Overview: Journalism at Fairfield University

Journalism programs at colleges and universities have been under attack for committing a variety of sins, real and imagined. Some of the common criticisms include:

• Many traditional journalism programs are seen as too practical and too applied, serving as little more than trade schools.
• In contrast, programs housed in Communication Departments are sometimes criticized as too theoretical. They mandate courses that may be less relevant to journalists (i.e., human communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication) than other courses in politics, sociology, history, economics and English might be.
• Veteran TV newsman Walter Cronkite and others warn that some student journalists spend too much time taking journalism, communication and other media-oriented courses. They should spend more time taking a broad variety of liberal arts classes where they can develop a greater understanding of what to write about, instead of just learning the techniques of writing.
• In a scathing overview of the field, Rolling Stone criticized it for attracting too many public relations majors, diluting journalism's attempt to ferret out the truth, and for allegedly turning the field into little more than a training ground for paid corporate liars.

Fairfield University's approach to journalism has avoided most of these problems. Like many Ivy League schools, Fairfield does not have a single program housed in a sole department. Instead, through its core curriculum, it mandates the kind of broad liberal arts education stressed by Cronkite.

Students can take specific courses in news writing, broadcast production, political and government reporting, and many related areas. But instead of focusing solely on a set of technical skills that may soon become outdated, students also are encouraged to take coursework in areas like politics, American Studies, sociology and history so they can learn a body of knowledge and do a better job of communicating it to an audience. They develop the kind of critical thinking skills needed to cope with the inevitable changes in the journalism world.

Simply put, students don't just learn how to write and broadcast; they also learn what to write about. Students can pursue journalism in at least five different ways, based on their interests.

• Major in English and take the journalism sequence to fulfill some of the requirements of the major. Contact: Prof. Simon, ext. 2792.
• Minor in English/Journalism, and major in a related area. Contact: Prof. Simon, ext. 2792.
• Major in Communication  and take journalism courses in English to help fulfill the requirements of the major. Contact: Prof. Ryan, ext. 2566.
• Complete a dual major in English and a related area (politics, American Studies, communication, sociology, economics, history).
• Major in New Media in the Visual and Performing Arts Department, taking broadcast journalism courses, and also complete a major or minor in English/Journalism.  Contact: Prof. Mayzik, ext. 2268

Recommended in all cases: join The Mirror campus newspaper (ext. 2533), The Ham Channel on-campus TV channel (ext. 4118) or WVOF-FM (ext. 4111) and complete at least one journalism internship.  Two literary magazines - The Sound and Dogwoods  also provide excellent editing experiences; contact Prof. Bridgford,  ext. 2795

The Journalism Concentration in the English Department

The Journalism sequence is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in newspapers, magazines, radio/TV news and publishing. Many students interested in careers in public relations also find it useful.

English majors can take the normal five literature courses to fulfill their department core requirements, plus the five-course journalism sequence outlined below to complete their field electives.

English minors  can complete the five-course formal English/Journalism minor listed below. Or they can take the general English minor and take whatever journalism courses they wish toward the electives needed.

The Journalism sequence includes:

Introductory courses; students take both:

• EN/W 220 News Writing (must be taken before any other journalism course)
• EN/W 222 Journalism Editing and Design (may take any time)

Specialized courses; students take at least two:

• EN/W 221 Contemporary Journalism
• EN/W 320 Writing the Feature Story
• EN/W 321 Broadcast News Writing
• EN/W 322 Sports Reporting
• EN/W 323 Literary Journalism
• EN/W 324 Political and Government Reporting
• EN/W 325 Environmental Reporting

Capstone course: students take at least one:

• EN/W 345/346 Internship
• EN/W 347/348 Independent Writing project

Students can use any ENW course of their own choosing as their fifth and final journalism course.

Students can start the journalism sequence as early as freshman year. After completing EN11 (the freshman writing course), they can take EN/W220 News Writing simultaneously with taking EN12 (the freshman literature course). This makes it easier for students to complete all journalism coursework by end of junior year and concentrate on internships and campus media experience in senior year.

Journalism Courses (ENW) at Fairfield

EN/W 220 News Writing
This introductory course emphasizes the techniques used by reporters to collect information and write stories for newspapers, magazines, the internet and broadcast outlets. Students learn how to gather information, interview sources, write leads, structure a story, and work with editors. Students analyze how different news organizations package information, hear from guest speakers, and visit working journalists in the field. Students develop a higher level of media literacy and learn how to deal with the news media in their career. (Prerequisite: EN 12 or equivalent) Three credits.

EN/W 222 Journalism Editing and Design
Editing skills are in high demand in today's journalism job market, both for traditional and on-line sources of information. This intermediate level course emphasizes conciseness, precision, accuracy, style, and balance in writing and editing. The course includes researching and fact-checking, basic layout and design, headline and caption writing, and on-line editing. (Prerequisite:EN/W 220 or permission of instructor) Three credits.

EN/W 320 Writing the Feature Story
Students learn how to generate and develop feature story ideas, including human-interest stories, backgrounders, trend stories, personally profiles and other softer news approaches for use by newspapers, magazines, and web sites. The course stresses story-telling techniques and use of alternative leads. Interviewing, web research and rewriting techniques are stressed. (Prerequisite: EN/W 220 or permission of instructor) Three credits.

EN/W 321 Broadcast News Writing
Students learn how to plan, write and edit hard news and feature news stories for radio and television. Topics include the difference between writing for broadcast and print, story structures, teasers and lead-ins, copy preparation and style, broadcast terminology; and writing a package with narration, visuals and interviews. Students hear from broadcast professionals and visit radio and television news operations. Previous journalism or broadcast experience is recommended. (Prerequisite: EN 12 or equivalent) Three credits.

EN/W 322 Sports Reporting
Students learn how to capture the drama of sports events, on and off the field. They write traditional game stories and profiles while also strengthening skills in interviewing, writing under deadline pressure, and analyzing statistics. Students go beyond spot stories to explore and write about the bigger picture, newer issues, and the overall allure of sports. (Prerequisite: EN/W 220 or permission of instructor.) Three credits.

EN/W 324 Political and Government Reporting
Students gain experience in reporting on campus and local government events, state and federal government activities, public opinion polls, school board meetings, state and federal government activities, public opinion polls, and political campaigns. Guest speakers from politics and journalism help students deepen their understanding of the role of the press as a government watchdog. (Prerequisite: EN/W 220 or permission of instructor.) Three credits.

EN/W 325 Environmental Reporting
From land use disputes to problems with air, land, and water pollution, environmental concerns touch the lives of everyone. This course gives students experience in reporting and writing about the environment and related science and health concerns. Students meet with environmental reporters for newspapers and magazines, visit environmental sites, and write about environmental issues to examine the challenges of covering this field. Students interested in this course are encouraged to complete some coursework in journalism, environmental science, environmental studies, or an environmental course in applied ethics prior to enrolling. (Prerequisite: EN 12 or equivalent) Three credits.

EN/W 326 Contemporary Journalism
This course sharpens student news-gathering, writing, and editing skills and prepares them for the demands of journalism jobs in the 21^st century. Students write longer story packages in conventional print formats and in HTML language for World Wide Web distribution. Students cover on-campus and off-campus events and discuss libel and ethical concerns that can affect their writing and careers. (Prerequisite: EN/W 220 or permission of instructor) Three credits.

EN/W 345 (Fall) or EN/W 346 (Spring) Internships
The internship program allows students to gain on-site experience in the fields of journalism, publishing, and public relations through supervised work for local newspapers, magazines, publishers, and news agencies. These positions are available upon recommendation of the department intern supervisor, under whose guidance the students assume the jobs, which require 10 to 15 hours a week. Students may take one internship for credit toward the English major. Students may take a second internship for elective credit. (Prerequisites: intern supervisor) Three credits.

EN/W 347 (Fall) or EN/W 348 (Spring) Independent Writing Project
Students undertake Individual tutorials in writings and can obtain credit for writing for The Mirror, The Sound, or for other projects of personal interest. Only one independent writing project can be counted towards fulfilling the five field electives required to complete an English major. The department will consider exceptions only if multiple Independent Writing Project courses cover totally different subject areas and approval in advance is obtained. (Prerequisites: EN 12 or equivalent and permission of instructor) Three credits.

Any questions? See Dr. Simon, coordinator of journalism courses, DMH106; ext. 2792; e-mail jsimon@mail.fairfield.edu

Other courses useful to potential journalists

This somewhat arbitrary list contains courses that are ideal:

• to fill out your core requirements, or
• to use as electives, or
• to use in fulfilling the requirements of your major.

Not all courses are offered every semester. There may be prerequisites; see the course catalog.