This is an archived copy of the 2024-2025 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.
Journalism and Mass Communication
http://www.greenlee.iastate.edu/
The journalism and mass communication major prepares students for careers that involve all aspects of news and information. Emphasis is placed on generating ideas, organizing, writing, editing, and presenting information for various media platforms and audiences. Students work with advisors to develop a program of study that prepares them for work in communication-specific areas including broadcast media, magazines and/or newspapers, photojournalism, science communication, visual communication, and digital media. Coursework in this major focuses on writing, research, digital and emerging media, and professional abilities. Students are required to complete a capstone internship experience to practice and refine their skills.
The Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication prepares students for the field of communication. The school offers three majors:
- Advertising Bachelor of Arts (ADVRT)
- Journalism and Mass Communication Bachelor of Science (JLMC)
- Public Relations Bachelor of Science (PR)
In addition, the Greenlee School offers a 4+1 program allowing students to complete their B.A. or B.S. and earn an M.S. in journalism and mass communication in fewer semesters.
Professional skills are taught and practiced alongside academic requirements using the latest technology and leading-edge communication trends and methods.
Founded in 1905, the unit was one of the first journalism programs to be accredited in 1948 and continues to be one of the longest continuously accredited programs in the country. Accreditation is based on the principle that students need a broad-based, liberal arts education and solid core courses within the discipline. Students taking one major at the school may not seek an additional major or a minor in the school. All students are required to take an additional major or a minor outside the school as an area of expertise.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who major in programs of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication are expected to develop competencies in 10 key areas:
- Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in a global context, and for the country in which the institution that invites ACEJMC is located.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
- Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts.
- Present images and information effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies.
- Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
- Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
- Effectively and correctly apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
- Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
- Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.
The Journalism and Mass Communication Major
To receive a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication, a student must earn at least 120 credits. A minimum of 72 credits must come from courses other than ADVRT, JLMC or PR. At least 50 of these credits must come from the liberal arts and sciences. Overall, at least 45 credits must be from 3000-level or above.
The degree requirements allow for a minimum of 34 credits and a maximum of 48 credits to be taken in ADVRT, JLMC and PR. These include:
| JLMC 1100 | Orientation to Journalism and Communication | 1 |
| JLMC 2400 | Principles of Journalism | 3 |
| JLMC 2010 | Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media (C+ or better) | 3 |
| |
| JLMC 3020 | Intermediate Reporting and Writing for the Mass Media | 3 |
| or JLMC 3030 | Reporting and Writing for Broadcast Media |
| 9 |
| JLMC 4600 | Law of Mass Communication | 3 |
| JLMC 4620 | Media Ethics, Freedom, Responsibility | 3 |
| 6 |
| JLMC 4990A | Professional Media Internship: Required | 3 |
| Total Credits | 34 |
Journalism and mass communication majors are also required to take:
| STAT 1010 | Principles of Statistics (or another approved statistics course) | 4 |
As majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, journalism and mass communication students must meet College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and University-wide requirements for graduation in addition to those stated above for the major.
University Requirement: Students in all ISU majors must complete a three-credit course in U.S. Cultures and Communities, as well as a three-credit course in International Perspectives. The approved course lists are found at the following web addresses:(U.S. Cultures and Communities) http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/students/div-ip-guide/uscultures-courses and (International
Perspectives) http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/students/div-ip-guide/IntlPerspectives-current. Students must also demonstrate their communication proficiency by earning a grade of C or better in ENGL 2500.
College of LAS Requirement: Minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 credits at the 3000-level and above. You must also complete the LAS world language requirement, LAS career proficiency requirement, and any unmet ISU admission requirements.
Greenlee majors and minors cannot take ADVRT, JLMC or PR courses pass/not pass.
Minor or Additional Major: Students are required to fulfill a secondary area of expertise. This requirement can be met by declaring a minor or an additional major outside of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. Students taking one major at the school may not seek an additional major or a minor in the school.
Juniors can apply to a concurrent degree program and earn a B.S. and an M.S. in journalism and mass communication in fewer semesters. Contact the Director of Graduate Education for more information on the Greenlee School's 4+1 Program.
Journalism and Mass Communication, B.S.
| Freshman |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
|---|
| JLMC 1100 | 1 | JLMC 2010 | 3 | |
| JLMC 2400 | 3 | STAT 1010 | 4 | |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | Social Science | 3 | |
| Arts and Humanities | 3 | Natural Science | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 3 | Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | | |
| | 14 | | 16 |
| Sophomore |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
|---|
| JLMC 3000-level choice | 3 | JLMC 3020 or 3030 | 3 | |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | U.S. Cultures and Communities | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | World Language or Elective | 4 | |
| World Language or Elective | 3-4 | Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 2 | Social Science | 3 | |
| LAS 2030 | 1 | | |
| | 15-16 | | 16 |
| Junior |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
|---|
| JLMC 3000-level choice | 3 | JLMC 3000-level Choice | 3 | JLMC 4990A | 3 |
| JLMC 4000-level choice | 3 | Minor/Additional Major Choice | 3 | |
| International Perspective | 3 | Minor/Additional Major Choice 3000+ Level | 3 | |
| Minor/Additional Major Choice | 3 | Minor/Additional Major Choice 3000+ Level | 3 | |
| Minor/Additional Major Choice | 3 | Arts & Humanities | 3 | |
| | 15 | | 15 | | 3 |
| Senior |
|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | |
|---|
| JLMC 4600 | 3 | JLMC 4620 | 3 | |
| JLMC 4000-level Choice | 3 | Elective or Minor/Additional Major Choice 3000+ Level | 3 | |
| ADVRT/JLMC/PR Short Course Intensive Elective | 1 | Elective or Minor/Additional Major Choice 3000+ Level | 3 | |
| Elective or Minor/Additional Major Choice | 4 | Elective or Minor/Additional Major Choice | 3 | |
| Minor/Additional Major Choice 3000+ Level | 3 | | |
| | 14 | | 12 |
| Total Credits: 120-121 |
Minor in Journalism and Mass Communication
Students cannot select more than one minor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. Minors in the Greenlee School are not available to Greenlee majors.
