University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Curriculum Proposal Form #2
Change in Degree, Major, or Submajor
Effective Term:
2111 (Spring 2011)
Type of Action:
Change in Submajor
Degree:
BA/BS
Program Title:
Journalism Major - Print Emphasis
GPA Requirement for the Major/Submajor: 2.50
Sponsor(s):
James Kates
Department(s):
Communication
College(s):
Arts and Communication
Consultation took place:
NA
Yes
(list departments and attach consultation sheet)
Departments:
Proposal Information:
(Procedures for Form #2)
Total number of credit units in program:
Before change 36
After change 36
1. Exact description of request:
Summary: Under “Journalism Print Emphasis,” “3,” delete JOURNLSM 210, Foundations of
Print Journalism. Under same heading, add JOURNLSM 315, Digital Journalism.
From (as listed in catalog and on AR)
JOURNALISM PRINT EMPHASIS (BA/BS)
MAJOR - 36 UNITS
1
1. JOURNLSM 243
2. JOURNLSM 430 OR JOURNLSM 431
3. JOURNLSM 210, JOURNLSM 244, JOURNLSM 245, JOURNLSM
248, JOURNLSM 303, JOURNLSM 406, JOURNLSM 420
4. SELECT 9 UNITS FROM COURSES IN GROUPS ONE AND
TWO. AT LEAST 3 UNITS MUST BE SELECTED FROM
GROUP ONE.
GRP 1: JOURNLSM 305, JOURNLSM 485, COMM 422,
COMM 424
GRP 2: MAGD 150 OR MAGD 210, JOURNLSM 246,
JOURNLSM 251 (1-3 UNITS) JOURNLSM 270, JOURNLSM
304 JOURNLSM 310, JOURNLSM 350, JOURNLSM
360, JOURNLSM 491 (WITH ADVISER APPROVAL),
JOURNLSM 493G, JOURNLSM 496 ( WITH ADVISER
APPROVAL), COMM 440
A GPA OF AT LEAST 2.5 IS REQUIRED TO DECLARE THIS
MAJOR
A GPA OF AT LEAST 2.25 (WITHIN THE MAJOR) IS REQUIRED
TO GRADUATE
AN APPROVED MINOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS MAJOR
To (to be listed in catalog and on AR)
JOURNALISM PRINT EMPHASIS (BA/BS)
MAJOR - 36 UNITS
1. JOURNLSM 243
2. JOURNLSM 430 OR JOURNLSM 431
3. JOURNLSM 244, JOURNLSM 245, JOURNLSM
248, JOURNLSM 303, *JOURNLSM 315, JOURNLSM 406, JOURNLSM 420
4. SELECT 9 UNITS FROM COURSES IN GROUPS ONE AND
TWO. AT LEAST 3 UNITS MUST BE SELECTED FROM
GROUP ONE.
GRP 1: JOURNLSM 305, JOURNLSM 485, COMM 422,
COMM 424
GRP 2: MAGD 150 OR MAGD 210, JOURNLSM 246,
JOURNLSM 251 (1-3 UNITS) JOURNLSM 270, JOURNLSM
304 JOURNLSM 310, JOURNLSM 350, JOURNLSM
360, JOURNLSM 491 (WITH ADVISER APPROVAL),
JOURNLSM 493G, JOURNLSM 496 ( WITH ADVISER
APPROVAL), COMM 440
A GPA OF AT LEAST 2.5 IS REQUIRED TO DECLARE THIS
MAJOR
A GPA OF AT LEAST 2.25 (WITHIN THE MAJOR) IS REQUIRED
TO GRADUATE
AN APPROVED MINOR IS REQUIRED FOR THIS MAJOR
2. Relationship to mission and strategic plan of institution, and/or college and department
goals and objectives:
This initiative is particularly relevant to the UWW Mission Statement’s commitment to
“development of the individual.” The craft of journalism is changing rapidly in many
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respects, but especially so in the following regard: As large “legacy media” (newspapers, TV
stations, radio stations) decline in influence and their audiences become fragmented, the
journalist must look beyond institutional loyalties and adopt a more entrepreneurial
temperament. Journalists of a generation ago wanted to “work for a metropolitan newspaper”
or “become a TV anchor in a major market.” Today they are more likely to focus on
developing distinctive voices that consumers will seek out via the Web. The Digital
Journalism class emphasizes this new reality of journalism practice.
Regarding the UWW Strategic Plan, the proposal furthers the goal of developing “innovative
and responsive curricula.” Journalism programs around the country are adding digital skills
classes. UWW must stay current in this area to attract good students, capable faculty, and
support from employers and alumni.
Also, digital technology is ideal for facilitating another Strategic Plan goal, that of Regional
Engagement. Under a pilot version of our new course (JOURNLSM 496, Digital
Journalism), students are already afoot in the Whitewater community and farther afield,
recording audio, video and photographic stories and posting their creations to the Web. They
are encouraged to go beyond their comfort zones and tell stories of “real people.”
3. Rationale:
This action will add JOURNLSM 315, Digital Journalism, as a required course in the
Journalism Print Emphasis curriculum. This class introduces students to the skill set needed
for practicing journalism on the World Wide Web. Its addition as a required course
recognizes the need to help prepare students for working in “converged” media
environments, where journalists are expected to tell stories across multiple platforms (print,
audio, video, social media, etc.). The course being replaced is JOURNLSM 210,
Foundations of Print Journalism. Much of the content of this course can be subsumed in the
JOUNRNLSM 305, History of Mass Communication course.
4. Cost Implications: No real cost implications as we are replacing one course with another.
The equipment needed for the JOURNLSM 315 course has been purchased with funding
from a Strategic Initiatives grant.
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