Modern society has come to rely on journalism and journalists to draw connections between the parts of a huge, complex, restless system that might easily fragment and turn against itself. The centrality of journalists in explaining a dynamic, ever-changing world makes journalism a profession requiring a wide variety of inter-related skills: observation, analysis, and above all, mastery of clear expression, explanation, and interpretation.

At MCLA, you learn the craft of journalism along with other arts like storytelling, social and historical analysis, and rhetorical persuasion. You also develop a "nose for news" and understand the news value of a story as a commercial commodity.

After your introductory journalism courses, you are invited to participate in news teams who write and edit the campus newspaper, produce television news broadcasts, and function as editors or columnists. To extend your competence in this demanding and exhilarating profession, we encourage you to intern at a newspaper or broadcasting outlet.

**Total credits required for Journalism concentration: **46-51

Foundation courses - 24 credits

Department electives - 6 credits

Concentration Courses

• Writing & Reporting the News I (COMM 239) - 3 credits
• Magazine Writing & Editing (COMM 305) or Issues in Journalism (COMM 328) - 3 credits
• News Editing Practicum (COMM 321, required) - 1-6 credits
• Writing & Reporting the News II (COMM 339) - 3 credits

Two communications electives at the 200-level or above - 6 credits

• Introduction to Photography (COMM 205)
• Literary Journalism (ENGL 221)
• Publication Design & Typography (COMM 323)
• Advanced Photography (COMM 337)
• Photo-Journalism (COMM 338)
• Senior New Editing Practicum (COMM 427)
• Special Topic in Mass Communication (COMM 481), by subject; this course may be repeated
• Directed Independent Study (COMM 500)
• Internship (COMM 540)