Journalism — minor

FEATURES:

• Practicum provides work experience and industry contacts
• In-depth theoretical and practical instruction from professors currently working and/or with extensive journalism experience.
• Deep dives in topical issues affecting the industry, from the role of AI in journalism to ‘fake news.’

The news industry is facing yet another period of transformational change. The growing popularity of artificial intelligence apps follows other recent, shape-shifting trends in the news industry. Those include the spread of social media, the popularity of citizen journalism, and, more recently, the role of audience analytics and algorithms.

Whether you receive your news through traditional channels or on social media, one thing is evident. The need for clear, accurate, and comprehensive information in today’s highly fragmented and uncertain information landscape is urgent. Moreover, the need for clearly articulated and accurate information is growing in every field, not just journalism.

At a time of bots, deep fakes, and algorithms, employers want people who can think on their feet, who can challenge misinformation and disinformation, and who can ask the right questions.

The journalism minor is for any student interested in learning how to cut through the noise, decipher fact from fiction, and ultimately communicate with confidence and authority.

View the program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar

Why a minor in journalism?

You might think – I do not really watch the news, so why do a journalism minor? Or maybe you’re worried the future of journalism is bleak given highly publicized cuts at newsrooms and the decline of conventional news platforms.

However, this program is not just for students who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Instead, it’s for students who want to become critical thinkers, astute fact checkers and information detectives, and top-notch communicators. The journalism minor pairs well with any major.

What kinds of jobs will be open to me?

Training in journalism prepares students for jobs in all fields that require working with large volumes of information and/or data, triangulating that information, and then communicating it to various stakeholders in ways that are engaging and have impact.

News audiences are a core demographic for this work. But a journalism education prepares students for a role in government, media relations, consulting, and a range of other jobs where the quality of your information, the extent of your creativity, and the presentation of results matter.

What are some other indirect benefits of a journalism education?

One of the most important benefits of this program is the ability to think critically by stepping outside of your pre-existing frames of reference, or worldviews, and seeing the world around you through a different set of experiences and expectations.

Conflict resolution is another major outcome of a good journalism education. In a polarized and divisive political climate, a journalism education helps you ask questions and to understand the ‘other side’s’ motivations. This work is critical for identifying solutions to what may seem, but are often not, the world’s most intractable problems.

Admission to the Journalism minor requires admission to a UFV degree program (meeting specific degree program standards). Bachelor of Arts students are required to declare a minor in Journalism in accordance with all Bachelor of Arts requirements. Students may formally declare a minor after completing at least 30 credits with a minimum of a 2.00 CGPA on all credits attempted, provided they have also met the declaration requirements of the subject discipline.

This program is open to international students

• How to apply

Upon successful completion of a Journalism minor, students will be able to:

1. Apply a core set of journalistic skills related to media analysis and information literacy, including interpreting data and stories.
2. Report according to fundamental standards of the journalism profession: accuracy, balance, impartiality, humanity, and accountability.
3. Write proficiently in a variety of journalistic styles.
4. Use multi-platform digital media technologies appropriately in production and presentation of journalistic content.
5. Assess factors that influence media content in diverse, multi-level media realities.
6. Apply relevant problem-solving skills in the context of media law and regulations.
7. Devise a personalized professional networking strategy.