Journalism
which Biola is a member, and the Public Relations Society of America, which has endorsed Biola’s student chapter. Journalism students’ instruction and project work is done in a department-run television studio, radio studio, convergent newsroom, graphics laboratory and collection of offices for public relations agency work.
Faculty
157
Michael Longinow, Ph.D.
Chair
Longinow, Tarpley
Professors
Practicum and Internships
Welter
Assistant Professor
Required media practicum courses, consisting of on- campus media work, provide opportunity for students to build a portfolio that gives evidence of professionalism, innovation and excellence — crucial to success in gaining competitive internships in top media marketplaces. All students must complete three (3) semesters of practicum. It is not recommended that students take Practicum courses concurrently in a given semester. One of the three practicum courses must be Media Leadership. The remaining two Practicum semesters should be in separate campus media (e.g. The Point or EagleVision). Internship, comprising a total of 3 units, is required for graduation in the Journalism major. Students may do multiple internships if the total credit is no more than 3 units. Students, guided by their academic adviser, are encouraged to pursue other (non-credit) internships to gain as much hands-on experience as possible before their senior year. Students may take internship any semester or during the summer under supervision of department faculty, guided by stipulations of the Journalism Internship packet.
Mission & Learning Outcomes
Biola’s Department of Journalism prepares students through rigorous academic and practical instruction to be critical thinkers, skilled factual storytellers, agile managers of multiple media platforms, and servant-leaders in a rapidly changing media landscape. The journalism faculty brings the highest standards of professional media practice and academic understanding into their instruction, inviting students to meet those standards with creativity, tenacity and excellence. Students shape their Christian world view of media and its place in society through encounters with Christ in classroom discussion and project work, listening for God’s call on their lives, and expressing that call through multiple media formats. Their studies provide an understanding of media theory and the complex history underlying journalism and public relations in the United States and around the world. Students learn fact-gathering and research skills necessary for accuracy and depth of insight in storytelling; they also learn the best practices of communication in writing, through visuals, and by means of converging media platforms on the Worldwide Web. Students wrestle with the media ethics choices that face all journalists and public relations practitioners and bring a Biblical framework to their preparation for a future that will bring increasing questions regarding truth-telling in our world. Biola Journalism students are encouraged to develop cross-cultural understanding through development of fluency in a language other than English, and through study or media work overseas or in urban centers of California or other parts of the United States. Before graduating, all students must demonstrate a thorough grasp of research, media writing and of leadership. Students choose electives within and outside the major to craft a study package that fits their skills, interests and vocational or ministry vision. The curriculum prepares students not only for top-level journalism and public relations careers, but also for law school, graduate studies, teaching, and media-related ministry. Curricular and academic goals for the department and its students follow the guidelines of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication (ASJMC), of
Leadership Competency Requirement
Students pursuing completion of the Journalism Major must demonstrate competency in Media Leadership before their senior year. This competency will be demonstrated by the student’s completion of the Leadership Practicum and a portfolio of materials demonstrating leadership in the student’s chosen area of concentration in the major. Students will confer with their departmental adviser in the compiling of the leadership portfolio, which is aimed at preparation for problem-solving, team-building and organizational influence in journalism and public relations careers, vocations and media-related ministry. The leadership portfolio review by departmental faculty will take place each semester.
The total number of units for credit from practicum and internship may not exceed three (3) units. Total directed research and special topic workshop credit may not exceed nine (9) units.
Note:
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker