Field Description

The Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions offers students many exciting ways to study journalism in the media capital of the world and to master the ability to do research, conduct interviews, organize material and write clearly no matter what field a student hopes to enter. Its faculty brings a wide variety of professional experience to the classroom.

Students in journalism classes do original reporting, pursuing their ideas throughout the metropolitan area. Opportunities to publish are available in Dollars & Sense, published by the department and winner of numerous national awards; on the Writing New York blog; and in a variety of professional publications. Journalism students also gain valuable experience through internships at news organizations and publishing houses, major newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations, news and entertainment websites, and book publishers.

 

The Majors

Journalism

Journalism majors improve their research, writing, interviewing, editing, and storytelling abilities and knowledge of the city, the country, and the world in preparation for careers in journalism, the Internet and new media, book and magazine publishing, television and radio, music and the arts, the film industry, business, education, government, and law. Students work closely with expert faculty and in internships across the writing-related professions. Internships provide on-the-job experience for students interested in such fields as radio, network and cable TV, newspapers, magazines, wire services, business and financial journalism, and book publishing.

The Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions offers two specializations: journalism and creative writing, and business journalism. Each specialization is outlined in detail below.

Interested students should contact the Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions, Room 7-263 in the Newman Vertical Campus, telephone: 646-312-3974.

Each specialization is outlined in detail below. Interested students can contact the Journalism office at (646) 312-3974.


Journalism and Creative Writing Specialization

The journalism and creative writing specialization helps students develop research, interviewing, writing, editing, and multimedia storytelling skills that are crucial to success across a broad spectrum of fields and professions in this information age. A faculty of professional writers and editors teach students to research, report, interview, and write about urban affairs, politics, crime and the courts, arts and culture, law, education, science, sports, and many other topics.

Program Prerequisite

JRN 2500

The Individual and the News in the Information Age3 credits

Core Journalism Curriculum            (15 credits)

JRN 3050

Journalistic Writing4 credits

JRN 3220

Media Ethics3 credits

JRN 3500

Advanced Reporting and Writing4 credits
or 

JRN 3510

Multimedia Reporting4 credits

, , or  

Media Internship4 credits
or 

JRN 4920

Narrative Writing ()

4 credits

Specialization Electives                 (9-11 credits)

JRN 3060

Feature Article Writing3 credits

JRN 3064

Photojournalism ()

 

3 credits

JRN 3065

Electronic Research Methods and Resources for Writers ()

3 credits

JRN 3100

Copy Editing3 credits
Editing in the Digital World3 credits

JRN 3200

Business and Financial Writing4 credits

JRN 3210

Television Field Reporting3 credits

JRN 3280

Documentary Film ()

 

3 credits

JRN 3300

Science Communication3 credits

JRN 3400

Journalistic Criticism and Reviewing3 credits

JRN 3450

Journalistic Blogging3 credits
Advanced Multimedia Reporting3 credits
Podcasting and Radio News3 credits

JRN 3600

Creative Nonfiction3 credits

JRN 3610

Workshop: Fiction Writing ()

3 credits

JRN 3615

Sudden Fiction -- Crafting Short Short Stories ()

3 credits

JRN 3630

Workshop: Playwriting ()

3 credits

JRN 3650

Workshop: Film and Television Writing3 credits
International Reporting3 credits
Cultural Reporting3 credits

JRN 3800

Environmental Reporting3 credits

JRN 3810

Sportswriting3 credits

JRN 3900

Topics in Journalism3 credits

JRN 4200

Press Coverage of Politics and Policy3 credits

JRN 4220

A Century of Muckraking: Investigating Corporations, Corruption and Governmental Crooks3 credits

JRN 4730

Journalism and the Literary Imagination3 credits

JRN 4750

Investigative Reporting3 credits

JRN 4920

Narrative Writing ()

4 credits

JRN 5000-5002

Independent Study in JournalismVariable

, , or

Media Internship4 credits

JRN 6001H-6002H

Journalism Honors I and II3 credits
Plus 
Two Courses in Literature at the 3000-level or above6 credits

Business Journalism Specialization

This program will teach students how to function as business and financial journalists, for a news organization or on their own. Students will learn how to report on companies, analyze economic trends and find regional variations in them, understand financial markets and their impact on society, and write journalistic articles for a wide range of outlets, including newspapers and magazines, television and radio and the Internet. The specialization will help students develop research, reporting, and interviewing skills; learn to mine data; develop article ideas, and communicate news to different audiences.

