School of Journalism & Broadcasting

Dr. Phebe (Pam) McAllister Johnson, Director
Professors: P. Johnson, J. Kenney, C. Shaluta, S. White
Associate Professors: R. Adams, J. Adams-Smith, H. Allen, T. Broekema,  G. McKerral, K. Payne,  P. Quinn, J. Ryan
Assistant Professors: V. Bagwell, T. Booras, R. DeMarse, J. LeTourneau, N. Ralston, W.M. Simpson
Instructor & General Manager WWHR-FM: M. Yambor
Instructor: J. Cherry
Professional-in-Residence: K. Coppinger
Optional Retirees: J. Highland, C. Lash , B. White

The School of Journalism & Broadcasting offers majors in advertising, broadcasting, mass communication, photojournalism, news/editorial print journalism and public relations. Students are admitted to the school as majors seeking admission to one of the six majors and are admitted to the major when prerequisites are met. The school also offers minors in advertising for graphic design majors, advertising for marketing majors, broadcasting, mass communication and journalism education as well as graduate courses for journalism teachers; see the Graduate Studies Catalog for details.

Journalism has been offered at WKU for nearly 65 years. In 1979, when it was only two years old, the Department of Journalism was nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education for Journalism and Mass Communication.  In 1999 the department merged with the broadcasting and mass communication programs and the University created the School of Journalism & Broadcasting. In 2003, the School moved into a new $18 million building with state-of-the-art classrooms and labs.

On May 28, 2004, the School in its new configuration was re-accredited. Being accredited means the school adheres to high standards, including emphasis on liberal arts and science education in the attainment of a professional communication degree.  The majors in advertising, broadcasting, news/editorial journalism, public relations and photojournalism are scrutinized by the council, which is made up of educators and representatives of 20 professional and six educational communication organizations in the United States.

The school’s ultimate aim is to encourage students to be active participants in today’s society, with the hope and expectation that some will assume leadership roles in advertising, broadcasting, graphic design, photojournalism, print journalism, public relations and other communication areas.

The school embraces the concept that broad-based liberal arts and natural sciences curriculum is essential for a well-rounded understanding of society. It upholds the ideal that the American press system should be free, independent and responsible. Through its course work and extracurricular activities, the school and its faculty encourage students to be critical thinkers and competent communicators, to be aware of ethical values and historical perspectives, and to gain insight into the functions and responsibilities of contemporary communications institutions. A high priority is the encouragement of students to be able to adapt, both intellectually and creatively, to the realities and challenges of an increasingly diverse and complex information society.

Students are encouraged to seek practical experience through work on student publications and broadcasting outlets, other campus publications, local media, and internships at newspapers, magazines, advertising firms, radio and television stations, businesses, public relations agencies and other institutions. Students may gain experience by working on the College Heights Herald, the campus newspaper; the Talisman, the yearbook; WWHR, a licensed non-commercial FM station managed and staffed by students; the student advertising and public relations agency Imagewest; and the Newschannel12 newscast. Qualified students may gain additional experience on campus through staff work at the National Public Radio station, WKYU-FM, or crew employment at the Public Broadcasting System associate member station, WKYU-TV24.

In addition, membership is available in campus chapters of the American Advertising Federation, Society of Professional Journalists, the National Press Photographers Association, the Public Relations Student Society of America, Radio-Television News Directors Association, Kappa Tau Alpha national society honoring scholarship in journalism, Western Kentucky Minority Communicators, which is affiliated with the National Association of Black Journalists, Mass Communication Club, and the WKU Storm Team. Students may become involved in school committees and the policy and operating board of student publications. Those experiences help students develop a competency that better enables them to perform in the journalism/mass communication professions.

Each major must have a minor or second major outside the School of Journalism & Broadcasting. Generally, students may select any minor except communication studies, film studies or those offered within the school, as long as the minor is approved by the major advisor, 80 hours are taken outside the area of journalism and mass communication, with no fewer than 65 hours of liberal arts and natural science courses.

Each student in the School of Journalism & Broadcasting must compile a portfolio or electronic form of original work that will be reviewed in the capstone course of each program in the school. All majors are designed to be completed within eight consecutive semesters. Four-year plans for completing degrees are accessible on the departmental website www.wku.edu/journalism.

When planning a program of study in the school, each student should be aware of the University’s academic requirements and regulations contained in this catalog in the chapter, “Academic Information.” Students should check with the School of J&B for curriculum updates, which may occur after the publication date of this catalog.

Admission Requirements
Students wishing to enter a major in the School of Journalism & Broadcasting initially are admitted as majors seeking admission (advertising reference number, 727P; broadcasting reference number, 726P; mass communication reference number, 725P; news-editorial journalism, 716P; photojournalism, 750P; and public relations, 763P).

Prospective majors may take no more than 18 hours in the School of Journalism & Broadcasting before being admitted to one of the six majors.  No course with a grade of “D” or below may be counted toward the major or fulfill prerequisite requirements for any major in the school.  Students must meet these requirements before they can be admitted to any of the majors:

Majors in Advertising, News/Editorial Journalism, Public Relations and Mass Communication 
Completion of 48 hours of course work applicable to the baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.5. Required courses include COMM 145 or 161*, ENG 100, HIST 119 or 120 and the University math requirement. A minimum grade of “C” is required in ENG 100.   (*Note: Major in Public Relations requires COMM 161) No more than 18 hours may be taken in the major before admission to the major.

Major in Broadcasting:
Completion of 30 hours of course work applicable to the baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.7.  Required courses include COMM 145 or COMM 161 (preferably COMM 161), HIST 119 or 120, the University math requirement, and at least a grade of “C” in ENG 100.  No more than 18 hours may be taken in the major before admission to the major.

Major in Photojournalism:
Completion of 30 hours of course work applicable to the baccalaureate degree with a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5.  Required courses include COMM 145 or COMM 161 (preferably COMM 161), HIST 119 or 120, the University math requirement, and at least a grade of “C” in ENG 100.  No more than 18 hours may be taken in the major before admission to the major.

Completion of these courses with at least a grade of  “C,” according to the intended major and concentration:

• Advertising: JOUR 201, 202, 232
• Broadcasting: BCOM 185 plus:
• Broadcast News: either BCOM 201 or 265
• Radio and TV Operations & Management: either BCOM 201 or 261
• TV/Film Production: either BCOM 201 or 266
• Mass Communication: BCOM 185, BCOM 201 or JOUR 201, BCOM 300
• News/Editorial Journalism: JOUR 201, 202, 232
• Photojournalism: JOUR 201, 202, 231, 261
• Public Relations: JOUR 201, 202, 232

Major in Advertising
The major in advertising (reference number 727) requires 36 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students must take a minimum of 80 semester hours in courses outside the major area of journalism and mass communication, with no fewer than 65 semester hours in the liberal arts and natural sciences. The advertising major in the School of Journalism & Broadcasting is designed to prepare students for corporate and agency advertising careers.

The major in advertising offers concentrations in Account Services or Creative Design. In the Creative concentration, majors can emphasize print advertising design or interactive advertising design.

Students also choose a second major or minor that will complement their interests and abilities. A minor in marketing is recommended for Advertising Account Service majors. A special minor in graphic design has been created by the Department of Art for advertising students who choose the print advertising or interactive advertising emphasis. Students who have indicated a Print Advertising Design emphasis will be required to minor in Graphic Design. Computer Science or Graphic Design minors are recommended for students in the interactive advertising emphasis.

The advertising major offers students many ways to build impressive resumes and portfolios, including class projects, internships and working with the School’s advertising and public relations agency.  Imagewest is a student-run agency that provides real-world experience to help students hone their creative skills, develop confidence and build a portfolio of their work.

The four-year plan for timely completion of the major appears on the departmental website www.wku.edu/journalism

Specific objectives of the advertising major:

1. To acquaint the student with important concepts, methods, theories and knowledge of advertising and related disciplines.
2. To provide the student with training in procedures for sound analysis of advertising opportunities and problems.
3. To develop the student’s ability to present well-reasoned conclusions and recommendations.
4. To provide opportunities to apply understanding of concepts, methods and implementation to specific advertising situations.
5. To develop in students the foundation for continued self-education and development.

Required core courses for a major in advertising:
JOUR 201, 202, 232, 300, 341, and 344, 18 hours; and six courses in one of three concentrations, 18 hours. All advertising majors must take a statistics course, MKT 220 and either GEOG 110 or 360. The statistics course and MKT 220 must be completed by the fall of a student’s junior year in order to complete the advertising program in four years.

