Overview of Courses
A journalism degree prepares students to thrive in today’s digital media landscape. From writing news stories to producing television news packages and making beautiful photographs, journalism majors build their degrees on six core courses and numerous discipline-specific electives to personalize their journalism experience. Here’s a sample of how your journalism degree can be customized for you:
-
Sports Communication
Students learn the fundamentals of communicating in a sports environment. Learn how to tell compelling sports stories for print and TV. You will hear from professionals in the industry about their experiences and get hands-on experience. -
Videography
Videography builds skills in visual storytelling. Students work with digital video cameras to shoot, write and edit video news stories including several video news packages, one of which must focus on a social justice topic. -
Digital Communication
In this course students use tools like Snapchat, Instagram, WordPress, Avid, Facebook Live and more to create campaigns and tell stories. Students learn critical thinking skills about the technology used to produce mass media messages in modern American society. They are introduced to visual theories as well as elements and principles of design. The digital communication student leaves this course versed in current media technologies with a critical understanding of its use in creating memorable and meaningful communication materials.
Journalism sequence curriculum
Required courses:
- CMMN A250 Journalism
- CMMN A265 Photography
- CMMN A266 Videography
- CMMN A350 Advanced Journalism
- CMMN A490 Journalism Capstone
Choose three major electives:
- CMMN A225 AP Style
- CMMN A251 News Editing
- CMMN A260 Intro to Layout and Design
- CMMN A316 Public Relations
- CMMN A335 Strategic Event Planning and Promotions
- CMMN A351 Advanced Editing
- CMMN A360 Advanced Layout & Design
- CMMN A354 Feature Writing
- CMMN A356 Sports Communication
- CMMN A357 Sports Promotion
- CMMN A359 Advanced Journalism Lab
- CMMN A368 Photojournalism
- CMMN A369 Documentary Photography
- CMMN A371 Covering the Environmental Beat
- CMMN A382 Social Media Strategies
- CMMN A410 Nonprofit Communications
- CMMN A455 Media & Gender
- CMMN A400 Theories of Mass Communication
- CMMN A475 Environmental Communication
- CMMN A486 Brand Lab
- CMMN X202 Game as Art
- CMMN X237 Media Play
Contact the department chair, Prof. Michael Giusti, at mdgiusti@loyno.edu for more information.
Mass Communication Course Information
Find out more about the mass communication major:
Advertising/Public Relations Requirements
Visual Communication Requirements
Professional Organizations
NABJ
The National Association of Black Journalists is an organization of journalists, students and media-related professionals that provides quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of black journalists worldwide.
As part of its commitment to student members and aspiring journalists, NABJ provides the special services as part of its Student Education Enrichment and Development Program, including short courses, mentoring, internships and scholarships. The Loyola chapter's faculty adviser is Will Sutton.
RTDNA
Radio Television Digital News Association is the world’s largest professional organization for broadcast and digital journalists. Members include local and network news executives, news directors, producers, reporters, photographers, editors, multimedia journalists and digital news professionals in broadcasting, cable and digital media, journalism educators and students. The Loyola chapter's faculty adviser is Prof. Lisa Collins.
SPJ
The 7,500 members of the Society of Professional Journalists, the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, are dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. SPJ's mission is “the perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.” The Loyola chapter's faculty adviser is Prof. Michael Giusti.