Academic Program in Journalism
Program Requirements
In order to earn an integrative concentration in journalism on their graduate transcript, Oberlin students will:
- Take 5 courses whose main focus can be broadly defined as journalistic:
- Foundational courses (at least one of the following courses): RHET 120 Journalism Basics, RHET 2XX Communication Studies in Writing and Speaking, or FYSP 152 How to Be an Intellectual
- Journalistic “beat” or technical skill competencies (at least three of the following courses): RHET 201 Writing in the Sciences, RHET 207 Literary Journalism, RHET 210 Rhetoric of Social Protest, RHET 301 Investigative Reporting, RHET 303 Writing about Travel, CINE 298 Video Production Workshop, CRWR 340 Nonfiction Prose, PROF 170 Introduction to Music Journalism, PROF 171 Practicing Music Journalism, ENVS 354 Practicum in Environmental Communication, PSYC 200 Research Methods I, SOCI 250 Sociology of Popular Culture, THEA 269 Voice for the Actor
- An additional course from either of the two categories above
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Engage in at least one semester of on-campus co-curricular work related to the concentration, usually by taking RTCP 107 Practicum in Journalism
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Engage in the equivalent of at least eight weeks of other work related to the concentration. This can be off-campus work, in the United States or abroad, with a news organization in print, radio, television or online news, or a communications office in another environment, for example the communications office in a large research hospital or the public relations office of a non-profit organization. Or it may be on-campus work, such as working as an editor for a campus publication (not for RTCP 107 Practicum in Journalism credit) or working as a writer for an academic or administrative department. Off-campus work will be facilitated by creating connections to the career community of alumni working in journalism and communication.
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Create an electronic portfolio consisting of a clip file of journalistic work and written reflection on what was learned by pursuing the concentration. The portfolio will be started when students declare the concentration, in consultation with their concentration advisors, discussing their individual interests and goals. Students will add to the portfolio as they complete courses and work experiences, culminating in a piece of reflective writing that discusses what they have learned. The portfolio will also present their learning, experiences and interests to the outside world, including prospective employers.
The following regularly-offered courses will count toward the journalism concentration.
| Course Title | Course Number |
|---|---|
| Journalism Basics | RHET 120 |
| Introduction to Music Criticism | PROF 170 |
| Practicing Music Journalism | PROF 171 |
| Literary Journalism | RHET 207 |
| Practicum in Journalism | RTCP 107 |
| So You Want to Be An Intellectual? | FYSP 152 |
| Video Production Workshop I | CINE 298 |
| Video Production Workshop II: Documentary Production | CINE 320 |
| Nonfiction Workshop | CRWR 340 |
| Practicum in Environmental Communication | ENVS 354 |
| Research Methods I & II | PSYC 200/300 |
| Seminar in Mental Illness and the Media | PSYCH 410 |
| Writing about Travel: Composing as Reflection on Time Abroad | RHET 303 |
| Sociology of Popular Culture | SOCI 250 |
Program Administration
The Department of Rhetoric and Composition will oversee the integrative concentration, coordinating course offerings with Cinema Studies and Creative Writing. The department’s oversight includes advising interested students, signing off on their requirements, keeping an updated list of courses that count toward the concentration, and organizing related programming.
As part of the concentration, at least one practitioner in the field will be invited to campus each year to give a public presentation and meet with students who are concentrating in journalism. These invitations will be coordinated with Rhetoric and Composition, Creative Writing, Cinema Studies, and other affiliated faculty.