Journalism Mission Statement

Mission Statement

The Department of Journalism provides students with educational excellence in an experiential learning environment leading to an understanding of the role of mass media in a diverse democratic society, while teaching critical thinking, and the ethical use of traditional and new media.

Here is the Journalism Department Evaluation Plan.

Program Objectives

  • To teach journalism, visual journalism, and public relations by building upon a solid liberal arts foundation, while providing students with analytical and assertive information-gathering skills, and the ability to write clearly and quickly on complex topics.
  • To instill students with a sense of commitment to see that democratic processes in society are served by the timely disclosure of quality information to the reading, viewing and listening public.
  • To demonstrate the value of diversity among faculty, students, staff and community while preparing future citizens, media professionals and leaders who appreciate the value of diversity.
  • To provide a learning community that celebrates diversity and a curriculum that encourages a thoughtful and sensitive examination of the diversity of our regional, national and global communities.

Learning Objectives

Upon graduation, graduates of the Department of Journalism will be able to:

  1. Apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, in the U.S. and global contexts.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the multicultural history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
  3. Demonstrate culturally proficient communication that empowers those traditionally disenfranchised in society, especially, for example, as grounded in race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and ability, domestically and globally, across communication and media contexts;
  4. Present images and information accurately, effectively and creatively, using appropriate tools and technologies.
  5. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
  7. Apply critical thinking skills in conducting research and evaluating information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.
  8. Effectively and accurately apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
  9. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
  10. Apply tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work.