B.A. in Journalism & Media Communication

Have you ever found yourself talking out loud to the television, radio, or computer screen asking:

Who is the audience? Why are they telling this story? What would be a better multimedia method that that would make this story most compelling?

The answers to these questions might lead you to a major or minor in journalism and media communication at Otterbein. Through an integrated multimedia curriculum, you will learn valuable research and reporting skills, develop strong writing and editing techniques, and practice advanced production methods for text, audio, video, and interactive storytelling in student media organizations, lab classes, and internships.

In Journalism & Media classes you might:

  • Write and edit a campus news story.
  • Broadcast live on the air for Otterbein’s radio station, WOBN, 97.5 FM;
  • Produce and report the news and sports on Otterbein.tv, our own television station;
  • Learn how to optimize website traffic via social media and then analyze audience statistics;
  • Tell stories from inside local communities in order to advocate for social change.
  • Design your own newsletter or website.

Degree Course Topics Include:

  • Reporting and News Writing
  • Media in a Global Society
  • Race, Gender, Class and Media

Student Learning Outcomes & University Learning Goals (KMERI)

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Knowledgeable

Journalism & Media Communication Major Goals

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping journalism and media communication.
2a. Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information.
2b. Think critically, creatively and independently.

Goals for Core Communication Courses

1. Describe the communication discipline and its central questions.
1a. Articulate the importance of communication expertise in civic engagement.
1b. Evaluate contemporary topics within the field.
2. Employ communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
2a. Explain and synthesize communication theories, perspectives, principles and concepts.
2b. Apply communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Multi-literate

Journalism & Media Communication Major Goals

4a. Apply current tools and technologies appropriate for the communications professions in which they work, and to understand the digital world.
4b. Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communications professions, audiences and purposes they serve.

Goals for Core Communication Courses

4. Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
4a. Research, compose and present a speech to a specific audience.
4b. Critically reflect on one’s own messages.

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Engaged

Journalism & Media Communication Major Goals

5. Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and other forms of diversity in domestic society in relation to mass communication.
7a. Demonstrate a theoretical/historical/media literacy-grounded understanding.
7b.Demonstrate a professional/applied understanding.

Goals for Core Communication Courses

5. Critically analyze messages.
5a. Describe and apply different theoretical frameworks to a variety of messages.
7. Influence public discourse (NCA 9).

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Responsible

Journalism & Media Communication Major Goals

6a. Work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity. Recognize the First Amendment as a right and responsibility.
6b. Identify, apply and analyze the role of law in the development, regulation and professional practice of journalism and mass communication.

Goals for Core Communication Courses

6. Apply ethical communication principles and practices (NCA 7).
6a. Identify the ethical responsibilities of the audience and the speaker.

University Learning Goals (KMERI): Inquisitive

Journalism & Media Communication Major Goals

3a. Apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.
3b. Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications professions in which they work.

Goals for Core Communication Courses

3. Engage in communication inquiry.
3a. Identify and describe questions and approaches for communication scholarship.
3b. Evaluate and critique communication scholarship from a variety of perspectives.
3c. Critique communication theories, perspectives, principles and concepts.

*NOTE: KMERI refers to Otterbein's learning goals. It stands for Knowledgeable, Multi-literate, Engaged, Responsible, and Inquisitive. To learn more about KMERI, visit our University Learning Goals page.

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