Journalism

Pursue an understanding of the ways in which stories both reflect and shape self, relationships, institutions and organizations, society and culture in the contemporary world.

About the Major

The Department of Journalism and Media Studies is housed in the Center for Collaborative Journalism, an innovative teaching school that helps students understand the ways in which information reflects and shapes the self, relationships, institutions and organizations, society and contemporary culture. Students are part of a laboratory of critical thinking, writing and community engagement, where they draw from a range of disciplines to enrich their reporting and writing and explore the convergence of print and broadcast journalism, film, video, radio, television and online media. Central to the pursuit of understanding the complexities of communicating in the 21st Century is the concept of story. Classes examine the rich traditions, explanatory theories and current practices of storytelling within the contexts of news and information, pleasure and entertainment and persuasion and social influence.

Mercer students learn in an active multimedia newsroom, working alongside journalism professionals from The Telegraph and GPB Media, on whose Websites, pages and airwaves their best work will appear. This unique experience teaches students how to adjust to a rapidly evolving media industry.

A major in Journalism consists of a minimum of 30 hours.

About the Minor

The minor in Journalism consists of a minimum of 15 hours.

Departmental Honors

Majors may attain Departmental Honors in Journalism by meeting the following requirements:

• A minimum of overall grade point average of 3.5;
• Achieve a grade point average of 3.5 in the Journalism major.

Outreach and Engaged Learning

Upper level majors participate in an internship of at least 15 weeks with an approved news medium, public relations or publicity agency, or other suitable publication or agency.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

An independent study in journalism and media is offered to upper level majors. The study includes intensive reading and research on a selected topic in a special area of interest to the student.

Beyond Mercer

With its focus on the convergence of print, electronic, and online journalism, the journalism major is designed to prepare students to work in the newsroom of the 21st Century.

Other opportunities include:

• Business (international and domestic)
• Diplomatic Corps
• Graduate School
• Teaching
• Law School
• Politics
• Publishing

Need More Information?

Visit the department's Website.