Journalism, Emphasis in Media Studies, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences

(Major Code: 06010) (SIMS Code: 661110)

All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

Journalism education emphasizes the training of writers, reporters, and editors for the mass media. It also seeks to prepare and guide students interested in pursuing careers in a wide range of informational and interpretive multimedia environments, including in digital and social media. The courses offered in the journalism major are designed to give students a working knowledge of the skills, concepts, values, and ethics needed to succeed as professional communicators. Courses focus on the basic elements of factual and analytical writing, editing, producing, designing, history, communication law and theory, and social responsibility of the mass media.

Career opportunities for journalism graduates are diverse, including book editing and publishing, freelance writing, industrial journalism, magazines, communication research, news agencies, newspapers, radio, television, teaching, and digital and social media.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment). No more than 48 units in journalism and media studies courses can apply to the B.A. degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Lower division activity/production courses in newspaper, magazine, yearbook, or broadcasting may not be applied toward the B.A. in journalism.

Accreditation standards require that all advertising, journalism, media studies, and public relations majors at SDSU complete at least 72 units of coursework outside the major and meet the liberal arts and sciences general education requirements of SDSU. Students must follow their major requirements and complete 15 additional units within an Auxiliary Discipline (within one academic unit outside journalism and media studies).

Emphasis in Media Studies

The emphasis in media studies prepares students for the ever-changing, globalized world of the 21st century and the many new opportunities that communication technology makes possible. Classes emphasize both conceptual and practical knowledge and explore the wide range of phenomena that constitute media in the 21st century. Specific courses focus on digital media analytics, social media leadership, media innovation, and fundamentals of multi-media development. Students have the flexibility to focus on particular areas of interest.

The emphasis in media studies also prepares students for a range of careers, including media analyst, social media community leader, entrepreneur, and online content manager. Given the rapidly changing nature of technology, media studies graduates will also invent new career paths for themselves as media industries evolve.

To complete the media studies emphasis, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Impacted Program

Applicants not meeting the minimum requirements may petition for admission to the media studies emphasis. See the School of Journalism and Media Studies advising office for further information.

The media studies emphasis is an impacted program. To be admitted to the media studies emphasis, students must meet the following criteria:

Complete with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of C (2.0) or better in each class; These courses cannot be taken for Credit/No Credit (Cr/NC):
- JMS 200
- JMS 210
- JMS 220
- JMS 250
Achieve a passing score on the Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation test by the third attempt;
Complete a minimum of 45 baccalaureate level semester units. A maximum of 90 semester units is recommended. (A minimum of 60 units is required for all transfer applicants.);
Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Preparation for the Major

(12 units)

Some of these courses may also be used to fulfill lower division general education requirements.

These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC and must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and a grade of C (2.0) or better in each class.

JMS 200 - Introduction to Contemporary Media Units: 3
JMS 210 - Social Media in the Digital Age Units: 3
JMS 220 - Writing for the Mass Media Units: 3
JMS 250 - Introduction to Intersectional Representation in the Media Units: 3

Language Requirement

Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to the section of this catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Passing the Writing Placement Assessment with a score of 10 or completion of an approved upper division writing course with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

Major

A minimum of 36 upper division units to include

JMS 310W - Media Writing and Reporting Units: 3
JMS 315 - Digital Media Principles and Design Units: 3
JMS 408 - Principles of Media Studies Units: 3
JMS 418 - Social Media Influencing and Community Leadership Units: 3
JMS 472 - Media Technology and Society Units: 3
JMS 489 - Research Methods in Mediated Communication Units: 3
JMS 492 - Creative Uses of Emerging Media Units: 3
JMS 494 - Media Law and Ethics Units: 3

And 12 Units of Upper Division Coursework

Twelve units of upper division coursework in Journalism and Media Studies or Learning Design and Technology.

Auxiliary Discipline

Students selecting the media studies emphasis are required to complete 15 additional units, six units of which must be at the upper division level, within one academic unit outside journalism and media studies. Completion of a minor or a second major will satisfy the Auxiliary Discipline requirement.