Journalism Minor
for the Undergraduate Minor in Journalism
The Minor in Journalism allows a student to explore the role of journalism in a democracy and to assess how journalism is meeting its social responsibility to engage, enlighten and empower citizens. The minor equips students to participate in the ever-changing world of media delivery and consumption.
Fundamental journalistic skills—identifying questions, obtaining answers, then communicating them effectively—are huge advantages in virtually every profession. Students of all majors can learn how to find engaging topics, locate and interview key sources, analyze and visualize important data, and present material impactfully in written, audio/visual, and interactive forms across media platforms. Students explore introductory principles in four courses in writing, history, ethics, and law, which also may fulfill General Education requirements, then choose at least two elective courses, which again may meet General Education requirements, from a list that includes research and practical courses.
View all College of Media undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
for the Undergraduate Minor in Journalism
The minor in Journalism requires at least six hours of coursework at the 300- or 400-level, in order for the minor to be complete.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| JOUR 200 | Introduction to Journalism | 3 |
| JOUR 205 | History of American Journalism | 3 |
| or JOUR 452 | Great Books of Journalism | |
| JOUR 250 | Journalism Ethics & Diversity | 3 |
| or JOUR 456 | Race, Ethnicity & Gender in Journalism | |
| JOUR 311 | Media Law | 3 |
| or JOUR 310 | Media Law in Historical Context | |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6-7 | |
| Newsgathering Across Platforms | ||
| Introduction to Documentary Storytelling & Production | ||
| Classics of Sports Journalism | ||
| Data Storytelling for Journalists | ||
| Advanced Documentary Storytelling & Production | ||
| Media and Public Opinion | ||
| Research Methods in Journalism | ||
| Crisis Communications | ||
| Propaganda & the News Media | ||
| Science Journalism | ||
| Business Reporting | ||
| Environmental Journalism | ||
| Immersion Journalism | ||
| Investigative Journalism | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
for the Undergraduate Minor in Journalism
- Find engaging topics to report on.
- Locate and interview key sources.
- Analyze and visualize data.
- Present impactful material in written, audio/visual, and interactive forms across media platforms.
- Know journalism's roles in democracy.
- Assess journalism's performance in fulfilling its roles.
for the Undergraduate Minor in Journalism
Department of Journalism
Department of Journalism website
media-ssc@illinois.edu
(217)333-4752