Additional requirements by concentration are:
Account Services: JOUR 346, 349, 446 and 9 hours of restricted electives to be selected from BCOM 266 and 385; JOUR 131, 340, 343, 348, 355, 443, 448, 481, 495; MKT 328; and either JOUR 301 or BCOM 301. 18 hours.
Creative - Print Advertising: JOUR 340, 343, 345, 445 and 6 hours of restricted electives to be selected from BCOM 266, 385; JOUR 131, 346, 348, 355, 443, 448, 481, and 495; MKT 328; and either JOUR 301 or BCOM 301. 18 hours. Students who have indicated a Creative Print Advertising Design Concentration will be required to minor in Graphic Design, reference number 385, which is offered in the Department of Art.
Creative - Interactive Advertising: JOUR 340, 343, 348, 443, 444 and BCOM 264.  18 hours.

Major in Broadcasting
The broadcasting curriculum offers classroom and practical experience in radio, television and film production, broadcast news, station management, sales and on-air performance. The major prepares students for direct entry into the television, cable, radio, commercial and noncommercial production industry.

The major in broadcasting (reference number 726) requires a minimum of 39 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students must take a minimum of 80 semester hours in courses outside the major area of journalism and mass communication, with no fewer than 65 semester hours in the liberal arts and natural sciences. A minor or second major outside of the School of Journalism & Broadcasting, the department of communication, and film studies is required. Communication studies or film studies may be taken as a second minor.  The following core courses are required for a major: BCOM 185, 201, 301 and 325. Additional specified courses are required, depending upon the selected area of study. The remaining courses will be chosen in consultation with the broadcast faculty advisor. Concentrations are available in radio and television operations, television/film production and broadcast news. No course with a grade of “D” or below may be counted toward this major. One-half of the hours in the Broadcasting major must be at the 300- or 400-level.

The four-year plan for timely completion of a major in broadcasting appears on the departmental website www.wku.edu/Journalism

Broadcast News
Required courses: BCOM 185, 201, 265, 266, 301, 325, 335, 365, 368 and 465; BCOM 385 or 326 or 485; and six additional hours chosen in consultation with departmental faculty advisor.
Suggested electives: BCOM 261, 360, 328, 329,361, 385, 429, 485, 461 (1 hr.), 467 (1 hr.), 491, JOUR 495 or COMM 247. Only 3 hours of internship or co-op may be counted within the major. One-hour workshops may be repeated in different topics up to 4 hours.  Only 3 hours of workshop credit may be counted within the 39 hour major.
General education requirements: * ECON 150 or 202 or 203, PS 110, GEOG 121;  and either GEOG 110 or COMM 263.
Required elective outside major: PS 250.
Suggested courses outside of major and general education: PS 210 and HIST 349.

Radio and Television Operations
Required courses: BCOM 185, 201, 261, 265, 266, 301, 325, 360; 361 or 366; 385, 485, and 6 hours of upper-division electives within the School of J&B or the university approved by departmental faculty advisor. BCOM 491, Internship, strongly recommended.
General Education requirements: * ECON 150 or 202 or 203, PS 110; and either GEOG 110 or COMM 263.
Suggested courses outside of the major and general education: ACCT 200, HIST 349, MGT 210, MKT 220, PHIL 115 and PSY 371 or PHIL 320.

Television/Film Production
Required courses: BCOM 185, 201, 266, 301, 325, 366, 367, 379, 380, 466, 482 and six additional hours chosen in consultation with departmental faculty advisor.
Suggested electives: BCOM 271, 350, 376, 378, 480, 485, 491; ENG 309, 365, 366, 465 or 466 and JOUR 232, 261, 341, 495
General education requirements: * ECON 150 or 202 or 203; PS 110; and either GEOG 110 or COMM 263.
Suggested general education courses: PHYS 103 and 130.
Suggested course outside of major and general education: HIST 349

* Students transferring to WKU with 60 or more hours of credit will be exempt from department required courses in general education and general electives, but must meet general education requirements of the University and the liberal arts/sciences requirements of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting.

Major in Mass Communication
The major in mass communication (reference number 725) requires 36 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. A minor or second major from outside the School of Journalism & Broadcasting is required. The major offers students the opportunity to acquire a broad, flexible, interdisciplinary liberal arts education which is aimed at a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of mass communication in society.

