Welcome to the Journalism Program

The major in journalism is a multimedia program designed to provide both hands-on experience in journalism and a theoretical understanding of the field. Students in the program work in print, radio, TV, and electronic media production through Orbit Media News, an organization that represents all areas of campus media. Muskingum's program focuses on convergence, anticipating what future journalists will need to know in order to compete in the always-changing job market.

Campus Media

The Black & Magenta is Muskingum's weekly student newspaper, serving both the campus and the region.

WMCO is a full-time FCC-licensed noncommercial radio station operating at 90.7 FM with 1.3 kilowatts and also streaming 24/7.

Orbit TV is Muskingum's own cable-access TV channel, providing local news and entertainment.

Journalism Faculty

Award-winning journalist and Associate Professor of Journalism Vivian Wagner is the coordinator of the journalism program and adviser for the Black & Magenta. She is the author of Fiddle: One Woman, Four Strings, and 8,000 Miles of Music (Citadel-Kensington 2010), and her articles have appeared in a variety of magazines and literary journals.

Professor of Communication Jeff Harman teaches video production classes and oversees Orbit TV. He received his Ph.D. in Mass Communication from Bowling Green State University, and he also remains active as a media professional, working on various projects for stations in central Ohio and West Virginia, including WZMM, WWBK, WWJM, and WHIZ AM/FM/TV.

Assistant Professor of Communication Lisa Marshall teaches audio production classes and serves as manager of WMCO.

Jerry Martin is a Professor of Communication and teaches courses in interviewing, extemporaneous speaking, scriptwriting and theater.

Internships

In addition to their coursework, journalism majors are required to do two internships, one in audio or video production and one in writing or photography. These can be local, national, or international. Here are some examples of internships that Muskingum's journalism students have had:

• Copy editing and arts reviewing for the Dayton Daily News
• Reporting and design work for The Daily Jeffersonian
• Reporting and production work for WHIZ
• Writing and editing for The Times Reporter
• Reporting for a Japanese news service
• Public relations writing for the Jewish Vocational Services in Cincinnati, Ohio
• Public relations writing for the Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center in Cambridge, Ohio

Scholarships

Muskingum offers journalism scholarships in amounts of $500 to $1500 per year, renewable annually, with the amount of the scholarship based upon a student's level of participation and demonstrated ability in the field. Financial need is not a requirement, although the Journalism Scholarship is factored into the financial aid package for students demonstrating financial need. For more information about applying for a Journalism Scholarship, contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

Major Requirements

JOURNALISM

JOUR 111 Media Writing and Performance

JOUR 207 Introduction to Journalism

JOUR 208 Editing & News Design

JOUR 210 Media History and Effects

JOUR 305 Investigative Reporting

JOUR 312 Electronic Media Structure and Content

JOUR 495 Journalism Senior Seminar

BROADCAST & INTERVIEWING

COMM 211 Audio Production or COMM 308 Single Camera Video Production & Editing

COMM 345 Interviewing

Two of the following:

COMM 101, 201, 301, 401, Communication Practica

WRITING, LANGUAGE & ETHICS

ENGL 213 Journalism Design Practicum

ENGL 217 Journalism Writing Practicum (taken twice)

ENGL 315 Feature & Editorial Writing, ENGL 316 Public Relations Writing OR ENGL 219 Topics in Nonfiction

ENGL 317 Journalistic Ethics

PHOTOGRAPHY

ART 141 Photography

INTERNSHIPS

IDIS 300 Writing or Photography (3 credit hours)

IDIS 300 Audio or Video Production (3 credit hours)

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

POLS 310 Political Communication

SOCI Social Problems in Contemporary America

HIST 376 History of American Diplomacy

ECON 341 Economics of Developing Countries

CSC 370 Computer Graphics

Minors

Students who major in journalism may not minor in English or communication. They are encouraged to minor in a subject that will allow them to specialize. For example, a student whose primary interest is covering international events could minor in a foreign language. A student interested in covering political news could minor in political science. A student interested in writing for a religion journal might want to minor in religion.