UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH

Journalism Majors and Emphases
Margaret Davidson, Chairperson
Department Office: Clow 106
Department Telephone: 920-424-1042
Department Fax: 920-424-7146

CODE 61 or JOURNAL

I. FACULTY

Biglow, Coll, Cowling, Davidson, Henderson, Tsao, Zacher

II. DEGREES

Undergraduate: A major in Journalism can lead to the degree(s): Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science.

Graduate: The Department does not offer a graduate program.

III. SUMMARY OF FIELDS OF STUDY

1. GOAL(S)

See the department for a listing of its goal(s).

2. THE MAJOR(S)

The Department offers a choice of 2 emphases within the Journalism major. These are: 1) News-Editorial, 2) Advertising/Public Relations.

3. THE MINOR(S)

The Department offers 2 minors: 1) Journalism - Liberal Arts, 2) Journalism - Secondary Education.

IV. ADMISSION/GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

1. ADMISSIONS POLICY

Students must meet with a faculty adviser in the Department of Journalism to be signed into all jounalism classes. Students must have completed 61-141 to be admitted to any 300- or 400-level journalism classes.

2. GRADE POINT AVERAGE REQUIREMENTS

A minimum grade point average of 2.5, based on transcripts from all accredited colleges attended, is required. Students transferring to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will be evaluated for grade point average on the same basis as the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh continuing students. Students must receive at least a "C" in all required and prerequisite journalism courses. (This refers to Journalism classes only and does not include courses in other departments to be completed by students majoring or minoring in Journalism).

3. CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENTS

Journalism majors must complete 36 credits worth of journalism classes including required courses described in a later section. Journalism minors must complete 24 credits.

4. GENERAL EDUCATION PREREQUISITES

Students should complete 38-101 College English I or its equivalent during their freshman or sophomore years.

5. CONTINUING STUDENT STATUS

Majors may take no more than three journalism courses during any semester. Minors normally take no more than one upper-level journalism course during a semester and no more than two journalism courses during any semester. Exceptions may be granted by the chair of the department.

6. APPEALS

All appeals may be initiated through the chair of the Department of Journalism.

7. NON-JOURNALISM REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Journalism recognizes the standards of and is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC), which specifies that a journalism major must earn 90 credits in courses outside of journalism and mass communications. Those standards also provide that 65 of those credits must be in the liberal arts.

In applying the standard, the department will maintain flexibility in order to consider each student's program and interests. Among courses that will not be considered to be outside the journalism and mass communication area are:

- All courses offered by the Department of Journalism

- All courses included in the following lists:

Art

  • 22-238 Advertising Design I 3 cr.
  • 22-239 Commercial Art Studio Techniques and Reproduction Methods 3 cr.
  • 22-245 Photography I 3 cr.
  • 22-338 Advertising Design II 3 cr.
  • 22-345 Photography II 3 cr.
  • 22-438 Advertising Design III 3 cr.
  • 22-445/645 Photography III 3 cr.

Communication

  • 96-222 Radio Station Procedures and Audio Production 3 cr.
  • 96-231 Radio Station Announcing 3 cr.
  • 96-234 Writing for the Broadcast Media 3 cr.
  • 96-301 Radio-Television Advertising 3 cr.
  • 96-313 TV Studio Management (2+3) 3 cr.
  • 96-320 Television Workshop (1+4) 1 cr.
  • 96-325 Nonverbal Communication 3 cr.
  • 96-327 Advanced Writing for the Broadcast Media 3 cr.
  • 96-425 Seminar in Radio-TV-Film 1-3 cr.
  • 96-426 Seminar in Radio-TV-Film 1-3 cr.
  • 96-435 Advanced Video Production 3 cr.
  • 96-437 Radio-TV Station Management 3 cr.

English

  • 38-317 Technical Writing 3 cr.

- Courses in other departments that duplicate the content of courses offered by the Department of Journalism.

- Courses taken at other colleges or universities which resemble the offerings above and for which transfer students may receive Journalism credits. Each such course will be assessed by the chair of the Department of Journalism as if the course were offered at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

Course that will count toward the 65 credits in the liberal arts may be taken in the following departments: Anthropology, Art, Biology and Microbiology, Chemistry, Communication, Economics, English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography, Geology, History, International Studies, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Physics and Astronomy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Affairs, Religious Studies and Sociology.

V. REQUIRED CORE COURSES

Journalism

  • 61-141 Introduction to Journalism and Mass Communication 3 cr.
  • 61-221 News Writing 3 cr.
  • 61-224 Editing 3 cr.
  • 61-412 Law of Mass Communication 3 cr.