 Program Prerequisite

JRN 2500

Perspectives on the News3 credits
Core Curriculum            (15 credits)

JRN 3050

Journalistic Writing4 credits

JRN 3200

Business and Financial Writing4 credits

JRN 3220

Media Ethics3 credits

, , or  

Media Internship4 credits
or 

JRN 4920

Narrative Writing ()

 

4 credits
Business Journalism Elective    (3 credits)
One course chosen from:

JRN 4001

Covering the Financial Markets3 credits

JRN 4002

Covering Wealth and Poverty

3 credits
Additional Journalism Electives    (6 – 8 credits)
Two courses chosen from the following:

JRN 3060

Feature Article Writing3 credits

JRN 3065

Electronic Research Methods and   Resources for Writers ()

3 credits

JRN 3100

Copy Editing3 credits
Editing in the Digital World3 credits

JRN 3210

Television Field Reporting3 credits

JRN 3450

Journalistic Blogging3 credits

JRN 3500

Advanced Reporting and Writing4 credits

JRN 3510

Multimedia Reporting4 credits
Advanced Multimedia Reporting3 credits 
Podcasting and Radio News3 credits

JRN 3600

Creative Nonfiction3 credits

JRN 3615

Sudden Fiction -- Crafting Short Short Stories ()

3 credits
International Reporting3 credits
Cultural Reporting3 credits

JRN 3800

Environmental Reporting3 credits

JRN 3810

Sportswriting3 credits

JRN 3900

Topics in Journalism3 credits

JRN 4001

Covering the Financial Markets3 credits

JRN 4002

Covering Wealth and Poverty

3 credits

JRN 4200

Press Coverage of Politics and Policy3 credits

JRN 4220

A Century of Muckraking: Investigating Corporations, Corruption and Governmental Crooks3 credits

JRN 4750

Investigative Reporting3 credits

JRN 4920

Narrative Writing ()

4 credits

JRN 5000-5002

Independent Study in JournalismVariable

, , or  

Media Internship4 credits

JRN 6001H-6002H

Journalism Honors I and II3 credits

With permission of the journalism advisor, writing-related Feit seminars () and Harman Writer-in-Residence courses may be counted toward the major.

Other Electives: Two additional courses (6 credits) drawn from the offerings of other programs throughout Baruch College, subject to approval by the journalism advisor.

Business Communication Major: 
Business Writing Specialization for the BA Student

For the BA student who is interested in combining business writing with preparation in business administration, the following interdisciplinary specialization within the business communication major is suggested.


Base Curriculum Courses 
No credit toward the major

ENG 2100

Writing I (or its equivalent)3 credits

ENG 2150

Writing II3 credits

ENG 2800

Great Works of Literature I ()

3 credits
or 

ENG 2850

Great Works of Literature II ()

3 credits
Program Prerequisites       12 credits

MKT 3000

Marketing Foundations3 credits

MGT 3120

Fundamentals of Management3 credits

STA 2000

Business Statistics I3 credits
or 

STA 2100

Statistics for Social Science3 credits
or 

ECO 1001

Micro-Economics
  (may be applied to the base curriculum - Baruch Common Core)
3 credits
or 

ECO 1002

Macro-Economics
  (may be applied to the base curriculum - Baruch Common Core)
3 credits
or 

ECO 1110

Current Economic Problems3 credits

CIS 2200

Introduction to Information Systems and Technologies

(Students must complete  as a course prerequisite)

3 credits
Major/Specialization:       30–33 credits
Interdisciplinary Core:      12–13 credits
Business Communication

JRN 3050

Journalistic Writing4 credits
or 

JRN 3150

Business Communication3 credits
and 

JRN 3220

Media Ethics

3 credits
Marketing/Advertising
Choose one course:

MKT 3520

Advertising and Marketing Communications3 credits

MKT 3600

Marketing Research3 credits

MKT 3605

Consumer Behavior3 credits

MKT 4171

Public Relations

3 credits
Management
Choose one course:

MGT 3300

Management: A Behavioral Approach3 credits

MGT 3800

Management and Society

3 credits
Business Writing Specialization Requirements              
Required Courses                  (10 – 12 credits)

JRN 3200

Business and Financial Writing4 credits

and two from the following:

JRN 3100

Copy Editing3 credits

JRN 3150

Business Communication3 credits

JRN 3500

Advanced Reporting and Writing4 credits

JRN 3510

Multimedia Reporting4 credits

, , or  

Media Internship

4 credits
Electives         (6 – 8 credits)

JRN 3060

Feature Article Writing3 credits

JRN 3100

Copy Editing3 credits
Editing in the Digital World3 credits

JRN 3210

Television Field Reporting3 credits

JRN 3220

Media Ethics3 credits

JRN 3450

Journalistic Blogging3 credits

JRN 3500

Advanced Reporting and Writing4 credits

JRN 3510

Multimedia Reporting4 credits
Advanced Multimedia Reporting3 credits
Podcasting and Radio News3 credits

JRN 3615

Sudden Fiction - Crafting Short Short Stories ()

3 credits

JRN 3600

Creative Nonfiction3 credits
International Reporting3 credits
Cultural Reporting3 credits

JRN 3800

Environmental Reporting3 credits

JRN 3810

Sportswriting3 credits

JRN 3900

Topics in Journalism†3 credits

JRN 4200

Press Coverage of Politics and Policy3 credits

JRN 4220

A Century of Muckraking: Investigating Corporations, Corruption and Governmental Crooks3 credits

JRN 4750

Investigative Reporting3 credits

JRN 4920

Narrative Writing ()

4 credits

JRN 5000-5002

Independent Study in JournalismVariable

, , or  

Media Internship

4 credits

JRN 6001H-6002H

Journalism Honors I and II3 credits
†Students may enroll in JRN 3900 more than once if the topic is different.

 

The Minors

The department offers two Tier III minors, one in journalism and one in business writing. Each provides students in business, public affairs, and liberal arts a range of courses to strengthen their writing and communication skills. These minors are particularly recommended for students preparing for careers in media, law, and politics and with nonprofit organizations.

Business Writing

The minor in Business Writing provides students in business, public affairs, and liberal arts with a firm foundation in professional writing for business purposes.  The program includes options to study business and marketing-related writing, Internet communications, legal writing, journalistic writing, and financial writing.  Students will expand their research, analytical, and writing abilities as they study and become proficient in the use of workplace-related writing. This minor is particularly recommended for students preparing for careers in business, government, marketing, management, public relations, media, law, education, politics, and with nonprofit organizations.

To fulfill the College-wide requirement for the Tier III minor with a concentration in business writing, students are required to complete a minimum of nine credits, including one course chosen from among JRN 3050, JRN 3150, and JRN 3200; one additional 3000-level course; and one course at the 4000 level or above, all drawn from the curriculum of the Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions. All department courses at the 4000-level or above, except for the Media Internship (JRN 5050, 5051, or 5052), may serve as the capstone course.

Journalism

The minor in Journalism provides students in business, public affairs, and liberal arts with a range of courses to strengthen their writing and communications skills. This minor is particularly recommended for students preparing for careers in media, law, business, politics, and with nonprofit organizations.

To fulfill the College-wide requirement for the Tier III minor with a concentration in journalism, students are required to complete a minimum of nine credits, including two courses at the 3000-level or above and one course at the 4000- or above, drawn from the curriculum of the Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions. All journalism courses at the 4000-level or above, except for the Media Internship (JRN 5050, 5051, or 5052), may serve as the capstone course.