For a minor in journalism and mass communication, students complete 15 credits. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.
| JLMC 1010 | Mass Media and Society | 3 |
| JLMC 2400 | Principles of Journalism | 3 |
| 9 |
| Visual Principles for Mass Communicators | |
| Digital Video Production | |
| Science Communication | |
| | |
| Mass Communication Theory | |
| Media Management | |
| History of American Journalism | |
| Journalism and Literature | |
| Communication Technology and Social Change | |
| World Communication Systems | |
| Diversity in the Media | |
| Special Topics in Communication | |
| Total Credits | 15 |
Greenlee majors and minors cannot take ADVRT, JLMC or PR courses pass/not pass.
Concurrent Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
The Greenlee School offers three concurrent degree programs:
B.A. Advertising/M.S. Journalism and Mass Communication
B.S. Journalism/M.S. Journalism and Mass Communication
B.S. Public Relations/M.S. Journalism and Mass Communication
Enrollment in the Greenlee School’s concurrent degree programs enables students to complete coursework for the undergraduate and graduate programs on a five-year accelerated timeline – rather than the typical six-year timeline for the two degrees. Graduates of the concurrent degree program will be prepared to face today’s rapidly changing media environment and contribute to society by becoming a leader within the communication field. Upon completion of the undergraduate program (bachelor’s degree), students can choose between two tracks in the master’s program (master’s degree): one for students who desire specialized study in communication theory and research and one for students who wish to develop or strengthen their professional and strategic communication skills. At the master’s level, the school is well known for developing practitioners and scholars in science communication, political communication, multicultural communication and media industries. The ISU Graduate Handbook outlines policies and requirements for concurrent degree programs. Concurrent degree students must complete all academic requirements and required coursework for both degrees.
To be eligible for a concurrent degree program, currently enrolled Greenlee ADVRT, JLMC or PR students must 1) be defined as seniors by their number of cumulative ISU credits (90 credits or more) and 2) have successfully completed JLMC 2010 (required of all three undergraduate majors) with a C+ or better. Before beginning graduate coursework, concurrent degree candidates must formally indicate their interest by contacting the Greenlee School’s Director of Graduate Education. Interested students must then apply to the master’s program no later than March 1 of the year prior to taking graduate coursework. Application and admissions requirements for the master’s program are the same for concurrent students as those applying to the master’s program after completing an undergraduate degree. A thesis or creative component is required for all concurrent degree students.
To receive a Bachelor of Science/arts degree from the Greenlee School in advertising, journalism or public relations, a student must earn at least 120 credits and complete all required courses. To receive a Master of Science degree from the Greenlee School in journalism and mass communication, a student must earn at least 32 credits and complete all required courses.
Preference for assistantships will be given to students who have completed all of their undergraduate coursework.
Student Learning Outcomes
- To develop an understanding of the central issues and current research important to the field of journalism and communication.
- To be familiar with the breadth and depth of the journalism and communication profession.
- To be able to communicate acquired knowledge in the field.
- To be aware of ethical issues that pertain to the field of journalism and communication.
- To develop the ability to design and present an independent and meaningful research project.
Graduate Programs
Master of Science
The Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication offers work for a Master of Science degree in journalism and mass communication.
Majors plan a program of study in one of two tracks:
I. Academic track -- The School offers advanced academic preparation in communication theory and research, leading to the Master of Science degree. Graduate work prepares students to use and contribute to research and scholarship in the field of communication. This track requires a thesis based on original research, which must be defended successfully before a committee at the end of the program.
Areas of research emphasis includes: science and risk communication, media effects, advertising, public relations, political communication, communication technology, law and ethics, international communication, visual communication and emerging media.
II. Professional track -- The School offers advanced professional study in journalism and mass communication leading to the Master of Science degree. Graduate work prepares students for professional careers in a variety of mass communication fields. Students with limited training or experience in journalism and mass communication may include skills courses in their programs, but the credits for those courses may not count toward the graduate degree. This track requires a creative component which must be defended successfully before a committee at the end of the program.
All graduate students must complete 32 credits for graduation, comprised of four core classes, at least two electives outside the Greenlee School, and at least four thesis or creative component credits. The following core courses account for 10 credits of the needed 32 credits.
| JLMC 5010 | Theories of Mass Communication | 3 |
| JLMC 5020 | Fundamentals of Communication Research Methods | 3 |
| JLMC 5920 | Introduction to Graduate Study in Journalism and Mass Communication | 1 |
| | |
Each student selects elective courses based on his/her area of emphasis and career goal, in consultation with the student's major professor and Program of Study Committee.
Student Learning Outcomes
- To develop an understanding of the central issues and current research important to the field of journalism and communication.
- To be familiar with the breadth and depth of the journalism and communication profession.
- To be able to communicate acquired knowledge in the field.
- To be aware of ethical issues that pertain to the field of journalism and communication.
- To develop the ability to design and present an independent and meaningful research project.
Graduate Minor
The Greenlee School graduate program offers minor work for students majoring in other departments. The M.S. minor requires:
JLMC 5010, JLMC 5100 and one other course in journalism and mass communication for a total of 9 credits taken within the Greenlee School.
Concurrent Programs
The Greenlee School's concurrent degree programs enable interested students the opportunity to complete coursework for the undergraduate and graduate programs on a five-year accelerated timeline – rather than the typical six-year timeline for the two degrees.