Program in Journalism

Faculty

Professors
 Thomas Bass, Ph.D. 
  University of California, Santa Cruz
 Nancy Roberts, Ph.D. (Director)
  University of Minnesota

Assistant Professor
 Rosemary Armao, M.A.
  Ohio State University

Editor-in-Residence
 Don Forst, B.A.
  University of Vermont

Visiting Assistant Professor
 Laney Salisbury, M.S.
  Columbia University

Adjunct Faculty
 Steven Barnes, B.A.
  Ithaca College
 Benning De La Mater, M.S.
  Syracuse University
 Richard D’Errico, M.A.
  Empire State College
 David Guistina, M.A.
  University at Albany
 Michael Hendricks, B.A.
  University of Michigan
 Michael Hill, B.A.
  SUNY Geneseo
 Mike Huber, B.A.
  SUNY Geneseo
 Ronald Kermani, B.S.
  Syracuse University
 Darryl McGrath, M.S.
  Columbia University
 Holly McKenna, M.A.
  University at Albany
 Thomas Palmer, B.S.
  Auburn University 
 Shirley Perlman, B.A.
  SUNY at Buffalo
 Claudia Ricci, Ph.D.
  University at Albany
 Katherine Van Acker, B.S.
  Montana State University

Established in 1973, the Journalism Program offers a wide variety of courses in nonfiction writing, media analysis and production, and the history and global context of journalism.  The Program also offers workshops that concentrate on student writing and editing, as well as courses that address the legal and ethical issues confronting journalists today.

The Program’s courses and internships prepare students for work as journalists, freelance writers, editors, TV producers, television and radio journalists, Web journalists, magazine and book publishers, copy writers, and public advocates in media. The Journalism Program also provides excellent preparation for students who want to pursue careers in related fields, such as law, government, history, educational policy, and teaching, as well as graduate study.

While offering survey courses that review the history and development of journalism from its early days in print to its current electronic formats, the Program also gives students hands-on experience with writing newspaper and magazine articles and producing webzines and other electronic forms of journalism. The internship program encourages students to work at television and radio stations, newspapers and magazines, publishing houses, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and public relations firms.

Degree Requirements for the Major in Journalism

General Program B.A.: a minimum of 36 credits in A JRL courses including:

• 15 credits from: A JRL 100, 200Z, 201Z, 225, and 490Z
• 9 credits in Contextual courses from: A JRL 230, 281, 330, 340, 363, 410, 420, 468, 475
• 9 credits in Skills courses from: A JRL 308Z, 355, 366Z, 380, 385Y, 390, 392, 442, 460Z, 475Z, 480Z, 487Z
• 3 credits in A JRL 495 (Internship) or from A JRL 410, 420, 460Z, 468, 475/475Z, 480Z, 487Z, or 497 (but no course may be repeated)

Advising

Since 1973, the Journalism Program has established a solid reputation for giving students the individual attention required for curricular advising, placement in internships, and career planning. Graduates of the program have secured a wide variety of jobs in broadcasting and reporting or gone on to graduate study at Columbia University, New York University, Syracuse University, and other institutions. Journalism students work with the staff of the English/Journalism Advisement, 381 Humanities Building, to receive advisement and AVN numbers each semester. Also each undergraduate major in Journalism is assigned to a full-time faculty member in the Program for academic mentoring throughout the student’s career. In addition, faculty members in the Program are available to meet with students who are interested in learning about the program or thinking of majoring in Journalism.

Honors Program

Journalism majors who wish to graduate with Honors in Journalism should contact Professor Thomas Bass, the Journalism Program's Honors Director. To be admitted to the Journalism Honors Program, a student must: (a) be a declared Journalism major; (b) have completed 12 credits in A JRL courses; (c) have a minimum 3.25 overall GPA and a minimum 3.50 GPA in Journalism; (d) submit an application essay.

In addition, the student is required, as part of his/her courses for completing the Journalism major, to choose one course from the Contextual courses menu from the following: A JRL 340 Global Perspectives on the News; A JRL 330 History of Journalism in the United States; A JRL 420 Media in the Digital Age; or A JRL 480 Public Affairs Journalism. The student must earn at least an A- in the chosen course. Senior honors students will then complete A JRL 499 Senior Honors Project. The Honors sequence requires 39 credits.