What is Journalism?
Television, in the view of one of its pioneers, "can teach. It can illuminate. Yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires and lights in a box." (Edward R. Murrow, 1958)
Journalism is the work of supplying content, primarily news, for the ever-expanding world of mass media. Journalists are responsible for gathering information, analyzing and editing it for a mass audience, and dispensing it using some form of media platform. Increasingly the methods of distribution have become more complex, but the basic mission of a journalist remains the same: to serve the public by finding, defining, writing and editing information.
Today's journalist may be found on traditional publications such as newspapers and magazines, broadcast outlets and specialized publications. He or she may utilize online delivery or other forms of electronic communication. The trained journalist may use her or his skills in the expanding field of public relations, working to serve as a bridge between those with a message to communicate and the journalist who seeks information.
Journalists "put content in the box," to paraphrase Edward R. Murrow. To the extent that they are successful, they can inform and influence a nation.
Why study Journalism?
Few fields of study prepare a young person for as wide a range of interesting and challenging careers. Journalists first and foremost learn to write, to accumulate and analyze information. This set of skills is in demand in a host of fields beyond traditional mass media.
The study of journalism exposes a student to current affairs and problems, from issues of campus governance to international news and concerns. Journalism students are expected to question, to challenge sources of information and seek a variety of data and opinions on any serious issue. These skills are useful in many interesting professions as well as the media itself.
Journalism students are given the daily opportunity to practice what they learn, in hands-on student publication laboratories, culminating in a professional internship. The world of work is but a quick step from the world of the classroom and laboratory. The Journalism faculty at Western are prepared both professionally and academically to help students enter this exciting career field.
Program Options: majors and minor
The Department of Journalism has programs leading to a B.A. in Journalism (news-editorial) and Journalism-Public Relations. We also offer a combined major with Huxley College of Environmental Studies, a B.A. in Environmental Studies/Journalism. A minor in Journalism is also available. Journalism courses also are options for the
Internet Resource Creation and Management Minor and certicication, the
English Language Arts Major, and the
Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program.
For detailed information about each of these options, see
requirements. Contact the Department of Journalism manager for an appointment with a faculty adviser if you have questions or need help deciding which option is for you. See Criteria for declaring a pre-major below.
Student publications
Student publications at Western include the semi-weekly newspaper,
The Western Front; the semi-quarterly magazine,
Klipsun; the quarterly environmental magazine,
The Planet; and the annual literary magazine
Jeopardy. Policy for the publications is set by the Student Publications Council, and the majority of the funding is from student fees.
All Western students are eligible to participate in publications staff work. Student editors are selected each quarter by the Publications Council and receive a stipend, as do assistant editors. Students may enroll in staff courses for credit; the courses are supervised by faculty of the Department of Journalism or, in the case of The Planet, Huxley College. Jeopardy is supervised by the English Department. To inquire about opportunities in student publications, see any Journalism faculty member or contact the publication's editor.
Applying to Western
For information about applying to Western Washington University, contact the
Admissions Office, Old Main 200, (360) 650-3440. An Undergraduate Application for Admission is required of all freshmen, transfer and post-baccalaureate applicants. If you are thinking about transferring to Western and wondering what courses will apply toward a major in Journalism, contact the Journalism Department manager for an appointment with an advisor. For advice about General University Requirements (GURs), contact the
Academic Advising Center.
Once you have been admitted to Western, we recommend that you attend a journalism advising session and formally declare a journalism pre-major as soon as possible to establish a plan of study, gain access to lower-division classes during Phase I, and receive important information from the department (see Criteria for declaring a pre-major , below).
Scholarships
The Department of Journalism does not offer scholarships for incoming freshmen and transfer students ; however, the University has many scholarships available to new students. Contact the
Scholarship Center for a list of available scholarships.
Declaring the Journalism major
The Department of Journalism at Western has a two-step process for major declaration. Most students declare a journalism pre-major while completing the requirements to formally declare a major in journalism.
Criteria for declaring a pre-major : To be eligible to declare a pre-major in journalism, a student must have a minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA. Transfer students will be accepted during Transitions or during their first quarter on campus. Freshmen must complete one quarter of classes at WWU to establish a GPA before being considered as a pre-major. Current WWU students must show evidence of the required 2.3 GPA. Students are encouraged to declare a pre-major while completing the requirements for the major. For complete details, see
Information for Declared Pre-majors.
Criteria for declaring a major: Before formally declaring a major in Journalism, a student must complete the following requirements:
- Have at least 30 college credits with a cumulative 2.50 GPA.
- Pass Journ 207, Newswriting, with a B- or better (transfer students must meet the same requirement for any course accepted as an equivalent of Journ 207 and also complete one additional non-staff journalism course with a B- or better).
- Complete with a B- or better one staff course.
- Submit a letter of application.
Procedure for declaring:Dates for pre-major advising sessions and deadlines for pre-major/major declaration are posted in the Journalism Department each quarter. Please bring current transcripts (unofficial accepted), including transcripts from colleges or universities other than Western.
Information for Journalism minors
We offer a minor in Journalism (news-editorial). A minor is not officially declared at Western; however, we request that students interested in completing a minor in Journalism
contact the Journalism manager as early as possible to be assigned a faculty advisor. Journalism courses are in high demand, and we work closely with minors to place them in classes in a timely fashion for graduation. For complete details, see
Information for Minors.
Registering for Classes
During Phase I, all declared journalism majors have priority for registration in Journalism courses requiring permission: Journ 307, Reporting; Journ 309, Editing; Journ 350, Mass Media Law. Declared journalism pre-majors, minors and non-majors will be placed on waiting lists for these classes. At the end of Phase I, students on the waiting lists will be contacted for admittance if seats are available. Journ 330, Principles of Public Relations, is only open to declared Journalism majors and pre-majors and Community Health majors during Phase I. Declared major status is required for all 400-level Journalism classes. Please refer to the Journalism timetable of classes for a list of pre-requisites and all classes requiring override permission or major status.
Journalism students should contact the Journalism manager the day before their scheduled registration appointment to get overrides, if eligible, or to be added to waiting lists. It is the responsibility of students to call RSVP and register for a class once an override has been entered.
Pre-majors needing Journ 207, Newswriting should contact the Journalism manager before registration begins.
Need help?
If you need help deciding on classes, have questions about registration, or if you need any other information,
contact the Department of Journalism
