Business Journalism Curriculum

Every business-journalism student must take:

At least 35 credits in journalism. This total must include the basic journalism core:
Journalism 101, 190, 201, 301, and 344.
Politics 203.

In addition, students must complete the business-journalism sequence:

202, 258, 371, 372, 351 or 362, 356, and at least two internship credits from 451, 452 and 453; Accounting 201, and Economics 100.

Students must also take at least 12 credits at the 200 level or above in Economics, Accounting and/or Business Administration, including one from each of the following areas:

Area I - Applied Microeconomics: Economics 240, 255, 330, 350; or another course with permission of Prof. Swasy
Area II - International: Accounting 396; Economics 280, 370, 371; or another course with permission of Prof. Swasy

Journalism Core (Journalism 101, 190, 201, 301, 344, Pol 203)

JOURNALISM 101 (3)-Introduction to News Media
Prerequisites: Completion of general education requirement in English composition and sophomore standing. A study of the theory, history and social, economic and political aspects of mass communications, with special emphasis on the role of news media in the development of contemporary political institutions. Staff
Fall, Winter

JOURNALISM 190 (1)-Beyond Google
An introduction to information sources and library services and their effective use, followed by instruction in specialized research methods and bibliography for journalism and mass communications studies. Degree credit is awarded for only one 190 course regardless of academic discipline. Must be taken as a corequisite of Journalism 203. Grefe, Locy.
Fall, Winter

JOURNALISM 201 (3)-Introduction to Reporting
Prerequisite: Journalism 101. The principles and techniques of information gathering and news writing, with emphasis on fulfilling the role of the news media in a democratic society. Extensive laboratory work preparing assignments for print, electronic and online media, stressing accuracy, clarity and the appropriate use of the different media. Coddington, Locy or Cumming.
Fall, Winter

Politics 203 (3)-State and Local Government
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Corequisite: Journalism 190 or Politics 190. An introduction to the structures and functions of United States subnational governments, with particular emphasis on the policy-making process and on the relationships between policy-makers and the public. Computer-assisted analysis of survey-research data is included. Finch.
Fall, Winter

JOURNALISM 301 (3)-Law and Communications
Prerequisite: Junior standing. An examination of the development of First Amendment jurisprudence, the law of defamation, privacy, access, free press-fair trial, journalists' privilege, obscenity and pornography. The case study approach is used, but the emphasis is on the principles that underlie the landmark cases. This course can serve as an introduction to and preparation for further studies in communications law and/or the legal system in general. Abah
Fall, Winter

JOURNALISM 344 (Interdepartmental 344) (3)- Ethics of Journalism
Prerequisite: Junior standing. A study of the moral issues arising from the practice of modern journalism and communications. Includes examination of philosophical and theoretical foundations of ethics, the place and role of journalism in the larger society, and moral choices in the newsroom. Topics include: First Amendment freedoms, privacy, confidentiality of sources, conflicts of interest, cooperation with law enforcement, free press/fair trial, photojournalism, and issues of accountability. Appropriate for non-majors. Colón. Fall

Business Journalism Sequence (Journalism 202, 258, 371, 372, 351 or 362, 356, and two credits from 451, 452 and 453; Accounting 201, and Economics 100)

JOURNALISM 202 (3) - Introduction to Digital Journalism
Prerequisites: Journalism 201. Concepts and practices of news gathering and presentation in a multimedia, interactive environment. Combines classroom instruction with a converged news media lab in which students contribute to a website, television newscast and newspaper. Fall, Winter

JOURNALISM 258 (4)-Beat Reporting
Prerequisite: Journalism 202. Using the community as the laboratory, students develop competence in the principles and techniques of reporting and writing news for print, broadcast, online and social media in a democratic society. Working on assigned beats, students learn source development, news judgment, information gathering, news presentation and time management. Work is published and aired on the Rockbridge Report website and broadcast. Staff.

JOURNALISM 356 (4)-In-depth Reporting
Prerequisite: Journalism 351 or 362. The principles and techniques of developing and creating enterprising, heavily researched journalistic work for the mass media. Students produce in-depth work for newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the World Wide Web. Extensive group work is required. Locy
Spring

JOURNALISM 371 (3)-Reporting on Business
Prerequisites: Journalism258, and Accounting 201, or permission of the instructor. Research, reporting and writing techniques used by business journalists, focusing especially on coverage of companies and their employees and customers. Students develop competence in framing, researching, and writing articles in these areas. A part of the business journalism sequence, also appropriate as an elective for other journalism majors and for business majors. Swasy.
Fall

JOURNALISM 372 (3)-Reporting on the Economy
Prerequisites: Journalism 258, and Economics 102, or permission of the instructor. Research, reporting and writing techniques used by business journalists, focusing especially on coverage of the economy and financial markets. Students develop competence in framing, researching, and writing articles in these areas. A part of the business journalism sequence, also appropriate as an elective for other journalism majors and for business majors. Swasy.
Winter

JOURNALISM 451 (1), 452 (2), 453 (3)-Internship
Prerequisites: Journalism 253 or 262 and permission of the department. Professional service, arranged and supervised individually, with newspapers, radio and television stations, or other media or business institutions as appropriate. Students proposing to undertake an internship must coordinate their plans with the department's internship supervisor. Students undertaking an internship in the summer may receive credit in the following fall only as an overload. Swasy/Luecke.

ECONOMICS 100 (3)- Introduction to Economics
Economics is the study of how a society (individuals, firms, and governments) allocates scarce resources to the production and consumption of goods and services. The course includes a survey of the fundamental principles used to approach microeconomic and macroeconomic questions. Staff.
Fall, Winter

ACCOUNTING 201 (3)-Introduction to Financial Accounting

Prerequisite: At least sophomore standing. The fundamental principles of financial accounting. An introduction to the process of accumulating, classifying, and presenting financial information. Primary emphasis is given to understanding the financial statements of a business enterprise. Staff.
Fall, Winter

Four upper-level courses in Accounting, Business Administration and/or Economics.

Questions and comments: Alecia Swasy