Professional journalists and educators agree that the best preparation for a career in journalism is a program of specialized courses taken together with the liberal arts. Augustana's journalism program combines strong offerings in journalistic skills, theories and participation with a general education curriculum providing broad knowledge required of a reporter, writer or editor in order to understand and interpret news events. In addition, the program hones capabilities that may prove valuable to students who choose careers in advertising, public relations or other professions peripheral to journalism. In short, the well-educated journalist will be well-equipped to write for society.

Goals for Majors

 

* Majors will be able to gather accurate and useful information through: 

 

1) Interviewing--Majors will refine questioning and listening skills. 

2) Observation--Majors will learn to perceive and tell detail. 

3) Research--Majors will become familiar with commonly used references.

4) Note-taking--Majors will efficiently and accurately record data.

* Majors will be able to edit their own copy and the copy of others for accuracy, fluency and correctness.

* Majors will have rudimentary skills in using the computer to edit copy, to write and fit headlines, to crop and size photos, and to design and lay out newspaper or magazine pages. 

* Majors will understand the connections between the history of journalism and current professional practices. 

* Majors will know the key issues surrounding such legal and ethical matters as libel, invasion of privacy, freedom of information, freedom of the press, protection of sources and control of the airwaves. 

* Majors will have rudimentary skills in photojournalism including the taking, processing and selecting of news and feature photos.