Departmental courses in Journalism are designed to help students develop an understanding and appreciation of the ethical standards, legal boundaries and everyday practice in the field of journalism, as well as to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed as professionals in the field.
Students will explore professional standards, conduct research interviews with sources, write on deadline, and study writing styles that are both concrete and lively. In News Writing and Feature Writing courses, students will learn how to write articles suitable for publication. Students' articles are often published in local newspapers and in Boston College's independent student newspaper The Heights.
The Department of Communication offers four journalism courses:
CO227 Broadcast Writing
This course introduces the student to a broad sampling of broadcast writing styles including news, sports, documentaries, commercials and public service announcements, educational television, and writing for specialized audiences.CO230 News Writing
An introduction to print media reporting with an emphasis for writing "on deadline." Styles of news writing are examined, and off-campus story coverage is required.CO231 Feature Writing
This is a course on contemporary feature writing- literary nonfiction journalistic writing based on solid reporting. The emphasis is on writing stories editors will want to print and readers will want to read. The course will include reading and analyzing well-written newspaper and magazine articles. Students will learn to apply the techniques of drama and fiction to writing objective factual stories that entertain as well as inform. The course focuses on newspaper features and magazine articles, but the techniques are applicable to writing nonfiction books.CO233 Advanced Journalism
This course will examine how an editorial staff produces a newspaper. The focus will be on the roles of reporters, columnists, editorial writers, editors, photographers, and graphic designers in the daily process as decisions are made as to what stories to cover, what stories and photographs to publish (and not to publish), and on what page to display them. The function of the various sub-sections in the newsroom structure--Business, Arts, Sports, Lifestyle, and Magazine--will be discussed along with the role of the business office where it intersects with the management of the newsroom.
These courses are designed to introduce students to the basics of journalism. In addition to writing classes, students interested in journalism might consider any of the following courses:
- CO235 Introduction to Advertising
- CO240 Introduction to Public Relations
- CO249 Communication Law
- CO250 Mass Communication Ethics
- CO268 Business of Electronic Media
- CO298 World Wide Web and Digital Media
- CO425 Broadcast Century Issues
- CO426 Television and Society
- CO429 Globalization and the Media
- CO448 Television Criticism
- CO458 Radio in Culture and Society
- CO485 Advanced Intercultural Studyabroad.com
Many Communication majors with a journalism concentration have continued on to positions as reporters, columnists, writers and editors at national and local newspapers, magazines and broadcasting stations. Journalism skills are also transferable to fields such as advertising, copywriting and public relations, in both the public and private sectors.
In addition to the Communication courses suggested above, students interested in pursuing careers as reporters, writers, photographers or editors in either newspapers or magazines are encouraged to take courses in literature, history, political science, composition, sociology, fine arts and theater. Students may find it beneficial to take advantage of other advanced journalism courses available through Boston College's cross-registration program.
Students interested in pursuing careers in newspaper or magazine publishing or advertising, or in broadcast management are encouraged to take courses in advertising and public relations, as well as in economics, marketing and other business areas.
All students interested in journalism careers are encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities offered through the Department in their senior year. (see "Communication Internships" handout or contact Christine Caswell in 21 Campanella Way 515).