The major is unique in the School because it is not a specialized professional program. Many graduates intend to pursue their media studies in graduate school or law school.

The major is comprised of 18 hours of required courses and 18 hours of elective courses chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor, within designated areas. No course with a grade of “D” or below may be counted toward the major. One-half of the hours in a mass communication major must be at the 300- or 400-level. In addition to meeting institutional requirements for graduation, the mass communication major must have a minor or second major that is approved by the major advisor.

The four-year plan for timely completion of the major appears on the departmental website – www.wku.edu/Journalism

Required core courses for a major in mass communication:
BCOM 185, BCOM 201 or JOUR 201, BCOM 300, BCOM 301 or JOUR 301, BCOM 401 or JOUR 421, and JOUR 422. 18 hours.

Elective Areas: 18 hours — Students will choose six courses representing at least four areas.

1. Aesthetic: BCOM 271 Introduction to Cinema, ENG 365 Literature and Film, ENG 366 History of Narrative Film, ANTH 448 Visual Anthropology, FREN 450 Topics in Francophone Cinema.
2. Cultural: ENG 465 Film Genres, FLK 280 Cultural Diversity in the United States, FLK 373 Folklore and the Media, FLK 379 Topics in Folklore — restricted to Women and the Media topic, HIST 447 History of American Popular Culture, COMM 463 Intercultural Communication, WOMN 321 Women and Journalism.
3. Commerce: BCOM 360 Electronic Media Programming and Research, BCOM 485 Broadcast Operations and Management, JOUR 428 Newspaper Management, JOUR 341 Principles of Advertising, JOUR 355 Fundamentals of Public Relations, MKT 220 Basic Marketing Concepts, PSY 371 Psychology of Sales Behavior, PHIL 321 Morality and Business.
4. Government: PS 327 Civil Liberties, PS 338 Government and Ethics, PS 371 Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior, PS 372 Politics and the Mass Media, PS 375 Fundamentals of Political Campaign Management, PS 450 Seminar in International Relations (restricted to media topics).
5. Media and Society: BCOM 481 Problems in Mass Communication, ENG 466 Film Theory, JOUR 300 Research in Advertising and Public Relations, HIST 347 Social History of the United States since 1800, HIST 480 A Social History of Science, PSY 350 Social Psychology, COMM 341 Theories of Communication, COMM 346 Persuasion, SOCL 345 Sociology of Popular Music.

Major in News/Editorial Journalism
The major in news/editorial journalism (reference number 716) requires 42 semester hours and leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree. Of the 42 hours, 39 semester hours are specifically required, and 3 hours are chosen from upper-division restricted electives. Students must take a minimum of 80 semester hours in courses outside the major area of journalism and mass communication, with no fewer than 65 semester hours in the liberal arts and natural sciences.

In addition to meeting institutional requirements for graduation, the news/editorial journalism major must have a minor or second major that is approved by the major advisor.

Specific objectives of the news/editorial journalism program:

1. To prepare students for professional careers in journalism.
2. To instill in students a high degree of professionalism, which consists principally of practical competence and ethical understanding.
3. To enhance the student’s understanding of the role of the press in a democratic society.

Required courses for a major in news/editorial journalism are JOUR 201, 202, 131, 232, 261, BCOM 264, 265, JOUR 301,302, 323, 325, 348 and 426. In addition, the news/editorial journalism major must select three upper-division hours from the following courses: JOUR 336, 341, 343, 355, 421, 422, 481, 491, 495, or BCOM 368. Also, students must complete PS 110, PS 210, ECON 203, HIST 349 and either GEOG 110 or 360.

The four-year plan for timely completion of the major appears on the departmental website at www.wku.edu/Journalism

The four-year plan for timely completion of the Photojournalism major appears on the departmental website www.wku.edu/Journalism.

Major in Public Relations
The major in public relations (reference number 763) requires 39 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students must take a minimum of 80 semester hours in courses outside the major area of journalism and mass communication, with no fewer than 65 semester hours in the liberal arts and natural sciences.

Public relations is a planned process to influence public opinion using strategic communications. The public relations program at WKU emphasizes research and measurement; strategic planning; professionally designed, written, and targeted communication tactics; and ethical practice. We prepare students for an exciting career in public relations with skills in critical thinking, writing, technology, research, program planning and management, creative problem solving, and relationship building with key publics. Those publics include media, consumers, employees, government and other regulatory bodies, opinion leaders, and communities.

