Upon completion, JPW majors will be able to:
Research, write, edit and create material of entry-level professional quality according to the practices and standards of news organizations, magazines and professional communications. These materials include news stories, features, newsletters, business documents, headlines, photo captions, photos, videos and web/digital content.
Demonstrate an understanding of media law and ethical conduct in journalism and professional writing, and other requirements of good journalistic practice.
Demonstrate an awareness of the assumptions about culture and gender implicit in choice of media, representations, and focus in journalism and professional writing.
Demonstrate knowledge of the history and traditions of journalism and professional writing.
Perform entry-level work at a professional publication or as a professional writer, as demonstrated by completion of a media experience.
Required courses: 8 course units
JPW 208/Digital Journalism
JPW 250/Writing for User Experience
JPW 301/Data Journalism
JPW 308/Media Law
JPW 309/Media Ethics
JPW 311/News Editing and Production
JPW 498/Beats and Deadlines
JPW 499/Media Experience
Three of the following courses: 3 course units
JPW 209/Broadcast Journalism
JPW 251/Feature Writing
JPW 271/Fact-Checking
JPW 310/Press History
JPW 320/Social Media Strategy
JPW 321/Race, Gender, and the News
JPW 322/Future of the News
JPW 350/Magazine Writing
JPW 360/Mobile Video Production & Editing
JPW 370/Topics in Journalism
JPW 371/Topics in Professional Writing
JPW 372/Introduction to Media Entrepreneurship
JPW 391/Independent Study in Journalism or Professional Writing
JPW 397/Practicum (by permission)
JPW 399/Internship in Journalism or Professional Writing
JPW 401/The Washington Center
JPW 493/Independent Research II
One course, by advisement, from outside the JPW offerings (e.g., creative writing, literature, business, design, political theory, science and technology, international studies). 1 course unit
Total for major: 12 course units
Suggested First-Year Sequence for Journalism and Professional Writing
FYW First Year Writing
FYS First Year Seminar
JPW 208/Digital Journalism
JPW250/IMM 140/Writing for Interactive Media
The College Core *
The College Core*
The College Core*
The College Core (or another journalism course)
*It is recommended that students not exempted from the foreign language requirement take courses to meet that requirement. Note: Arabic 151 and 152, Chinese 151 and 152, Japanese 151 and 152, and Russian 151 and 152 (offered annually) are intensive courses and carry two course units of credit each. Students should take this into account when planning a normal four-course semester.