  3. comprehend the historical, political, economic and technological developments of the news industry globally and in the Arab region,
  4. adapt to trends and technological developments in the field,
  5. demonstrate competence in cross-platform media research, production and information management,
  6. conduct research using quantitative and qualitative methods of scientific inquiry,
  7. produce objective, accurate, balanced and engaging news content that reflects a variety of voices, and
  8. apply journalistic principles and legal and ethical standards across various news media platforms.

Curriculum

For the B.A. in Multimedia Journalism, a student must complete a minimum of 92 credits, distributed as follows:

  • Departmental Core Courses (31 credits)
  • Departmental Professional Electives (9 credits)
  • Departmental Liberal Arts Electives (15 credits)
  • Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Courses (34 credits)
  • Free Electives (3 credits)

Departmental Core Courses (31 credits)

  • JSC220 News Writing and Reporting (3 cr.)
  • JSC226 Multimedia Journalism Basics (3 cr.)
  • JSC228 Arabic News Writing & Reporting (3 cr.)
  • JSC236 Advanced News Writing and Reporting (3 cr.)1
  • JSC312 Media & Society (3 cr.)
  • JSC314 Data and Society (3 cr.)
  • JSC330 Arab & International Media (3 cr.)
  • JSC419 Media Law & Ethics (3 cr.)
  • JSC451 Media Research Methods (3 cr.)
  • JSC498 Internship (1 cr.)
  • JSC499 Capstone Project (3 cr.)

1 or JSC328 Advanced Arabic News Writing and Reporting (3 cr.)

Departmental Professional Electives (9 credits)

  • JSC222 Digital Media Design (3 cr.)
  • JSC232 Photojournalism (3 cr.)
  • JSC236 Advanced News Writing and Reporting (3 cr.)
  • JSC328 Advanced Arabic News Writing & Reporting (3 cr.)
  • JSC332 Broadcast Journalism (3 cr.)
  • JSC431 Investigative Journalism (3 cr.)
  • JSC432 Multimedia Feature (3 cr.)
  • JSC434 Data Journalism (3 cr.)
  • JSC436 Journalism Workshop (3 cr.)

Departmental Liberal Arts Electives (15 credits)

  • COM213 Public Relations (3 cr.)
  • COM223 Persuasive Communication (3 cr.)
  • COM305 Communication & Conflict Management (3 cr.)
  • COM312 Communication & Gender (3 cr.)
  • COM316 Political Communication (3 cr.)
  • COM488 Topics in Communication (3 cr.)
  • JSC224 Social Media (3 cr.)
  • JSC480 Global Media Literacy (3 cr.)
  • JSC481 Global Change, Cooperation, and News (3 cr.)
  • JSC488 Topics in Media Studies (3 cr.)
  • TVF421  Documentary Film (3 cr.)
  • TVF488 Topics in Television and Film (3 cr.)

Liberal Arts Curriculum  (LAC) Courses (34 credits)

Free Electives (3 credits)