Virtually all segments of the public and private sectors throughout the world draw employees from public relations graduates. Our graduates work as communications tacticians, strategic planners, and management counselors. They may specialize in employee relations, community relations, crisis communication, public affairs, media relations, or several other disciplines within the professional arena

The major requires a broad program of study. In addition to general education requirements of the University and 39 hours in public relations coursework, students must select an appropriate minor or second major, approved by their public relations advisor. Popular minors or second majors include International Business, Entrepreneurship, Psychology, Sociology, Foreign Language, Marketing, Economics, Political Science,  Health Care Administration, Business Administration, American Humanics, and Tourism.

Specific objectives of the public relations major are:

1. To promote a broad understanding and appreciation of the expanding and important role of public relations in modern society.
2. To increase knowledge and develop skills required for entry-level positions in the public relations field.
3. To instill high standards of ethical conduct.
4. To build a foundation for lifelong learning and advanced education in communications, journalism, social sciences and public relations.

Required courses for a major in public relations:
JOUR 201, 202, 232, 301 (or BCOM 301), 323, 354, 355, 358, 300, and BCOM 325, JOUR 454 and 456. In addition, the public relations major must select one course from the following restricted electives: JOUR 231, 325, 341, 343, 443 458, 481, 495, BCOM 264, ENG 306, PSY 371, MKT 322 or COMM 346. Also, students must complete required courses outside the major. ECON 203, GEOG 110, MGT 305, MKT 220, PS 110 and COMM 161, and one course in statistics from the following: MATH 203, ECON 206, PSY 201, SOCL 300 or AMS 271.

The four-year plan for timely completion of the PR major appears on the departmental website www.wku.edu/Journalism

Minor in Advertising for Graphic Design Majors
The minor in advertising for graphic design majors (reference number 303) requires 30 semester hours including JOUR 201, 202, 232, 341; MKT 220; JOUR 340, 343, 344, 345 and 348. This minor is limited to graphic design majors.

Minor in Advertising for Marketing Majors
This program is offered only to students majoring in marketing (reference number 720). The minor in advertising (reference number 306) requires 27 hours of course work. Courses required are: JOUR 201, 202, 232, 341, 344, 346, 349, 446 and one elective selected from the following courses: JOUR 340, 343, 348, 355, 481 or MKT 328.

Minor in Broadcasting
The minor in broadcasting (reference number 330) requires a minimum of 18 semester hours. The following courses are required: BCOM 201, 261 or 266, 301 and 325. The remaining courses must be chosen in consultation with an assigned faculty advisor. One-half the hours in the minor must be at the 300- or 400-level.

Minor in Mass Communication
The minor offers a flexible, interdisciplinary education aimed at a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of mass communication in society. The minor in mass communication (reference number 414) requires a minimum of 21 semester hours, comprised of 12 hours of required courses and 9 hours of restricted elective courses chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. One-half of the hours in the minor must be at the 300- or 400-level. The following courses are required: BCOM 201 or JOUR 201, BCOM 301 or JOUR 301, BCOM 401 or JOUR 421, and JOUR 422 (12 hours). Elective areas (9 hours): Choose three courses representing at least two areas from the restricted elective offerings listed in the mass communication major.

Minor in Journalism Education
A journalism education minor (reference number 402) requires 21 semester hours including JOUR 201, 202, 231, 301, 323, 421 and 427. Students also must meet the certification requirements of the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board for Secondary English grades 8-12.

Certificate in iMedia
The iMedia certificate (reference number 1702) requires 21 semester hours and prepares School of Journalism & Broadcasting students for the future of news reporting, digital/multimedia story creation, and web distribution.  The certificate responds to current and projected trends in newsgathering and distribution techniques where news organization are working collaboratively to deliver news and/or information when, where and how the consumer dictates.

Certification participants will be chosen based on SJ&B minimum 3.0 G.P.A. in the major, overall WKU G.P.A. of 2.5, an interview and presentation of a portfolio, and a written letter of intent to complete the program.  Students must be admitted to one of six majors within the School of Journalism & Broadcasting to apply for participation.

The certificate requires two core courses: JOUR 232 or equivalent and JOUR 495; and at least one course from each restricted elective category, plus one additional course outside the participant’s major from the list below.

Restricted elective categories