 

Special Program

The Sidney Harman Writer-In-Residence Program

The Sidney Harman Writer-in-Residence Program, an endowed residency in the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, offers gifted undergraduates the opportunity to enroll in writing workshops taught by distinguished visiting professors. Since its inception in the fall of 1998, Harman Writers-in-Residence have included poets Yehuda Amichai, Agha Shahid Ali, April Bernard, Carol Muske-Dukes,  Charles Simic, and Major Jackson; playwrights Edward Albee and Tony Kushner; authors William Finnegan, Philip Gourevitch, Jane Kramer, Mark Kurlansky, and George Packer; fiction writers Paul Auster, Susan Choi, Anita Desai, Francisco Goldman, Colum McCann, Lorrie Moore, Sigrid Nunez, Francine Prose, Joseph O'Connor, and John Edgar Wideman; and graphic novelist, Ben Katchor.

Harman courses vary in numbering and in subject, depending on the choice of the visiting writer. Interested students of all majors are encouraged to submit transcripts and writing portfolios for review to Professor Bridgett Davis, 646-312-3927; e-mail: Bridgett.Davis@baruch.cuny.edu.

Harman classes can be taken for honors credit and students can use the Harman courses to fulfill their honors course requirements. The courses also can be used in the Journalism major and minor and in the English major and minor.

Additional information on the Harman Residency is available at www.baruch.cuny.edu/wsas/harman.

Journalism Laboratory

The department's facilities include Studio H, a state-of-theart computer lab and classroom for journalism students. Studio H offers students the latest technology for multimedia journalism, with 25 Apple iMac computers and software for editing photos, audio, and video. An audiovisual system allows for the viewing of multimedia features, television feeds, and other video on a large screen at the front of the room, and large flat-panel monitors on the side walls offer additional screening options. For example, when a news story is developing, students can follow coverage on at least three stations simultaneously. Studio H, funded by the Harnisch Foundation, also offers wireless Internet access and has its own server for easy file transfers

Courses

Courses in Journalism

JRN 2500

The Individual and the News in the Information Age

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3050

Journalistic Writing

4 hours; 4 credits

JRN 3060

Feature Article Writing

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3064

Photojournalism ()

4 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3065

Electronic Research Methods and Resources for Writers ()

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3100

Copy Editing

3 hours; 3 credits

Editing in the Digital World3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3150

Business Communication

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3200

Business and Financial Writing

4 hours; 4 credits

JRN 3210

Television Field Reporting

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3220

Media Ethics

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3280

Documentary Film ()

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3300

Science Communication

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3400

Journalistic Criticism and Reviewing

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3450

Journalistic Blogging

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3500

Advanced Reporting and Writing

4 hours; 4 credits

JRN 3510

Multimedia Reporting

4 hours; 4 credits

JRN 3520

Advanced Multimedia Reporting

 

3 hours; 3 credits

Podcasting and Radio News3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3600

Creative Nonfiction

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3610

Workshop: Fiction Writing ()

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3615

Sudden Fiction - Crafting Short Short Stories ()

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3630

Workshop: Playwriting ()

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3650

Workshop: Film and Television Writing

3 hours; 3 credits

International Reporting3 hours; 3 credits
Cultural Reporting3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3800

Environmental Reporting

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3810

Sportswriting

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 3900

Topics in Journalism

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 4001

Covering the Financial Markets

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 4002

Covering Wealth and Poverty

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 4200

Press Coverage of Politics and Policy

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 4220

A Century of Muckraking: Investigating Corporations, Corruption, and Governmental Crooks

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 4730

Journalism and the Literary Imagination

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 4750

Investigative Reporting

4 hours; 3 credits

JRN 4920

Narrative Writing ()

4 hours; 4 credits

JRN 5000

Independent Study in Journalism I

Variable hours and credits

JRN 5001

Independent Study in Journalism II

Variable hours and credits

JRN 5002

Independent Study in Journalism III

Variable hours and credits

JRN 5050

Media Internship I

4 hours; 4 credits

JRN 5051

Media Internship II

4 hours; 4 credits

JRN 5052

Summer Media Internship

4 hours; 4 credits

JRN 6001H

Honors Journalism I

3 hours; 3 credits

JRN 6002H

Honors Journalism II

3 hours; 3 credits