Economics

  • 36-206 Principles of Economics I 3 cr.
  • 36-207 Principles of Economics II 3 cr.

History

  • 57-202 Modern United States History Since 1877 3 cr.

Political Science

  • 84-105 American Government and Politics 3 cr.

And one course from the list below:

  • 28-377 Consumer Behavior 3 cr.
  • 81-221 Introduction to Public Administration 3 cr.
  • 84-225 State and Local Government 3 cr.
  • 84-302 Civil Liberties in the United States 3 cr.
  • 84-303 Women and Politics 3 cr.
  • 84-304 Race and Ethnicity in the United States 3 cr.
  • 84-310 Urban Government 3 cr.
  • 84-317 United States Foreign Policy 3 cr.
  • 84-321 Contemporary Issues in American Politics 3 cr.
  • 84-324 The United States Presidency 3 cr.
  • 84-350 Political Behavior 3 cr.
  • 84-380 Political Parties and Interest Groups 3 cr.
  • 84-392 Judicial Process in America 3 cr.
  • 84-394 Community Power Systems 3 cr.
  • 86-205 Social Psychology 3 cr.
  • 86-280 Cognitive Psychology 3 cr.
  • 92-281 Social Statistics 3 cr.
  • 92-307 Propaganda and Public Opinion 3 cr.
  • 92-359 Minority Groups 3 cr.

Other Requirements:

12 upper level (300-400) credits in social studies and/or humanities.

Comments:

Prospective majors should plan on at least five semesters of course work in journalism leading to their degree. Journalism majors may receive no more than 3 credits in 61-427 Professional Journalism Internship. Arrangements for receiving credit for this course must be made with the internship coordinator before the professional experience is undertaken. Students who plan to take this course may not also take the practicum course in the department.

VI. THE MAJOR(S), WITH EMPHASES AND/OR OPTIONS IN THE MAJOR

1. NEWS-EDITORIAL EMPHASIS

Recommended for students who have career objectives of working for newspapers, magazines or other mass media.

Required Credits: 36 credits

Required Courses: In addition to the core courses:

Journalism: 61-327, 61-371, and 61-413 or 61-428

Electives: 12-15 credits from the department's offerings to meet the 36 credit requirement of the major.

Comments:

Participation in the student newspaper, the Advance-Titan, and/or in the student group the Society of Professional Journalists is strongly recommended. Internships are strongly recommended. For students who are enrolled in the University Scholars Program, the department offers Honors: Thesis 61-474.

2. ADVERTISING/PUBLIC RELATIONS EMPHASIS

Recommended for students who have career objectives in advertising, public relations or other communications areas involving marketing.

Required Credits: 36 credits

Required Journalism Courses: In addition to the Core Courses:

Journalism 61-211, 61-250, 61-315, 61-351

Other Requirements: Introduction to Marketing 28-371 is required of students in this emphasis. This course does not count toward meeting the 36-credit minimum.

Electives: 12 credits from the department's offerings to meet the 36 credit minimum of the major.

Comment:

Participation in the student newspaper, the Advance-Titan, and/or student groups Public Relations Student Society of America or the Ad Club is strongly recommended. Internships are strongly recommended. For students who are enrolled in the University Scholars Program, the department offers Honors: Thesis 61-474.

VII. MINOR(S)

1. JOURNALISM (LIBERAL ARTS) MINOR

Recommended for students who wish to supplement a major in another discipline.

Required Credits: 24 minimum

Required Courses: Journalism 61-141, 61-221, 61-224

Electives: 15 credits from the Department's offerings to meet the 24-credit minimum requirement of the minor. 61-412 Media Law is strongly recommended.

Comment:

Students minoring in Journalism should consult an advisor to arrange an appropriate program of electives.

2. JOURNALISM (SECONDARY EDUCATION) MINOR

Recommended for students who wish to teach Journalism.

Required Credits: 24 minimum

Required Courses: Education 14-496; Journalism 61-141, 61-221, 61-224, 61-250, 61-327, 61-371, 61-412

Electives: 3 credits of department offerings

Other Requirements: Education 14-496, (not counted in 24 credit minimum).

Comment:

Requirements for teaching minor are set by the state Department of Public Instruction. Substitutions for any of the listed courses must be cleared by the department chair.

Questions, Comments...
  Please Email registrar@uwosh.edu

Last Updated July 1, 1999