Communication Division
Journalism
Major Requirements
Freshman-Year Program
Typical Schedule
Careers in Journalism
Although the information below is excerpted from the Seaver catalogue, this is not an official binding document. To view the actual catalog visit http://seaver.pepperdine.edu/academics/catalog/
The journalism major prepares students both theoretically and practically for careers in print journalism, including newspapers, magazines and web-based outlets. Other students find the journalism major provides the writing skills and deadline discipline necessary to excel as teachers, lawyers and public relations professionals. Recent graduates are working for the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, various consumer and trade publications, and online search engine Yahoo.
The journalism major is designed to give all students a broad interdisciplinary introduction to the media and their place in a free society. In addition, each student completes a sequence of courses intended to develop practical skills related to a potential career area. The program offers students laboratory production experience appropriate to their interest area in the campus Student Publications Office, as well as opportunities to gain initial training in a professional environment.
Journalism majors have the opportunity to work on our nationally-acclaimed weekly newspaper, The Graphic, or for the Impressions Yearbook, Currents Magazine or our online version of the Graphic. Faculty advisers to these publications bring decades of experience as daily newspaper and magazine editors, in addition to providing students with expertise in communication law, in-depth reporting, ethics and religious journalism
Course Requirements
The journalism major is designed to give all students a broad interdisciplinary introduction to the media and their place in a free society. In addition, each student completes a sequence of courses intended to develop practical skills related to a potential career area. The program offers students laboratory production experience appropriate to their interest area in the campus Student Publications Office, as well as opportunities to gain initial training in a professional environment.
Communication Core Requirements - 12 Units
| Course ID | Course Name | Units |
| COM 200 |
Communication Theory |
3 |
| COM 300 |
Introduction to Communication Research |
3 |
| COM 301 |
Message Creation and Effects |
3 |
| COM 400 |
Communication Ethics |
3 |
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism - 28 Units
| Course ID | Course Name | Units |
| JOUR 241 |
Introduction to Journalism |
4 |
| JOUR 325 |
Publication Editing and Design |
4 |
| JOUR 345 |
Reporting and Editing |
4 |
| JOUR 463 |
Feature Article Writing |
4 |
| JOUR 469 |
Critical and Editorial Writing |
4 |
| JOUR 561 |
Public Affairs Reporting |
4 |
| JOUR 595 |
Journalism Internship |
1 |
| MSCO 570 |
Mass Communication Law |
4 |
Outside Concentration: 3 upper division courses (9 to 12 units)
(must be in an area outside of mass communication). |
Freshman-Year Program
The journalism major should enroll in the regular freshman program, including COM 200, ENG 101, ENG 102, and COM 180 (formerly SPE 180). Students planning to study in Europe during their sophomore year should be sure to complete these courses and JOUR 241 during their freshman year.
