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Montana Board of Regents
CURRICULUM PROPOSALS
1. Overview
Proposal for a minor in Journalism.
2. Provide a one paragraph description of the proposed program. Be specific about what degree, major,
minor or option is sought.
The School of Journalism at the University of Montana seeks to create a minor in journalism. The minor
would be fashioned from existing courses and would not require any additional curriculum changes,
faculty assignments, or expense.
3. Need
A. To what specific need is the institution responding in developing the proposed program?
We have long had students who have expressed a desire to minor in journalism. The minor will be an
excellent companion to degrees in the sciences, humanities, and visual and performing arts. Students
increasingly see the need for strong communication and media skills no matter the profession they will
enter. This request responds to a demand that has long existed.
B. How will students and any other affected constituencies be served by the proposed program?
Students will learn about the news media and how best to communicate through those media. They
will learn media law, ethics, and current trends. Skills courses will teach them to use video, audio,
photographs and the written word to clearly represent themselves and their future employers.
C. What is the anticipated demand for the program? How was this determined?
In orientation and advising, faculty see a strong demand for a minor while students pursue majors
such as political science, communication studies and media arts. In one freshman orientation this
summer, six students expressed an interest in a journalism minor or a double major. Because students
want to finish their degree in four years, a double major is often very difficult to manage. We believe
offering a minor will be an excellent option for a number of UM students.
4. Institutional and System Fit
A. What is the connection between the proposed program and existing programs at the institution?
The minor is created with existing courses, primarily the required courses for the major. It does not
require curricular changes nor additional faculty.
B. Will approval of the proposed program require changes to any existing programs at the institution?
If so, please describe.
No.
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C. Describe what differentiates this program from other, closely related programs at the institution (if
appropriate).
N/A
D. How does the proposed program serve to advance the strategic goals of the institution?
The creation of a journalism minor will allow students to embrace an interdisciplinary approach to
their education. Because Journalism now offers only a major, students find it difficult to double major
because of the strenuous demands in journalism skills courses. A minor will contribute to a dynamic
learning environment and increase interaction between journalism and other schools and
departments on campus.
E. Describe the relationship between the proposed program and any similar programs within the
Montana University System. In cases of substantial duplication, explain the need for the proposed
program at an additional institution. Describe any efforts that were made to collaborate with these
similar programs; and if no efforts were made, explain why. If articulation or transfer agreements
have been developed for the substantially duplicated programs, please include the agreement(s) as
part of the documentation.
UM hosts the only journalism degree program in the state. The proposed minor does not conflict with
any other institution.
5. Program Details
A. Provide a detailed description of the proposed curriculum. Where possible, present the information
in the form intended to appear in the catalog or other publications. NOTE: In the case of two-year
degree programs and certificates of applied science, the curriculum should include enough detail to
determine if the characteristics set out in Regents’ Policy 301.12 have been met.
A minor in journalism is offered with a broad overview of journalism history, law and ethics. The minor includes
skills courses in reporting, video and photography, and audio.
To earn a minor in journalism, the student must complete (with at least a C- in the course and a 2.0 overall GPA)
21 credits including: JRNL 100, JRNL 170, JRNL 257, JRNL 270, JRNL 300 and JRNL 400. Students must also take
one additional journalism elective course at the 300 or 400 level.
(Please note: The required course list is based on the assumption that other curriculum changes will be
approved. Those changes involve the creation of JRNL 170 and JRNL 257. If those changes are NOT approved, the
required courses in their place would be JRNL 227 and JRNL 251.)
JRNL 100-Media History & Literacy-A survey of the history, development and role of the media in society,
including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, books, movies, recordings and the World Wide Web. The
course examines ethical, political, financial and other issues related to mass media. Also included is an
introduction to media literacy and critical thinking about the media and their messages.
JRNL 170-Elements of News Writing-Fundamentals of writing in print, broadcast and online styles with an
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emphasis on clarity, grammar, AP style, and spelling.
JRNL 257-Beginning Visual Journalism-An introduction to digital photojournalism and video journalism. Students
learn to use digital cameras, video recorders and the basics of editing software for both stills and video.
JRNL 270-Beginning Reporting- Fundamentals of interviewing, reporting, writing and audio editing of news
stories for print, online and broadcast media.
JRNL 300-First Amendment and Journalism Law-Overview of issues related to journalism and the law. Exploration
of libel, privacy, prior restraints, access and other First Amendment questions along with ethical problems
peculiar to media news gathering.
JRNL 400-Ethics and Trends in News Media-Practical ethics case studies from print, online and broadcast media,
as well as an examination of the trends that are shaping the evolving news media.
B. Describe the planned implementation of the proposed program, including estimates of numbers of
students at each stage.
Implementation would be immediate with students pursuing a minor enrolling in existing courses. The
program can accommodate approximately 15 minors without needing to add sections of required
courses. We would hope to see 10-20 minors declared each year.
6. Resources
A. Will additional faculty resources be required to implement this program? If yes, please describe the
need and indicate the plan for meeting this need.
No.
B. Are other, additional resources required to ensure the success of the proposed program? If yes,
please describe the need and indicate the plan for meeting this need.
If the program proves more popular than anticipated, additional sections of 200-level skills courses
may need to be added. We would meet the demand through course assignments for faculty and call
on our deep and able adjunct pool when needed.
7. Assessment
How will the success of the program be measured?
We will determine the number of minors declared in the first three years of offering the minor. Because
the minor does not demand any new resources, there is no downside if we find the program is not in
demand.
8. Process Leading to Submission
Describe the process of developing and approving the proposed program. Indicate, where appropriate,
involvement by faculty, students, community members, potential employers, accrediting agencies, etc.
Student demand brought the idea to the table. Faculty in the School have been working on the proposal
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for two years. We have also worked with the Office of Student Success and admissions and recruiting to
determine if they perceive a demand for a journalism minor; they do. Additionally, employers outside the
news media have expressed a great desire for interns and employees who can write and work with the
news media to share information and marketing materials about their companies. The Accrediting Council
for Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication encourages the University of Montana to offer a minor
in journalism.