Nov 08, 2024

2023-2024 Academic Catalog

2023-2024 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Journalism, BS

Since 1936, SJSU’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications has built a global reputation for developing aspiring reporters and editors into top-notch professionals. Silicon Valley employers prefer to hire our grads because of their well-rounded cross-platform skills and strong, time-honored media ethics. JMC’s lineup of student media outlets provides young journalists with venues to display and develop their talents in traditional, social and digital media.

Program Learning Outcomes

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements	50
Major Preparation	15
Major Requirements	42
University Electives	13
Total	120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

University Requirements

Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education (33 units)

Of the 39 units required by the university, 6 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education (9 units)

Of the 9 units required by the university, 0 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies sequence (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) or Humanities Honors course (HUM 2B ; 6 units) satisfies the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

U.S. History and Government (6 units)

Complete One US1: US History Course

AMS 10 - Stories that Make America 3 unit(s) (C2+US1)
HIST 15 - Essentials of U.S. History 3 unit(s) (D+US1)
HIST 170S - Topics in American History: American Identities and Institutions 3 unit(s) (S+US1)

Complete One US23: US Constitution and California Government Course

AMS 11 - Visions of Democracy 3 unit(s) (D+US23)
POLS 15 - Essentials of U.S. & California Government 3 unit(s) (D+US23)
POLS 16 - Power and Ideas in American Politics 3 unit(s) (C2+US23)
POLS 170V - American Politics in Global Perspective 3 unit(s) (V+US23)

Physical Education (2 units)

All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. For this major, the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) is satisfied by a course in the major.

Major Preparation (15 units)

JOUR 50 - Navigating the News 3 unit(s) (D)
MCOM 63 - New Media 3 unit(s)
MCOM 72 - Mass Communication and Society 3 unit(s) (D)
MCOM 100W - Writing Workshop: Mass Communications 3 unit(s) (WID)
MCOM 163 - Advanced New Media Technologies 3 unit(s)

Major Requirements (42 units)

Core Courses (33 units)

JOUR 61 - Writing for Print, Electronic and Online Media 3 unit(s)
JOUR 95 - Beginning Digital News Photography 3 unit(s)
JOUR 132 - Magazine Reporting, Print and Online 3 unit(s)
JOUR 133 - Editing and News Management 3 unit(s)
JOUR 150 - News Media Management 3 unit(s)
Student must be an Editor on a Student Media Publication (JOUR 140A , JOUR 140B , JOUR 140C , or JOUR 140D ) to enroll in JOUR 150 .
MCOM 101 - Media Law and Ethics 3 unit(s)
MCOM 104 - Introduction to Mass Communications Research 3 unit(s)
MCOM 111 - Mass Communications Internship 3 unit(s)
Student must be enrolled in MCOM 111 at the same time as their internships to receive credit.

Mass Communications (3 units)

MCOM 105 - Lifestyles, Diversity and the Media 3 unit(s)
MCOM 106 - Global Mass Communication 3 unit(s)

Media Production (6 units)

Complete two courses from the following list. The courses must be from different student media outlets. All courses are repeatable for credit.

JOUR 140A - Student Media Production: Update News 1-3 unit(s) (3 units required)
JOUR 140B - Student Media Production: Spartan Daily 1-3 unit(s) (3 units required)
JOUR 140C - Student Media Production: The Spear 3 unit(s)
JOUR 140D - Student Media Production: Magazine 3 unit(s)

Major Electives (9 units)

JOUR 130 - Student Media Apprentice 3 unit(s)
JOUR 136 - Newspaper and Magazine Design 3 unit(s)
JOUR 140A - Student Media Production: Update News 1-3 unit(s) (repeatable up to 3 times for credit)
JOUR 140B - Student Media Production: Spartan Daily 1-3 unit(s) (repeatable up to 3 times for credit)
JOUR 140C - Student Media Production: The Spear 3 unit(s) (repeatable up to 3 times for credit)
JOUR 140D - Student Media Production: Magazine 3 unit(s) (repeatable up to 3 times for credit)
JOUR 150 - News Media Management 3 unit(s) (repeatable up to 2 times for credit)
JOUR 167 - Television News Magazine 3 unit(s)
JOUR 176A - Documentary Unit I - Short Form Feature Production 3 unit(s)
JOUR 176B - Documentary Unit II - Long Form/Series Production 3 unit(s)
MCOM 70 - Visual Communication for Modern Media 3 unit(s)
MCOM 105 - Lifestyles, Diversity and the Media 3 unit(s)
MCOM 106 - Global Mass Communication 3 unit(s)
MCOM 107 - Audio Podcasting, Aesthetics and Invention 3 unit(s)
MCOM 108 - Virtual Worlds, Virtual Reality and Mass Media 3 unit(s)
MCOM 139 - Special Topics Seminar 3 unit(s)
MCOM 180 - Independent Study 1-6 unit(s) (repeatable up to 3 times for credit)
MCOM 180ITL - JMC International Experience 1-6 unit(s) (repeatable up to 3 times for credit)
PR 195 - Strategic Sport Communication and Media 3 unit(s)

University Electives (13 units)

Academic Focus or Minor (optional) (0-13 units)

Optional: Complete an advisor-approved academic focus of 15 units consisting of a minor with approved courses. Academic foci include: Science, Justice Studies, Human Rights, Sports Journalism, or Visual Journalism & News Documentary. Must include at least 6 units of upper division. For more information, contact the major department. An Academic focus will only appear on a student’s diploma or transcript if it is an officially declared minor .

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